"Do you have the girls now? They need to travel tomorrow. "
A man's deep voice rang in the room.As he leaned against the wooden chair, the sweet aroma of tobacco wafted through the air, mingling with the scent of worn leather. He puffed on the pipe, his eyes narrowing as the smoke curled around his face, shrouding his features in mystery.For a moment, the only sound was the soft crackle of the tobacco, and the creak of the chair, as if the very atmosphere itself was holding its breath, waiting for his next move.
Mrs Sharon held her breath, this man will never become less intimidating, no matter how many times they met. He was her boss but she still can't help being cautious in his presence. And what's with this pipe of his? Sharon Concluded that he must be dramatic .
"so soon? " Mrs Sharon asked carefully.
"Yes" his cold voice came.
"they're few this time, this business is becoming risky as it's become difficult to convince or deceive people anymore "
"that's why we need to take the ones available away immediately,maybe after this last batch, we will re-strategize"
"okay boss" Mrs Sharon bowed.
"okay, go and do what I told you " he waved her away ,then stood up puffing on his pipe for the last time before walking away in the shadows.
Mrs Sharon heaved a sigh and also left.
* * *
Stella was jolted out of her thoughts as Victoria shook her a bit.
"hey! what got you so lost in thoughts ?"
"ah it's nothing " Stella said.
"are you sure?" Victoria looked at her suspiciously.
"Anyway, James told me we may be travelling very soon! I'm so excited !" Victoria said, whistling happily.
But she didn't expect to see Stella's horrified look.
"what is it?" Victoria asked.
"Victoria. Don't go"
"oh I know, you will miss me. I will miss you too " she tried to hug Stella but Stella wasn't having it.
"look, you have to listen to me. Don't go anywhere " Stella couldn't believe this was really happening.she had overheard Mrs Sharon speaking with someone yesterday when she went to ease herself. She thought the discussion,which was very unsettling was about them. But she tried to dismiss the thought throughout yesterday. Turns out they were talking about them. They would take Victoria and everyone of them away To only -God-knows. this was not good .
They also talked about deceiving people.she didn't kno what they were up to exactly but she knew they were definitely up to no good. No, this place wasn't safe!
"Relax, okay?Everyone's dream is to
have a good life, this is an opportunity, you should be happy. " Victoria explained.
Stella sighed. She didn't know how to explain this in order not to sound stupid. And just then, a knock was heard at the door and Mrs Sharon came in, looking so graceful and kind but Stella only gave her a wary look.
"I have good news girls "she smiled and watched as the girls perked up their ears in Anticipation.
"we are finally travelling! The company has decided to reward your hard work by sponsoring your vacation outside the country ".
Their eyes sparkled, especially Victoria. They've never gone on a vacation before.Mrs Sharon's eyes narrowed towards Stella, she didn't seem so excited like the others.
"Stella, are you okay? Don't you want to travel? "
"what? I am going too? " Stella was surprised.
"yes, darling. You're coming too" Mrs Sharon smiled and breathed inwardly in relief. She thought there was going to be a problem.there was definitely no way she could have found out about their schemes.
"But.. "
she just arrived here and hadn't done much as compared to the other girls who have been here before her. The other girls thought so too. But Mrs Sharon just waved their thoughts aside and simply ignored their expression.
"No buts, everyone is coming. Prepare yourself.see you tomorrow.. " she trailed as she stood up and made to leave.
Victoria looked at Stella who was 'pretending' to be nonchalant and felt a bit jealous. To even think she tried to convince her not to go. How hypocritical! She sneered. But was Amazed the next second.
"Mrs Sharon, I don't want to go " Stella said, stopping Mrs Sharon in her tracks who turned around and only smiled at her warmly.
"you will, darling " and left directly, leaving no room for arguments.
"I.. " Stella looked around to see the other girls looking at her strangely. Was she just overreacting? And Mrs Sharon and the 'company ' meant well. Or maybe she heard wrong?
But no matter how she thought about it, she still couldn't shake off that gut feeling which told her there was something wrong with this place and she decided she wasn't going to stay.
"Victoria.. " She tried to speak to Victoria but Victoria just ignored her. She wasn't ready to be talked out of grabbing this 'opportunity '.not knowing what else to do, Stella let her be.
When night Came, everyone went to bed but Stella couldn't sleep. Tomorrow. What will happen tomorrow? She stared at the ceiling for sometime then stood up and parked her bag.she tiptoed to the door and opened it but was shocked to see the guy that always Stayed around Mrs Sharon at the company. Probably her Assistant.but she never knew his name and he always wore a cap. Moreover she only sees him at work and not here.
What was he doing here? Why was he lurking around? Their eyes met.
"hey,where are you going with your bag ?" He approached her .
"I'm going to wash my clothes,Aren't you going home "? Stella replied as she composed herself.
"not yet, I still have few things to do before I leave "
"oh okay " Stella nodded as she went to the back of the house to drop her bag. She peeped and saw that 'Mr Cap' was still around. She kept watching and when he wasn't really paying attention, she sneeked out leaving her bag.
She was convinced at this point that she was doing the right thing.it was already 10:00pm and she was just walking on the street with no destination and no money.
She found a spot and sat down.she was so tired and this time, she burst into tears burying her face in her hands.
"Pretty girl "
Stella looked up to see a rogue staring at her lecherously. He reeked of Alcohol and smoke. She stood up and tried to walk away only for him to grab her hand.
"I'm talking to you,where are you going? "he Showed an ugly devilish smile which irritated Stella the more.
"let go of me! " she struggled to get out of his hold but he was clearly stronger.
And just then..
Shit!
Stella saw the 'Cap man' walking towards their direction. She became so desperate that she bit down on the rogue's hand To release his grip.
"you bitch!" he cursed and slapped her.
Stella escaped from his grip and Walked quickly away. Has that man seen her? Will she be kidnapped today? Not wanting to take any risk, she quickly flagged down a taxi that was moving slowly on the road and entered without hesitation.
The driver looked surprised but didn't say anything and just drove away.After driving for sometime, he stopped.
"so, where are you going? " he looked at her. She looked Like someone he had seen somewhere before but could not remember where exactly.But why was she looking at him like that without saying a word? She must be scared. Why would young girls just move around late at night without caring about their safety? Remembering the way she almost 'flew' into his taxi he knew she must have gotten into some kind of trouble.
Stella looked around her and heaved a sigh of relief, at least she was safe now and she knew this driver tried to help her.
Honestly, when he asked her where she was going she didn't know what to say, neither did she have a place in mind. She was dumbstruck .then an idea pop up in her mind, why not act dumb To gain pity and avoid paying for the ride? She didn't have money to pay him.
With this thought, she got out of the taxi and started walking away after saying thank you by gesturing with her hands And smiling at him.
"hey! " Nicholas was baffled at this little girl's behavior. She kept on walking, ignoring him. He walked towards her and grabbed her hand.
"what's wrong with you? Pay me for the ride ". Nicholas was getting angry, how unruly!
But the girl stared at him in confusion and started making hand gestures suggesting that she couldn't hear nor speak.
"You can't speak ?" he realised but then,His mouth suddenly curved in a smirk.
Stella's heart skipped a beat seeing the smug look on his face.what is he going to do now?