Chapter 35
Elowen
“It’s ten thirty. What were you doing at some unknown man’s house for this long?” Mom’s voice comes from behind me.
I stop at the foot of the stairs and turn slowly to face her. I just hope nothing about me screams that I’ve just lost my virginity.
“And you say you’re not helicopter parents.” I smirk.
She steps closer, grabs my chin, and turns my head left and right, humming. Then she releases me, steps back, and looks me over.
I chuckle. “What are you doing, Mom?”
“Did you have sex with him?”
I shake my head, keeping it natural. “Absolutely not.”
“We’re concerned, Weni. You were in love with someone else three days ago, then you met someone yesterday, and today you went to his house.” She cups my cheek. “We’re worried you’ll do something you’ll regret later.”
“I won’t regret anything. And about my feelings for my kidnapper—it was just Stockholm syndrome.
I didn’t realize it then, but now I do, after meeting Jonathan.
It might sound bizarre that my feelings have changed so quickly in two days, but it’s true.
” I deliver the nonsense with a face full of seriousness, hoping to fool my mother.
“With Jonathan, it feels so natural, like we were fated to be together. I don’t know what my exact emotions are yet; it’s too early to conclude anything. But I want to give whatever we could have a fair chance.”
She sighs. “Alright, if you say so.”
She takes Rosie from my arms.
“Come with me. Your father wants to see you.”
I follow her to their bedroom. Dad is on the couch, tablet in hand. When we enter, he sets it down, along with his glasses—the ones that make him look even more handsome.
“Don’t tell me you’re going to scold me for breaking the first curfew of my life.” I sit beside him and hug him.
He pats my head. “You know I can’t do that.”
I chuckle.
“I need to talk to that man.”
I pull away quickly. “About what?”
“About his intentions toward my daughter.”
“He has no bad intentions. He’s a lovely gentleman.” The words come too fast.
He nods. “His profile says he’s from Florida and works as a researcher for Texan. Just moved to DC. Before that, he worked in Miami for a decade. But nothing comes up from the investigation in Florida, maybe his appearance has changed over the years, so it’ll take some time—”
I cut him off. “You’re investigating him? He isn’t a criminal, Dad. This is wrong.” My voice is sharp with accusation, even though I knew this was inevitable. But maybe my outrage can stop him from digging deeper.
“This isn’t wrong. I need to know what kind of man he is. And he needs to understand that you’re not someone he can casually hook up with and walk away.”
I groan. “That’s not how things work.”
“This is exactly how things work in my world.”
I chuckle. “You’re misusing your power.”
He strokes my head. “Bring him to dinner tomorrow. I won’t be here during the day, but I’ll be back by evening.”
I smile with pursed lips. “Okay.”
I kiss his cheek. “Good night.”
He kisses my temple. “Good night.”
I get up, do the same with Mom, take Rosie from her arms, and leave.
I walk away from their room, remove my shoes, set Rosie on the carpet, tiptoe back, and press my ear to the corner of their still-open door.
“I doubt it too,” Mom says. “Her feelings for that kidnapper weren’t light. It’s not possible she got over them overnight and became this close to another man so suddenly.”
I drag a hand down my face.
That speech was useless. All that acting—completely wasted. My mother knows me to the core; she’s too good at catching my lies. And my dad... if he were easy to deceive, he wouldn’t be the king of the underworld. He wouldn’t run an entire country.
I have to tell Salvario to go away. But how? I don’t have his number. And even if I did, I couldn’t just call him, it would be like throwing ourselves into burning lava.
I’ll tell him tomorrow.
Rosie pads over, her tiny paws silent, but that little mouth will surely give me away to my parents. I scoop her up quickly and slip away.
???
I know before I even enter the park that they’re not here. If they were, Bruno would have reached me before I made it through the gate.
I walk inside and scan the area. Unlike yesterday and the day before, they’re not near the benches by the entrance.
I set Rosie down, and we circle the entire park. Finally, we settle onto a bench facing the entrance. I pull Rosie onto my lap to keep her warm.
I check the time. 4:30 PM.
I watch people walk past for another hour. The hope doesn’t fade, despite the knot tightening in my gut.
The sun sets. The cold deepens.
I call Travis over. When he arrives, I extend Rosie to him.
“Take her home.”
I shove my hands deeper into my coat pockets and keep my gaze fixed on the gate.
Another hour passes. It becomes clear they won’t come. But I still refuse to move.
What if I leave and they show up? Maybe he’s busy somewhere.
The cold has numbed my legs completely. My face is frozen. The wind picks up, dropping the temperature further.
After one more hour, I surrender.
I have turned into a frozen statue, and I’m so mad at him I can feel it in my bones. He could have let me know if he was busy. But no. He doesn’t care enough for that.
I get up and leave the park.
I won’t forgive him for this. If he doesn’t have a very reasonable explanation, he’s going to face my anger for a long time.
After changing, I head to the dining room, where everyone is already seated for dinner. They all look at me but don’t ask anything.
I think my pissed-off mood is clear on my face. Dad must know Salvario didn’t show, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he’d shared that with everyone else.
A maid serves my dinner. I start eating in silence.
From the corner of my eye, I feel everyone’s gaze on me.
This is the most awkward situation I’ve ever put myself in. I’ve been lying to them about something they doubt—no, more than doubt. They’re almost certain.
Whatever, Wen. Just be shameless. Don’t admit the truth even if they ask outright. And they know that, which is why they’re not asking.
They lose interest in staring at me soon enough. Mom and Aunt dive into discussing their party plans. Dad and Uncle fall into their own conversation.
Leaving me alone with my food and my thoughts.