Chapter 59
"We know she must have brought him all those books, and I don’t think she bought them."
"So they’re rented?"
"Most likely. There has to be a bookstore or a bazaar near where she’s staying."
"Then I’ll get to work."
"I’ll search myself."
"What? But sir, there’s no—"
"Yes, there is. Her grandfather is right… I haven’t taken the time to get to know Belle at all. I didn’t even know something as important as the fact that she lived on the streets."
"I understand, but I’ll accompany you."
♡
I took my recycling bag and went through each dumpster, separating the plastics from the cardboard. I greeted homeless friends I’d known since I was a child. When the bag was completely full, I stopped by a small bazaar and exchanged one book for another to bring to Beethoven when I finished the day. As I looked up from the books, I saw a magazine with Mr. Cesar’s face on it. A deep pain overwhelmed me, and I touched my cheek. Even though weeks had passed, I could still feel that slap. I turned away to continue on my way. The only thing I had that was valuable was my dignity, and that had been taken from me that day. If I didn’t even have that… then I was just a nobody, with no future or past. Just another ghost of the streets—that was all I was.
"Belle! Belle! They say a very handsome man has been looking for you around the district for hours. What kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into now?"
"What? A man…" The first person I thought of was Mr. Cesar, but it had to be a lie. I handed over my recycling bag and said.
"Take care of it for a moment, I’ll be right back." I quickly ran off, searching for this man.
♡
"Have you seen this woman?" Joffre asked at the third book kiosk.
"No, but two streets down, there’s a small old book bazaar where they exchange books for other relics."
"Thank you very much."
"Sir, do you think this is a good idea? And what if we don’t find her?"
"She has to be around here; her grandfather’s hospital is just a few blocks away. She can’t afford transportation to visit him every day, so she must live close enough to walk to the hospital…"
"You’re right, sir. I’ll ask at the next kiosk. You stay here, Mr. Cesar." Joffre moved ahead while I stayed back, deep in thought. I couldn’t imagine living a life like that, but she had lived it, and yet I was so harsh with her. I started walking again, but quickly turned around, feeling like someone was watching me.
♡
I covered my mouth and sank to the ground, leaning against the wall where I had hidden before Mr. Cesar could see me. It really was him, but why… why was he bothering to look for me again? I didn’t understand it, and I wasn’t going to try to. I wouldn’t let him find me. He didn’t need me, so as soon as I disappeared from his life for good, he would forget about me, and I could continue on my way. Carefully, I followed them to see what they were looking for.
"Have you seen this girl?" The man at the bazaar where I always exchanged books looked at the photo and shook his head.
"Are you sure? Take a good look," Mr. Cesar joined in and said.
"I can offer you a very generous compensation if you tell me where she is. I’m very worried about her well-being; she has no one else." The man seemed to hesitate, glancing at me in the distance. I quickly shook my head, and he saw me and said again.
"No, I’m sorry… she doesn’t look familiar."
"This is one of her books, isn’t it? It has the same inscription and style as your bazaar," Mr. Cesar said, showing him a book. "Are you going to deny it? I understand that you’re trying to protect her, but if you interfere with a search, you’ll be committing a crime—you’d be an accomplice."
"Hey, wait! I don’t want any trouble. The girl was here today, a few hours ago, just like every day." I shook my head in fear as I watched them talk, and suddenly they turned to look at me.
"Belle!" I ran as fast as I could, desperate to get away from the family that had only ruined my life.
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
