Tricked

Happy Reading

 The sun had returned to the skies when a taxi sped off at moderate speed, slashing through the streets of the capital.  Meanwhile, in the passenger seat Gladys grew restless.  Several times he was annoyed and almost cried because he couldn't find a way out.  Fear and confusion ran through his heart.

 "Why, sir?"  Gladys glared while reflexively covering her slightly exposed chest when she realized the driver had been stealing glances from the rearview mirror with a look that made her uncomfortable.

 For a moment she cursed the designer who designed the dress she was wearing.  It looks like the dress with the Sabrina model and low slit is not a suitable costume for running away let alone using public transportation.

 Actually this wedding dress was very beautiful, but Gladys didn't like it because she had to wear it.  If only that side by side with the man she loves might be a different story.  However, marrying young is also not her dream, she is not ready to become a wife in her teens.  While there are still many dreams that he has not realized.

 "Ah, sorry, Ma'am. Where are we going?"  The driver answered with a slight stutter.

 Gladys blinked, only to realize that it had been almost an hour they were just wandering around aimlessly.

 "Um, sir. Excuse me, can you help me sell this jewellery?"  Gladys asked quietly, lifting the pearl bracelet on her wrist.

"I happen to not have any money with me, this is all I have. Later I'll give you a tip and pay for your taxi fare. How are you?"  he continued.

 The driver frowned, he seemed to think about what Gladys said.

 "Yes, my friend can help, but he has to first check if it's real or not."

 "Oh, please, sir. Guaranteed, this is real, really!"  Gladys looked excited as if she had a breath of fresh air.

 "But Ma'am, come with me to meet my friend," said the taxi driver again.

 "Okay, sir. No problem as long as this can be sold. Thank you, sir."  Gladys nodded her head quickly with a big smile.

 Meanwhile, the driver just smiled and glanced at Gladys meaningfully in the rearview mirror.  Then, return to the focus of driving.

 ***

 The sound of music blaring loudly greeted the ears as Gladys entered the dimly lit room.  The smell of alcohol and cigarette smoke pierced her nose, causing the girl to cough several times and wave her palms in front of her face.

 The hungry gazes of the men there who looked at him openly didn't even hesitate to tease, making the tiny body tremble.  His palms felt cold and the rhythm of his heart beat faster.

 Gladys put her palms in front of her chest as if it could protect her.  He dodged as much as possible when several men tried to approach and touch.  Luckily the driver was able to handle it.

 "Sir, why are we here?"  Gladys shouted so that her voice could beat the pounding music.

 He suddenly felt bad because the taxi driver took him to a nightclub instead.  Gladys wasn't used to being in nightclubs, but she knew what kind of place she was going to at the moment.

 The taxi driver turned his head, then spoke in a loud voice too.

 "Well, we want to meet my friend who wants to buy Mbak's jewelry. The person works here."

 Gladys just nodded resignedly.

 "You wait here, huh!"  The taxi driver opened the door of a room and told him to wait inside.

 "Where are you going, father?"  Gladys asked quickly and subconsciously grabbed the taxi driver's arm.

 Honestly, Gladys was terrified to be in this place and the only person she knew right now was the taxi driver she had just met a few hours ago.

"I want to call my friend first," said the mustachioed man who was about 30 years old slowly.  "Don't worry. Ma'am, it's safe here, isn't it?"

 The driver tried to reassure Gladys that she would be fine.  Finally, the girl gave up even though there was a little doubt in her heart, but she really needed money tonight.  At least to find a temporary place to stay and fill his rumbling stomach.

 "Sir, wait!"

 Again Gladys held him back, but not this time because she didn't want to be left alone.

 "Yes, Ma'am?"

 "Ehm, I ..." Gladys said while playing with her fingers, while the man in front of her seemed to be waiting for what the girl would say.

 "Can I ask for that first? I'll just pay it off from the money from the sale of my bracelet later."

 The girl tilted her body slightly, then pointed to the glass table behind her where there were two bottles of mineral water, various snacks, and fruit.

 "Oh, yes please, Ma'am. Or do you want me to order something else as well?"

 "Well, sir. Thank you very much, sir. Sorry to bother you."

 "It's okay, Ma'am. Surely you'll need extra energy later, right?"  said the driver then said goodbye politely.

 'Extra power?  Ah, the father is very understanding,' Gladys thought as she gave thanks once again for being met with such a good person as the taxi driver who seemed very understanding of her condition.

 Running away from an arranged marriage is tiring and takes a lot of energy just like running away from reality and pretending to be happy.

 Gladys slapped her buttocks on the black and shiny sofa in the corner of the room.  Then he quickly grabbed a bottle of mineral water on the table, opened the seal and drank it until the toilet was gone.  Then he leaned his back slightly against the back of the sofa.

 The beautiful face looked tired.  Seen several times he breathed, trying to neutralize the heartbeat that had rumbled a while ago.  At least for now she was safe from the men out there who seemed to want to pounce on her.

 Gladys suddenly had an idea when her eyes fell on the small knife lying on top of the fruit basket.  She took the knife, then pulled the hem of her dress that dangled above her ankles.  Then his hands nimbly began to move the small and sharp object on the expensive dress.  It didn't take long for the wedding dress to turn into a knee-length dress.

 "It's better this way," he muttered with a smile and stood looking at his handiwork.

 ***

g was heaving a sigh of relief.

 "So you're willing to buy my jewelry?"

 "Never mind jewelry, just buy you I'm very willing, dear!"  The man laughed as his hand touched Gladys chin.

 Gladys gasped, then turned her head away from the touch of the big hand.

 "What do you mean? Where's the taxi driver?"  shouted the girl who already looked panicked and angry at the same time.

 For a moment the man's face looked confused, but a moment later he chuckled while shaking his head.

 "So you don't know or are you pretending not to know?"  His laughter grew louder, making the smell of alcohol from his mouth grow stronger.

 Gladys unconsciously held her breath while praying silently.  Her face paled, worried if the bad feeling she had been feeling was really happening.  Then his heart seemed to stop beating as the man spoke again.

 "He left after I gave him some money. And in return, I can enjoy your body tonight, honey!"

 Continued