Queen

"Jazzy, come out sweetheart, come to daddy. " That was the sound of a drunken man's voice as he walked through the dark halls of his home in search of his eighteen-year-old daughter, "Jasmine! Listen to your daddy and get out here before I get really angry, " he gritted through his teeth getting annoyed with his daughter's disobedience.

Meanwhile, the poor thing sat in her closet with her face buried in her knees as she sobbed completely scared for her life. This isn't the first time that this has happened. Ever since her mother had passed away, her father would take his grieve and anger out on her.

Spending countless nights being beaten by her drunken father and then attending school the next day as nothing happened.

School, on the other hand, was a whole different story. Being the weak and helpless girl that she was, students always took advantage of her. She had no friends to defend nor hang out with. Jasmine's life was the definition of living hell and it didn't take her long enough to realize that she no longer wants to live that kind of life.

"There you are princess, " her screams echoed throughout the room as her father forcefully dragged by her hair as she struggled to free herself, "Are you daddy's little girl, Jazzy?" he asked harshly, tossed her to the floor as she held her head which was slammed in the process of her being thrown on the floor.

"Get away from me, you sick bastard, " she whispered weakly as fear immediately filled her eyes when she saw how furious her father was becoming, "Why you ungrateful little, " Jasmine cried out as she continuously received the forceful blow of her father's fist being pounded against her fragile face.

By the time he was done with her, she laid almost lifeless on the floor with a swollen black eye, busted lip, and bloody nose. She was on the verge of passing out and her heartless father just laughed before stumbling out of her room. After laying there for a couple of hours Jasmine managed to pull herself together limping to the bathroom to treat another set of bruises.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Coming out from the bathroom with treated wounds. Jasmine walked towards her closet getting inside before closing the door behind her. The light bulb hanging from the ceiling was soon turned on as she reached for chalk beside her before marking on the wall behind her clothes. On the wall was a tally of how many times her father would abuse her and how many times she would be able to take it.

Her father started abusing her at the age of 10 years so you do the math. "Just a little more, Jasmine and you'll be able to escape this hell, " she mumbled to herself before spending the rest of her night in her dark closet.

⏰ ⏰ ⏰

The next morning Jasmine woke up groaning as her sore wound ached. She was beyond exhausted as she only got a few hours of sleep but she needed to get out of this away from him. Getting dressed, she made sure to cover up her visible bruises before leaving. As she was on her out, she passed her father who was slouched back in his living room chair with a glass of whiskey in his hand.

"Where do you think you're going?" He asked, gulping down the remaining of his whiskey, "School, " she replied with an emotionless tone, not sparing him a glance, "Make sure you're here on time or else pay the consequences, " he said in a threatening tone before she left.

Jasmine walked all the way to her school since she didn't like taking the bus and her father refused to take her. Outside of her house, she was just as invisible. Walking the streets with a black hoodie covering half of her face as she would admire people being happy and free, longing for that feeling herself.

On her way to school, she stopped by a cafe that she used to attend with her mother back when the place was popular. But now the cafe has lost its popularity and she was really close to the owner. Entering the cafe as the bell signifies her presence, an elderly woman rushes to her side with a wide smile.

"Jasmine, my darling, " the elderly woman beamed embracing the teenager, "Good morning, Linda, how are you and the cafe? " she asked after releasing from the hug. Linda sighed, pulling her to the nearest seat as they sat down, "Not good Jas, every day we're losing customers, both me and the cafe are getting old, " she grinned earning a small smile from Jasmine.

"But how are you, dear?" she asked, concerned, laced throughout her voice, "I'm fine, " she said, earning a sigh from Linda who grasped both her hands, "You can't lie to me, Jasmine, I know exactly what that man does to you, " she said, caressing Jasmine, shaking hands, "Jasmine, you're such a strong young woman but you have to do something before he kills you, " Linda said in a soft yet serious tone, "I know Linda, I'm just waiting for the right time and then I'll be free, " she said in a shaky tone.

Linda smiled weakly deciding to change the subject.

"Jasmine!" she called out.

"Yes, Linda?"

