Truth or Lies?

by A. Gomez

  We sat down to eat. The music was still playing overhead. He took out his phone and lowered the volume just enough. He was chatting away non-stop. His tone was excited and light and he was being very animated. It was all too weird considering I knew what he was. He had hired wait staff and a chef for our dinner. He felt the need to tell me that the girls were not eating their dinner in the big kitchen that we had breakfast in, but in the smaller kitchen at the other end of the house. He had answered my unspoken question. Did he arrange it this way so the hired help wouldn’t get suspicious or did he consider this a date and wanted privacy? I wasn’t sure and I wasn’t about to ask. Debbie’s cover, after all, was that she was running a nonprofit and Chang was just a part of that. What surprised me, however, was that he actually trusted that I wouldn’t blurt out “help me, I’ve been kidnapped” to one of them. Perhaps these people worked for him as well?

  I shook my head, trying to shake the confusion out. Chang was still talking about the music. I was trying to keep up, trying not to think about anything else except keeping him interested in me and happy.

  “I hope you like Beef Wellington, Dr. Langley. It is one of my favorites and paired with this wine is even better.” Jeez! How could this guy be in such a good mood? He took a long sip of his wine and then smacked his lips. “This is my favorite red wine. I hope you like it.”

  “So far, Mr. Chang, you have hit the nail right on the head on every count. I am thoroughly enjoying everything,” I said, clenching my jaw. I hadn’t lied this much since I was a teenager. This was ridiculous.

  “I’m looking into locating the original painting of The Isle of the Dead,” Chang said, before taking another sip of his wine. “Once I locate it, I’d like you to come with me so we can bring it back to my home.”

  I nearly choked on my food. I put my fork down and took a drink of water. Was he actually starting to trust me? “I’m sorry, what?” I croaked.

  “Don’t worry, Dr. Langley, Betty Lou will be safe here with the other girls. You have my word that she will have no appointments and she will be well taken care of. And as for the other girls, I promise you that no one else will ever abuse, hit, attack or take advantage of them again. You were right about Frank. He was indeed costing me money.”

  I wanted to scream at the top of my lungs, but you’re already abusing them by selling them for sex, you delusional, fucking human sex trafficker!

  I quickly composed myself and took a deep breath. “Thank you, Mr. Chang, you just don’t know what that means to me. And now knowing that, I look forward to that day with anticipation.” I forced a small smile, thinking about what he just proposed. “But how are you so sure I won’t try to get away or get help?”

  “Because, Dr. Langley, I have Betty Lou and your friend Caroline.”

  And there was the Victor Chang we all know and hate.

  He seemed to enjoy my gratitude and it also seemed to fuel his enjoyment of our evening together. It was disturbing.

  We talked about his mansion this time and what inspired him to decorate the way he did. He explained it was a living canvas and things were constantly coming and going. I was hoping to get a tour of the mansion but he just talked about the room we were in and the adjoining room. The wait staff brought us dessert and an after-dinner drink. Chang never stopped talking. It was as if he hadn’t spoken to anyone in years and now I’d opened the floodgates. Every now and then, I was able to comment and ask a question or two but it was more as if I was in class and he was the professor giving a lecture. He was still very animated, and at times would get out of his seat and walk over to a chair or a lamp or a bowl, and explain why he bought it or where he was when he bought it. Surprisingly, I wasn’t getting anxious or on edge. He gave me his word that Betty Lou would be safe as long as I didn’t get out of line. I had to believe that for my own peace of mind. Plus, this was all very entertaining and I really wanted to gain Chang’s trust.

  I stifled a yawn. It felt late. Very late. I peeked out one of the windows and saw that it was pitch-black outside, or so it seemed since the lights were so bright in the dining room. The wait staff was no longer in the dining room with us. I didn’t notice them leaving. When did they leave? It must be very late. I didn’t want to let Chang see I was getting tired just yet. I still needed to find a few of those jammers before he sent me to my room.

  “Are you looking for something, Dr. Langley?”

  “No, not looking for anything, Mr. Chang, just noticing that the lights are very bright in here.” I mentally gave myself a high-five for thinking so quickly on my feet, surprising myself. I was beginning to get very good at lying.

