I woke up late. It was already almost 11 a.m.—almost lunchtime. I was still lying down, staring at the ceiling, thinking about what happened last night and why Andreis kept insisting I go to sleep.
I took a deep breath. My head was full of questions I was dying to get answers to.
Surprisingly, Mom and the others didn't wake me up for breakfast. They just let me sleep. Hmm, maybe they're really busy today.
I still didn't feel like getting out of bed. I kept thinking, What am I even going to do today?
It was so quiet, I could clearly hear my stomach growling. I was starving. I decided to get up, head straight to the bathroom to shower, and get ready to go out.
I wore a pastel blue dress with a heart pattern on the left chest, the hem just above my knees.
Before heading downstairs, I decided to check my phone. There was a text from Max:
"Sorry. I was tired last night and didn't get to call you. Call me when you're free today."
I stared at her message. Of course she's busy. She works in the city. I must be the only one who's not doing anything and has all this free time. I sighed.
I replied:
"I'll call you later. Love ya."
I noticed two missed calls from the same number that tried calling me yesterday. Who could this be? I decided to send a text:
"Sorry, who is this?"
I hit send, left my phone on the bedside table, and decided to go down to eat. I was really hungry.
I found Marco at the dining table, working on his laptop. There was a plate across from him, like it was waiting to be used.
He looked up when he heard my footsteps.
"Don't keep the food waiting," he said, then went right back to his laptop.
I don't really know what Marco does for work, but I think he works for Dad's company. Then again, I don't even know what Dad's business is. I asked once, and all he said was, "Don't ask about that." So I never brought it up again.
I sat down across from Marco—in Mom's usual seat.
"Where's the food?" I asked, confused.
"KC, bring Mia her food. She's awake now," Marco called out.
KC is Kenny's wife. They've both been here for a long time. Since I was a kid, actually. KC manages everything in the kitchen, especially the food.
KC arrived carrying a tray.
"Spaghetti with meatballs, Mia," she said.
I looked up at her, smiled, and thanked her. Like Mom, KC doesn't seem to age. She looks the same as when I was little. Maybe the air on this farm keeps you young?
I really enjoyed the food. As usual, it was delicious—
the spaghetti was perfectly cooked, the sauce rich and slightly sweet with just the right touch of herbs, and the meatballs were juicy and flavorful, melting in my mouth with each bite.
I glanced at Marco—still busy with his laptop.
Where's Andreis?
"Why are you here? Don't you have work?" I asked after swallowing a mouthful of pasta.
"Do I look like someone with no work?" he snapped.
So sarcastic—I felt like punching him. I hit his arm in annoyance.
"I mean, why are you at home?" I clarified before taking a sip of water.
"I'm not letting what happened yesterday happen again," he said seriously. "I only let it slide because Dad asked me to. Do you really think I didn't know what you did? You put yourself in danger, Mia… if only you knew." His brows furrowed, and he let out a deep sigh.
My chest tightened. When will I ever feel free? I tried to hold back my tears. I wanted to cry. I wanted to scream. Everything just felt so unfair.
Marco looked me straight in the eye. He must've noticed I was about to cry.
"Mia, we're doing this for you. We've been protecting you since you were little. That's why you're here. You'll understand everything. Soon."
I couldn't say anything. I had no good response to what he said. It just drained me.
I stood up. I didn't finish my food. I quickly went upstairs to my room, buried my face in my pillow, and screamed—loud, like my throat was going to rip open. I was so tired of hiding out here on this farm.
I didn't understand anything. I didn't understand them.
I just wanted to leave.
To escape again.