prologue
I wonder what thats like...
You think as you slowly put the dress back on the rack and look to the happy couple. The woman holds a small and bubbly child in her arms. They all looked so happy.
You pondered and wondered if it was all an act. He could beat her senseless while at home, their child could be dying, you never know whats going on behind appearances.
"Are you ready to go?"
As you felt his large hand grab your shoulder you swallowed hard and knew this to be true. Looking up at him with a smile you nod and hold the three dresses in your arms. He gives you his killer golden toothed smile and takes the dresses, making his way to the register.
Glancing back to the picture perfect family you let out a soft 'oh' when the child drops her tiny doll. Hurrying over you pick it up off the ground and the parents turn to you with wary eyes. Yet their worries of such a stranger so close to them is quelled when you hold up the small clown doll.
"Seems she dropped this.",you say politely and the small child coos as you hand it back to her.
Her mother looks at you and is ready to give thanks until she gasps softly,"You're (Y/N)! Oh my goodness!",she smacks her husband on the shoulder and his brows furrow before shooting up as he realizes too.
"Oh wow!",he exclaims and you feel your cheeks redden out of slight embarrassment,"If its not too much trouble could we get an autograph?" You laugh sheepishly and nod while the wife hands off her adorable child and scrambles through her purse for a pen and small notepad.
"We are absolutely huge fans! We got married not too long ago and danced to "Young and Beautiful" for our first dance!",the husband fawns over you and the wife nods eagerly as she hands you the pen and notepad.
You feel embarrassed yet again but you sign along the crisp and clean paper with a soft smile,"Thank you so much your support means the world." After handing back the notepad the wife bounces with excitement along with the husband.
"Have a lovely day you two.",you smile and nod and they profusely thank you as you walk away.
You couldn't help but notice the way they both fawned over you and share excited giggles and smiles as you signed the paper. You glanced down at your shoes and the ring wrapped around your ring finger.
Maybe they weren't just picture perfect.
"What was that?",you hear your lovely husbands voice ring out in front of you. Stopping you look up at him as he carries your bags in his hands. Tilting his buzzed head slightly you smile while turning back to the couple that leaves the store.
"They wanted an autograph so I—",you start but you're interrupted when he scoffs and rolls his eyes.
"Seems to me like her man was a bit too friendly with you.",his soft hazel eyes narrow and your brows pinch together. You get a sick feeling in your stomach and you swallow hard.
"Val don't be ridiculous he was—",he cuts you off yet again by placing his hand up. "Save it. Lets get home now.",that sick feeling worsens when he roughly grabs your arm and pulls you from the store. With a small wince from fading bruises you act casually as his grip on your arm never wavers.
You think of the lovely couple. Oh how you wanted that so ever since you were a little girl. Growing up with less than happy parents, you always had your siblings but even now you hadn't seen them since you were given away for debt.
That was just a few years ago.
You inhaled deeply and looked up at Valentino. His jaw was tight and eyes narrowed.
I guess some of us aren't meant to have our happy endings...
«»
You cough and grab at your sides, your vision blurring and head foggy. Tears roll down your cheeks and well up in your eyes only to repeat the process.
"I'll be gone for just a few. When I get home I expect an apology for wasting my time.",Valentinos voice is foggy and drowned out by the blinding pain you feel all over. Mainly your torso considering he couldn't risk injuring your face.
Your blurry vision watches as his clean and expensive shoes walk away. His fixes the rings on his fingers and looks down at your weak figure. Guilt prods at him yet he shoves it aside as he usually does and clears his throat.
You lay there and hear the door shut. With a loud groan and suffering muffled scream you manage to sit up. You look around and your chest rises and falls with heavy breaths as you stand up on shaky legs. You spit the blood on your tongue onto the clean carpet and internally curse at Valentino while making your way to clean yourself up.
After showering and pulling on new clothing you're discreet to make your way out of the house and past the guards.
Although a few admittingly let you past. You get into one of the cars and sigh heavily as you leave the estate and begin to drive to the place you found yourself frequenting more often than usual these days.
Tears well in your eyes as you grip the steering wheel and you swallow the enlarging lump in your throat. You look down at the ring around your finger and with hot tears rolling down your cheeks your pull it off and toss it in the backseat.
You didn't want a reminder of your binding contract to the mafia leader. Especially not in your safe space.
You sigh gently and turn up the radio as beautiful scenery passes you by. Your voice begins to sing along to the familiar song. The voice that got you famous and renowned. All because of Valentino.
You begin to think about your forced marriage to Valentino. It seemed like forever ago you were sold off to him. It seems even longer that you were married. Things were so great at first and it was far better than being beat by your father...you didn't mind that it was forced.
But he turned violent and more violent.
"But when he walks in...I am loved I am loved...",you sing softly with hot tears rolling down your flushed cheeks. Your shoulders shake and hands grip the steering wheel. You hated being owned by him.
Pulling up to the dirt path you shakily reach for the key in the ignition, letting the song play out for a few moments.
You hated being beaten and treated like trash. His words resonated in your head in your nightmares and he slept so peacefully aside you. But without him you'd be suffering in another mob family. You wouldn't have gone anywhere with your passion for music.
Shutting off the car and stepping out you sniffle and shut the door. Wiping the tears from your cheeks you brush back your still wet hair and look around before sneaking past the chains and walking uphill.
You hummed softly as you attempted to calm yourself down. The aching in your ribs and hips were still present but you carried on for the night sky view atop the cliff.
The cool autumn breeze ran across your hot skin and through your soft hair. Your eyes glittered, reflected by the moonlight and you gazed up to the starry sky. The dirt and leaves crunching beneath your heels in the forbidden area.
You approached the top of the cliff and stood there for a few moments. The tears dried on your cheeks and eyes puffy. Your nose was red and irritated as you rubbed the sniffle once more. You breathed out while looking up to the beautiful night sky.
I can't escape him...I just wish I could...
I'd do anything to get away from him.
"Hello, my dear."
You hear a voice ring out behind you in a strangely familiar way. Before you can turn away you feel a rag be placed over your mouth. Your eyes widen and you look around while shaking and thrashing.
Don't inhale! Don't inhale!
The strangers arms are strong, wrapped around you and dragging you back away from the edge of the cliff. Your sides and torso hurt even more as you try to hold your breath yet its futile and you inhale deeply, worn out and tired.
The drug wafts into your senses and you continue to thrash and squirm while being tugged away.
This can't be happening! Can I please catch a break!
After a few minutes your aching body begins to grow weaker. Blinking gently your vision grows fuzzy along with your mind and soon enough you fall unconscious.
Alastor feels you fall limp in his arms and he removes the rag. His grin grows wider and he sighs softly. Placing the rag within his breast pocket he lifts you up, bridal style and carries you down the hill.
I've waited weeks for this...weeks of planning and following...You're soft voice ringing through my ears and the radio.
Alastor lays you down in the trunk and brushes back your hair from your beautiful features. He cocks his head gently and leans down, his almond shaped brown eyes soften.
"It was worth the wait."