  He looked surprised. “Should I dim the lights? Is that what you would like, Dr. Langley? A more romantic atmosphere?”

  Whoops! “No, if you do, then I won’t be able to see all the art and also, possibly, I will start to get too sleepy with such a relaxed atmosphere.”

  “Oh… yes… very good.” He sounded confused. Crap. I guess I’m not that good after all. He was still gazing at me, trying to make sense of my comment. I began to fidget in my seat and wring my hands. Change the subject, Isabel Grace!

  “Mr. Chang, you mentioned you were trying to find the original The Isle of the Dead painting. May I ask where you’re looking for that?”

  “Well, the artist is Swiss so I’m starting where he was born. Beyond that, I can’t really say right now. It’s still too soon to know where this search will take me, or if any of it will be legal,” he smiled wryly. “I looked at several copies of it on the internet and I have to say, my interest is piqued.”

  Whew. Crisis averted.

  34

  The rest of the evening went smoothly. We talked art and furniture that was more art than furniture. We even had a debate regarding artists versus people who designed furniture that looked like art. He walked me back to my room like last time and took my hand in both of his, saying his adieu. I walked into a dark room with only a small nightlight illuminating just enough for me to see where the bathroom was. I felt relieved to be away from him. I didn’t have to be “on” anymore and I could just relax and collect my thoughts. I didn’t know how long I could keep it up. My knowledge of art and designers was not as extensive as his and if I couldn’t keep his attention or keep him happy then I might be gone sooner rather than later. This was so exhausting.

  I quickly glanced at the clock as I made my way to the bathroom. It was two in the morning. Betty Lou was fast asleep in our bed. I looked over at Lilly and she had fallen asleep with a magazine on her chest. Maybe she was trying to wait up for me?

  I decided to take a quick shower. I was tired of thinking, talking, debating and being an actress. If this weird yet awful scenario that I was in were a movie, then I would’ve taken the Oscar home tonight for my performance of best female actress in a lead role to show interest in all things art and artistic furniture. I laughed at my analogy. The hot water was soothing. I didn’t realize my muscles were so tense until I started to relax just a bit under the cascading waterfall in that astounding shower. There were jets all around me hitting every crevasse of my body and a large spout above my head, against the wall, giving the illusion of a mini waterfall. It was impressive.

  I put on the lingerie Chang got me since mine felt thoroughly gross. I got into the PJs Debbie gave me, brushed my hair and teeth and just stood in the middle of the bathroom looking around. It was a huge bathroom with every amenity a girl could want and need. Perfect for a house full of females. Chang knew what he was doing. He was taking care of his property—his investment. Bastard! I looked at myself in the mirror. The strawberry on my cheekbone was starting to turn purple. It was tender to the touch. I winced when I gently pressed on it. I stared into the mirror, looking at the pink PJs I was given, looking at my pale face. I looked tired, scared, distressed and fraught with rage. Despair began to flood through me. I was desperate to get us all out of there. So much so I was willing to come out guns blazing… or rather gun, since I only had on
e and just a few bullets, but there were henchmen and watchdogs everywhere with guns of their own. I would just get myself killed.

  I had no control over what might happen to Betty Lou… and to see Caroline leaving for lascivious appointments disgusted me to my core. My poor, dear friend; how her parents must be grieving for her, not knowing where she was or what had happened to her. Stop thinking, Isabel Grace, and get to bed. You have to stay alert and strong if you want to have a fighting chance of getting out of here.

  I fell into bed exhausted. I felt mentally and emotionally drained, yet I couldn’t sleep. My mind wouldn’t stop racing. How did I get into this mess? I laid in bed with Betty, listening to her breathe. I heard the magazine drop to the floor as Lilly rolled over. I thought about Caroline and the two girls that were in our room earlier. I thought about Samson and how he was shot. I thought about Josh… Joshua Eric Rockwall. I rolled over, grabbing the necklace he gave me. I missed Josh. I missed him so much at times it hurt.

  I stared at the walls, wishing sleep would come, but my adrenaline was still on overdrive. I wondered what would happen if I decided to go to the kitchen and get something to drink? It would be the perfect excuse if I were secretly looking for the jammers. Did any of the other girls leave their room to go to the kitchen? Would Chang and his henchmen think I was up to no good? Would Debbie be up to catch me or were there night watchmen just for that purpose? I was so tempted to get up and try but the thought of Betty Lou suffering the consequences of my actions kept me in bed and the errant thought quickly disappeared.

