Claire Parker's pov
I lay on my bed, quietly sobbing. My chest felt tight, and my head hurt from all the crying after the incident during breakfast. But no one was there to comfort me.
My mom never let me cry. She always said, Crying is for the weak. But she wasn't here now. And for the first time, I wished she was.
The door suddenly swung open. I didn't flinch, I already knew who it was.
"The boss wants you in his room now."
I turned my head, expecting to see him. But it wasn't Sergio.
It was a male servant, one I had never seen before.
I frowned. "Where are your manners? Did you forget to knock?"
The servant let out a short laugh. "Who do you think you are?" His voice was full of hatred. "Have you forgotten your place here? Let me remind you, you're just a prisoner. A puppet. A sex toy. And soon, the boss will throw you away just like the others."
His words hit me like a slap.
Before I could even say anything, he turned and walked away.
I clenched my fists. So that's what they think of me?
I wiped my face and forced myself to stand. My legs felt weak, but I pushed through. If Sergio wanted to see me, fine. But I was going to let him know how his servants were treating me.
When I reached his room, I knocked once before stepping inside.
Sergio was sitting on his desk, smoking a cigarette. He didn't look at me at first. He just took a long drag, then finally glanced up.
"What's with the crocodile tears?" he asked, smirking.
I swallowed my anger. "It's one thing for you to disrespect me, but I won't accept the same from your servants."
His eyes darkened. "Which one?"
I took a deep breath. "One of them called me a sex toy. He barged into my room without knocking. Is it my fault that I'm here?!"
Sergio slowly stood up. "I said… which one?"
His voice was low, but it sent shivers down my spine.
"I think… I think it was Number 16," I whispered.
His expression didn't change. He turned around, opened a drawer, and pulled out a shotgun.
My stomach dropped.
"Sergio, wait"
He walked past me like I wasn't even there. I had no choice but to follow him.
We stopped in front of a room. He pressed a button, and within seconds, a group of servants entered, all wearing matching uniforms.
"No. 16, step forward," Sergio commanded.
A blonde-haired man stepped out, his body shaking. "Yes, sir?"
Before I could react, before I could even process what was happening, Sergio pulled the trigger.
The gunshot rang in my ears.
The servant's body hit the floor. Blood spilled across the tiles.
I gasped, stepping back in horror. "You… what have you done?" My voice cracked. "That's not even him"
Sergio turned to me, frowning. "What?"
I felt my hands shaking. "I got it wrong… it was that guy over there" I pointed to a man with black hair standing in the back, his face pale.
Sergio's expression darkened.
"You don't know numbers, huh?" he muttered after seeing the 91 written on the guy's shirt.
I swallowed hard. "It was a mistake obviously. I saw it upside down because I was laying down"
"A mistake that cost an innocent man his life?" he mocked.
My stomach twisted. But before I could say another word, Sergio aimed his gun at the real Number 16.
"Come here," he ordered.
The man hesitated but had no choice. He stepped forward, his legs shaking.
Sergio glanced at me. "Are you sure it's him?"
I sucked in a breath. "Are you doubting my eyes?"
Sergio smirked. "Maybe they're too pretty to see clearly."
I glared at him, but before I could respond—BANG!
Another gunshot.
The man dropped instantly, blood pooling beneath him.
I pressed a hand to my mouth, my stomach twisting. Sergio turned to the other servants, his face calm, like he didn't just kill two people.
"None of you will ever disrespect my girl again," he said coldly.
The room fell silent.
The servants quickly bowed their heads before rushing out, afraid to be next.
I felt my legs weaken, but I forced myself to stay standing. Sergio turned back to me, his dark eyes unreadable.
"You're insane," I whispered.
He smirked. "And yet, you're still here."
Sergio took slow, measured steps toward me, his heavy boots echoing in the silent room.
"You know," he murmured, running a hand through his jet-black hair, "I don't usually waste bullets on my own men without good reason."
I clenched my fists. "He disrespected me."
He smirked. "Yeah. But you got the wrong guy first."
My stomach twisted. "I didn't mean to…"
"That's the problem, princesa," he cut in, stepping so close that I could smell the smoke on his breath. "Your mistake cost me a perfectly useful man. You think I kill my men for fun?"
I swallowed hard. Yes. That's exactly what I think.
He tilted his head, studying me. Then his lips curled into a slow, wicked smile. "You owe me."
I frowned. "Owe you?"
He reached out, tracing his fingers along my jaw before tilting my chin up. "You made me put a bullet in the wrong man. That's a debt, sweetheart. And I always collect my debts."
I pulled away. "What do you want?"
He leaned in, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper.
"You."
My breath hitched. "What?"
His fingers trailed down my neck, slow and deliberate. "I want you to make it up to me. And since you're already my puppet, I might as well enjoy pulling the strings."
I shook my head. "You're insane."
He chuckled, his grip tightening just enough to send a shiver down my spine. "That's not news. Now, be a good girl and say yes."
I glared at him, refusing to give in. "And if I don't?"
His smirk deepened. "Then I take what I want forcefully."
"You wouldn't," I whispered.
"Funny! Who wants your tiny body anyways? Get dressed, we're having lunch outside. Act sensible, that's how you pay your debt."
"Huh, I'm not going out with you."
"Do you have a choice?" I heard him spat as he strode away, I quickly ran along, I can't be in that room for another second.