Chapter 21

"I'm going home."

I rose to my feet and put on the slippers. To my extreme embarrassment, I realized that I couldn't afford to stay here for even a few seconds longer. I began arranging my belongings but was instantly taken aback when Pierre slapped my palm.

"I'm just playing, okay?" he stated, chuckling, and compelled me to sit on the bed once more. My brow furrowed, and the cushion collided with his face.

"Do I appear to be joking, huh?"

He chuckled and shook his head. When I saw his smiling expression, I rolled my eyes. Really, Pierre? Fuck you.

"Too short-tempered."

I brushed him aside and sat on the bed. My motivation to sleep had increased now that he had irritated me.

I embraced myself and turned away from him. A few seconds later, the room's lights turned out. I became even chillier.

"I'm going to sleep in the other room; just call me if you need anything," he stated softly. I waited until I heard the door opened and closed before closing my eyes.

I was even upset with Nellie now that I was alone in the room. She truly founded a cult solely to bully me, huh? Due to what she did, I wished the day might be Monday immediately in order to pull her hair.

A few minutes later, the tiredness deepened. I slept the entire night. I had no difficulty sleeping due to my body's tiredness.

#

Pierre had just emerged from his room when the sun rose, and I was already dressed. I was wearing my school uniform, which I didn't get to wear yesterday.

"Are you going home?" Pierre asked drowsily. I gave a silent nod before indicating the table.

"I prepared your breakfast; I appreciate your allowing me to remain here yesterday; I'm heading home; perhaps Iris has been waiting for me for some time."

"I'll drive you home." He took his hoodie and put it on. I slapped his hand as he took up the car key. He glanced to me and raised an eyebrow, surprised.

"'I'm not going anywhere; I'm simply going to commute. Additionally, I need something to buy. You haven't even eaten your breakfast yet, and you're offering to drive me home? No thank you. I can manage." I tapped his shoulder and approached the door.

"I'll take you to the lobby—"

"Don't worry about it." He could do nothing but sigh. I wouldn't allow him, regardless of how hard he tried. He allowed me to stay here last night, and that was enough.

"Once again, thank you." I left that unit without waiting for his response. The elevator was easy to locate, and I had no difficulty descending to the lobby.

I had already called for an uber before I left his unit. I was not sure of his address earlier. Fortunately, it was written on a calendar in the living room. This was a condominium, as I correctly stated.

When I returned home, I was met with the faint sound of music. It was coming from the kitchen, which meant Iris was most likely cooking. I could smell the aroma of the meal being cooked as I went closer and closer. I was not sure if this was for breakfast or lunch. I believed it was similar to lunch, as Iris never ate rice every morning.

"Hey, are you all right?" I began to make my way into the kitchen. She nearly dropped the spoon when her eyes opened to meet mine.

"Can't you say hello or hi? I'm gonna have a heart attack 'cause you keep surprising me!"

"Are you all right?" I ignored her question. Basing on how she behaved, the answer would be yes.

"Yeah. What about you? How are you feeling?" I approached her and sat on the chair. There were several utensils on the table that I believed were necessary for her cooking.

"Just a little dizzy."

"Why? Tell me what happened yesterday."

"It's nothing. I still feel tired. I want to spend the entire day sleeping." I stretched my body as I exited the kitchen. I was still exhausted. Maybe I needed further rest to alleviate the sensation of tiredness.

"Have you eaten?" she asked.

"Yeah. You're not going to wake me up, are you? My body really feel exhausted." I entered my bedroom and laid on the bed. I was suddenly feeling hot. My body quickly adapted to the frigid temperature in Pierre's room.

I grabbed the remote and turned the air conditioner on. I closed all the windows and turned off the light. My room immediately became pitch black, to the point where I could barely see inside.

I placed my body in the bed and closed my eyes, exhausted.

This was heavenly.

The hours passed until lunchtime. My strength gradually returned, but the dizziness persisted. What was going on with me?

I jumped out of bed as soon as I felt my tummy turned upside down. I felt as if I'd run into everything in my path on my way to the bathroom.

I grasped the sink with both hands when a large amount of blood poured out of my mouth.

