A Twist In Assassination

WRITER'S POV

CRASH!

A loud sound echoed around the house, waking a tired Araceli. She jumped out of bed in alert with wide eyes, searching blindly for the old vase by her bed. As soon as her hands grabbed a hold of it, she tiptoed carefully out of her room to the living room where she was sure the noise came from.

Her heart was beating fast with every step she took. She said a little prayer in her head like her mother always taught her whenever she became scared at night, when the rain fell.

Her hands touched the switch to the living room and she took slow breaths, before switching it on and jumping out of where she'd been hiding with the vase lifted high in the air, ready to rain down carnage

"Urghhh" the intruder groaned, grabbing his head at the unexpected light that temporarily blinded his eyes and caused his growing headache to worsen

With a gasp, Araceli carefully dropped the vase on a table and ran over to the intruder

"What the fuck, Ara!" The intruder hissed

Araceli apologized, trying to help him up "I'm sorry Mateo. I didn't know it was you"

Mateo allowed her to carry most of his weight and led him to the only single three seater couch in the living room.

"Where have you been? Out drinking again?" Araceli fired in annoyance. The care still evident in her eyes but anger was more prominent

Mateo only grunted in reply, angering Araceli the more

"What is your problem! Look around you, idiota. You really think we can afford you falling ill over liver disease? You'd die Mateo, you hear me? You.would. die" She said the three last words by repeatedly hitting his head with each word (idiot)

She ran her hands through her hair in frustration. She instantly felt bad for saying that to him but it was the plain truth. They had no money to take care of any hospital bill. Hell, they barely ate twice a day

Araceli Beckham is a twenty two years old mixed-race orphan, striving to make ends meet. Her mother was from Mexico and her father from the United Kingdom. How both of them met and fell in love is a story Araceli couldn't for the life of her remember. Araceli is a positive bright girl that believed in having bad stories to create a successful one. She believed whatever struggle she was going through now would stop one day and she'd look back at all of it and laugh while motivating others to never give up.

She was a final year student in a college not too far from the little apartment she managed to get for small money. She was proud of having worked her butt off to get that far in the school. Although she was having a bit of an issue paying for her last year, the school had given her extra time because she is one of the brightest in the school. She brought back too many awards and fame for the school through competitions they encountered with other big schools.

Her school wasn't known as it was a small college that started two years back. Not the first choice of Araceli but she had to consider her non-existent riches.

Her parents died when she was seventeen and her brother, Mateo was nineteen. It was tough for them but not so tough as they were never a rich family. The struggle and hustling had always been there but the workload just became a lot for her, especially since Mateo decided to take the wrong path in life since their death and became a pain in the ass for her.

It was the same cycle every night. He'd come back drunk out of his mind and stumble to the single room they had, to wake her up for some food. He made little noises that made her aware he was back but none had ever been this disruptive and noisy. Maybe she should have guessed it was him but her brain wasn't ready to think of that at the moment. All she could think of, was to protect herself

Araceli loved her brother a lot but everyday she felt their relationship straining. He wasn't ready to take life seriously and help her out. The little she made, he'd steal it and venture out for his useless drinking lifestyle. On more than one occasion, she'd sat him down to beg and cry to him how difficult he's making their life. He'd act like he was listening and when the night came, he'd repeat the same thing.

She grew tired of trying to talk to him and finally decided to let him be. She now put her money in the bank, only leaving enough food for him, sometimes at the detriment of her own stomach.

"I'm sorry" Mateo hiccuped, making Araceli roll her eyes. It was the same damn thing every other day. He'd apologize like he meant it and still go back to his old ways the next day

"No, Mateo. I'm the one who's sorry for still hoping you'd change" Araceli shook her head in disappointment and walked back to her room.

"No, Ara. I'm really sorry" Mateo weakly whispered

Araceli froze in her step, raising a brow at the glaring regret in his tone but decided to ignore it. She couldn't be fooled by him.

