Chained by the Mafia Lord

Warning: This novel contains sensual scenes involving a minor. Reader discretion is advised.

***

I was in a hurry to ride in a bus to get to my place of work. I was late because of the group work for school.

“Here’s my payment!” I shouted and handed over my payment to the bus driver. I was still wearing the school uniform. While sitting, I looked at the men in front of me, making me smile. I have memorized his looks. What a pervert! Is this how men are today?

I don’t wonder why the club I work for is always full of men every night because there are so many men today who want to shed lust.

I work at the club every night. I am new here. I need money to pay my bills and for my study. I’m also used to my classmates bullying me because of my work.

I need to be practical. The important thing is that I make money. I serve drinks and whatnot. Sometimes they make me sit beside them, which I only accommodate once. Sometimes they tip me, so I have extra money for school.

If you ask why am I like this? Simple. I had no parents. Back then, I just lived on the street. I grew up on the street, collecting garbage to sell and something to eat. That’s how poor here in the Philippines.

So when I was sixteen, I accepted Loti’s offer, who recruited girls to work at the club. I have no choice because I want to graduate high school and go to college. I am now seventeen. I’m going to college in a year, so I need to save money for that.

“Oh! You are late, Isabella?” Red smirked at me. A gay man manages the bar where I work. He’s the only one I pay attention to here because I’m comfortable with him.

I was in the dressing room, and I took off my clothes. I don’t care if someone sees me naked. I’m used to it. And only women and gays are with me.

“We did a project at school.” I wore my usual uniform. A red, concise dress that you can almost see my panties and my chest sticking out. For money tips later.

“Hey! I’m telling you. You stopped studying! Even if you finish college, it will still be difficult for you to find a job! While here at the club night after night, you make money!” he fixed my hair and tied it up.

Red was gay and wary of me. He doesn’t force me to dance in front of the stage, unlike others. He said he felt sorry for me, so he didn’t want me to do that, so he just let me do what I wanted except stripping and dancing.

He is right. I make a lot of money here. In one night, I was able to collect three thousand pesos tip. My salary every night here is two fifty, higher wages and tips for women dancing on stage, especially if women are performing.

This is what I do for a living in the four corners of this club. It’s dark, smoky, flirting here, flirting there. Someone is rude, but I don’t pay attention. Sometimes there was a riot, but the bouncers handled it.

Such things are normal for me. What is not normal for me is the simple and luxurious lifestyle of my age. I was so jealous, but I knew that I was only dreaming of that kind of life. My life will never be like that, especially since I am just poor.

“Ah, Red, I need you outside! There’s Mondragon’s group!” Chelsea’s intense excitement grabbed our attention.

Every time I hear that, I get scared. I’ve seen Marco here a few times, but my heart rate is still different. Even if he doesn’t care. I’ve seen him look at me seriously a few times, but that’s all.

His last name screamed of danger, like him. With the handsome body, the authoritative handsome face, and especially in power. I took a deep breath and examined my reflection in the mirror. I could do it. I’m used to it.

***

“Maria! Give the other table two shots of glasses! Hurry up!”

Chelsea yelled at me. Everyone was too busy entertaining the customers.

“Miss! One bottle of jack coke, please!” A man in Marco Mondragon’s group told me that. So I looked up when I put the order on a table. I nodded and smiled.

“Noted, sir!” I approached there. I think there are ten of them. Others even include their girlfriends. Their table and spot are screaming for power. I immediately listed in the little notebook and carried their order.

“Is there anything more, sir?” I asked the man who ordered. But he was stunned when he looked at me closely.

“Ah, no more miss.” I was still looking at my notebook. I could hardly look at Marco’s seat. I get nervous when I look at him. I couldn’t seem to breathe properly.

I immediately went to the counter.

“A bottle of jack coke, a shot glass, and an ashtray.” I kept saying it, and Red didn’t bother to help there. Everyone was busy.

When I had their order, I immediately went back there, and I saw them talking seriously. This was a high-end club, so I am not wondering why rich people like to hang out there. I was struck by the sight of Marco looking at me, so I felt nervous. I pulled down the hem of my dress, but my chest came out more! Ugh! This dress was so short!

Shit!

Marco is our regular customer here. There were times that he went here alone. Sometimes they are a group. Sometimes a woman was with him.

