10

"How do you know we're being watched?" Clara asked immediately I shut my bathroom door behind us.

"When I broke out of my former room, Lorenzo told me he knew I was escaping through the hidden security camera. I can bet he planted some in this one too. I'm sure that's how he knew our previous plan." I whispered as I stared around the bathroom, looking for anything that seemed out of place. "Hopefully, there's none here."

"Oh, the cameras. How could I have forgotten?" She muttered, shaking her head.

"So, what's your plan?" I asked as I walked to the large mirror and turned on the tap under it.

"It's still a work in progress, but it's something." She mumbled, kicking her leg against the air as I washed my hand and face. "I was thinking that if we knew the ins and outs of the mansion, it would be easy for us to take advantage of a diversion, something—"

"A diversion? Like setting the entire house on fire, and during the commotion, we steal a car and escape?" I grinned, and her eyes grew wide.

"Why the hell would you think that? Are you mad?" She hissed.

"It sounds crazy, but it's a great idea."

"No! We are not committing arson! I'm not going to be part of such a crazy plan. Even if we escape, Lorenzo will hunt us down, torture us for months before killing us. That is a terrible idea! Delete it from your mind right now!" Clara scowled, glaring at me, and I sighed.

"Fine, I was just joking." I pouted and crossed my arms over my chest. Not really. It was a perfect plan, but she was right: too risky. He would have our heads.

"As I was saying, if we memorised the layout of the mansion, we could take advantage of the night Lorenzo would go out for a party or another city. We can create a small distraction, something to cause a little bit of confusion—no, not fire," she clarified, giving me a pointed look as I gave her a 'That was exactly what I said' one.

"It's just something little that will buy us time to escape. And stealing a car is out of the question; they could track us down with it."

"Your idea isn't bad at all." I mused as I tapped my foot on the floor. "But when would Lorenzo go out? The plan won't work if we can't get him out of the house, and it's not like we can force him out."

"Good thing I overheard that Lorenzo would be attending a party in a few days. We can plan towards that." Clara grinned, and I threw my arm over her shoulder.

"Perfect. Escape plan B is go. Now let's get out of here; it's so weird discussing it in a bathroom, no matter how big it is." I said, and she giggled as I opened the door.

"I can't believe I have to see Silvano tomorrow," Clara sighed, pushing away some of my bags on my bed and lying on it.

"I'm sorry our plan didn’t work out." I apologised as I sat beside her and patted her knee.

"It's not your fault. I only hope we're able to escape before they force me to start planning the wedding. I really can't imagine my life with him." She groaned and pressed her hand to her eyes.

"He must be a really bad person, ugh?" I asked, though I already knew the answer. Clara was a sweet girl who liked seeing good in everyone. If she hated somebody, then that person was a certified monster.

"He is a soon-to-be mafia don. What do you expect?" She muttered and turned to her side.

"Today might not have ended how we wanted it to be, but it doesn't mean we should lie around and sulk." I pulled her hand off her face, and she opened her eyes. "Do you know what can make you feel better?"

"What?"

"Trying out the clothes we bought. I want to see what you bought so I can know which one I'm borrowing later." I grinned as I pulled her off the bed.

"I can't believe you're still thinking of taking my clothes when you literally have a new wardrobe." Clara giggled as she stood up.

"You know there's a thrill that comes from wearing what isn't yours. And don't lie; you're also interested in borrowing my clothes." I huffed and poked her side.

"Fine. You're right, don't tickle me." She squeaked and swatted my hand away. "I'll go get my clothes. Prepare a runway for me because I'm about to slay."

"Hurry up before I change my mind," I snickered as she walked out of my room.

'Ugh, I can't believe I missed classes and failed to escape. Double horror. At least I went shopping.' I thought, and my eyes caught the brown boxes stacked up in a corner.

'Oh, they brought up my stuff.' I walked to them and opened the first one. A soft smile appeared on my lips as I picked up a picture frame.

It was my favourite picture of my mom and the last before the accident that took her life.

She stared at the camera; her face lit with joy and a dazzling smile as she posed beside thirteen-year-old me with a party cone on my head and a big grin.

I looked just like her, except I had amber eyes instead of blue ones. And of course I looked young. I swear I could almost pass off as her younger self.

"I miss you, Mom," I whispered and set the frame at my bedside table.

###DAY 2/30###

"Hi," a soft voice said, and I turned my head from my laptop to see Cory, one of my course mates, standing beside me.

"Oh, hi." I said.

"Mind if I sit here?" He asked, pointing at the empty space beside me.

"No. Knock yourself out." I said, pulling my bag a little bit closer to me.

"Thanks. I'm surprised you missed classes yesterday. It isn't like you. Did something happen?" He asked as he sat.

"Nothing serious. Just minor stuff. Thanks for the concern. I'm surprised you even noticed." I smiled, and a small blush covered his pale cheeks.

"Oh, it wasn't really hard. It's just that you have a perfect attendance record, so I'm sure a lot of people noticed too, so it wasn't like it was only me. I thought of calling you, but I wasn't sure we were that close, but I made up my mind that if you didn't come today, I would, but here you are." He rambled, avoiding my gaze.

"Well, nobody else asked about it except you, so thanks again. And you can call me. Well, don't call me; something happened to my phone, but I can give you my I.G. or Sna.ps."

"That will be great!" He exclaimed a little bit too loud, drawing the eyes of a few students, and he winced. "I mean, ok. That's fine."

I giggled as I tore a piece of paper and scribbled down my username.

"Here," I whispered, sliding it to him as the professor walked into the class. His face lit up to a dazzling smile as he picked up the paper like it was the most precious thing ever given to him.

"Thank you." He grinned as he put it in his bag, and I smiled.

Clara was right; the guy had a crush on me.