Just before closing the room's door, she yelled out "Your food is in the pot"

She waited for a reply and after hearing nothing from him, she sighed and closed the door, knowing he's probably fallen asleep

They always shared the room with mateo sleeping on the blanket and Araceli taking the little bed, but since Mateo became uncontrollable with every day that went by, Araceli made the decision he slept on the couch in the living room in order to avoid staying with his drunken and dirty state every night.

"I've got tests tomorrow. I need to sleep" she muttered to herself and climbed onto her bed. Immediately her head hit the pillows, she was out

_________

"Again?" Leila groaned tiredly

"It's how you keep having hope for him everyday" Araceli snorted, making Leila roll her eyes

"It's how you don't" she retorted

Araceli could only think about how Leila was wrong with that statement. Because there's always going to be a part of her that keeps hoping her brother would come to his right senses some day. He was literally her only family alive. She could never give up on him

"So are you prepared for the tests today?" Leila asked as they entered the college gates

"I always am" Araceli winked, making Leila huff

"Cocky bitch"

"You love me" Araceli shrugged, making Leila chuckle

___________

Everything went well and Araceli was in the brightest of moods, having aced her tests, as she walked with Leila to their weekly part time job.

Both girls were best friends since the first day of college and they also shared some similarities in character and a poor background. So they did all they could do to live. They worked at a pastry shop after classes and during the weekends, they served at a diner. Most times they get same shifts, other times they don't

"Buenas tardes Estelle" Araceli and Leila greeted as soon as they entered into the cafe

Estelle is a petite old woman who is the owner of the pastry shop. She was like a mother to both girls and employed them immediately she laid her eyes on them. She never regretted her decision as they were very helpful to her cafe. Their smiles and good services were why the cafe was always so full. People loved them and always told that to Estelle.

Estelle smiled, opening her arms wide for them. The two girls rushed behind the counter to give her a hug.

"Buenas tardes darlings. How's your brother Ara and Leila, your father?"

The girls answered together "Good"

Estelle nodded, before giving her orders "Okay. Get to work. It's only a matter of time before this place gets packed"

They both nodded and went back to change.

____________

"Goodnight Ara" Leila blew a kiss at Araceli and the latter giggled, catching it in the air and placing it on her heart

"Goodnight Chica" Ara waved at her

Leila entered her apartment. Ara watched to make sure she was safely in, before walking to the back, where her own was located. They were neighbors in the same compound but Araceli's apartment was at the back and Leila's at the front. Both apartments were quite small and the compound was in a not so safe neighborhood but it was what they could afford.

Araceli yawned tiredly, as she tried to open the door with her keys but she was instead surprised when the door pushed open.

"Could it be that he's really changed and didn't go out to drink today?" She whispered to herself in disbelief.

Little spark of happiness and hope bloomed in her chest and she walked in with a smile that vanished as soon as she stepped inside.

Her eyes followed all the strange faces in the room till it settled on her brother's face

"Mateo" she called with wary lacing her tone "What's happening here? Who are these?"

Mateo's eyes looked swollen from obviously being beaten. Two emotions were clear to Araceli as he looked at her. Fear and Sadness. "Ara, I love you. I didn't mean to"

"Take her!" One of the strange men in the living room ordered and that was all Ara needed to hear to run as fast as her legs could take her

Her head was reeling with different thoughts of what her brother could have done to get himself and her in this mess. She wasn't stupid. She lived in the slums and knew what type of scene she just walked into and she would be damned before she let them catch her.

She heard their heavy footsteps behind as she ran out of the compound. She made different turns, trying to confuse them. She flew over a fence and crouched down, watching as they stopped to look around at where she could have gone.

A sigh of relief escaped her when their footsteps retreated. She stood up and decided to take another route to Estelle's house. Only an idiot would go back home, knowing they could go back and wait for her

As soon as she turned her back to start walking out of there, she came face to face with a dark grinning figure

"Now, where do you think you're going to?"

