Chapter 19 Loneliness
Days has passed by like a blur. Nothing has changed. I still don’t know who I really am. I still don’t know why Carlos brought me here and most importantly, I still don’t know how I’ll get out of this situation before it’s too late.
Every day feels the same. I wake up, eat, sleep, and that’s it. Carlos watches me constantly. His eyes are everywhere, and I’m no longer allowed to do anything without his permission. He doesn’t let me move around freely anymore. And even though I hate it, I obey him. Not because I want to, but because I know exactly what he’s capable of if I go against him.
Lately, Carlos has become a stranger to me. Each day, he grows more distant, more unreadable. I look at him and wonder who he really is. The man I thought I was beginning to understand now feels like someone I’ve never met.
Like every other day, I was writing in my diary. Sophia gave it to me. Carlos has no idea it exists, and I plan to keep it that way.
Over the past few days, I’ve done nothing but think. Wonder. Try to piece things together. Does Carlos know who I really am? After everything I’ve discovered—the pictures I found hidden in his cupboard—it’s hard not to believe he knows more than he lets on. Maybe even about my real parents.
Because one thing is clear. He didn’t marry me just because I witnessed a murder.
My thoughts trailed short when I heard a knock on the door. I turned my attention to it saying a gentle "Come in." Before the door was pushed open and Sophia walked into the room.
"Miss Nala, I’m just here to tell you that dinner is ready." She said, as always a smile brightening her face
"Okay, I’ll be down in a minute," I said
She nodded and turned to leave, but a question popped into my head. "Wait," I called, stopping her. "Do you happen to know where Carlos usually keeps his work documents? Like… anything confidential?"
She turned back, eyes narrowing slightly. "Why do you ask?"
I gave a quick, casual smile. "He gave me something to work on and told me to put it there afterward, but I completely forgot where he said."
"Oh," She said, thinking. "It’s probably the little house at the back of the mansion. That’s where he keeps most of his private stuff. If he told you to place it there, I’m guessing he already gave you the keys, ridge?"
"He did… I think I might’ve misplaced them though," I said, trying to sound annoyed at myself. "Do you have the spare key? I mean I would have asked him for it but you know how he gets."
She nodded knowingly. "I get it. But no, I don’t have a spare. No one does. Only Sir Carlos keeps those keys."
My shoulders dropped. "Oh… okay."
She hesitated for a second, then added, "If you’re lucky, you might find them in his study room. That’s usually where he keeps them when they’re not with him."
"Ohh, thanks," I said, keeping my tone light.
"You’re welcome."
Just as she turned again, I asked, "Where exactly is the study room?"
"Ground floor. Second door on the right."
"Got it. Thanks again."
Once Sophia walked out of the room, I kept my diary away and headed straight to get the keys. Reaching the study room, I silently prayed that he wasn’t inside. I don’t know what excuse I’ll say to him when he finds me here.
Gently opening the door, I saw that he wasn’t in the room, so I quickly started searching. My heart pounded with every tick of the clock on the wall. I scanned the shelves, the drawer by the desk, even behind the curtains—nothing. I moved to the cabinet near the fireplace, quietly opening it one handle at a time.
Come on, where are they?
Then I saw a small wooden box tucked behind some books. I reached for it, and there they were… the keys. I didn’t know which one of them is the main key so I just took the bunch.
I shut the cupboard and quickly made my way out of the room. I tiptoed through the hallway and Instead of heading toward the main entrance, I veered toward the kitchen and slipped out through the back door because that’s the only place the guards aren’t stationed.
The cold air kissed my skin as I stepped onto the garden path, my eyes darting toward the little house at the back of the mansion. Without looking back, I made my way straight to it.
I slid the keys into the knob and opened it. It’s nothing I expected.
For some reason, I thought the room will be filled with guns, weapons and all sorts of intimidating things but it is nothing like that.
It was just an office.
Why would Carlos build an office outside the house when there are so many rooms inside?
I looked around, taken aback by the books lining the shelves, the large desk sat at the center, and a wardrobe stood in the corner like it hadn’t been touched in years.
I moved slowly, eyes scanning everything. What is he hiding here? There are so many cupboards.
I walked over to the first wardrobe wanting to start with it but as I pulled it open, a sharp sound made me freeze, the door creaked behind me.
I froze, my heart racing as I slowly turned around to see who it was.
Carlos.
He was standing in the doorway, anger darkening every line of his face.
My breath caught, I could already feel my heart slipping away. Carlos’s eyes locked onto mine with a fury that made my knees weak.
"I warned you not to leave the house," He said, his voice low and dangerous. "But you chose to test my patience. Now you’re going to regret what I’ll do next."