(Kelly's POV)
It all began at a lavish mansion in the noisy and crime-oriented city of Bandidos, where a grand masquerade ball was held on a starry night.
I was there as Rashad Morey's date. Rashad was the leader of the Purple Gangsters, a notorious crime syndicate that ruled Bandidos with an iron fist. He was holding my left hand firmly and smiling falsely at everyone at the ball.
He treated me like his trophy, showing me off to his allies and enemies alike. He also abused me mercilessly, hitting me whenever he felt like it.
He made me do his dirty work, such as smuggling drugs or luring his rivals into traps. I hated Rashad and his world of crime. I dreamed of a life of luxury and freedom, far away from the violence and poverty of Bandidos. I wanted to go to college and become a lawyer, but I knew that Rashad would never let me go.
But let me tell you how I got into this mess in the first place.
I have always wanted to live a life of luxury. I was tired of living in the middle class, where I was constantly forced to adapt and make concessions. My two younger sisters used to share my room, and that was the thing that bothered me the most. I couldn't kick them out of my room, but I made sure they didn't touch my bed or cupboard. I was bossy over them because I was older than them.
I was confident that I was quite attractive and that one day a wealthy man would propose to me. I would marry him and leave my middle-class existence behind for good. But that was not enough for me. Because they looked like me, I doubted that my two sisters would have any chance of marrying a wealthy man. And I was determined that after getting married, I would cut off any relationship with anyone from my past, even if they were my blood relatives.
I didn't feel any love for my parents. If I didn't have two other sisters, I thought I could have a better life. I believe that "parents should not deliver babies one after another if they are not able to give their children a better life, and such parents should indeed be sued and persecuted."
However, I didn't have the guts to tell my parents how I really felt. But I used to frown internally when they said, "We should be grateful to the most high for all he has blessed us with in abundance."
I prefer to spend most of my time outside my home as much as possible.
Because outside of my home, I used to get all sorts of pampering and attention, and, of course, a lot of expensive gifts that upgraded my lifestyle. And I wasn't shy to accept them. I used to hang out with those guys who were born with silver spoons and who could spend on me like anything.
I was smart enough to avoid relationships with any of them at the same time. I used to give them excuses that I needed to focus on my studies or take some time to decide on any connection. To sway me in their favor, the guys were crazy about me. I could see a fierce competition among them to shower me with gifts and all that. And I enjoyed watching all these things.
No doubt, I was getting more and more skilled at playing with the boys around me. I knew that these boys couldn't provide me with the opulent lifestyle I wanted. So I was waiting for the entry of the perfect man into my life.
Soon enough, I found out where I would meet my ideal partner, and I had to use my beauty to attract him. I got access to the party of the rich people by using the friends of my boys as a trump card. I was, of course, excited and confident that soon I would achieve my goal.
The poor boys were so in love with me that they never realized that I was using their feelings for my own benefit. I finally made it to the party of the wealthy. Unlike my friends, who depended on their fathers' credit cards, I had the opportunity to meet several wealthy business owners there.
I was ecstatic about my success and didn't waste any time befriending them. I was sure that I would leave my dreary middle-class life behind soon. Although I was a little disappointed to learn that most of them were married and at least 10 to 12 years older than me. But their marital status didn't bother me much. I had too much faith that they would all dump their wives for me.
But I forgot that they were not college students who would throw everything they had behind my beauty. They could have had a lot more lovely girls like me. They didn't mind having fun with me, but getting married to me was out of the question.
I received the shock one after another as they showered me with offers to serve as their mistress. In exchange, they were prepared to provide me with a separate house to live in and a number of other amenities. But they refused to give up their wives for a Kelly-like gold-digger. And I was never going to accept that.
After a short while, the wealthy bosses started to turn me down one by one. In fact, I forbade them from kissing my lips even as they lavished money on me. They started to think I was useless to them. I broke out in hysterics.
When my grandmother was alive, she would always say, "The husband loves the lady and remains under her control throughout his life if he finds her virgin on the first night." I remembered this.
I was firmly convinced of this. I had not given myself to any man because of this. Yes, I wanted to be handed over to my husband, as a pure and intact Kelly.
If it had been another girl in my place, she would have surely broken down because of all the humiliation, but I did not change my mind. I was only looking for the right opportunity. And I was very sure I would get this chance.
I, on the other hand, had learned that I would not get everything I wanted. I would have to make some sacrifices and compromises to achieve my main goal, which was to marry a wealthy man. So, I had no qualms about marrying a man who had children of his own. I claimed I had no problem being the wife of someone above the age of 60.
But that was a lie. I still had some standards and preferences. I wanted a handsome and charming man, not a wrinkled and boring one.
I wanted a man who would adore me and spoil me, not a man who would ignore me and cheat on me. I wanted a man who would respect me and protect me, not a man who would insult me and hurt me.
And that's how I met Rashad Morey.
He was everything I wanted and more. He was young, handsome, rich, powerful, and charismatic. He was the leader of the Purple Gangsters, the most feared crime syndicate in Bandidos. He had a reputation for being ruthless and cunning, but also generous and loyal. He had a lot of enemies, but also a lot of followers.
He saw me at one of the parties of the wealthy, where I was trying to impress one of the old and married bosses.
Then he approached me with a confident smile and offered me a drink. He introduced himself as Rashad Morey and complimented me on my beauty and intelligence and asked me about my dreams and ambitions, and listened attentively to my answers.
After speaking for many minutes, he told me he could make all my wishes come true, if I were his girlfriend.
I was instantly attracted to him and agreed to his proposal. Then he took me to his luxurious car and drove me to his mansion.
He showed me his lavish lifestyle and showered me with expensive gifts. And then he made love to him with so much passion and skill, making me forget about my grandmother's advice.
He made me feel special and loved, so I forgot about my family and friends.
That was where he got me, he made me his girlfriend, more like his property I will say.
Standing next to me at the ball, and holding a stainless glass cup filled with red wine, Rashad whispered to my ears "I own you bitch. You have to do whatever I say."
Hearing these words I froze instantly, "Leave me!!" I shouted, but my voice was made a tiny whisper by the loud sound coming from the disk jockey's speaker.
"I will never let you go. You are mine now."
"No! let go of me" I said trying to force myself off his tight grip, but it was to no avail. He kept holding me close and making a sly smile. No one around knew what was happening except me and him.
"I am the only one who matters in your life. You have to cut off every other person that is close to you." He whispered to my ears again.
After hearing what he said, I was left in a state of confusion and disbelief. The reality of what I had just entered into began to sink in. The man I thought I knew, the man who had promised me the world, was now claiming ownership over me.
His words echoed in my mind, even though I was still standing still and moving my body to the rhythm of the loud song that was being played at the masquerade ball.