Chapter 43 New Place
The two-hour drive and the two-hour flight went by in a whip. I’ve been silent all through the trip and I think it bothers Carlos because he keeps asking me if I’m okay.
My answer has always been the same. I am okay. I just don’t feel good about any of this.
My family, their evil moves, and their dangerous actions are constantly tugging at my heart. And each time I think about the people who lost their lives or got hurt because of them, I can’t help but hate myself for causing that. I know it’s not exactly my fault but they are my parents and they are only doing this because of me…
The thought kept sitting in my mind as I walked out of the car and entered the house Carlos took me. In just two days, we’ve been in three different houses, two of them which are completely destroyed because of me.
"What do you think of this house? Pretty cool right?" Carlos asked, a smile radiating on his face as he looked at me.
When I didn’t reply as soon as possible, the smile faded and his face was mused with concern. He looked like he was about to speak but I raced him to it "Yes, it’s good…I just hope it doesn’t get destroyed like the others." I said quietly
"The others weren’t destroyed. They are just a little damaged that’s all." He said trying to make me feel better but I don’t think anything can relief me from what I’m feeling.
He cupped my face with his hand and said "It’s gonna be fine okay? We are in a different city, they are not gonna come here."
Even though I doubt his words, I quietly said "Okay."
"Why don’t you go to the room, I’ll meet you there."
"I don’t know which one it is."
"The second room on the first floor."
I nodded and made my way to the room. When I got there, I opened the door and saw Sophia standing inside, cleaning it up.
For some reason, my mood flipped "Sophia," I sighed, reaching over to hug her. She embraced me too, as if we were long-distance friends seeing each other after many years.
I melted in her arms. Honestly, it felt really good to see her.
"How are you doing?" She asked, pulling out of the hug.
"I’m okay," I replied casually. "What about you?" I asked but didn’t wait as I followed up the question with "I’m so glad you’re here and okay." If anything has happened to Sophia because of me, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forgive myself.
She smiled.
I added, "I saw you at the mansion but when I tried calling you. You went to the other side and then, things got cold. I completely forgot to check on you but I’m so glad you made it out."
"Yeah, I managed to leave before they could get me," She said. Her voice suddenly sank as she continued, "But they did get the others."
My heart dropped. This is my fault. "I’m sorry," I whispered.
"Why are you sorry? It’s not your fault." She said.
If only she knew.
I was about to speak when a voice called Sophia’s name from downstairs.
"I gotta go. I have some work to take care of downstairs, but it’s nice seeing you." She said
All I could do was smile as she walked out of the room.
For the next hour, I did nothing other than sit back and reflect on all that had happened. It hurts so much that they don’t even care about the consequences, they just want to get me, that’s all.
Carlos is right. My family is dangerous, maybe even more dangerous than him
I sat by the window just staring at the view, hoping that no one would barge in today. I’ve had enough of the wars. It’s time things finally got right and I get some peace again.
"Hey," Carlos said from behind me.
"Hi," I replied, not looking at him.
"What are you doing?" He asked as he walked up to me and stood next to me.
"Nothing. Just staring out of the window."
He glanced at the view before turning back to me. "You’ve been quiet the whole day. Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I am," I said quietly.
He didn’t say anything for a moment. His eyes stayed on me before he finally spoke. "We should probably go have lunch."
I sighed softly "I’m not hungry."
"But you haven’t eaten all day," He said, sounding worried.
"I just don’t have an appetite."
"Nala." He said, his voice calm "Are you sure nothing is bothering you?"
I turned to him and smiled. "I just want to be on my own right now, Carlos."
He hesitated for a moment, looking at me, before he finally said, "Okay." He turned away, and as he reached the door, he added, "Let me know if you need anything."
I simply nodded.
Carlos walked out of the room, and I rested back on the couch.
Tears soon started to stream down my face as I pulled my knees to my chest. I wrapped my arms around them like I was trying to hold myself together. Like maybe if I stayed small enough, everything else would stop falling apart.
But it didn’t. The weight in my chest only grew heavier, pressing down like it wanted to crush me.
I let out a shaky breath and covered my face with both hands. I didn’t even care if anyone heard me cry. I didn’t care about anything right now.
All I care about are the things going on. I wish I could stop everything. I wish I could go back in time and just stop them. I wish i was never born—at least then none of this would’ve happened.
I don’t know how long I sat like that, just letting the tears fall, letting my thoughts spiral. Every part of me felt exhausted. Not just my body, my heart, my mind, everything.
After a couple of time, I heard a soft knock at the door. I didn’t move nor answer. I just don’t want to talk to anyone. A few seconds passed before the knock came again but this time a little more urgent.
Still, I didn’t answer but the door creaked open and Sophia walked in
I cleared my throat before speaking. "If you came to tell me that dinner is ready, just know that I’m not hungry. And please, don’t try to convince me to come, because I won’t."
"It’s not that," She said softly. "Sir Carlos wants to see you. He’s downstairs."
I furrowed my brows as fear gripped me "Why? What for?"
Sophia hesitated. Her eyes dropped for a second, and when she looked back up worried, "I don’t know but he said to come quickly. He’s in the garden."
The garden?
"Did something happen?" I asked, sitting up straighter.
"I’m not sure. He didn’t say anything, he just told me to get you." She added, her voice quieter now. "You should please come."
I got on my feet and headed there. Deep down, I was scared that something had happened—or worse, that they had found us.
As I reached the garden, I opened the door, and my eyes widened. My heart slammed in my chest. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t speak. I was shocked.