Her eyes widened in fear and before she could think of something, the masked figure covered her nose with a white cloth. Araceli tried hard not to breathe but after a moment , she couldn't hold it anymore

Last thing she heard was the masked figure yelling, "I've got her. Let's move!"

____________

AUTHOR'S NOTE: so this book contains tiny parts that includes Spanish/Russian languages and I translate them to English in brackets. So take note and in case I am wrong in any, I don't mind corrections as they aren't my languages. Thank you!

WRITER'S POV

Araceli woke up for the umpteenth time with a groan. Her head pounded as she tried to regain her vision to know where she was. She barely remembered the last place she was, because every time she awoke, they injected her with something to make her pass out. All she could remember was it somehow felt like she was moving.

She hissed as her blurry sight cleared up and she was hit by blinding lights from just a single bulb in an empty room that looked larger than her apartment. Fear creeped into her immediately as her memories came back. She was kidnapped and all because of her stupid brother and his ways. She hated him at that moment.

Hate wasn't a word that she ever associated her feelings with, but she was very convinced she hated her brother that very moment. She warned him and he never listened. Now she's paying for his wrongs. It made her think of how her father would have hit him so many times for putting her in trouble when they were younger. The irony of all that was, Araceli was always the one getting into trouble and Mateo would always be there to clean her mess up and take the blame for it. Their father never found out and viewed Ara as the good child, while Mateo was the mischievous child.

Now look how the tables have turned as they grew up. Araceli wondered if the way they were brought up had anything to do with how Mateo turned out to be. But then she reminded herself that grief turned him into this. He only became this way after their parents died and in contrast, Ara became more responsible

The thoughts of her parents' death brought tears to her eyes after so many years. She didn't know why it now affected her again. Maybe it was the fact she wouldn't have been in this situation if they were alive. Mateo would have grown up well and everything would have been fine. She'd finish college, marry a caring and simple man like her mother always wanted and have children.

Her tears turned into hysterical laughter as those dreams of hers were now nothing but dreams truly. She was never going to live that life. It'd be a miracle if she were to even be alive to see daylight again.

Araceli's breath hitched as soon as she heard the sound of the large room's door opening.

Three men walked in with guns that almost had Ara fainting on the spot. She'd never seen one before, unless you count watching them on the TV.

Oh God, what has Mateo gotten me into, she thought with a fresh set of tears streaming down her face.

The three men separated to different positions and that was when Araceli noticed a very old man standing at the door with two other men behind him. No doubts, the old man was the boss. She didn't need anyone to tell her. It was especially obvious because amongst the men, he had a huge crooked grin on his face and held no weapon.

Ara at that moment thought how funny it was that the leaders were never seen with weapons. Obviously they had it hidden or tucked away somewhere in their clothes or shoes but you'd barely see them walking around with it. That job was left for their men. It was their very own way of keeping their hands clean unless a bigger situation called for them to showcase their skills.

Ara let out a scoff through tears at the hierarchical nature of theirs. The sound of course, didn't go unnoticed by the old man. His face grew dark and he finally walked towards her.

Ara visibly shook in the chair with every step he took and she cried harder without sounds as her mouth was gagged with clothing

He reached her and pulled the piece of cloth away from her mouth.

"Seems you have something to say, little girl" he sneered and Ara shook her head profusely in fear

He laughed with a clap.

