Mafia's Pretty Plaything

Leah’s POV

It was dark, and my heart was thundering in my chest. Where was I? I had no idea, and the very thought of that made me even more scared and confused.

I was sweating, and when I tried to move, I realized that I could not. My hands were tied together behind my back by something tight and strong, and that was when I noticed that my legs were, too.

“God, please…” I was already crying. This had to be a nightmare, right? It had to be. This had to be some kind of dream because there was no way that this was happening.

***

Five hours earlier

I was getting ready for a party, and I was so excited. It had been a while since I had gone out with friends…three months, if I was being exact. So the fact that I was stepping out into the night after so long was refreshing.

It was Vanessa’s birthday party. She was my best friend and also one of the most popular girls in our school—East High. This was our senior year and everyone was trying to reinvent themselves, to try to get the most out of high school before graduation.

Everyone but me. I was obsessed with getting good grades, making sure that I was in as many clubs as I could, making sure that the teachers loved me and that I stayed out of trouble.

I was going to make my mom proud. I could not afford to be like the others; I just could not. They had money and everything, but for me, I only had my mom. My dad had died from Colon cancer two years ago.

That year was the hardest year of my life, and I never thought that I would have survived it, but I did. My mom and I did. After the man’s death, everything changed. My mom was fired from her job and had to get another one—a lower-paying one.

I had to beg for financial aid from my high school, but they said they could not do much and that the only thing they could do to help was to offer me a scholarship that I would have to work my behind off for.

So yeah, you see? My life was not all rainbow and sunshine. It was sh*tty. Everything I did was so I could be able to get into a really good university or college, but on a full-ride. I had to work extra hard than everybody else.

And that was why I didn’t really go to parties or anything–not because I did not want to. Everyone loved to have fun, so why would I not want to have fun with my friends? Especially when it was our last few months in high school.

My phone ringing on the bed pulled me out of my thoughts and I released a breath that I did not know that I was holding. I walked over to the bed and grabbed it. It was Vanessa calling.

I answered and said, “I told you I won’t change my mind, Vanessa.” I chuckled.

“I just want to make sure. You have literally bailed on us for the last few months, giving excuses whenever we decided to go out. So forgive me for wanting to make sure.”

“I know, but it’s your birthday. I’m not going to miss it for the world. You’re my best friend.” I smiled warmly, even though she could not see me. I really did love her. She was there for me when my dad died, and I don’t think that I would have found myself again if she was not by my side.

“Good,” she replied, chuckling softly. Then she ended the call.

I sighed, dropping the phone on the unmade bed before going back to the mirror. Everyone always told me that I did not have taste when it came to dressing, but the truth was that I just did not like dressing in any flashy way.

I liked simple things. I liked not standing out. I liked not having all eyes on me when I walked into a room. That was just the kind of person that I was.

If Vanessa had not made it clear that I was to wear what she had sent for me, then I would have gone with a pair of boring jeans, a hoodie, and my favorite Converse. I was so tempted to do that, but it was her birthday, and wearing what she had sent for me was the least I could do for her since the gift that I had gotten her was not all that.

It was not expensive, and I knew that her other friends would bring her extravagant ones. All I had gotten her was a cheap necklace that I had saved up for. I really hoped she would like it.

Running my hand through my blonde hair that needed to see a hairdresser soon, I ran my eyes over the dress that I was wearing. It was a perfect fit and a bit too short for my comfort, but I wanted to make my best friend happy.

I was wearing light makeup and dark red lipstick. The dress looked and felt expensive, and it came with a pair of earrings that I was wearing. I looked…important. And I did not know how to feel about it.

I finally wore the heels that came with the outfit and then grabbed my phone and purse before heading out of my room. I walked downstairs, and my eyes locked on my mom’s.

“Whoa…” she said the word, and I could see the look of shock on her face. “You’re wearing…a dress.” She chuckled in disbelief.

“Yes, I am,” I chuckled the words out as I walked towards her. She was in the kitchen.

“Is this the one that you said that Vanessa would send for you?” She closed the distance between us and ran her hand over the dress.

I nodded with a smile.

“Well…you look amazing.” She smiled back. “But um…I don’t have a good feeling about tonight, honey. I had a bad dream, one where you…died.” She gave me a somber look before holding my hands tight in hers. “Let me pray for you, please.”