Tracked

Author.

"Daughter," the constant shake on her shoulder broke her sleep. With a protest Micaela peeled her lashes blinking rapidly and straighten herself. Ouch!!! Her back hurt terribly for sleeping in an awkward position for so long. She arched her chest up and with her hand stroke her back trying to ease the stiffness and turned to face the person who tapping her shoulder constantly.

"Daughter, can you please excuse me." The old lady, probably in her early 50s asked her with a polite smile. "I need to use the washroom so badly." She added bluntly.

Micaela darted her eyes and realizing that she was blocking her way to get out, she shifted her legs twisting her waist and spoke, "oh, sure please."

"Old age and diabetic leaves you with no other choice." Saying she slides out through the narrow space and Micaela nodded again in understanding. One by one all the passengers were also getting down from the bus. The elderly woman took her own sweet time passing by her.

Elevating her chest with more oxygen Micaela looked through the window. The bus halted in front of a resort cum hotel. Passengers wanders around the place, some hunting food in the food court while some went to loosen up their bolted tummy. She notices that the bus was eerily calm and darting her eyes she realized she was the only person in the bus. Even the pilot has left.

Seeing everyone roaming freely, she too felt like getting down and finish her morning duties. Even her stomach grumbled with hunger.

Then again, the thought of being tracked down by Albert's men crossed her mind and huffing she slumped her back against the seat. Hardly a minute passed when her eyes fell on two girls probably her age busy gobbling burgers, their mouth stuffed with the food. This time her stomach made a long growl and her mouth levelled with her own saliva.

There was a constant fight between her growling tummy and fearful mind. However, the bus had travelled a long distance and she was sure they won't be reaching here overnight.

Finally, her hunger won the battle and she got down from the bus. It was late morning and the sun was almost peak above her head. She whimpered when her bare skin came in contact with the scorching heat of the sun.

Although people had made a queue in front of the door of the washroom and after fifteen minutes her number strikes and she did her morning duties. She decides to order some snacks and a black coffee from the corner shop which was serving the tourist with morning breakfast meal.

Many people had already gathered around the place. Collecting her tray of snacks, she grabbed the last corner table. Her eyes darted around the shop and landed on the same elderly woman sitting alone. While sipping her cup of coffee , the elderly woman peered up and their eyes met . Excitedly , the lady gestured with her one hand to join her table. The cheerfulness in her gesture left Micaela with no other option but to accept her invitation. She rose and approached her table.

"What is your name dear?"

"I'm Micaela ." Micaela replied smiling after settling down on her chair.

"I'm Camila. You are very pretty Micaela. You remind me of my youthful days. I was beautiful like you. In fact," Saying she halted for a second and sip her cup of coffee, her eyes twinkling with enjoyment, " I had many charmers who would die to court me." Micaela chuckled back on her seat and liked that she was very free and candid with her choice of words.

"You are still beautiful." Watching the woman's features Micaela accepted the fact. With caramel complexion, golden brown hair and bright sky-blue eyes the woman was indeed pretty. The declining age couldn't leave much effect on her beauty. Her Prada dress and the way she conversate with lady like etiquette gives a clear idea of belonging to a rich class.

"Oh, come on." Camila dismissed her bluntly with a heartfelt laugh. She was a jolly person.

"What is this daughter, you have so low appetite?" She uttered in a displeased motherly tone and forwarded the plate of pasta which she ordered for her own filling. "Here, dig in, honey." Saying she watched her with soft expression.

Her heart constricted and Micaela held the edge of the tray with her fingers. No one did this for her. No one. Sure, there were maids in her husband's estate who cooked food for her but nobody cared and showed sincere kindness. Her own husband refrains her from eating a lot because he thinks that it will only ruin her gorgeous figure. He cut off three-time meals and instructed the maids to serve her twice in a day.

Camila noticed the heartbroken and painful look on her face. So, she places her one hand on top of Micaela's hand. This gesture brought Micaela out of her trance of past bitter experience and she looked down where the lady rested her hand and blinked rapidly and schooled her facial expression.

"Daughter. Eat?"

"Its okay, I can't take it. You have brought this for yourself." She refused politely shaking her head in denial. She felt comfortable around her.

"No, I will order another one. You carry on." She spoke with motherly tone which was nearly impossible to turn down.

Micaela took the first bite and her taste bud like the white sauce pasta. She continued talking in between sipping her cup of coffee. Form her conversation she learned that her name was Camila and she lives in Vitoria. She has two son and a daughter who was married to a business tycoon. Her elder son and his wife were no more. Her younger son and her husband deals in hotels and resorts. It must be really tough for her to go through the pain of her elder son's demise.

Micaela felt empathy for her loss. Being emotionally sensitive, she forgot her own sorrow and tension in that woman's company.

