EVANGELINA
I had nothing to call my own any more. This thought nagged at me as I separated the clothes I had. If only mother had made the right choice, then, maybe, I wouldn't be in this mess today. But, where could I meet her to complain about these things?
"It's no use tormenting myself like this. This is my face now, and I need to get used to it. That's the only way for me to breathe properly in this wicked world." I whispered to myself.
Sighing, I placed the cloth back in the box and rested my hands lightly on it. I had so few clothes, and it was so annoying. I regretted the fact I didn't tell Bruno that I needed more clothes. How long would these things last with the continuous wash and wear?
Perhaps, I should ask him if the offer to get me anything I wanted was still on. It's been three days, surely nothing could change since then. Or, was I just indulging in hopeful thinking? That was probably the case.
I climbed out of bed, and zipped the bag as quickly as possible before moving over to the wardrobe, and dumping them in. My eyes moved to the adjoining door. Erico had not reached out to me for three days, and whenever I tried to get to him, he shuts me out.
Honestly, I was relieved by the development, but I couldn't help but think that perhaps, it was not completely a good thing. It was something that still stuck with me, no matter how much I tried to get rid of it.
My hands moved across my face, massaging it lightly before going over to the door. Should I try once more, possibly, everything would more sense? I was so damn confused by all these, and I wished with all my heart that it wouldn't have been so.
I took careful steps to the door, and rested my ears against it. But, I heard nothing. After a couple of minutes, there was a weird sound like pen on cardboard. The thought of Erico doing another odd stuff came to mind, and I calmly stepped away from him. I won't be a fool to open his room door again to see if he was fine.
Carefully, I walked back to the bed, and sank heavily on it. "Evangelina?"
Huh?
"Open the door, Evangelina," the voice called once more.
I bit my lip as I stared at the front door. Who could it be? Aemelio wasn't home, and I doubted that he would come around to my room asking me politely to open the door. That was not his style one bit.
Was it Bruno then?
A quiet knock followed. "What's wrong?" She asked once more.
There was no way out of this. Taking a deep breath, I calmly made my way to the door, and turned the knob lightly. Bruno stood right at the door.
"You?"
He smirked. "Were you expecting someone else?".
I shook my head. "No, but, what are you doing here at this time of the night? I think we can handle any discussion that there is by tomorrow morning, "I said softly.
"Let me in," he said simply, like whatever I had been saying until that moment was utter nonsense.
If Aemelio realized Bruno had come to my room so late at night, he might throw a fit. The last time, I still can't remember how he regained his composure. I didn't want more troubles in my life right now.
Bruno snapped his fingers in my face, impatiently. "What are you thinking about? Move to the side, so I can tell you what I have to say. "
I blinked. "No, say whatever you have to say here. I can't let you into my room so late at night. "
Bruno gave me a look before he easily shoved me inside the room, and stepped into it himself. I had no idea what to do any more . He placed his hand deep in his pocket as he looked right at me.
"I won't hurt you or take advantage of you, Evangelina. You need to learn how to relax," he scolded lightly.
I gulped as I looked over at the darkened shelf. "What business did you want with me?"
He walked over to my bed, and sat down lightly. "I told you that the boss wants me to satisfy all your needs. So, I'm here to know if you have any request this night."
I shook my head as I massaged my hand. Yes, I still required the clothes, but I was not so comfortable talking about the whole issue consistently. It was going to stress me out more than I had even imagined earlier and that was the last thing I wanted.
"Why are you backing me? Don't you want anything?" He asked calmly.
I turned to face him. "You said that Don wants you to satisfy my needs. But, did he tell you to come to my room at this time of the night? I mean, I have no needs this late. So, if you want to really follow his orders, I would suggest that you come during the day like you came the last time. Other than that, I want to be left alone," I muttered calmly.
Bruno rose to his feet at once. "Do I make you uncomfortable?"
I frowned lightly. "Please, don't ask me those questions. It's none of your business. Just leave for now," I grumbled.
"Fine, I would take my leave like you keep harping about. But, don't tell the boss that I had not taken care of you to the best of my abilities. I don't want to lose my head because of these things," he pointed out.
I sighed lightly at that, but didn't say a word as he walked out of the room. What the hell could I have said? Stay? No, that was never happening. Men couldn't be trusted because even the kindest of them like Aemelio would hurt you without thinking twice.
Looking back at the door, I realized that it was locked, and breathed a sigh of relief. Erico couldn't sneak into my room again. He had done it a couple of times, but now, there would be no repeats.
With that thought in mind, I climbed into bed, and pulled the blanket over me. I numbed my mind not to think of anything, and then, I calmly slept off.
****
What was that?
Ugh!
I turned around on the bed as I tried to sink back into my dream state, but the continuous noise kept rattling me. Wait, someone was actually knocking on the door, and it wasn't just noise.
Sitting up, I noted that there was indeed someone at the door. I massaged my head in a bid to clear my head, and then, moved lightly to the door. I couldn't understand what the time says, but I knew it was still late at night.
Was it Bruno again?
I took a deep breath and flung the door open, only to see that it was none other than Fiona. She had a weird shawl around her shoulders and she kept looking everywhere as though she were afraid. Though, she had come here the last time, but she couldn't keep coming because Aemelio would throw a damn fit.
"Evangelina," she said simply.
I sighed as I pulled her in before shutting the door behind. "What are you doing here at this time of the night, Fiona? Is there something wrong?" I managed.
She shook her head. "I was asked to come and get you, "she explained.
"Who told you to do that?"
She touched the shawl easily. "The boss?"
"Are you saying that Aemelio is back?"
She nodded lightly.
"But, when?"
"I don't have much time to tell you these things. I would take my leave now, but you have to go to the garden on your own. He is a bit impatient," she explained.
I tried to hold on to her hand, but she easily pulled it away from me and walked out the door. I still couldn't believe that this was happening. First, Bruno had come with his odd requests. And now, Aemelio was looking for me.
He never did all that before. If he wanted to see me, he'd just badge into the room like he was the only one who had a right to it. So what was all these?
I massaged the bridge of my nose in frustration. Or, did he find out that I have not been taken care of Erico like he had instructed me and wished to humiliate me in another way?
That should probably be the issue. I would have to handle the aftermath of neglecting his rules. Phew!
I went over to the wardrobe, and pulled a black robe out. I had never had the urge to use it before, but I would this time. "No time for fear," I muttered against my emotions.