CHAPTER SIX

Elena

My stomach began to grumble again. It was late afternoon and a while since I had eaten my breakfast. I stared out the window of my room and onto the garden. Guards were moving round the vast garden for as far as I could tell, like small black ants in a field of green.

I stared at my door. I had to will myself to leave my room.

'Not like I was safer if I locked myself in my room forever.'

I thought to myself, but the fear still crawled at the back of my mind.

I finally caved in and left my room, heading to the kitchen again.

I met Celine playing games on her phone. She immediately dropped it when she noticed my presence.

"Oh no that's fine", I said laughing at her reaction.

"Oh" she smiled back. "The boss wouldn't be happy if he saw me".

"Well I'm not the boss".

"Yeah I know". She gave a knowing nod.

"Well, I'm a bit hungry. I didn't quite finish my breakfast".

"I noticed, did you not like it?" She asked concerned

"Yes I liked it, it was perfect" I fidgeted. "I just lost my appetite".

"Okay, what do you want?"

"A snack maybe", I chuckled. "Or a small meal"

"I can prepare some Mac and cheese for you. It's my signature recipe. My mom taught me". I saw her lit up when she mentioned her mom.

"I would love to taste it".

"Okay", she immediately started grabbing her ingredients.

I stood and watched her start prepping for the meal

"Why are you still here?", she asked, noticing that I didn't wait at the dining area.

"I'm just bored and would love to see you work your magic".

She just smiled again and nodded, going back to do her work.

I watched her as she seamlessly chop each ingredient with ease.

"Why don't you have people to help you around here?", I inquired.

"It's just the Boss here and sometimes Mr Canto, so I don't really do much. So, there's no need for any other help".

She picked up the mixed macaroni and cheese and plopped it into the oven.

"We'll leave that there for a while and wait" she beamed.

"You seem to smile a lot", I joked.

"I can't be frowning can I?", She laughed this time. "Plus, you have a nice vibe"

"Oh really, thank you" this time it was me who was smiling widely.

We talked for over 10 minutes and for the first time in a while, I began to feel like I was not really alone anymore but it made me miss my parents even more.

"Are you okay?", Celine asked

"Y...Yes, I'm fine", I said realizing that my expression had changed, most likely because I was thinking of my parents.

"Are you sure?",she asked, worry etched into her face.

"I just miss my parents", I confessed holding back the tears that formed in my eyes.

"I'm so sorry about that. Take your time". She held my hand tightly.

The intermittent beep of the oven interrupted the moment.

"It's done" she grinned.

I watched her take the platter of food out of the oven and place it on the counter. She dished it up and served me where I sat on the long stool.

"Enjoy"

"It's sizzling hot" I blew into the food over and over again, my mouth salivating at the sight and aroma of the it.

The first bite melted into my mouth and Celine stared expectantly at me, hoping for a review.

I swallowed and stared at her.

"It's good. Like soo good" I giggled.

I saw her heave a sigh of relief and she laughed.

After eating I retired to my room and decided to rest as the sun was now almost setting.

"I need to get a new phone or at least something to do to kill the boredom. Or at least some books. Something...'

'And my credit card,'

Ugh

I stomped my feet on the bed.

I didn't get a degree in physics just to sit around in a this house doing nothing.

'I have to...' A knock came on my door interrupting my thoughts. I turned on the bed , wondering who could be knocking. It certainly wasn't Celine and I was basically alone and the Don had gone on a trip, as far as I knew.

Or did he come back? My heart sank to my stomach as I dreaded the thought that he came back.

The knock intensified and I quickly stood up and walked to the door.

I contemplated either opening it or locking it. It wouldn't be a wise idea to lock it.

So I pulled the door open. And it was Rafael at my door.

"What are you doing here?". He ignored me and barged past me and into my room.

"Hey, what are you doing?". I almost yelled.

He went straight to my windows and using the binoculars I didn't notice earlier, he looked out the windows.

And then he went to my bathroom and did the same from my bathroom windows.

"Hey, could you tell me what you're doing, at least?". I asked when I saw that he finished whatever he was doing.

He stopped and looked at me. "I was checking, for a sniper".

My heart jumped immediately. "What, a sniper?", I said instinctively walking towards the door.

"Not really, the compound is on a hill so it'll be hard for it to be in the line of other buildings no matter how high.

"But", he paused "there are some buildings that are close on the east side".

"Close?"

He noticed my frenzy and stopped explaining.

"Hey, don't worry, no one can reach you here, you're safe".

I felt my heartbeat slow down.

"You're safe", he said again grabbing my shoulders. For a moment all I could see and hear was him. In that moment, the room disappeared and it was only the both of us that existed.

He looked deeply into my eyes and it felt like he could see past all my walls.

"Um...", I started, startling him and making him drop his hands from my shoulders.

"Good to know I won't be killed by a sniper", I chuckled nervously.

"You'll be safe" he reassured me. "I'll...I'll make sure of it". He concluded and started to head out. But something didn't feel right.

"Wait" I said stopping him "is there something you aren't telling me? Why would you come and check for snipers from my window?" I asked, curious.

"Nothing, I'm just making sure you're safe". He paused and then looked over his shoulder. "I already told you all there is to know". This time, he turned and faced me fully. "Just leave the rest to me"

My heart fluttered at his words, words that sounded like a promise.

Maybe I did have someone to protect me.

Suddenly, I recalled what I had been doing before he barged in and an idea struck me.

"Hey wait", I yelled into the empty house as I ran after him.

He stopped on his way out, turning to look at me , shamelessly running to him.

"I need a favor from you", I smiled sheepishly as I spoke hoping to convince him somehow.

He continue to stare at me hoping that I'd continue speaking instead of stare at him.

"I need to go to my home".

"What?"

"My house, in Beverly hills"

"I know where your house is" he stated, as a matter of fact. "Why do you want to go there?".

"Ahh, I need my credit card to get a few things"

"Alex should be able to handle that" he said and was about to leave.

"Well...", I laughed nervously, stopping him.

"I need a new phone", I said scratching the back of my neck and twisting my toes "and I'm not too sure the Don would give me that".I finished.

"And I'm really bored, staying here at home all day, it's not like I can work or anything". I started batting my eyes at him, expecting him to cave in.

Instead he gave me a weird look and turned around.

"Pretty please", I pleaded.

"It won't take long. Just take me there and I'll retrieve my card and be on my way".

"I'll owe you one" I said still trying to convince him.

He stopped, considering for a while. Then he started walking towards the door again. This time, he spoke up.

"I won't wait for you"

'ooh, thank you'

I thought as I gingerly wore my slipper and ran behind him, following him to the car.