Wiping her face with the tissue Micaela decide to buy her something as she had gobbled down her share of food. Not only that but she can also uplift her mood. Money was limited but few bucks won't make a hole in her pocket.

Thinking that she excused herself and got up from her seat. Travelling the distance to the counter table and checking the menu, she ordered sugar free muffins and banana chips. She paid the bill when her eyes vaguely looked up at the pathway and saw some guards with sunglass searching something. Her eyes widened when she recognises one of the guards of her husband. No, all of them were her husband's men. They were jogging around looking for her.

Shit!!! Shit!!!

Fear crawled down her bone and although she had her coffee few minutes back her throat dried instantly. Her heart leaped in her throat and she quickly crouched down and hide herself beside the counter. She waited for some time as she tried to figure out what to do next unbothered if any customer was witnessing her situation.

Her eyes fell on the glass door to her opposite side. Above the frame "EXIT" written in bold letters. She craned her neck and peeped; they were moving towards the bus. She stood up and paddled towards that door. Immediately, the scorching heat attacked her face once again but it couldn't reduce the inner courage to escape from their predatory eyes.

Now it's up to her, how she saves herself.

As she dashed through the pathway she looked back and saw one of the guards behind looking in opposite direction to the nearby cottage through the window, before he locates her, she turns and darts her eyes feverishly around the place pondering what to do when she spotted a sleek black Range Rover parked few distance ahead.

Looking at the car she made up her mind. She quickly ran towards the car stealing glances back at the guard few times. He was looking here and there like some loyal dog of her husband. Her fingers fumbled before pulling on the handle of the back door. Thankfully the door wasn't locked. She climbed inside, crouching between the empty seats and closed the door behind her. She tried to make herself as invisible as possible. Inhaling and exhaling rapidly she closed her eyes internally praying that they don't find her.

Few minutes passed and she decides to peep through the window when she heard the door open. Immediately, she folded herself more into the space.

Holy shit!!!

Literally she jumped when someone slammed the door shut. Her heart dropped into the pit of stomach as the car suddenly lurched forward and her body tightens with tension.

She lifted her head and saw a man sitting in the driver seat. He was wearing a black suit like the one Albert use to wear. But from the empty space between the seats where she was hiding, she couldn't see his face.

Just then she remembered how she had ordered some beverage for that elderly lady and didn't get the chance to give her. She was so generous who gave her own share of food but she didn't even bid her goodbye. What she must be thinking about her?

But how did they find out about her location so soon? She should have known her husband's dogs has sharp sniffing power. She thought bitterly.

Six months of living with him, she should have known his power and the length he can go to get her back. It must be a slap, an invisible slap on his face that she fled from his mansion. He must have seen her wedding ring that she left on the table beside the bed.

A slap on his manhood. That's how he will receive it.

"Hello, yes, she is safe." Micaela flinched and her cloud of past broke when she heard his deep manly voice and her stomach twisted in dread. There was a minute silence from his side and she can only hear the sound of his breathing.

"You know how sensitive she is... Yeah, I have assigned guards. No. Dad came. Sofia is on her way. " Micaela hid down further. His voice held an invisible power of authority and dominance. Why but his voice wasn't letting out any good vibes.

He disconnects the line and the inside of the car was silent once again. He was talking about someone. Might be a lady because he referred as 'she' between his conversation. His wife or may be his girlfriend.

All of a sudden, the wheel of the car came to a rapid halt making her head bump against the seat and a gasp escape her lips. Instantly she covered her mouth with both her hands muffling the sound from her lips and squeezed her eyes shut hoping he would miss it.

"Fucking shit!!!" The man roared and her body trembled, scared by the ferocity of his tone. Her heart stuttered. Something must have annoyed him. She waited for some time for the car to resume when the engine turned off and she stilled. The door of the car open and she can sense the shuffling of his seat belt and stepping out of the car and the door shut followed behind him.

Then, silence.

The man must have gone somewhere and Micaela breath out a sigh of relief. So, she climbed on the seat and stared outside through the tinted window. The car was in the middle of the road. The side of the road filled with trees and she yanked her head to the other side and it has the same greenery. She should leave before the man comes and sue me for trespassing inside his car.

Moreover, she doesn't know who he was and cannot take the risk of falling into another trouble when the previous one still holding her into tight knot. And the way he growled few minutes ago, it was clear, he was a man with bad temper. Better she waits for some bus or hire a cab.

With that thought she twisted the door knob and sneak out. The atmosphere was so serene. She thought and closed the door. Her legs ready to take steps.

"Stop." With that Micaela jumped hearing the same rough tone form a few minutes back. Only this time it was threatening. Her heart almost came to her throat as fear engulfed her body.

What's gonna happen now?

No. No. No. Her eyes grew wider and heart pounded faster. Her instinct signaled her to run.

"Take one more step and I will shoot you." Instantly her face paled in dread.