During his time of amusement, Ara now familiarized herself with his face. He had a mark running from his two eyes to both cheeks. It looked scary and only worsened Ara's situation. Her mouth grew dry and she swallowed. The man was very short compared to her and that's saying a lot because Ara wasn't on the tall side. His movements made Ara notice his right ear looked unreal like it was an implanted one. She couldn't help but wonder what happened to his original ear. Lastly, she noticed his yellow teeth and swallowed the vomit that threatened to come out of her throat. She's never seen a troll before but if Merlin the movie was right, then this man shared similar looks with them

"My favorite kind of girl!" The man suddenly exclaimed, turning to smile at one of the men. "You all did good" he praised his men before turning back to her

"I like them feisty. Always have" he touched her hair tenderly, "It's sweeter to break them myself" his hands shifted to her scalp and he tightly held her hair back

"Arghhhh. Please, it hurts" Ara whimpered, but it only just made him laugh

"But I'm only just getting started, Niñita" (Little girl)

Hearing the familiar language, Ara felt relief flood her, thinking they were probably still in Mexico

With his hand still tightly wrapped around her hair, his ugly teeth revealed themselves in a smile. "You're so beautiful"

Ara felt sick being this close to him

"How much does Mateo owe you? I'll pay back, I swear" She pleaded, trying her best not to wince from his tight hold

He laughed again and Ara added one more bad thing about him to her list. Bad breath

Ara couldn't find it in her to pretend as her nose scrunched up in disgust. He noticed this and hit her on the face

"You dare scrunch your face at me?" Another hit

Ara saw her death coming as he kept on hitting her.

"I...I'm ...so...sorry. Please" She begged as she tried to shield her face from him but there was only so much she could hide without her hands.

He kept up his assault till he was tired and pushed her chair back, making her fall back and hit her head.

Ara saw stars and her vision became blurry. She heard him instruct them to call the doctor and then she passed out.

************

Ara woke up hours later with mild concussion and bandage wrapped around her head. She was surprised she made it out alive from that fall but as usual, life didn't want to give her an easy way out

Another thing that surprised her was the change in her surroundings. She was no longer in the empty and smelly room. This one was a real room that screamed luxury. The curtains were a lilac purple and she was laying down on a huge bed that could fit herself, Mateo, her best friend Leila and her employer, Estelle. She even thought they'd still have enough space for three more people.

The rooms were painted a dark purple and the ceilings were white. There was a big vanity table and chair set with the clearest mirror in front of it. The table had all sorts of beauty products and her curiosity got the best of her as she walked towards them and picked up products after products.

"Wow" she breathed in awe.

The vanity set was a lilac purple like the curtains and she almost rolled her eyes at how it befits a princess, which she was definitely not.

There were three adjoining doors to the room that made her bite her lip in anticipation of where it would lead to. But she also hoped she wouldn't open the wrong one that led to the monster that assaulted her. It was obvious one of them led outside this room and as much as she wanted to go through that particular door and run away, she knew she needed a plan to embark on such a journey.

Her inquisitiveness got the best of her and she walked towards one door close to the vanity set and took in a long breath before closing her eyes and pushing it open. When she heard nothing, she popped one eye open and immediately the second eye followed as she saw what was in front of her.

Ara's mouth dropped open as she took in the large closet filled with clothes and shoes. She walked in like one hypnotized and just by the end, she noticed bags were also in the closet. She felt like she was in paradise, she'd never seen a room as beautiful as this. She loved fashion so much and being in a room full of what she could never afford in her life made her remember her dream of wanting to be rich and buy herself every trending cloth, bags and shoes

She heard the jingling of keys and her legs quickly ran back to the room, taking her sleeping position back on the bed

The door opened and the old man stepped inside with two of his men that remained by the door.

He walked towards Ara's sleeping form before sitting beside her and outstretching his hands to touch her face.

Ara's half opened eyes saw this and she quickly opened them fully, stopping his movements

"Oh, you're awake!" He exclaimed with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

If Ara thought he was scary before the first time they met, then she was shitting her pants right now at the look she saw in his eyes.

He looked livid. Not like the other time. This time was different, raw like he was ready to kill someone. She couldn't explain it. She just knew the other time was not up to a fraction of what she was seeing in his eyes right now

She also wondered if maybe she was overthinking things because of the way her head felt all fuzzy due to the hit

"Have I already beaten sense into you? You seem to be mute little one" He looked pleased and Ara forced back the eye roll she would normally have replied with.