"Isn't your 19th birthday, two weeks away?" She asked as a smile grew on her thin wrinkled lips, "Yes, it is, " Jasmine replied with a small smile, "Awe, your mother would be so happy to watch her little girl grow up into a beautiful woman, " Linda said gently stroking Jasmine's cheek, "Yes, I bet she would, " she mumbled, staring down at her hands, "Say what, Jas, why don't you come by the cafe after school, on your birthday so we could celebrate, " she said, "I would love that, " Jasmine said with the first-ever genuine smile since her life turned into hell, "Alright, Jasmine, you should go to school now before you reach late, " they both stood up from their seats before embracing each other.

"I'll see you soon, Linda, "

"Alright, my dear, be safe, " after saying goodbye to one another Jasmine left for school. She is beyond excited and happy about the arrival of her 19th birthday.

But little did she know that her 19th birthday would be the day that she lost her family and the day she would finally gain freedom.

June 25th...

The night before the day that everything changed for the better or the worse.

It was another miserable and unfortunate night at Jasmine's house as she was curled up in her closet with a pair of earplugs shoved down her eardrums as it drowned out the disgusting sound of her father having sex with another groupie, he probably picked up at the bar or something, but either way, Jasmine so was disgusted and ashamed of being the daughter of a monster she called her father.

It was the night before her 19th birthday and Jasmine was excited to spend the entire day with Linda.

☀️ ☀️ ☀️

The next morning, Jasmine woke to the sound of yelling, "Get out of my house, you crazy bitch!" Being able to recognize that voice anyway she sighed walking out of her closet, "YOU DISGUSTING PIG, YOU RAPED ME, " the woman yelled causing Jasmine to halt in her steps, "Why would I rape you when you were enjoying it, huh slut, you were moaning my name I bet it kept my daughter up, " he said. Jasmine's face scrunched in disgust before it turned into a shock one.

"GO TO HELL, YOU DISGUSTING BASTARD, " the woman yelled before...

SLAP!

The room suddenly went silent after that slap echoed throughout the house. Jasmine froze at her spot trying to sense any kind of sound until...

"Omg, Robert, I didn't mean to hurt you, baby, " the woman pleaded as fear could be heard in her tone. Silence once again filled the house until a loud crashing sound was heard followed by Jasmine's father yelling.

"YOU DARE HIT MY B**CH, " he yelled as the woman cried out followed by sounds of punching and kicking. Jasmine panicked as she quickly ran to the bathroom to hurry the hell out of this house.

After freshening up as fast as she can Jasmine exited the bathroom to meet the silence of the house. Only heavy breathing could be heard as it slowly made its way to her bedroom. Thinking fast she gathered all the things she needed before heading to the window. As she was on her way out, her door busted open realizing the beast she called her father who had rage engulfing his eyes.

"Where do you think you're going, huh brat?" He quickly gripped onto her left leg as she was climbing out the window. Jasmine acted fast and kicked him in the chest causing him to lose his grip but unfortunately, Jasmine ended up losing her balance causing her to fall out the window, landing face first.

Inhaling desperately as she clenched her chest, Jasmine coughed up a bit of blood as felt a sharp pain in her chest causing her eyes to fill up with tears. Hearing the sound of someone running downstairs, she quickly got up running as far as possible away from her home which she will never return to.

‍

Jasmine ran all the way to Linda's café before stopping dead in her tracks a few feet away gasping at the sight before her.

Tears trickled down her face as she suddenly felt weak. The café was on fire as it was being put out by the fire department. Without thinking twice Jasmine ran onto the scene to only be stopped by a police officer.

"I'm sorry, Miss, but you can't go beyond this point, " the police officer said, "No, Officer you don't understand, I know the owner of this café, where is she?" Jasmine struggled in the officer's hold as she tried to look for Linda.

"Calm down, Miss, tell me everything you know, " he said in a very calming yet serious tone, "Her name is Linda, she's very elderly, my mother was good friends with her, but she died a long time ago, Linda looked after me, she was like a mother to me, please tell me where she is?" she pleaded as her tears continued to fall.