  I woke up to the sound of water. I stared at the clock, blinking a few times until my vision was clear enough for me to see the time. It was four in the morning. Lilly and Betty were still asleep. Once again, I had only slept a couple hours.

  The water sound was rain. I got up and padded to the windows to see if by some miracle I’d be able to see the rain. No such luck. I wanted to, so desperately, break the shutters just so I could look out the window, but I couldn’t… I wouldn’t… not yet, at least. Instead, I stood there with my eyes closed, listening to the rain tapping lightly on the windows. It was November so that meant cold rain. Ew, I hated the rain when it was cold outside. I didn’t mind snow but rain… that was just too much wetness when it was cold out. I found a chair and pushed it closer to the window so I could sit and listen to the rain. I couldn’t sleep anymore and I didn’t have good light to read, so I decided to just sit and let the sound of the water soothe me.

  Lilly’s alarm went off, startling me. I glanced at her clock—six thirty, time to get up and begin our chores. Lilly hit the snooze button, letting her arm fall back onto the bed. I looked over my shoulder to Betty; she wasn’t stirring at all. I didn’t think she even heard the alarm. I smiled at how blissful her sleep must be. I was glad for that at least. She was so young, still grade-school age and sold for money by her mother’s nefarious boyfriend. These were such critical years for her age. She needed to feel safe and loved. She needed to be in school. I had to at least get her some educational books to read. I wondered if any of the girls could help me with that? I wondered if Chang would help me with that? Should I ask?

  “Hey, what time did you get up?” Lilly was sitting up in bed. Her long hair was barely messy. I guessed that was how your hair looked in the morning when you had board-straight hair. Lucky her.

  “Around four, I think.”

  “Jeez, Isabel, don’t you like to sleep?” Lilly croaked. She swung her legs over the bed and sat there for a few minutes, rubbing her eyes.

  I snickered. “I guess lately I don’t. Or, rather, can’t.”

  “By the way, I have something for you that Priscilla gave me to give you.” She opened her nightstand drawer and took out a cell phone charger. “I tried waiting up for you but Chang kept you late.”

  “Lilly! Careful! Debbie or Chang could catch you!” I admonished, quickly snatching it out of her hand and hiding it in my pajama bottoms.

  “Don’t worry, Debbie seems pretty preoccupied with Chang and whatever you two have going on. But make sure you don’t get caught or else it’ll go bad for all of us.”

  Right. Don’t get caught. I rubbed my temples, trying to suppress the stress. I got up and hid the charger in a tampon box under the sink in the bathroom. Lilly was in the shower, getting ready for her day. I stood in front of the mirror, brushing my teeth, staring at myself. My hair was short now, just above my shoulders and very wavy. The bruise on my face was looking more prominent and I was developing dark circles under my eyes, due to lack of sleep, no doubt. There’s no way we’re going to survive this, I thought. How were these girls able to do it for so long? Shake it off, Isabel Grace, you’re stronger than this.

  I quickly finished brushing my teeth and brushed my hair. I didn’t have to change since I didn’t have any clothes other than cocktail dresses or evening dresses. I only had my booties so I put those on with no socks. I gently woke Betty up; she moaned and rolled over. She wanted to sleep longer. After a few more minutes of encouraging words she finally got up. Betty was absolutely a morning person. She was chirping like a little bird about dinner and what she had to eat. She told me about all the new girls she met and she talked about last night and how much fun she had with the other girls that were in our bedroom. I had to tell her to hush about that or else we might get in trouble with Debbie or Mr. Chang.

  We all went down for breakfast like the other morning and we all went to our assigned chores. Betty Lou and I were always together no matter what and Debbie knew better than to separate us. Betty and I were diligently working when we heard a knock and voices coming from the general direction of the main kitchen. I wasn’t sure if the voices were in the kitchen but I decided to investigate regardless.

  “Betty Lou, please stay here. I’ll be right back. I’m just going to take a few towels to the kitchen.”

