GANGSTER IN TOWN

Low groans escaped Eisley's lips as Magnus trampled upon her, kicking her stomach severally.

"I told you, I hate tomatoes in my dish! Are you trying to poison me? Do you want to kill me?" Magnus glowered. 

His kicks were like knives ramming through her heart and whole body. The pain was unbearable. Eisley covered her head with her hands, protecting her face.

"It would be over soon," she whispered. Pain invaded her stomach as another kick landed on her. The room became blurry as tears sprang from her eyes, but she tightened her lips, avoiding a crying sound as it would cause her more beating. 

"Don't you think that's enough? You might kill her? Just eat the damn tomatoes. It's not like you're allergic," a woman's voice interrupted the silence. "Ahhh, you do this every time," 

Magnus stopped, and Eisley opened her eyes, prying her surroundings his gaze held hers for a second, and her stomach lurched. 

He walked away to the dining where Eisley had served them, Magnus and his mistress— Cecily James.

"You shut it," he snapped at her. Cecily looked at Eisley, watching her stand up gently from the floor. Her body was bruised, but she had protected her face from his beatings. After all, she needed to go grocery shopping. 

Eisley gently walked to the kitchen, and there were some dishes that needed to be clean. As soon as she got into the kitchen, she shut the door, sliding down and sitting on the floor. 

Tears sprang out of her eyes, and her hands were ruined. What was she going to tell her friends who had invited her for her high school allium. 

February 14 was the day she lost her freedom as a human. It was the day she had married Magnus Sawyer after her mother had taken a huge amount of money on her head, disappearing without a trace. 

The next morning, she grabbed a floral gown, staring at herself in the mirror. Her bruises were still fresh and red. Magnus would buy her so many beautiful gowns, but she had nowhere to wear them as her hands were always covered in bruises.

"You're not wearing that out, are you?" Eisley startled, dropping the gown. Cecily leaned on the wall, staring at her.

"I am not," Eisley said in a low, cracked voice. Cecily nodded, walking towards her.

"Of course you wouldn't. Since you wouldn't, why don't I take it, huh? I bet Magnus would love it.

"It's mine." A harsh slap covered Eisley's cheek, causing her to stumble. 

Cecily shook her hands in the air, whining from the pain of slapping her. "Do I have to hit you every day? Look at your face it's red. How would you attend your high school alumni?" 

Eisley shivered, blinking countlessly, her eyes darting around the room at the same time. She couldn't look Cecily in the her eyes anymore. 

"I'm sorry," Her body shook, but her eyes avoiding Cecily's blue cold eyes. 

"I defend you, I try to put good words to Magnus for you, and you can't give me a dress?" 

"Here, it's yours. I'm sorry, I misspoke." 

Cecily laughed. "Of course, of course you did." 

Cecily grabbed the dress from the floor, staring at herself in the mirror before smiling at Eisley, who stood frightened at the corner of her room. Once Cecily had existed the door, she grabbed her usual outfit, a black hoodie and joggers. 

Eisley sat at the edge of her bed, staring at herself, wishing this would all end. It was another night to either get beaten by Magnus or fucked by him. 

She couldn't understand why Magnus didn't just stick with Cecily. Why does it have to be her? 

"Why me?" Her thoughts escaped her lips. She grabbed the grocery bag, wiped her tears, ready to leave.

Five minutes later, she arrived at the supermarket. Eisley took a cart with her, walking towards the fresh stocks when she heard some women gossiping and swooning over something. She paused, eavesdropping.

"Isn't he the owner of Kent loan company?" 

"It isn't just a company, according to my husband he owns a lot estates, houses, lands, and a lot of shares, he is one of the biggest investor, oh, there's also a wine and food corporation in his name," 

"Really?" One of the ladies nodded. 

"And he is coming to town tomorrow. He is so handsome, there's barely a picture of him, but this looks so pretty, I can tell he is a blond with green eyes," 

Eisley moved her cart towards them, pretending not to care. Being curious to know what this man looked like, she walked even further until she took a glimpse of the photo, it was hella blurry. So, she paused, trying to take a closer look.

One sighed, "I know him, isn't he Irwin Kent? The ruthless billionaire? I've heard rumours. My husband works with him," 

"Really?" One of the women said. Eisley froze, the name was familiar. Irwin Kent, she had seen a few papers when cleaning up, and also overheard Cecily and Magnus conversation. Magnus worked as Irwin Kent assistant. Eisley looked at the ladies, it must have been nice to spend their time gushing over another man. 