The officer stared at Jasmine with eyes of sympathy as he placed a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm sorry, kid, but the owner was inside when the café was caught on fire, she didn't make it, " he said as Jasmine backed up shaking her head in disbelief, "No, you're lying, I was supposed to meet her here after school, so we could- we could, " Jasmine struggled with her words as she choked on her sobs. The officer tried to comfort Jasmine but she ran away without looking back.

The sun was now setting and the place was getting dark rather quickly before that didn't stop Jasmine from running, she ran until her feet felt numb and her lungs burned from the lack of air. Her mind screamed stop but her fragile heart pushed her through as if it was leading her somewhere. Jasmine felt nothing at this point, she just lost the only family she had left and now she was sure to die from sufferation and loneliness.

As she barely kept on running her feet immediately gave up on her as she came crashing down to her knees. Desperately inhaling the air that her lungs longed for she started crying uncontrollably.

"Why! Why!" she continued mumbling until voices were heard.

"Exactly, sweetheart, why?" A group of men came out of nowhere instantly surrounding her, "Why is such a beautiful young woman like yourself doing out here in the danger zone, " all the men had disgusting smirks on their faces, licking and biting their lips while undressing Jasmine with their eyes while she looked at them with an emotionless face.

"Look, I'm not looking for any trouble just let me leave, " she said in a cold tone, "Don't worry, baby, all you gotta do is be a good girl and there will be no trouble, " a man with an adenoidal voice said as he leaned forward to stroke her cheek which was harshly slapped away causing the man to chuckle, "Alright, you wanna play hard to get fine, we like to play, " he suddenly wrapped his arm around Jasmine's neck, pressing her back against his front as another man ripped off her shirt.

She tried to scream out for help but the pressure being placed on her neck muted any words that tried to come out. Just as her bra was about to be ripped off there was a gunshot.

BOOM!

Every man jack ran for their lives, leaving Jasmine there a sobbing mess, she stood there hugging her body as her eyes were glued to the floor not daring to look at as a pair of expensive shoes came into her sight. Her chin was soon lifted to meet a pair of hazel brown eyes that immediately seemed to calm her.

"Are you alright, kid?" his deep, soothing voice sent chills down her spine as her eyes filled back up with tears, "N-No, I was almost r-raped, I'm very much not fine, " she said shaking the tears out of her swollen tears, earning a sympathetic sigh from the man.

"Would you like to come with me?" he asked, causing her to immediately step backward, "No, I can't trust people, you might be someone trying to hurt me as well, " she earned another sigh, "Listen, I promise, I'm not trying to hurt you, I just want to help, you look like you don't have nowhere to stay, no food, clothes, please let me help you, " he practically begged.

Jasmine stared into his eyes looking for something people don't have nowadays, generosity.

"Fine, I'll go with you, but I'm not staying, " she said, "Alright, it's your choice, I'm not going to force you, " he said before lifting her bridal style, startling her.

"W-What are you doing?" she asked, avoiding contact with him, "Carrying you, it looks like you're about to pass out, " he said as he made his way to the black wagon gently laying her in the back seat before climbing in.

"Thank you, " she mumbled as the man started his car, "Don't mention it, " he replied focusing on the road.

"I'm Jasmine, what's yours?" She asked as he sighed hesitating.

"I'm Tommy, "

Without awareness of the road or the rain, the car moved over the highway, lights on full beam. Jasmine watched how the yellowed yet bright light played in the droplets, showing the deluge, this flood from the sky, in apparently solitary drops. Nobody rarely said anything as the car remained silent, Jasmine's eyes remained glued outside the window. Tommy on the other hand couldn't help but glimpse at her from time to time while he drove them to his home.

"Why did you save me?" She asked as her voice came out almost like a whisper. Tommy cleared his throat getting ready to answer the girl's question. "I really don't know why I saved you, " he responded, earning a scoff from Jasmine who whipped her head towards Tommy's direction. "What do you mean, you don't know why you saved me, that doesn't make no sense, " she argued as Tommy rolled his eyes. "Look, kid, I saved you because no child deserves to be treated that way, " Tommy replied, slightly raising his voice.

"That's all you gotta say, Mr. Power Mafia and for the record, I'm 19 years old so I'm not a child, " she said crossing her arms as it was Tommy's turn to scoff. "Right now you're acting like a child and you know who I am?" he asked as she shrugged. "Who doesn't, " she mumbled, earning a hum from Tommy. "What was that?" He asked, glimpsing at her. "I mean, of course, I know you, you're well known around the city, " she replied, turning her back to stare out the window.