"Good then. Because I have come to take you today. You see, I'm in a terrible mood and only you could make it better"

Ara was confused but stayed quiet

"Bring her to my room" he ordered and stood up, walking out the door.

Ara's eyes went wide with fear as the two men walked towards her and before she could protest or do anything, they dragged her away from the room as she screamed to be let go of.

She was taken to his room and that day became her worst nightmare. She vowed to get out of that house, either alive or die trying

(5 years later)

CELYN'S POV

"You know, I've been styling you for years and I'm still enamored by your hair, Celyn. It's so beautiful"

I looked into the mirror at the very enthusiastic Sara as she looked at my hair in awe, while her hands continued their magic on it

"I've got my father to thank for that" I shrugged with a smile as I thought about my dad

"You don't look like, uh It's just, your hair texture doesn't really, uh....I__"

I decided to put her out of her misery "I'm half Mexican and half British. My father is from the United Kingdom and my mother from Mexico"

Most times, I got those sort of looks or questions because of my skin color as I had taken that from my Mexican mother. But I loved being brown skinned and I always showed it off whenever I could. It was a bigger flex being mixed, although I was more Mexican than British because I grew up there. Apparently my father was transferred to Mexico for his job and there, he met my mother. The rest is history.

Sara kept on chatting, while my thoughts drifted away like it's been doing since that night.

The past few years have been hell, but I learnt to get accustomed to it and it's been great for the most part.

A knock sounded from my bedroom door and I swallowed before calling the person in

One of the many bodyguards in this huge mansion entered inside "Sorry to disturb miss, but boss requests your presence now"

Remember when I said life has been great for most parts? This was one of the not so great parts

I plastered a fake smile like I'd been doing for years. It was either that or I got punished. I learnt the hard way not to anger the boss. The slightest crease in my brow to indicate anger or sadness was enough reason to have me dealt with.

"Okay" I stood up, because another thing I could get punished for, was keeping the boss waiting

The bodyguard bowed his head as soon as I stood up because they could get shot just for looking at me. They feared me. I was the boss's favorite girl and although it had its perks, it came with a lot of price.

He led me through the flights of stairs that led to the highest floor of the mansion that only the boss occupied. The house was designed beautifully but even after years of staying here, I couldn't be bothered to be too lost in its beauty. It was a daily reminder that I was living a life I didn't ask for. But that was fine. I had everything I've always dreamed of.

I live the lavish life of a Queen and do whatever I want. I had access to luxury and a selfish part of me wasn't ready to lose that. If I had to face some downside, then I sure as hell was ready to suck it all up and put on my big girl panties. I have all I want and I'll enjoy it to the fullest

My thoughts took a temporary break as the door to the room I dreaded opened up.

There were certain times I liked this room. Certain times that involved me going away from this house, away from the country sometimes and most importantly, away from the boss. Those times he'd call me in here for serious matters that didn't involve my body getting used as he pleased

"Ah, my dear Celyn" His annoying voice purred as soon as his eyes fell on my face

I smirked at him, using my heel cladded leg to close the door.

"Beautiful" he salivated as I sashayed towards his form on the bed

"Missed me?" I pouted, skimming my hands over his naked upper body as I knelt on the bed

His hungry eyes took in my barely cladded body with a disgusting smile. His wrinkled eyes lingered longer on my breasts and I forced the smile to remain on my face. A huge contrast to the inner turmoil I was feeling

"Very" He replied and put his hand on my waist.

Do. Not. Throw. Up, I begged my body

"I did too, darling"

His face lit up with glee.

He always liked it when I praised him and told him how much I missed and wanted him. It kept him in a good mood, thereby keeping me safe from his demon side

"Show me how much you missed me" He licked my shoulder before pulling me in by my hair to kiss him. As usual, I obediently did and he took everything from me like he'd been doing for the past years whenever he wanted.