I put the bottle of wine on the table.

“Ah, may I know your name miss?” Question by the man who ordered me earlier. While others have already looked at me and smiled. I am used to being asked for my name by customers here at Moonlight club.

“Uh, I’m Maria Isabella.” I politely answered them even though I was confused.

They shouted, “Oh no! Not her. She’s too young, and you are old!”

“Damn you! I’m only twenty-six, Samuel!”

He immediately turned to me. “You have a nice name. Uh, can you sit beside me?” This one is more polite than the previous ones who invited me. But it is not possible. There is much more to entertain. I shook my head and smiled politely.

“I can’t sir. Sorry.” I refused.

“Oh! I’ll pay you, so don’t worry.” He chuckled. Will he pay me? I will admit that even now, I am still insulted. They were treating me like a whore.

“Uh, I am not really into this.” I bowed my head. It’s a sign that I’m leaving…but he touched my arm. So I looked at his hand holding my arm.

“Come on, and I won’t bite. I’ll double the price.” He smirked. Why was he insistent?

“I’m not for that, sir. We have an escort here. I can find you one. I’m just serving here.”

I was shocked when he pulled me down. Others have already grabbed our attention and looked at us. This one is a bit drunk.

I inhaled his breath which smelled of alcohol and cigarettes. He forced me to sit next to him. But I shrugged. “Don’t make it hard for—”

“Don’t force the woman, Vincent.” I was startled by Marco’s sudden groan.

His jaw tightened, looking at Vincent, especially his hand holding me. I saw a glint of anger in his eyes.

“Dude, I’ll pay the damages.”

“I said let her go.” With no interest, Marco said, lit a cigarette, took the drink, and drank it.

My skin almost had goosebumps as he violently swallowed the drink. I didn’t think he would be more handsome.

“You don’t know anything about this, Marco! It’s her job. I need her to entertain me!”

He didn’t finish because Marco kicked him. I almost lost my balance at what happened. Shit.

“Damn, Marco! You are bullshit! What’s up with you?!” Vincent shouted at Marco and was about to rush to him, but before he could get close, Marco kicked him again.

I covered my mouth when Vincent lay on the floor, and he even tore the bottles on the table, so the bottles fell on the floor.

Their friends intervened. There was screaming. The music stopped because of what happened. Immediately my tears rolled down my cheeks. It was my fault. It’s my fault again. I might kick out of here. Where will I work?

“Oh, my God!” Red’s eyes widened. He looked at me… “What happened here, Maria?!” he screams.

“Your woman is not sports with her work here; she’s not good to serve—”

“Shut your fuckin’ mouth, Vincent.” Vincent didn’t finish what he was going to say because of Marco’s threat.

“Ahm, I’ll just pay the damages, Red. It’s my fault, and I don’t want to sit beside him.” Red looked at me badly. I was distraught. I was wiped away in tears.

“Look what happened! You really have to pay for it, Maria!”

“I’ll pay for it.” Marco cut him off. So Red took a deep breath and nodded enthusiastically. “Double the price,” Marco said when we were inside the dressing room: no one here, just the three of us.

My chest is pounding because Marco is here. I no longer have to make up. I’m already wearing a t-shirt and shorts because I won’t be going back there. Red will total the price of the damages I have done.

“Three thousand pesos.” Red replied with a flirting voice with Marco, so I was almost embarrassed.

“Okay. I want her out with me.” He declared, and my jaw almost dropped! What the hell?!

“What! Are you sure?” Red shouted in shock. But he ignored that and just looked at me.

“Do you agree?” Red asked. Only now did he hesitate to ask me. I know that’s a huge amount.

I took a deep breath. “Yes, I will come with him.” It’s just for now. Damn it! My heart pounded. I don’t know what went into my occiput and why I consented.

He sighed at my answer. “Okay!” I saw the playful smile on Marco’s lips. Shit! He’s very trustworthy. In the time I’ve seen him here. I know he’s kind. He’s just rude.

“Fix what needs to be fixed. I don’t want you to wear too sexy. I’ll wait outside.” He came out. Now my knees are shaking so much. It’s eleven o’clock in the evening. Where will he take me?

Uh, I hope he’s not a rapist. Now I’m nervous.