"You don't act like people who normally hear my name and title, " he said as Jasmine chuckled without removing her gaze from the window. "That's because I'm not afraid of you, " she said, catching Tommy's attention. "You have no idea what I can do to you kid, so you should be very afraid, " he said followed by a chuckle as Jasmine quickly turned to face him as she furrowed clenching her tiny hands. "At the age of 5 years I was beaten without mercy, I earned bruises and cuts that turned into scars, I witnessed and received things that no child should ever have to feel or witness, " she said as Tommy let her speak while he listened attentively. "You're a powerful mafia, you kill without mercy, you torture people who wouldn't give you what you want, the only difference is that I'm not dead yet, and trust me after all these years I wish I was, " she said as the car finally came to a stop causing her to face him.

The look in her eyes reminded him of someone and he knew from then what exactly he had to do. "We're here, " he said as Jasmine exited the car followed by Tommy. "Nice place, " Jasmine mumbled as Tommy led the way. "Thanks, but you could consider this your home as well, " he said as Jasmine sighed. "I told you, I wasn't staying, " she said as they entered his mansion. "Come on, Jasmine, where are you going to stay?" He asked, turning to face the 19-year-old who was busy checking out the place.

"I don't know but I'm not staying here, I've already caused you enough trouble, " she replied as Tommy stepped forward holding her by the shoulders. "Please let me take care of you, " he said tucking a curl behind her ear, earning a frustrated sigh from Jasmine who removed Tommy's hands from her shoulders. "Listen here, Mr. mafia, I'm not your responsibility, I'm my own responsibility, " she argued as Tommy started to get frustrated with her attitude. "Well, hate to break it to you sweetheart, but you are my responsibility after I saved your ass, " he said as Jasmine's face began to swell with anger. "I DIDN'T ASK FOR YOUR SAVIOR, " she screamed causing Tommy to lose it. "WELL I DID, SO DEAL WITH IT, " he yelled as Jasmine shot him a cold glare while Tommy frustratedly ran his hands over his face.

"Please go to your room, Jasmine, " he said but quickly got back angry after hearing her response. "I told you I'm not staying here, what part of that you don't under- TOMMY PUT ME DOWN, RIGHT. NOW." Tommy swiftly threw her over his shoulder heading towards the stairs as Jasmine kicked up a storm while yelling which Tommy paid no mind to.

Walking up the stairs as he made a right going to the hall before he stopped in front of a door. He harshly shook Jasmine as she couldn't stop moving. "Tommy, I swear to god, if you drop me, I'll kill you, " she threatened as Tommy giggled as they entered the room. Tommy tosses Jasmine on the bed like a sack of potatoes before walking towards the door. "I'll see you in the morning, " he said and before she could protest he slammed behind him not forgetting to lock it.

Jasmine immediately got up and ran to the locked door as she pounded her fist against it. "TOMMY, LET ME OUT THIS INSTANT!" she screamed but got nothing but silence in return. Jasmine stomped her foot in anger, mentally cursing Tommy in her mind before making herself comfortable.

Tommy made his way downstairs while shaking his head to Jasmine's screaming. As he reached into his living room he stopped when he spotted a familiar person. "Hey, Gray, " he greeted his right hand and best friend. "Yo, Tommy what's with all the noise man?' He asked as Tommy sighed, taking a seat opposite him while pouring a cup of whiskey. "Long story, man, he replied as Gray laid back, getting comfortable. "I got time, " he said signally Tommy to carry on causing him to sigh before explaining the entire situation.

After the whole storytelling, Gray raised his eyebrows in shock. "Damn, that's a lot for a 19-year-old, " he said as Tommy shook his head in agreement. "So what are you going to do with her?" Gray asked as Tommy rested his cup down. "I'm going to train her, turn all that anger and hatred into a weapon and at the end of the training she'll have to repay me, " he said as Gray furrowed in confusion. "And how is she going to do that?" he asked as Tommy smirked.

"By becoming my wife"