Maya raised her brow wondering what the dumb hoodlums, which was a punishment in itself listening to their constant tantrums were arguing about.
She could hear yelling and cursing outside making her hiss, her eyes closed as she brooded on what she had just watched a few minutes ago.
He had called her a whore every time yet he had gone through all this trouble to get her shackled. She wondered if this was all about his male pride which got wounded when she escaped him years ago and if it was, she was more than willing to apologize if that gets her sent home.
Home, she paused. Wondered where that was, what that word meant to her. Of course, a home could be Jessica making her infamous sushi in the kitchen and singing along with Justin Beiber in her very horrible voice, making her wince and Chuckle too.
Home could be threatening Jasmine with gagging so she could just stop telling her about her sex escapades with different dudes, especially when she decides to go all detailed.
But in that moment home was not a place in her mind, home was the balcony of a club, home was in a studio with an infamously evil reporter just because a familiar man with blue eyes had his eyes on her.
Home was arguing with this man over their different notion on love, Home was striding alongside with him and lying so beautifully well for him, home was chuckling and reprimanding him ever so frequently.
Home was not a place to her, home was a person. Xavier made everywhere home and at that moment she knew, if she had succeeded in leaving a few minutes ago subconsciously her feet will find themselves to him.
He made her protected, safe, secured, love.
Maya didn't know if she was crazy but there was something in his eyes that without him uttering a word made her believe that she was not as worthless as Mr. Dominic was prone to wanting to point out.
She is beautiful, she is smart, for crying out loud she was the best graduating student, she was a damn good personal assistant to the most demanding man on Earth if she did say so herself. She was a good friend and had the best girls in the world as pals.
She inhaled, even as a little smile grazed her face. She didn't find Prince charming, she doubted she'll have the opportunity to anyways.
But she was grateful for the memories she made during her short period on Earth.
Her vision became blurred reminding her she had not eaten for days. So much so, her stomach had stopped aching and she couldn't feel the worms stabbing pain.
"Xavier," she mumbled, and then she didn't know if it was one of her pitiful hallucinations that were constant when she was about blanking out due to excruciating pain or hunger, sometimes both. She saw Xavier and behind him stood Jasmine, she was holding a gun, backing him, her eyes bloodshot.
Maya raised her brow and then a power she couldn't resist submerged her body into the spot of darkness and limpness.
"Xav..." And then she was surrendering to nature, her body collapsing.
Xavier rushed to her, holding her body before she fell completely.
Melissa watched outside the door in alarm, her gun dangling in her hand as she prayed that she never got into a situation where she had to use it because she knew she will do that without blinking an eye.
Her eyes watered in both relief and anger as she accessed Maya's body, the bruises waking an inner demon inside of her as she placed her hand over her mouth wondering what kind of monster the older Mr. Salvador was.
Xavier had the same thought as his finger caressed one of her fresh injuries. He sniffed, even as he Bent down to untie her leg which was tied to a pole like she was some stray animal. Even an animal could not be treated so Harshly, so poorly.
"Well, well well,"
Xavier pursed his lips even as utter anger consume him and the animalistic urge to grab the owner of that voice he knew too well and make him pay for every time his hand made contact with Maya's body.
That taunting voice that had been a playlist from the devil, trashing all his childhood achievements. He was always too weak, never enough, a dullard.
"Dad," he said as he turned towards him with gritted teeth, as he loosened the final knot of the rope Maya was tied in and dropped her on the floor, intent on giving the man behind him a piece of his mind which involved his fist.
A gun was trained to Melissa's head, which stopped him completely.
Her eyes were glazed with anger even and he could see a trail of blood running from the side of her mouth to confirm that his dear father was not above raising his hand to his dear daughter.
"Xavier, don't listen to one thing he says. Take Maya away from here, his words are all empty. I'll be fine."
Mr. Dominic scoffed, clenching his hand around Melissa's neck making her groan, her eyes watering with unshed tears.
"You had an opportunity to pull the trigger and you didn't," he shook his head amused, "Silly girl, thinking I'll make the same mistake. I've done more evil things than Killing my child, adding this won't make a difference to my darkened soul, ask Xavier. He is wiser and older."
She struggled against his grasp making him hit her, his eyes gleaming with murderous intent while Xavier clenched his fist taking a step forward.
"Another step, son and all the things you know about your sister here will be accompanied with was, don't let this one be on you man," He threateningly mumbled, his hand hovering around the trigger.
He raised his hand in defense, taking a step backward.
"No, Xavier. This man will probably kill us all eventually. Take Maya and leave," Melissa screamed despite the choking grip on her throat.
"No martyrs, Melissa." He whispered and then glared at the man who held his daughter like she was some animal, a sadistic smile on his face like this was some sick family reunion.
"Man, I took a step back now quit manhandling her, you animal!"
"Tell the girl beside you to drop her gun and push it with her feet to me."
Jasmine glared at him defiantly, her hand clutched around the gun even more tightly.
Mr. Dominic Chuckled, one of his hands idly resting on his waist like he had all day while the other held on to Melissa's throat, so tightly.
She choked, thrashed, hit his hand, again and again, tears gliding down her cheeks.
Jasmine looked away, not wanting to give in which would be unavoidable if she didn't.
"Jasmine, drop the gun," Xavier muttered making Melissa shake her head in spite of the life being snuffed out of her.