Chapter 22 Family
Sleeping has never felt so peaceful since I came to this house, but today felt different. It was, for a little while at least, until the noise woke me up.
I groaned and turned over in bed, pressing my pillow tightly over my ears. For a moment, it worked. Then the sound came again, louder this time. It sounds like people were arguing. It’s way too early in the morning to be arguing or even be up saying whatever.
Still lying on my stomach, I shifted and tried to muffle the noise with my pillow, but it was useless. The more I tried to block it out, the more clearly I could hear it as they were arguing right in front of me.
I just don’t seem to get it. It’s way too early but clearly not for Carlos. I didn’t need to look or guess whose voice it was. Carlos and I were the only ones in the house, so it had to be him.
Eventually, it became too much. I sat up with a sigh and walked to the window, following the noise. Looking down, my heart skipped. Standing outside were two familiar faces, Richard and Fiona.
"Oh my goodness," I whispered the words to myself, then quickly turned away, slipped on my slippers, and rushed out of the room excitedly. It’s been ages since I’ve met Fiona and Richard.
When I got to the ground floor, I saw Fiona and Richard by the open door. They were arguing with the guards, trying to get inside.
I moved toward them, but before I could get close, Fiona spotted me. "Nala," She called out.
"Fiona," I replied, already reaching out to her. Just then, Sophia stepped in and grabbed my hand. I turned to her, confused and startled.
"What are you doing" I asked, looking down at her fingers wrapped tightly around mine.
"You can’t go to them. It’s Sir Carlos’ order," She said without blinking.
"I don’t care about Carlos’s order. They’re my parents. Let go of my hand," I said, trying to pull away, but she didn’t move.
She held on tighter and said, "Ma’am, if I let go, the guards will stop you. And they can be very rough."
"Again, I don’t care. Fiona and Richard are my family. You can’t keep me from them." I tugged harder, but she refused to release me, Surprisingly, she’s way stronger than me.
I stared at her in disbelief. My voice shook. "Sophia, let go of my hand."
"I can’t, ma’am," She said quietly, turning her eyes away from mine.
Just then, I saw the guards grabbing Richard, holding him back as he struggled to reach me.
"Let go of him!" I shouted, stepping closer, but Sophia still held me tightly. She refused to let go. I shoved her aside and reached for Richard, but before I could get past the door, Carlos appeared out of nowhere.
"You are not going anywhere," He said, his voice firm.
I scoffed and looked him dead in the eye. "Watch me."
I moved toward the door, but the guards blocked my path. I pushed against them, but it was useless. They stood firm, completely unshaken. "Get out of my way!" I yelled, but they didn’t move, they didn’t even look at me.
"Are you deaf? Didn’t you hear me? Get out of my way!" I screamed again, louder this time.
Still nothing.
I turned to Carlos. He stood behind me, calm and cold, watching like all of this amused him. He tilted his head slightly and said, "Fiona and Richard came to see you. They found a way in. I don’t know how they located you, but don’t worry, they will be gone soon."
His words made me even more confused. "Don’t you know they are my parent? I don’t want them gone."
"They are a threat to you," He said without hesitation.
I stared at him, unable to understand what he meant. "What is wrong with you? They are not a threat."
He didn’t respond right away. He only smiled and turned his back to me, walking away slowly as if none of it mattered.
I rushed to the guards again, trying to get past them and reach Fiona and Richard. The guards held me back, completely unmoved by my efforts. No matter what I did, I couldn’t reach them. It felt hopeless.
In the struggle, one of the guards shoved Fiona to the ground. Richard lost control and attacked the guard. More guards rushed over and started hitting him.
"Stop! Stop it!" I screamed, trying to get closer, but I was still trapped by the guards at the door. I tried again, using all the strength I had left, but nothing changed. The harder I pushed, the more irritated the guard became. Then, without warning, he shoved me to the ground.
Carlos turned his head instantly and ran to me. "Are you okay?" He asked, his voice softened as he reached out to help me stand on my feet.
I nodded weakly. "Yes."
His face darkened. He turned to the guard and growled, "What the fuck!" Then he punched him, hard. "You do not touch my wife. Do you understand that?"
The guard stood still, not fighting back. "She was trying…" He began to say.
"I do not care what she was trying to do," Carlos snapped. "You do not push her like that."
I stood frozen. His protectiveness shocked me, but that feeling vanished the moment he added, "No one, absolutely no one is allowed to hurt my wife but me. I own her. You do not."
He raised his hand slightly, and without another word, the guards dragged Fiona and Richard away.
Then he turned back to me. I was about to speak when he quickly interjected "I don’t want to hear all your rambling. I am doing all of this for your safety. So instead of yapping about it, you should be thanking me," He said. He turned away to leave only to turn back and face me
"Go get freshened up. We have breakfast in thirty minutes." He said and just like that, he walked away.