This was the price I paid to keep the gold coming. It was most importantly the price I paid to keep Mateo safe. It was nothing I couldn't take.

All I could do was pray and hope he dies soon. I mean, what's the possibility of a sixty five year old man living through another week? Plenty perhaps, but I would keep my fingers crossed

____________

For two weeks, I haven't seen the boss and I was over the moon with happiness. I was so ecstatic that I went on a shopping spree everyday since he left the night of that same day he requested my attention in his room.

That was the only good thing about my new life. I barely ever saw him because he was either traveling or sending me on an errand, which most times requires me to travel. It was only then I got some peace and quiet to myself

I assume anyone in my shoes would wonder why I never tried to run away if I couldn't stand the boss, but it wasn't as easy as it sounded.

I tried escaping thrice and two of those times, I was caught and had my body put at the brink of death. I was locked up, starved, raped and beaten. The third time I tried to escape was when I finally decided to call it quits after getting caught and watching through a live video of an attack on my brother that almost got him killed. I might be angry with him but I'd never want him dead and so I begged them to leave him alone and promised to behave. Which I did from then on

"Miss, you have a call"

I rolled my eyes and snapped "Who the fuck dares bother my resting time?" If you could call online shopping that

I was too lazy to go out shopping today and decided to stay home. I lounged away by the pool in my two piece bikini while sipping champagne. Yes, I am that girl and I am definitely loving it. Sometimes

"It's the boss" he replied

I was sure the annoyance was poorly hidden on my expression but I could care less

I indicated he gave me the phone and he obliged

I took deep breaths to prepare myself for whatever he wanted to say. He never calls whenever he travels unless it involves a task. At least that would be a huge distraction as I was getting too bored being in this house without some actions

"Darling" I purred and watched in amusement how the bodyguard looked surprised at my change in demeanor

"My Celyn" He greeted sweetly and I almost gagged

"How's the United States darling? Is everything fine?" I picked up my other phone and continued ticking off whatever dress or heels I found cute.

"All good. I just can't wait to be back and have you to myself"

Another gag successfully swallowed

"Awwww. Soon, soon" my attention was fully on the online shopping I was doing. If he noticed I sounded uninterested, he didn't say

"Right" He commented

I heard shuffling on the other end before the sound of a door shutting reached my ears

"Celyn, there's something I need you to handle"

Fucking finally! I wanted to yell but bit my tongue instead

"Okay. What is it?" I dropped the phone I was using for shopping to concentrate on whatever task he was about to give to me. I hoped it was one out of the country

"You remember the man I told you about the night we were together?"

"Yeah. A Mr Sanders"

"Yes. Well, he's the one I need you to take care of. Are you up for it?"

He asks like I could tell him No and he'd allow it. Piece of shit

"I'm always up for anything fun" I replied with a genuine smile. This was what I loved most about my life. Wielding powers over people, men especially

"That's my girl" he cooed before I heard the ding of my phone "I just sent you his details. Go through it to be well prepared" He finished

"Will do, darling" I put the phone on speaker to hear him while I looked over the details.

I heard little sounds that sounded like moans followed by his groan and I grimace in disgust. So much for missing his Celyn

I ignored it all of course, and asked an important question "So where do I meet him? Do I have to travel?"

It took the pig some time before I heard his out of breath voice "No, he....he" a groan left his mouth again and I rolled my eyes.

He took his precious time before clearing his throat and replying, "He's currently in Spain. Just two hours drive from where you are. That should make it easy for you, my Celyn"

Oh shut up with the stupid endearment

"Okay. That's cool"

"Do not fail me. This is really important"

"I never have now, have I?" I retorted, before holding my breath after realizing what I'd just done. I hope he didn't catch on to the annoyance in my tone

"No, my Celyn. Take care" He cut off and I breathed a sigh of relief

Such a close call

I looked at Mr Sander's picture again and smirked before announcing to the bodyguard

"We have business to take care of. Round the boys up"