28.Alin
Alin
My suitcase is packed. I look around my room, which will soon revert back to being the guest room, and another tear rolls down my cheek.
A few hours ago, I was in the best mood I’ve been in all year after my swim, and now I’m dragging my suitcase out of the room I thought had become my permanent home.
As I reach the staircase and lift my suitcase, I suddenly hear rapid footsteps behind me.
Luca . I can’t deal with this anymore. How much more will he torture me?
I run with my suitcase, fleeing the apartment before he can catch up to me.
I press the elevator button repeatedly, as if that will make it arrive faster.
When the elevator finally dings, I rush inside, not even waiting for the doors to fully open. I wipe away the last escaping tears and head outside to the waiting taxi I called earlier. I place the suitcase on the back seat beside me, and the driver sets off. I’m out of this mad house.
The chill from the air conditioner on this hot day is nothing compared to the cold enveloping my heart.
I knew it was too good to be true. He gave up on me, gave up on us.
I managed to handle his secret, but mine consumed us both.
It seems like he tried to face the reality but ultimately gave in, realizing he had no place for me, a monster, in his life.
Another warm tear escapes, and my chest tightens with the urge to cry, but I fight it. I can’t break down; I must stay strong. I need to escape New York.
Where will I go? Where is there left for me to go? I ponder throughout the ride, trying to distract myself with thoughts of moving to another state, anything to avoid thinking about Luca.
Staring out at the buildings and the bustling city through the window, the emptiness in my chest grows, and the realization slowly dawns on me: I don’t belong here and I never will.
I’ll hide until I find a way to escape the marriage obligation and return home, if there’s anything left of it when I get back.
“Ma’am, we’re here. That’ll be $10,” the taxi driver’s voice pulls me from my thoughts. I quickly take out a $20 bill from my wallet, open the door, and hand it to him. “Keep the change,” I say dryly, pulling my suitcase out and slamming the car door shut.
I look up at my apartment building, which I haven’t visited in a while, and feel on the verge of collapse. “I’m alone,” I whisper to the air, trying to remind myself why I need to stay strong. I won’t cry again.
I enter my apartment and the first thing I do is open my laptop as I sit on the edge of the couch. My mother used to explore the beaches of Miami a lot in her youth. She often told me about her experiences there before she married my father.
She would occasionally escape to the shore, enjoying the human food and atmosphere, and then quickly return to the sea before her parents found out.
After she turned 18, her feet—or rather, her fins—never swam outside the ocean again, but Miami was definitely among the experiences she never skipped in her stories when she was alone with me.
I brush my hand on my necklace, remembering my mom even saved a woman’s life back then. I miss you, Mom.
Maybe Miami isn’t such a bad idea after all.
I’ll keep a low profile and avoid getting attached to anyone.
I’ve decided—I’m moving there, and quickly.
I go to my closet, place the box of sea treasures I trade in into my suitcase, the last valuable thing I have in the apartment.
I leave a small envelope with the last month’s rent and a note of apology for the landlords.
The elderly couple who own the apartment agreed to rent it to me monthly in cash, without deposits or references.
They were so kind to me; I can’t leave without an explanation.
Now I’m ready. It’s time to say goodbye to New York and hello to Miami. A deep breath that felt held for too long is released, and I head downstairs. I’m ready to get used to this feeling of emptiness if it means avoiding unnecessary emotional pain and ensuring my safety.
I hail another taxi, slumping into the back seat after placing my suitcase beside me, giving one last look at the apartment that was my refuge for the past year, filled with many memories.
Just as my eyes detach from the path leading to my building, I spot a familiar black SUV across the street. Did Luca send Abert to follow me? For a moment, I want to get out and check, but I stop myself. Don’t fall for it again, Alin.
“Hurry to the airport, please,” I urge the driver, leaning back and staring at the car’s ceiling. Luca gave up on us; he made that painfully clear. Staying here any longer leaves me at risk of exposure, and my parents will find me again, and this time, I’ll be alone.
The separation burns in my chest, refusing to let go. How did I let myself get swept away by the tsunami he brought with him? I’m not the kind of girl you can play with. Even this family of madmen and killers couldn’t handle the truth. What hope do I have left?
