Episode 5

Safira.

We arrived at the house, which is a mansion. I look from the outside at how big and beautiful it is, and when he parks the car, I open the door myself. I don’t want anyone opening the door for me. I get out of the car; the further I stay away from them, the better. I look around, visualizing how I’m going to escape from here.

Alejandro: Let's go inside.

He comes near me, and I move away from him. He looks at me with an unfriendly expression, then he goes ahead, and I follow him into a gigantic living room. And there is the staircase I rolled down; it’s enormous and beautiful.

Alejandro: Well, since we left early and didn’t have breakfast, I believe you’re hungry. So first, if you want to go up to your room and take a shower, I’ll ask Margarida to accompany you and bring up a breakfast tray. I’ll do the same and wait for you here in 40 minutes, alright?

I look at him and nod my head yes. I see him rolling his eyes.

Alejandro: Margarida, please.

An elderly lady appeared from a door.

Alejandro: Margarida, please accompany Samira to her room and then bring her a breakfast tray.

Margarida: Yes, sir.

Then he leaves me there with the lady and goes up the stairs, disappearing at the top.

Margarida: Let's go, Miss Samira.

I accompany her to the room I fled from earlier.

Margarida: This is your room. There are clean towels in the bathroom and everything you need. Your clothes are already in the closet. I’ll be right back with the breakfast tray.

Then she leaves, not giving me time to thank her. I confess I’m relieved; that man was right, I’m starving. The last time I ate was at the diner, and I definitely need a shower. Before that, I observe the room, which is spacious and luxurious. These people have a lot of money; why do they want a girl like my sister? They could have the world, why does it have to be me?

I go near the immense window, and outside at the gate, there’s a man. This house must be full of security; how am I going to escape from here?

Better to think about this under the shower. So I enter the door, and just the bathroom is the size of my mother's room, which was the largest in the house, with a bathtub and shower.

I take off my clothes and look at myself in the mirror. I have some scratches, and some places are starting to turn purple. My hand has a new bandage, probably changed at the hospital. Now, how am I going to take a shower, that’s the question I’m asking myself.

I turn on the shower and, with difficulty, take my bath. I get out and go to the so-called closet, which is huge, and in that space are my few clothes that my mother packed in the suitcase. I don’t have many, and she still left some pieces behind. I pick up a pair of pants and a fleece hoodie that covers my arms. My clothes basically consist of this: large, loose fleeces.

I look in the corner and there’s a dressing table with various items: perfumes, makeup, creams, and hairbrushes.

I pick one up and comb my hair. Someone knocks on the door and enters. When I look, it’s Mrs. Margarida with a tray that already made my mouth water. Then, looking at all that, my stomach rumbles, making me embarrassed and turn red.

Margarida: No need to be ashamed, child. I know you must be hungry, so I put in extra effort. I didn’t know what you liked, so I brought a little bit of everything.

I press my hands together 🙏 and bow to her.

Margarida: There’s no need for that. I’m leaving to let you be comfortable.

Then she leaves, and I sit on the bed. There’s so much stuff, I suppose I won’t be able to eat it all: bread, cookies, cake, coffee, juice, cold cuts, and fruits. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much like this. Back home, my mother and Samira ate the best of everything because until recently, I cooked, but I only ate the leftovers they left.

I delight in all of it, eating a little of each. After eating almost everything, I can’t fit anything else and I’m very satisfied. So I get up, open the door, and take the tray, passing through that immense hallway.

I go down the stairs with the tray in hand and stop in the living room. Where do I go now? I don’t know anything here.

A man appears from one of the doors, and I realize it’s the man I bumped into this morning, the man who extended his hand to me.

James: Miss Samira, you didn’t need to bring the tray. Margarida would have picked it up later.

He comes towards me, and as always, I take a step back. Then he stops.

James: Does Miss have something against my presence? You always move away from me.

I shake my head no, and Margarida enters through the same door and says.

Margarida: He has that grumpy face, but he doesn’t bite.

She approaches and takes the tray. I smile at her words, and when I realize that the one who drove us here is coming down the stairs, my smile dies.

Then they leave, and I’m left alone with him in the living room. He looks me up and down, analyzing my clothes.

Alejandro: Yes, I think we’re going to have to renew your wardrobe.

I look at him with a disapproving face. No way, I don’t want anything that comes from them. I just want to escape from here.

Then he sits on the sofa and signals for me to sit on the other one behind me. I sit at a safe distance in my mind, far away from him.

Alejandro: So, Samira.

Just hearing them call me Samira makes me scowl. I’m not my sister; I’m Safira.

Alejandro: It’s no use making that face at me. I’m here in the same boat as you. I don’t want you, I don’t want contact with you, I don’t even like your face. As far as I’m concerned, I wouldn't want to see you even if you were painted gold, but circumstances have forced us into this.

Wow, and what does he think? That I’m here to admire that handsome face he has? Spare me. He might be handsome and have an athletic build, but he’s nothing more than a brute. That’s why I hate this race.

Alejandro: Well, I see you’re going to play the silent type, okay then. I’ll explain the situation and then leave for work.

He leans on his legs.

Alejandro: It’s like this: you’re going to sign a contract that’s already prepared for both of us. I’ve already signed it; only you are missing. This paper states that as of yesterday, meaning when you arrived at this house, you are my wife.

I’m speechless. How can they do this to me?

Alejandro: I need to get married, and my father, with his crazy ideas, chose you. Get over it, just like I already have.

I shake my head no.

Alejandro: You have no way out, just like I didn’t. We’re going to make this damn thing work. The contract lasts for one year. After that, I’ll give you a good sum of money, and you can finally disappear from my life forever.

I stand up, wanting to speak, and as always, my voice doesn’t come out. Who does he think he is?

He also stands up, straightens himself, and says.

Alejandro: As the saying goes, silence gives consent, and since you don’t give me an answer, I believe you accept. That’s why I’m leaving. I’m late and need to work. Have a good day.

He turns and walks to the door while I want to scream at him and can’t. The door closes, and I stomp my foot on the floor in anger, wanting to throw one of these objects at his head. Brute, idiot, oh, I’m so angry. I need to get out of here.

I hear the sound of the car leaving.

So I go to the door and open it. I look at the gate, which is still slightly open, so I leave with hurried steps. When I’m getting close, I’m interrupted by a man, and I step back.

Security: Sorry, ma'am, you don't have permission to leave.

Then I turn around and run back into the house, up the stairs to the room. I lock myself in, lie on the bed, and cry in despair. I cry so much that I end up falling asleep.

***This work has been signed with NovelToon, and piracy such as reprinting without permission is strictly prohibited.***

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***