FIVE | Peace Offering!

[ZARINA]

As Xavier takes me into what seems to be another room, my heart begins to race with anticipation and apprehension. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but this is beyond anything I could have imagined. Is this really happening? Am I dreaming? Or have I been kidnapped by some rich and powerful person?

The room is a world apart from the dingy place I was in earlier. It’s the most gorgeous room I’ve ever seen in my twenty-five years of existence. It’s luxuriously furnished and well-crafted. As if someone has spent all of their time trying to impress a princess of some sort. An antique class of golden flowers stretches over the boundaries of the pearly white walls, creating its own staggering masterpiece. Like a snowy landscape surrounded by gold-plated trees.

Who could possibly afford such a lavish space? And why have they brought me here? What do they want from me? These questions flood my mind, drowning out the beauty of the room. I can’t help but feel like I don’t belong here, like I’m an imposter in this world of luxury.

As Xavier gestures for me to sit on the bed, I hesitate. I don’t know if I should trust him or not. Is he really trying to help me, or is he just using me for some ulterior motive? And even if he is trying to help, what does he expect from me in return? I feel a knot in my stomach, and my palms begin to sweat.

I take a deep breath and try to push my doubts aside. I need to figure out what’s going on and why I’m here. But as I look around the room, all I can think is, how did I end up in this situation? And more importantly, how am I going to get out of it?

On my left, a sleek dressing table catches my eye, while to the right, a spacious walk-in closet awaits. Both luxuries I never had in my past life. But despite their allure, a sense of unease grips me. Everything in this room seems too perfect, too untouched, as if it was carefully crafted to lull me into. Could it be a trap? A distraction from the truth that they don’t want me to see? My gut tells me to be cautious, that there’s more to this world than what meets the eye.

“Are you sure this is the room I need to be in?” It seems impossible that I could belong in a place like this. After all, I’m just a penniless orphan who was kidnapped only hours ago. What have I done to deserve such obscene wealth? Nothing, as far as I know. And even if I did have something to offer, it couldn’t possibly be enough for these people. I’ve never seen any of them before in my life. Plus, I’ve barely been in Venice for a day. I had just arrived at my hotel room when chaos erupted and my captors burst in.

It makes no sense at all.

“I’m pretty sure,” Xavier chuckles, his dimples forming a cute dent in his cheeks. I can tell that my jaw-dropped expression is the only reason behind his amusement. Unfortunately, I can never seem to hide what I’m feeling. I’ve never been able to, and maybe that’s why the caretaker at the orphanage always enjoyed messing with me, relishing how vulnerable she could make me feel.

He takes a step towards me, curious. “Do you like it?”

Do I like it? Of course, I do. I love it but…

Xavier takes another step, his face full of genuine concern. “What’s wrong?”

I shake my head and lie. “Nothing.”

But I know he doesn’t believe me. I’m not good at hiding my emotions, and it’s been a long time since I’ve fooled anyone.

“Please tell me if you don’t like it. I can make other arrangements,” he offers, thinking that my unease is due to the room.

It’s…it’s not.

“Why are you doing this?” My voice trembles as I ask. I can’t believe I’m in this situation again, feeling vulnerable and helpless.

“Excuse me?” He furrows his brow in confusion, his almond-shaped eyes betraying his puzzlement.

“It’s obvious, isn’t it?” I continue, my frustration mounting. “You kidnapped me, put me in a box, and now you’re offering me this luxurious room as a peace offering. I need to know what’s going on, why I’m here, and what you want from me. Don’t I deserve some answers?”

“Zarina...”

My tears flow uncontrollably, and I feel an ache in my heart that I can’t ignore. I don’t want to be here anymore. “Please, no,” I beg, my voice cracking with emotion. “I appreciate your kindness, but I have so many questions that are tearing me apart inside. I’m completely in the dark about everything, and no one is willing to explain anything to me. All I want are answers, not this enormous room. You have to understand how I feel.”

I turn my gaze to the window, staring out at the expansive sky. Another wave of pain washes over me, and I feel trapped once again. “I want to be free. I don’t want to be confined like this. Please, just let me go.” I plead desperately, using the back of my hand to wipe away my tears.