Eisley about to leave when what one of the ladies said, pulled her back.

"Apparently, any woman he lays his eyes on and find attractive, he would take her as his own, and it didn't matter if her husband worked for him, he was going to have her," 

Eisley's hands slipped from the cart. A thought of freedom had played through her mind. She swallowed, those thoughts could never come alive. If not, she would be dead before she became free. 

She walked away, continuing with the rest of her shopping list. By the time she arrived home, she heard screams and moans coming from her matrimonial bedroom. 

She followed, until she stopped at the entrance, the door was half opened, she could see everything happen in her bedroom. Magnus had invited two women home, Cecily was nowhere. There were days like this, days when Cecily would leave and other mistress would takeover, but today was meant for her because today was their wedding anniversary. 

She quietly and swiftly moved back, rushing to the kitchen, she shut the door gently as she didn't want to interrupt them. It's been three years of marriage, and Magnus had never dishonored their wedding anniversary, but she was thankful for this. 

Not having to spend the night with Magnus was a blessing. But that blessing was short lived when the kitchen door flung open. The glass cup fell from her hands, shattering on the floor.

"There you are, I've been looking for you all day, where the fuck have you been?" His voice sounded rough. Eisley kept her eyes up as he barged in without clothes.

"KT mall, I had to get a few things for the house," she said, trembling. 

Behind Magnus, the ladies who were pleasing him had dressed up, and were leaving. 

"Magnus," she whispered, tears rolled down her eyes. Magnus glared at her head to toe, confusion flashed through his eyes, but that didn't stop him from grabbing her hair, and pinning her against the cabinet, getting rid of her clothes. 

Hours later, Eisley laid on the bed, unable to sleep but pretending to be. The phone rang, and Magnus picked up.

"What? Why?" Magnus pushed the sheets off, reached out for a robe and threw it on. "He is coming to my place? Why?" 

He closed the door after him, and sighed heavily as panic washed through him. "Why? Why does he suddenly want to come over to my place? I live with my wife," 

"Well, you lied you don't have a wife. Irwin would stay over until the media settles down," Magnus hands formed a fist. 

Eisley got up, exhausted and sore from last night, after the call, Magnus seemed a little nervous and had refused to sleep a wink. 

She proceeded to exist the bedroom when she found Magnus yelling. 

"Well, he can't come to my home! I have a wife at home, Irwin Kent, you know what he is like, I can't risk it, why don't you offer him a place to stay?" 

"It won't be for long, his bank manager has to settle somethings," the man said through the phone. "Man, I am getting married soon," 

Eisley's heart raced so much that it hurt, she shut the door gently. 

"Those women were right after all, even the mighty Magnus is scared." 

Eisley pulled out her phone, opening her browser, Irwin Kent. She typed in, but no result came out. She stared at her phone for a while, and pushed it into her pocket. As she got out of the bedroom this time, she made a noise.

"You have to leave," Magnus said the moment he sighted her. Eisley hesitated, a slap covered her cheek, causing her to blink. "Didn't you hear me? I said you have to leave!" 

Afraid to speak, she nodded. 

"Take my card and get out, book an hotel or something, I would come get you once everything is settled," 

Eisley grabbed the few things she could grab, and by the time she left the apartment, it was evening. Magnus had not told her when he would come get her. However, she was driving the car today, happiness crept her heart. As she drove out of the parking lot, fleet of cars dashed in. 

Eisley narrowed her eyes to know what was going on, so she parked behind a car, watching how the first passed her, the second and even to the fifth car. 

Suddenly, Magnus walked into the parking lot. A tall man stepped out, blond hair, and broad shoulders. 

"Mr Kent, it's an honour to have you at my home," Magnus said, bowing slightly..

Eisley took a deep breath, her eyes gaped. She had never seen Magnus look so scared and humble. The subtle urge to see him even more frightened subconsciously made her red lips curl into a smile. 

They got inside, heading to their apartment. Eisley stared at the steering wheel, contemplating either she follows her thoughts, disobeying Magnus for once, but what would come out of it? He already hit her daily. 

The car door opened, Eisley came down.