Chapter 1
***Aurora's POV***
"Mom. Dad. I'm off". I said as I slung my laptop work bag over my shoulders and literally ran through the car to my Toyota Yaris.
I am on my way to my college, Università Bocconi, a highly prestigious university in the whole of Italy. (Bocconi University), where i study Economics.
I drove through the gate and I saw my teammates for our finals project gathering around the center seat out.
But at the same time, something caught my eye. I saw three black SUVs with tinted glasses, and only one rolled down, with a guy on a black sunglasses staring at my direction.
I couldn't see his eyes but I knew when he looked at me, because when he did he smirked and spoke to one of his men and his car drove off.
Although I couldn't see his eyes, I just knew that a devilishly handsome face was hidden behind it, and I wonder how it would feel like to run my hands through that golden brown hair.
I came down and went to my department building, I needed to turn in an assignment before our group meets up for the final meeting conclusion.
"Good morning, Mrs. Rosina. I'm here to turn in my assignment research". I said, dropping the office file holding 3000 words research.
I met my team on my way back from her office, in our lecture theater.
"Hello, peeps". I greeted as I sat down beside Angelo.
"Wassup, Rori. Sleep well?". Rio, another guy in my team asked.
"Yeah, Ri. Thanks. So where were we yesterday?". I asked, turning on my laptop.
We began working, and as usual one hour into work, there was an argument between Angelo and Laura. I love their relationship, best of friends, but they argue like their lives depended on it.
We suspect more than just a best friend relationship among them but we'll never know, they are so secretive.
"Okay. If you guys want to have sex, please say so, than arguing like babies". Chiara chimed in.
"Hey, watch it". Angelo said, glaring at her.
"Oh, you want to attack my girl bestie now?. Huh?". Laura cut in, making it be two against one. And soon enough it was only I and Rio that actually remembered we had work to do.
I sat there for another hour being roped in sometimes, but soon glanced at my watch. Shit, an hour to work time.
"See y'all later". I said and stood up.
"Please tell me we did go far before this fool, Angelo, picked a fight". Laura said when she saw me standing up.
"Sure we did, we just need to arrange what we are going to say on the zoom meeting we will hold this night". Rio said, closing his laptop as well. " I have a class. See you guys later". He said and waved goodbye.
I also waved them goodbye following Rio. I went t to my car and drove off, going to the restaurant I do my part time job at.
"Good morning, Pero. I'm reporting for duty". I said and wore my apron.
I started serving plates and cleaning tables and soon it was five in the evening, time for me to clock out.
I drove home, listening to high end CNCO. I so much love their music. It was the declaration of love in them for me. Their girlfriends will be so lucky.
"Mama, Papa. I'm home". I said, as I came down from my car. It has been a ritual to always call them from my car each time I come back.
And a ritual to always meet their Toyota Camry outside but today it was accompanied with the same SUVs I saw at my school earlier.
What the hell are they doing here?. I questioned myself as I walked quickly to the door but also cautious.
"Mom. Dad. Are you there?. What's going on?". I asked as I tried to unlock the door and it was locked.
"No. Please leave her out of this". My mom's voice boomed through the house.
"Apri la porta e falla entrare". I heard a grim voice say from behind the door. (Open the door and get her in).
Soon the door was swung open and I was dragged in by a man who had a tattoo on his neck. I was pushed into our living room and saw my dad and mom on their knees guns to their head.
I looked at the man, possibly the leader, and saw it was the same man I saw from earlier.
What did they want?.
"Mom?. What's happening?". I asked, cautiously.
"It's okay, baby. Stai tranquilla". My mom said, looking at me with pity. ( Stay calm).
"Sweetie. Non è nulla, non preoccuparti". My father joined in. ( It's nothing to worry about).
"Sta zitto. Basta!". The grim looking man said. " How did you intend to pay my boss, Mr. Stefano?". ( Stay quiet. Enough)
"What is he talking about about, papi. Pay?. Who are you owing?". I asked.
"Basta!. If I hear your voice again, I'll kill you". The grim looking man sai, said, looking at me. ( Enough).
"Please, I already informed Mr. Stefano that I don't have the money yet. The bill is still at a two million against three million". My dad said, pleadingly.
Three?. Mill….?.
"Why did you borrow the money?". I asked him.
"Baby, not now". My father told me.
"He wants a collateral, something worth the money". The grim man said.
"Fine. Like what?". My dad asked, relieved.
The man and his team made a small circle. I think to decide what will be used a collateral.
"Why did you borrow the money?". I asked my dad in a hushed tone.
"For you. To go to school". He said avoiding my eyes.
My dad was doing well before as a janitor of a very rich company but all of a sudden got sacked. Then he went to the streets before he finally settled and got a huge grocery store just down town.
But I didn't know we had it this bad at that point that he borrowed a huge sum of three million. Is that where he got the funds for his store?.
Some many things went to my head and then the people who came to get the money finished their discussion.
"We have concluded. You give use what you think it's up to two million". The leader said. "Or we take your daughter".
"What?!. No, no, please". My mom said, crying and looking at my dad for an answer, but he looked to the floor.
I couldn't blame him because there was nothing in our house that was worth two million. Even if you sell my walking dead Toyota Yaris and their Camry it wouldn't be enough to pay of the debt.
"So it's finalized". The same man spoke from before. "Prendila". He said and walked off. (Take her).
Wait, what?.
The three men came and put a gag in form of a cloth on my mouth and put a sack over my head, blocking the sunlight. I felt my hands being cuffed.
What the fuck?.
"No. No. Please. Take me instead". My mom pleaded.
"Il capo ama la carne fresca". He said with a smug look. ( Boss, likes fresh meat).
Wait!. Who is this boss and why does he like fresh meat?. Like prostitute or sex trafficking?.
I was beginning to be dragged out and as that thought ran through my head, I began struggling.
"Controllala. Non ho tempo da perdere". The leader said and slammed this door of the car shut. ( Control her. I don't have this goddamn time).
And with that single sentence and command, I felt a needle at my neck and my knees grow weak and my vision become blurry.
The light ray that was coming in from above the sack was getting overcome with darkness and with that everything else felt numb as I fell helplessly and vulnerably into the hands of my kidnappers.