(Alina POV)
"I won't do it, I won't do it", That's what I repeat in my mind as if begging it to reconsider that devilish thought. It doesn't work because I pick my phone up and stare at it numbly before deciding to give in to impulse and ring her. The call picked almost instantly and her hopeful voice was in the background
"Girllyyy, have you decided yet? You know you need the money", my best friend Ciara said with a tone that sounded mocking and reassuring.
"I'm scared, I'm really scared", I replied shaking "What if.. what if.." I had barely finished my sentence but her voice cut through my fear "Babes, don't worry, nothing will happen, I promise just say yes and I'll handle the rest" she chimed in with a strong optimistic voice. I hummed to indicate that I've heard her and silence followed. It was just one word stopping me from a life of enjoyment, a life where my mother will never suffer again, a life I had dreamed of countless times. "You know I don't have all day",her optimistic voice said turning impatient. "I want you to trust me, I'll never hurt you" She said in a low voice.
Whatever manipulative game she was playing on me, it was already working and I was getting convinced. "Yes, I'll do it" I said with a strong voice. "Woohoo",she squealed in a very happy voice. I could hear rustling in the background and rushed movements "We're going to have the best time ever, I promise " her excitement was contagious because I caught myself smiling till my lips hurt. The phone disconnected and the beeping soothed me. My hands and legs moved quickly as I hurriedly put all essentials together before Ciara would get to my house.
It was just 5 minutes after our call but I heard her car horn outside my dilapidated gate. "Girlll, I'm here",her shrill voice called out to me with all traces of happiness in her voice". I had already packed an emergency luggage for this and I looked at my cracked mirror trying to pat down my ugly clothes and make myself look presentable. Ciara had already entered with the spare key and stood at the door of my room looking at me for a moment. I turned around facing her with a strong sense of insecurity. It seemed like she sensed it because she walked over to me and hugged me "You're my best friend and you're very beautiful", she faced me in front of the mirror "You can and you will take the word by storm one day" She said hyping me up. "Thank you ", I replied my voice above a whisper "Let's go".
Her car was chilled but it didn't reduce the fear I felt as we came closer. My worn out clothes with tear holes at the armpits disgraced me as my body immediately soaked with damp huge sweat drops defying the perfume I borrowed from Ciara.
"We're here", her voice cut through my thoughts again and I shivered. The door was opened by a highly polished guard who as I stepped down watched his gaze falter as he looked at my appearance down to my shoes. Shame rolled onto me like waves and looked at my best friend for help but she was already strolling around greeting the stiff guards even emitting a small smile where I was being looked down upon.
I followed her stiffly up the staircase that felt too grand for my soles and through the door that was too magnificent for me. The strong smell of a perfume hit me that triggered a traumatic experience in my mind but I kept going, following my best friend who dragged me everywhere excitedly showing me everywhere.
"Babyyy, I'm back", her voice echoed the hall as she looked round with expectation. I braced myself besides her ready to meet the man who would liberate me from my suffering. The smell of the perfume grew stronger and more familiar but I ignored it... Thinking back I shouldn't have because as I looked up I saw the guy I had been in love with for 12 years and counting smiling down on my best friend and calling her "My little doll", my legs lost all feelings and I went blank.