LEILA
The day after I researched my brother, I was distracted in classes, leading to punishment. My hands ached slightly, yet my mind lingered on my brother. I needed to know if he still thought of me or, conversely, had forgotten both me and the promise he had made. Come evening, I managed to secure the Villareal corporations' number. It is easy to find, visible on their website. Then, I spent hours combing through their system until I stumbled upon Mr. Villareal's personal cell phone number. You wouldn't believe the vile things I found on his cell, including a video of him engaged in sex. I kept it; it could serve as leverage against him. After an exhaustive search, I finally found my brother's number. Upon accessing my brother's cell, my hands shook uncontrollably. I dreaded what I might uncover.
I scoured through his messages, pictures, and personal files. There wasn't a single mention of me. No indication at all. I continued the search, yet no trace emerged of him despising Mr. Villareal or harboring ill feelings towards him. Quite the opposite, there were numerous messages thanking him for money and addressing him as 'dad,' with an abundance of replies from Mr. Villareal granting every requested favor. After much deliberation, I made the decision to send him a text message.
📨 Hi, it's your sister Leila. I want to talk to you. - I hit send and received no reply.
It was before dawn, but considering the time difference, he should have been awake by then. Minutes later, I noticed he had read it but did not answer. I stared at the screen for a while, hoping for a response, to no avail. So, I stashed everything on the floor and retired to my bed.
The following morning, the headmistress and her assistant, along with two other women, roused us from sleep.
"Get up and against the wall," we complied and they searched the place thoroughly, finding nothing.
"How did you manage to send that message? Don’t tell me you seduced the guards to borrow their phone," the headmistress seized my arm but I looked down. I’d never betray Katya and I'd never reveal the whereabouts of the computer and how I sent the message.
- Now you’ve turned mute. Perfect\, let's see how you fare two days in the hole with no food. She yanked me out of the room by my hair and thrust me into the hole.
I wept like a child for those two days, not due to the punishment but because of my brother’s betrayal. He had informed that man I’d written him, and that's why I was confined in this hole. He was dazzled by wealth and that life and forsaken me, forgot the promise he had made. Regardless of what it takes, I am determined to bring down the Villareal empire. They will be reduced to nothing. If what they cherish most is money, then I shall begin my crusade against them, and no one shall ever have the power to hurt me again.
I spent two days in that hole, locked away without food or water. Upon my release, it was Friday and I reeked. They ushered me to the room just as Katya was leaving. It was the weekend and she'd spend it with her grandparents because her parents died when she was five. We didn't say goodbye; it could not be done in front of the headmistress or her assistant.
"I don’t know who you convinced to lend you their cell, but from now on all your meals will be in your room. You’re only getting out for classes. You’ve got two years left here, so stop causing trouble." The headmistress departed and I entered the shower, where I remained for hours, weeping. When I emerged, atop the table was a bowl of oatmeal and stale bread.
"Mr. Villareal has cut your allowance, so this will be your food from now on." The assistant spoke and left.
I had not eaten in two days, so that oatmeal and bread tasted like heaven. Although, eating it daily would not be pleasant, but what else could I do?
As the days passed, my meals were the same oatmeal and old bread. Sometimes Katya managed to smuggle in chocolates and cookies for me. It was divine. At seventeen and a half, my body was flawless. My waist, perfect. I boasted a commendable behind, enviable breasts, and a flat stomach. My hair cascaded past my waist and my face was perfect, unmarred by any sign of abuse.
Mr. Villareal has lost a significant amount of money. I know this because, after infiltrating his company’s system, I accessed the corporate bank account and directed numerous anonymous donations equating to millions. It caused an uproar in New York, but they are slowly recovering, and my influence from here is limited. I must return, but I discovered that Mr. Villareal has informants at the airport who report on the arrival of his adversaries. If word gets out that I'm returning, I'm doomed. My power doesn't even fractionally compare to his.
-"Could you possibly consider marriage?" Katya asked.
-"What madness are you suggesting?" I replied in astonishment.
-"It's common practice; most girls secure their power through marriage, gaining protection from their husband,” Katya elucidated.
-"And which powerful family within these walls would you propose I marry? Are you suggesting the porter or one of the guards?" I retorted sarcastically.
-"Haha, no, look, your birthday is three months before mine, and you’ll have to leave the boarding school. I’ve spoken with my grandparents, and they will welcome you into the mansion. They have clout and influence, albeit only here in Russia, not in New York. However, they have numerous influential friends and associates around the world who will be invited to my eighteenth birthday gala. That night, you should look stunning and radiant. Perhaps you’ll find that powerful man you need to return to New York and ensure Mr. Villareal can't so much as touch you." Katya suggested.
"Get me a list of these men. We will vet them thoroughly. I refuse to end up married to a nobody and dead upon landing" I insisted.
"I'll do that, but be aware that these men will want something in exchange, like children and, of course, intimacy," pointed out Katya.
-"I'm aware. You know that I don't believe in what they call love. It's merely sex, although many dress it up with roses, chocolates, and sweet nothings. Love doesn't exist for me, and if I must be intimate with a man, it's not something that will kill me. I've endured too much to be preoccupied with something as trivial as my virginity. Nearly all the girls here have had sex. The only virgins left are you and me. You because your grandparents have raised you to remain pure until marriage and love the one you're with, and me because I can't leave this place" I declared.
"Love does exist, and I hope one day you'll find it, my friend. You know I care about you deeply" the overly sentimental one hugged me.
"Enough with your mushiness" I pushed her away.
"Witch, ever since what happened with your brother, you've turned colder and more distant than before" Katya.
"He was the only one I had left. I genuinely believed he cared for me, but he's just like him, like his father. That's his pride. You have no idea the anguish I feel every time I access their phones and hear them discussing their plans, how proud they are of each other. And here I am, alone and forgotten. Each day my emotions wane, each day my craving for vengeance grows, and I don't care how, but I will return to New York and the Villareals will pay for all the harm they've caused me" I spoke, wracked with pain.
"I know I can’t sway your resolve. Ever since you arrived, I've realized the retribution you are plotting. I’ve always known, and even though I wish you could let it go and be happy, I understand you won't find peace until you succeed. That's why I support you, but try to find happiness afterward, okay?" Katya.
I'll try - I responded.
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