Juana caught my agonized deanor. "Mi amor," she said, pulling my cheeks into her palms. "You can't let them get to you. You're stronger than this. One day, maybe... maybe there'll be soone who'll co and sweep you off your feet. A prince charming of sorts, who'll save you from all this."
What?
She gave a hopeful smile, but I could hear the pain behind her words. She still thought there was so kind of fairy-tale ending for .
"This isn't a fairy tale, Juana. This is real life. And real life doesn't have happy endings for people like ."
"Hmm, have you forgotten so quickly? That Beta at the Luna Hunt Gala. He sure seed like a prince charming to , didn't he?"
I froze. That night. That beautiful, confusing, awful night. The night Axel had stood up for , had defended against the crowd. My breath gave a pause. Was it possible? Did Axel care? Or had he just been so montary knight in shining armor?
I found myself lost in thought, imagining his face—his eyes... they were powerful and protective.
Where was he now? Would I ever see him again? Would I ever get the chance to thank him properly?
Juana's voice broke through my daydreams, and I snapped out of it, my cheeks suddenly hot. "Oh, you're looking dreamy now. Tell , were you thinking of Axel just now?" She leaned forward with a cheeky smile, clearly enjoying the flustered expression on my face.
I quickly looked away, trying to collect myself. "I—what? No, I wasn't thinking about him!" I quickly added, though the heat in my cheeks betrayed .
"Oh, really?" Juana's grin widened. "Well, you DO look like you were dreaming about him. You know, if you're thinking about him, you could always go talk to him. He might be waiting for you to co back and say thank you for, you know, saving your butt at the gala."
No. No. No.
I groaned and buried my face in my hands, trying to hide how embarrassed I was. "Stop teasing , Juana. I don't think he's waiting for anything from ."
Juana's voice then eased, losing its teasing edge. "It's alright, María José. You're allowed to have feelings. And if he's soone who treated you well, maybe... maybe he's soone worth knowing."
Who said anything about wanting to know him? Oh, please. A hopeless and worthless Oga is probably the least on his dating list.
I shook my head, not wanting to entertain the thought any longer. I had enough to worry about without daydreaming about so Beta who probably didn't even care.
"Please, let help you with your bruises." Juana suddenly reached out with gentle hands, her gaze full of concern. "I don't want you to go out like this."
I looked at her, torn. "I don't want to get you in trouble, Juana. You've already done enough for ."
She shook her head firmly. "Don't worry about that. I'll do it in a way that won't get caught. Let help you."
I was skeptical, caught between wanting to be cared for and logic. The inner child in won.
You know, I should have refused, but there was sothing in her expression—sothing that made it hard to say no.
"Okay," I finally relented. "But I'm really not sure if I want you to do this... You shouldn't be risking your position for ."
Juana smiled, giving a reassuring nod. "You deserve it. Let help you look after yourself."
After she'd tended to the bruises on my face and arms, she looked at , still not quite satisfied. "Will you let co with you to the butchery? I don't think you should go alone."
What?! This girl must not love her job! Father would have her head if she helped with that!
That was one of his many plans of getting disciplined and making up for all the years he 'wasted' on spoiling and giving the 'princess' treatnt.
I shook my head imdiately. "No. You can't. What if soone sees you with ? It's not worth it."
Juana's face was soft, but the stubborn glimr in her eyes didn't wean. "But you've never been to the butchery. It's not a pretty place. And I don't think you'll be able to handle it alone. Let co with you. Please."
I opened my mouth to protest, but the thought of that horrible stench, the grimy floors, and the sound of the slaughterhouse doors slamming shut stopped .
For a mont there, I would have agreed, but when I thought of Dad, I couldn't put Juana's job in danger like that.
"No, Juana. I'll be fine. I've got to face this. It's just another task. I can handle it. Just... don't worry about ."
Juana looked at for a long mont but she didn't argue. "Alright, but I'm still wishing you luck," she said, and then, as if to lighten the mood, she added, "And when you co back, let really help you. I'm not finished with you yet."
I smiled faintly, my heart ward by her care. "Thanks, Juana. I don't know what I'd do without you."
"You'll never have to find out, María José. I'll always be here for you."
****
I stepped out of the house, the chilly evening air biting at my skin as the door slamd shut behind . My heart was thumping—whether from the anticipation of leaving or the unease of what awaited , I couldn't tell.
For a mont, I stood motionless at the front step, staring down the long driveway. The idea of taking my car, of driving away from this place and into the unknown, was tempting. But the very idea of freedom—of doing sothing for myself, felt almost absurd in my current reality.
As I approached the garage, my hand brushed against the black convertible, the one that used to make feel alive, in control. I could already picture myself behind the wheel, the wind in my hair, the road spread out before ... far away from all this.
But just as I reached for the door handle, a voice held back.
"Señorita María José!"
Reviews
All reviews (0)