The mellifluous sound of a woman’s voice woke me up from my slumber.
As I opened my eyes, the warm sunshine gently caressed my face. Through the open window, the sweet fragrance of blooming flowers drifted in. She swayed her hips and sang along to a song playing on a small speaker, her enchanting voice filling the room with melody. I couldn’t help but fixate on her graceful movements. She was so engrossed in folding the curtain that she remained oblivious to my wakefulness. After a while, she finally noticed my gaze fixed upon her.
“How are you feeling now, Miss Caroline? I apologize for waking you up with my loudness,” she expressed in her sweet and energetic voice.
“I’m fine now,” I replied, my voice hoarse.
“I’m glad!” she said, smiling. “Oh, speaking of which, Mister Easton has something for you. Just give me a moment.”
As she settled into the chair, she reached into the pocket of her maid outfit and pulled out a sleek phone. It was so thin that it seemed fragile, as if a single drop could shatter it to pieces. This was a far cry from my previous phone, which had a clunky keypad.
As I wandered my peepers around to Andrius’ room, I felt a sense of awe wash over me. The collection of antiques was exquisite; each piece seemed to have a story of its own. The polished wood gleamed in the soft light, and the intricate carvings caught my eye. The room was quiet, except for the faint ticking of a clock that filled the air with a gentle rhythm. A faint scent of lavender lingered in the air, and I could feel the softness of the velvet bed beneath me. It was then that I realized how different Andrius’ world was from mine, and I couldn’t help but wonder if I belonged here.
She handed it to me. I just stared at it as if afraid to take it because I could break it. When I didn’t take the phone, she pulled my hand and put it there.
As I sat there, she pulled up a chair and began to speak. “If you need anything, Mister Easton wants you to call him.”
“T-thank you,” I muttered.
“You know, Miss Caroline, you’re lucky,” she said. “In all the time I’ve been here, he’s brought no one or settled anyone in. Not even Miss Maxine.”
My smile quickly turned into an awkward expression as I found myself at a loss for words. Since I had only just met Andrius, I wasn’t sure what to say, especially after she mentioned the name of the woman who caused a scandal the other day.
When I was unable to respond, she spoke up again. I wasn’t sure if she was perceptive or if she was just vocalizing her thoughts. “Mister Easton advised me to stay here in case you need someone to talk to. The doctor recommended having a confidant to communicate with. I won’t force you to leave the room just yet, as I understand you may still be apprehensive.”
At that moment, her speech gradually slowed down. It appeared as though she preferred the silence since I wasn’t talking. “Mary, thank you. I’ll inform you whenever I feel like going out. For now, I’d like to settle in the room and if it doesn’t bother you, you can join me and share some stories. I’m willing to listen.”
Her eyes sparkled with joy, reflecting the warm glow of the setting sun. As I watched Mary, it seemed as though the happiness emanating from her was contagious. It made me wonder what it would be like to have a life as carefree and content as hers.
“Would it be alright with you if I turn on the TV? It might lighten the mood around here. It could also help with your recovery if you’re not left in the dark.”
I consented to switching on the TV. Simultaneously, she unlatched the window. Although the sun had set, the sky remained lucid and picturesque, tempting me to venture out for a walk. Nonetheless, I was afraid that those men might abduct me once more.
As I was in the midst of my thoughts, the phone in my hand rang noisily. We both gazed at the screen in surprise, as the name of the caller appeared to be quite formal.
Caller ID: A. Easton.
As soon as I picked up the phone, I could hear the sound of men’s voices in the background. Although no one spoke to me directly, I could clearly hear their voices over the line.
“Mr. Easton, please forgive us! Have mercy on us! We were just following Miss--“ The man’s words were cut off by a sudden cry of pain. I couldn’t discern what had happened, but the sound of someone weeping echoed through the air once again.
The voices were thin and sharp, and it suddenly dawned on me who they belonged to. I knew I couldn’t make a mistake with those distinct voices.
“Then who ordered you?” It wasn’t Andrius’ voice anymore but one of the guards.
The cries of the people on the other line grew louder and more desperate. Suddenly, Mary’s hand touched my arm, causing my head to spin. The sickening smell of fear mixed with the metallic tang of blood filled my nostrils, making me feel nauseous. As I closed my eyes, memories of what those men had done to me flooded my mind, making me feel weak and helpless. I could not breathe.
“It’s Miss—” The man faltered, unable to complete his sentence.
“Damn! Fuck!” Andrius cursed just before the call abruptly ended.
I believe he accidentally called me, as he had previously promised to be the first person to take the lives of those men who had harmed me. He had sworn to kill them.