There was a small amount of rice, which I believed was the one I had eaten this morning, but the majority of it was blood. I raised my eyes and inspected myself in the mirror. My mouth was covered in blood, and I resembled a vampire who had just finished eating dinner.

"Can you taste this, Aurie—oh my gosh!" I immediately turned to the bathroom door when I heard Iris. She glanced at me in surprise as she held the ladle in her hand.

She regained her composure and put the ladle down after a few seconds. She dashed closer to me and grabbed a tissue.

"Aurora, oh my goodness. What happened? We should go to the hospital!" She wiped my lips clean and switched on the faucet.

"I am okay, Iris. I've just thrown up. It's normal for me to throw up."

"Yes, but this is not usual after vomiting blood. Consider yourself! It's as if you delivered a baby with your mouth!" I was not sure if I'd be laughing or nervous as a result of Iris' tremendous fear. It was evident that she was unsure of what to do first.

"I'm perfectly fine, Iris. There's no reason to visit the hospital because they won't be able to administer any medication to me. Additionally, it is far too risky. I'm sure mom has already visited hospitals in an attempt to locate me. Perhaps she already paid for them, to report to her if ever a girl named Aurora Jenkins was admitted."

"Aurora, my goodness! Is that still what you're thinking, huh? Can you consider your health first? We don't know, but you might die sooner because of your stubborness! If you got caught, I'll help you in escaping! Or perhaps it is better if we go back to your house—"

"What?"

"Let's go back to your home. After all, only your personal doctor is qualified to care for you, right? There, you'll be more secure and focused—"

"No." I cleansed and rinsed my mouth. I became irritated at Iris' suggestion. I felt as though she was my mother, and she, too, wanted me caged.

"I'll pay frequent visits, or perhaps we'll force your mother into allowing you to continue studying," she insisted. I sighed and looked at her with pleading eyes.

"Can we stop talking about this, please?"

"You should be rushed to the hospital! Please, stop being so stubborn. If we stay here, something may happen to you! What if you die? Huh? What if--"

"Then I'll die! That's exactly what will happen to me, right?!" My loud shout brought her to a halt. I exited the bathroom, leaving her inside.

With tears streaming down my cheeks, I took my pouch on the table and went out of the house. I was feeling mixed emotions because of what Iris stated. I was irritated because I believed she had forgotten why I ran away. I was also fearful that she would tell mommy of my whereabouts.

I was not ready to go back yet.

I had no idea where I was heading because I was unfamiliar with the area. My destinations were only school and home most of the time.

I walked for several hours till I came to a park. It was a considerable distance from where Iris and I lived, and I knew it would take a long time for her to find me.

As I sat on the swing, I simply felt exhausted. I took a glance around; the park was large, but there wasn't a single kid playing. Only the dancing leaves of trees and plants maintained the life of the entire area. Perhaps it was because it was barely afternoon and the children didn't wanna go outside.

That was what my nanny and I used to do; I wouldn't leave the house until three o'clock in the afternoon because it was still quite hot outside. We frequently went for a walk in the subdivision park by sunset because the air was cooler.

Fortunately, with so many trees and plants in the area, the temperature dropped and the air felt cleaner.

I carefully drew my foot back to initiate the swing. Simultaneously with the ascent of my foot, the plants surrounding me began to dance. I carefully closed my eyes and took in the tranquillity of the area.

It was incredibly calming.

"How did Snow White get here?"

I opened my eyes when I heard a voice. I came to a halt and shifted my gaze to the person at my side. She was an elderly woman dressed in a floral mumu gown with a shawl wrapped around her shoulders. Her eyes were slanted downward and had several creases surrounding them. Additionally, her skin was aged and appeared to be frail.

"Hi?" I greeted, my voice was trembling. She grinned and examined my entire self.

"You are very pale, sweetheart. Your complexion makes me think of Snow White." I pressed my lips together and feigned a grin. I didn't know her, but she appeared to be pleasant.

"I am Aurora."

"Oh! Then I shouldn't call you Snow White. You're sleeping beauty." She chuckled softly and locked her eyes on me.

"What are you doing here? Are you a resident of this neighborhood? I know every family that lives here, Aurora. I never saw you here," she stated calmly.