  She nodded and continued working. I grabbed a stack of kitchen towels and under the ruse of delivering them to the kitchen, I headed in the direction of the voices. I walked in and saw Debbie talking with a slender Asian man. He was delivering groceries and she was busy putting them away. As I placed the towels on the island the man looked up and we locked eyes for a moment. He looked surprised? Startled? He stared at me as if he knew me? His jaw dropped ever so slightly. Do I know this man?

  “Oh. Isabel, you startled me. This is Ricky.” She inclined her head in the direction of the Asian man. “He came early to deliver those ingredients you asked for and some groceries.” She continued to put the food away.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ricky. Here, let me help so I can familiarize myself with the kitchen.” I took the bags from his hands and placed them on the island. He was quickly at my side, helping unpack the food. I could sense he wanted to say something but couldn’t because of Debbie. We unpacked in silence. Debbie was muttering something to herself.

  “Are there anymore in the car, Ricky? Do you need help with unloading the car?” Please say yes, so we can walk outside and talk in private.

  He took a fleeting look at Debbie. She was already walking outside to his vehicle to get the rest.

  “No, thank you, Dr. Langley, I think Debbie is getting the rest,” he answered in a thick Chinese accent.

  Dr. Langley? I was introduced as Isabel. “You know me?” I asked in a hushed voice. He nodded, his gaze turning to the bags as he began to fold them.

  Debbie was back quickly from his car with the last of the bags.

  “Thank you, Isabel, but Ricky and I can handle it. You can go back to your chores,” Debbie said in a monotone dismissing me.

  Shit. There goes my chance. I nodded. “Well, it was nice to meet you Mr. um…” I offered him my hand.

  “Hong, Ricky Hong,” he answered, taking may hand and squeezing it tight. “But they call me Chex because I’m so good at chess.”

  Shit! Recognition washed through me. Chex, the anonymous information I received that one morning from a Chex at the DA’s office. I needed to so
mehow get him alone. “I hope to see you again. When do you usually come around and at what time?”

  “I usually come in the mornings every Friday.”

  “That’s enough questions, Isabel. Go on and finish your chores now,” Debbie snickered awkwardly. “I’m sorry, Ricky, Isabel is new here and is always so inquisitive.”

  I hesitated, mentally calculating the consequences if I didn’t do what she said. I didn’t care what happened to me but I cared about Betty and that’s where they knew they could control me. I nodded, smiling weakly and headed back to the laundry room. I glanced back over my shoulder. Ricky waved a brief goodbye. So, I finally met the infamous Mr. Hong and I wasn’t able to say two words to him… or he to me. I puffed my cheeks up with air and let out a loud exhale. Crap!

  And, so, we settled into a routine of sorts. Breakfast, chores, appointments, lunch, appointments, dinner, evening appointments, then bedtime—whatever that might be for each girl. And me barely sleeping at night. I would sometimes have lunch with Victor Chang but we would always have dinner together. I asked him for a few educational books for Betty and he actually agreed to get them for me. His being so agreeable pleasantly stunned me. He even bought me more clothes. They were more of the casual everyday wear kind and also Gucci.

  Betty and I got to know all the girls in the mansion since they all helped take care of Betty at some point or another. There were thirty girls, including Betty Lou and me. But that number fluctuated up and down on a weekly basis since Chang always had new girls coming and existing girls going away to places unknown to us. The girls also helped read with Betty while I was with Chang. A few of them, at one point, were math majors in college. Those girls helped with Betty’s math lessons. I was relieved Betty was getting some sort of education, even if it was in a weird, unconventional way. Something was better than nothing.

  Thanksgiving came and went. It was just another week for us—business as usual. We had nothing to celebrate and nothing to be thankful for. I thought, perhaps, since it was the holidays, the girls’ appointments would slow down. On the contrary, they had more appointments and more repeat clientele. It was deplorable. I hated every waking minute, watching them come and go. It fueled my hate for Victor Chang. It made eating with him and holding a conversation with him all the more repulsive. He was a repugnant, sorry excuse for a man and I so wanted to shoot him. Some of the girls would take one or two of the special chocolates from the bowls and eat them on the way out. They were addicted to the drug and the chocolate made it more enticing.