“I didn’t come out here to be insulted.”
“So then why did you come with me then?” Ginevra asks.
“You said you wanted to be friends.”
“Well, I lied.” She says it so simply – no remorse in her voice – that it takes me back. “I was hoping you’d be more forthcoming about your relationship with Gabriel but I see I was wrong. You just made an enemy out of me and my friends. All powerful women with connections. I hope you’re happy. Come on girls.” They start walking away from me.
“How am I supposed to get home?” I ask. “You took me here.”
All four of them look at me like I’m gum on their shoe.
“Figure it out. It’s not my problem.” Ginevra’s words make all the women laugh, shutting me out of their little circle entirely. The four of them leave me behind, stranded in the middle of the city.
I managed to make it to my father’s house on foot from Gabriel’s mansion but both of those places were more in the countryside. This is the city. I haven’t spent much time here. I never could afford to come that often.
There was one time, when I was little, my father saved enough money to take me to the ballet and it was the most magical night of my life. When I asked to go again the next year, he had to tell me he didn’t have enough money to go. It broke my heart. I was so angry with him at the time but now, I cherish the moment he took me to the ballet for the first and only time.
I have to get back to my father. Make sure he’s eating. Make sure he’s surviving without me.
But I have no money. No ID. And to walk to my father’s house from here would take hours, going well into the night.
This was a pointless endeavor. I have no one to help me.
Except… that isn’t true. I have my husband.
Gabriel did give me his number in case I ever needed to call him. Well, it was Maria who gave me his number – not Gabriel himself. But the point stands.
My father would come running if I called him and I want it more than anything. But can I put him in danger just to see him for a moment before returning to my husband?
I find the nearest café and ask to use their phone. I hesitate over who I should call.
But I know in my gut I have to see my father. I need to make sure he’s ok.
He doesn’t hesitate to answer and he doesn’t hesitate to tell me he’ll come to me after I tell him where I am. The sound of my father’s voice makes me want to cry but I hold it back.
I wait outside the café for my father to arrive. His beaten down, old car looks out of place in the opulence of the city.
“Aurora,” he says, running out of the car and pulling me into his arms. “Did you manage to escape Gabriel?”
“No,” I murmur. I let myself stay in his arms a moment longer before standing back. “I just had to see you. I had to know that you’re ok. That you’re eating.”
He nods. Never have his eyes looked this tired before. “I am. I am fighting to get you back, Aurora. Trust me on that.”
The thought of returning home to my dad fills me with happiness. But there’s the tiniest bit of… sadness there, like I don’t fully want to go back home. My life with Gabriel – while confusing – isn’t as bad I thought it would be. I get delicious food and nice clothes. A warm bed to sleep in at night. The freedom to move around the house.
I just have to deal with a stoic, closed off husband who lights my body on fire while also terrifying me.
“I know, Dad. I know. But I might never get the chance to see you again so I took it today. I had to see you. Let you know I love you.”
“I know you love me, Aurora. You never would have taken my place if you didn’t. I live with hate for myself every day knowing I couldn’t save you.”
“I’m all right. It’s not ideal, the situation I’m in, but I’ll survive. Gabriel mostly keeps to himself.” Except when he gives me orgasms that confuse the hell out of me. “He doesn’t abuse me. I’m not hurt. I’m ok.”
“That’s good. That’s good.” He pulls me back in for another deep hug.
“But I don’t think we can talk for long. I have to let Gabriel know where I am.”
He shakes his head. “No, you don’t. You can leave right now. We can leave. We’re not at my house. If he doesn’t know where you are, this is our chance.”