"I, uh, don't live here. I-I just happened to pass by. It's calm here, I'd like to rest." I averted my eyes and scanned the area once more. I only now realized it was a subdivision. However, why did the guards here allow me to enter? I recalled that when I was a child, you needed a 'guest card' to visit subdivisions.

"Do you have a problem? You won't come here alone if you lack one, and... your eyes speak for themselves." I gave her a peek before I sighed. Although I was adept at deception and concealment from mommy, I'd never been adept at concealing my emotions.

I didn't respond. I was not sure where to begin; I believed it was wrong for me to leave Iris at home, but another part of me believed it was also wrong for me to stay there.

"Have you had your meal yet? Your skin is pale, but so are your lips."

My stomach started churning simultaneously when she asked that. I haven't had lunch yet. I didn't feel hungry earlier because my mind was preoccupied with Iris and I's fight.

"Not yet..."

"You want to come to my house? I prepared my friend's favorite food earlier, but she won't be able to attend due to her granddaughter giving birth today." She rose to her feet and extended her hand to me. I raised my eyes and gave her a timid glance.

I was starving, yet she was unfamiliar to me. Should I trust her?

"I live alone. I understand if you don't trust me. Take a look over there." She pointed at the guard and waved at him. When the guard saw her, he grinned and waved back.

I was aware that I should not trust easily, but I was quite hungry.

"Can I come with you?" I stood and accepted her hand. She smiled charmingly as she began walking.

We were only a few minutes away from her house but she was walking slowly, we took a little too long to reach her house because of that. That was, after all, usual for senior citizens.

"Let's go inside."

She pushed open the little gate and ushered me through. The entire house was built of wood; it had a second floor and numerous plants on the side. It was reminiscent of Masha and the Bear's abode. The only difference was that this grandmother's house was more lush with vegetation.

When we entered, my eyes nearly burst open with awe. Numerous antiques were displayed there. I was aware that the term "antique" was overused among the elderly, but this was the first time I'd seen a collection. We had antiques in mommy's ancestral home, but there were more here. The majority of our vases were made of porcelain.

"Wait for me here, dear. I'm just going to go get some food." I sat on the plush sofa and looked around. Due to the windows, the setting sun's rays penetrated the entire living room of the house.

I'd never seen a golden hour quite like this.

"This is the dish; I hope you enjoy it."

I looked away from the window when the old woman reappeared. I rushed to assist her when I noticed she was weighed down by the tray she was carrying. I arranged the dishes on the tiny table in front of me one by one.

It smelled delicious; I guessed it was stew.

"I appreciate the lunch and apologize for the inconvenience," I murmured meekly. I hadn't even learned her name, but I was already eating. When did you lose your sense of shame, Aurora?

"It's fine, it's fine. May I ask something, though? I'm just genuinely curious about your problem; I want to know because maybe I can help."

I took a sip of the stew and looked at her. Was it okay if I told her? I suppose so. I also needed someone to talk to because I was beginning to doubt whether I would ever return to Iris house. I was scared that when I returned, mommy would be there as well, waiting for me.

"Oh no, it appears as though the rain will begin to fall violently at any moment." I looked out the window when I heard that. She was right; it was already dark outside.

I forgot to bring an umbrella.

I returned my gaze to the meal and shrugged. Whatever the case may be, I would not going to die in the rain.

"My one and only friend and I got into a fight," I said. I caught a glimpse of her looking at me out of the corner of my eyes. She did not speak or say a word; she merely listened.

"I'm ill and I can't tell you what it is. Don't worry, it's not a disease that can be transmitted. I ran away because my mother won't let me explore because I'm ill. I got sick and my friend saw me vomiting blood..." I blew hard when I remembered how much blood I had vomited previously.

"And... she wanted me to go to the hospital, which is risky because I know my mom can pay the hospital for simply telling her I was admitted. Then, after a few minutes, she wanted me to return to our house and let my personal doctor treat me. I was so mad, so I left the house. "

There was a brief moment of silence before I heard her feeble laugh. As she turned around and raised an eyebrow, I wondered.

"Oh, sleeping beauty, you and your friend are both in the wrong..."