“I wish I could grant your wish, Zarina, but it’s just not possible,” he says, shaking his head, and my heart sinks with sadness rather than anger. “I really can’t.”

“But why not? You asked me to trust you, didn’t you?” I plead, feeling desperate. “Please, just let me go. I promise I’ll come back whenever you need me. I give you my word. You have no idea what I’ve been through to get here, and I don’t hold it against you, but--”

“Enough, Zarina!” he interrupts me with a loud roar, his voice echoing off the walls.

I shrink back, feeling my knees weaken under me. I think I pissed him off.

You think?

“You’re not going anywhere. End of the discussion!” he shouts and turns his back on me, frustratingly running a hand through the dark tousle of his hair.

My heart breas, and my body trembles with a mix of anger, frustration, and despair. How can he be so heartless? Does he not see the agony in my eyes? The desperation in my voice? I can’t stay here, not another minute. But he doesn’t care. He doesn’t care about me, my life, or my feelings.

I take a step forward, my fists clenched by my side. “You can’t keep me here against my will,” I say, trying to control the tremble in my voice. “I don’t belong here. I don’t know you or any of these people. I don’t want your fancy room or your riches. I just want to go home!”

He turns around, his face twisted with anger. “This is your home now, Zarina! You belong here, with us. You don’t have any other place to go. You’re a nobody, a worthless orphan. You should be grateful for what I’m offering you.”

His words cut through me like a knife. I’m not worthless, I’m not a nobody. I’m a person, with my own dreams, hopes, and fears. “I am grateful,” I say, my voice shaking with rage. “Grateful for being kidnapped? Grateful for being treated like a prisoner? Grateful for not being allowed to be free?”

He doesn’t answer, just stares at me with cold, unfeeling eyes. I feel a surge of anger rising within me. I won’t let him break me, not like the caretaker at the orphanage did. I won’t let him take away my dignity and my self-respect.

“I won’t stay here,” I say, my voice rising with each word. “I’ll find a way out, with or without your help. You can’t keep me here forever. I won’t let you!”

I watch him as he runs his hand through his hair once more, then turns to me with closed eyes. His forehead is creased with tension, his shoulders stiff, and his hands clenched into fists. He appears to be struggling to maintain his composure, taking deep breaths in and out.

“I’m sorry,” he whispers underneath his breath. But against the pin-drop silence in the room, I hear him just fine. Not that it makes me feel any better. “I shouldn’t have said that...” he apologizes, but instead of comforting him with ‘It’s fine’ or something along the lines, I keep my lips sealed and gaze lower.

The silence drags on, and I start to fidget nervously. I can’t just sit here sulking, especially when I need his help. It’s up to me to make things right, to apologize for my behavior and forgive him for his. That’s the way it’s always been.

As he turns to leave, my heart sinks. I want to stop him, to plead with him to listen to me, but my words fail me once again. I feel powerless and alone.

But just as he’s about to leave, he turns back to face me, and a small glimmer of hope flickers inside me. “By the way,” he says, “the doors aren’t locked anymore. You’re free to leave this room, but don’t leave the mansion, and don’t try to run. It’s for your own safety.”

With that, he disappears through the door, leaving me alone with my thoughts and a newfound sense of uncertainty.

Not locked up anymore?

Is this true?

Wiping away the last remnants of tears from my eyes, I approach the door with cautious steps. My heart pounds so hard in my chest that it feels like it might burst out any second. This could be my only opportunity to escape, and I can’t afford to mess it up. With a deep breath, I grasp the doorknob and turn it slowly.

Click!

My heart skips a beat as the door unlocks. I can hardly believe it. Could it be that simple? Could I finally be free?

Despite the warning not to run, I can’t resist the overwhelming urge to bolt out of the room. This is my chance to break free from my prison, and I’m not going to waste it. But as I step out, my excitement quickly turns to despair when I come face-to-face with a towering figure blocking my path.

All of my hopes and dreams for a new life come crashing down in an instant.

Of course, there’s a guard. Of course!

Frustrated, I slam the door shut and collapse onto the bed, weeping until my tears run dry and there’s nothing left but the hollow pain in my chest.