Why am I still thinking about him? He’s the one who threw me out of his life. I look back again, but Abert is no longer there. Maybe Luca really did just want to ensure I was leaving.
Now isn’t the time to cry. It’s time to take a deep breath and think about how I’m going to start over with a new identity.
I close my eyes for the rest of the drive, trying to imagine a life without Luca, but I can’t.
I’ll have to make it work, no matter what.
My eyes close, and I drift into a deep sleep.
“We’re here,” an unfamiliar voice startles me awake, taking me a few seconds to remember I’m in a taxi. It feels like reality has kicked me in the gut again as I unload my suitcase and enter the airport.
The airport is bustling, and I weave my way through the luggages and people to the ticket counter. I buy a one-way ticket to Miami, pay in cash, and am relieved to find out the next flight is in just two hours.
I get a bit lost among the counters, and a young employee approaches to offer help. He guides me to the check-in kiosk and explains what to do, realizing it’s my first flight.
If I weren’t worried my parents might track me, I would’ve just sent my suitcase and swam there. Flying is very complicated; I definitely understand why I never tried it before.
I proceed to the duty-free area after all the checks, immediately spotting my gate as the employee had pointed out. I buy a hot coffee, and while waiting to board, I put on my earphones, play some music, and close my eyes.
The first song ends, and in the break between songs, a hand touches my shoulder, making me jump. Luca? I turn my head quickly to the side, but this time, a smile spreads across my face when I see who’s standing next to me.
“Miguel? What are you doing here?” I ask excitedly, jumping up to hug him tightly.
“I’m on my way to Miami. The question is, what are you doing here? Rumor has it in the pod that you’re getting married,” he replies and laughs, returning my hug warmly.
“I’m not getting married, I’m running away,” I answer honestly, lowering my head to the floor. Miguel and I had a relationship that went a bit beyond friends in the past, but we realized we were best off as just good friends.
I lift my head to look at him when his laughter fills the air. “You never change, Alin, always rebelling. You can’t live without the action,” he says.
“That’s not true!” I protest but immediately join his laughter. He’s right. We always used to escape to the surface together; our adventurous spirit always got the best of us.
He sits down next to me and tells me that he also ran away from the pod. Luckily, he has no ties to royalty, so no one is looking for him like they are me. How lucky.
When he asks about me, I give short answers, trying to avoid talking about everything I’ve been through. I’m still not ready to face that.
“I missed you a lot,” he suddenly says, holding my hand affectionately. I’m not lying when I reply, “I missed you too.” I really did miss him; I miss everyone.
“If you’re also on the run and heading to Miami, why don’t we live together? We could save on expenses and wouldn’t have to hide our true selves,” he suggests, his grip on my hand tightening with excitement.
“Sounds like a plan,” I immediately smile and am happy to accept his offer.
Maybe I’m not alone after all. When I get to Miami, we can settle together.
I can contact Cora, apologize, and start a new life again.
After all, this will be the third time I’m doing this.
I’m already an expert. I’ll find a way to see Cora in the future.
This won’t be the last time she hears from me. No fucking way I am giving up on her.
Miguel smiles at me and plants a long kiss on my cheek, a warm and familiar kiss. He has always been a good friend. Even though we hadn’t spoken or seen each other for so long, he always understands me and knows exactly what I need.
I smile in response, but suddenly, a loud thud fills my ears, and his lips break away from my cheek abruptly. I look up to see Miguel sprawled on the floor, holding his jaw, a soft curse escaping his lips.
My eyes follow his gaze, identifying the cause— the man who sent me away.
When did he get here? How does he know where I am? I paid for everything in cash. Psychopath.
His face is flushed with anger as he looks at Miguel lying on the ground, and it seems he’s not done with him yet.
I kneel down to help Miguel sit back on the seat, my gaze apologetic as I see his cheek reddening from the force of the blow. Now I look at Luca with the same angry look he’s giving Miguel.
“Who do you think you are? What are you doing here?” I shout at him, and it seems our little scene has drawn the attention of everyone at the gate.