Did you miss me?

**Ivery Clark POV**

Adrenaline in my body kicks in, pumping high in my blood.

My sporadic breathing disperse in the air, my fingers are sweaty, hypervigilant of the surroundings.

There was no time. I sprint through the woods, the smell of forest invading my nostrils.

The air was cool and thick with the earthy scent of damp soil and decaying leaves, carrying the subtle, nocturnal whispers of unseen creatures.

I didn't know where I was going. In the dense woods at night, the darkness was nearly absolute, pierced only by the fleeting glimmer of moonlight that filtered through the interlaced branches.

Dirt smudges my shoes and my breathing deepens as I cut across the distance.

Run, keep running, Ivery. Don't look back! I told myself.

My safety wasn't guaranteed yet, I need to run until I find proper help. I ran and ran and ran that I suddenly tripped over roots.

*Ouch!*

I groan holding my knee. My hair is in a mess around my face, the strands sticking to my temples with sweat.

The forest was a realm of shadow and mystery, where towering trees stood like silent sentinels, their outlines barely discernible against the inky sky.

The undergrowth was a tangled mass of ferns and vines, seemed to shift and rustle with every breeze, as if concealing hidden movements.

I resumed my running, praying that I would find the highway road and find someone, who could help me as soon as possible.

I kept running and stumbling through paths for a good 20 minutes.

But then I heard sounds of vehicles passing by. It must be the highway! I picked up my speed like my life depended on it and stood in front of the highway road.

This was it, I was finally able to go home now!

I waved anxiously at the vehicles passing by hoping that somebody could pick me up.

A luggage tempo stopped near and I looked at them desperately.

"Please, take me in. I'm in desperation." I begged them.

"Oye! ¿Por qué paraste?" I heard an old lady yell from behind. But she was stunned when she saw me.

"Please help me, I'm desperate. I want to go to this address." I implored asking the grandma, handing over the piece of paper Sophia gave.

"Cabo San Lucas? Quieres ir a Cabo San Lucas?" I don't know what she was saying but I nodded vigorously.

"You're in luck, señora. We are going in the same direction too. Why don't you hop in?" The driver said in his local accent.

"Sube, niña!" The old lady chimed, extending her hand. I took her hand, tears brimming my eyes. I couldn't believe I was finally going to escape.

The cold air hits my face as the tempo takes off. I slump back to the edge of tempo, screw my eyes shut, inhaling sharp intakes of air.

I looked to the side of the family, their laughter and chatter rising up like a warm breeze.

The grandmother's soft humming, the kids' giggles, the sound of a baby fussing in its mother's arms. It was all so... normal.

I had escaped, finally. I had left behind the life I was trapped in. Everything has come to an end now.

My eyelids were feeling heavy and I dozed off even if I wanted to stay awake.

The night felt very long and I slept like a baby.

*Next morning*

"Levántate niña! Es de mañana!" Somebody shook me and I got up squinting my eyes as a beam of sunlight hit my field of vision.

It was grandma.

"We are here! Cabo San Lucas !" My eyes lit up when I heard grandma's voice. I quickly got up and looked outside. I was amazed.

The city was really beautiful.

Arriving in Cabo San Lucas felt like stepping into a dreamscape where the desert meets the sea. The first thing that strikes you is the stunning natural beauty: rugged cliffs and golden beaches that seem to stretch endlessly under the sun.

My shoulder relaxes as I take in the view. After a good 5 minutes drive, the driver stopped.

"You can get off from here, señora! Our journey with you ends here. You have reached the destination!" The driver shouted from ahead.

I was here!? I got down from the tempo bewildered, my heart racing like a horse.

"You can ask the locals here for the address you're looking for. Well then we'll take off, happy journey!" The man waved his hand.

"Thank you so much. I'm really grateful." I thanked them wholeheartedly.

"Don't mention it señora. I hope you have a good time in Cabo!"

"Adiós! Cuídate!!" The grandma and the rest of the family members waved.

When they vanished from my field of vision, I turned around towards the street. I looked around in awe.

The town itself exudes a lively charm with its bustling marina, lined with yachts and fishing boats, and an array of restaurants and shops that cater to every whim.

I felt happy at the sight, I felt lively.

Finally I can make choices without the shadow of someone else's control!

"Excuse me, do you know this address? I really need to go there." I asked the passerby.

The old man squinted his eyes at the piece of paper I gave, adjusting his fancy glasses, "Err..Aurore Restaurant? Yes, yes it's famous here, señora!"

"I tell you even though it's small, the food is excellent than any five star restaurant can ever offer. Tourists like you will surely love it!" The old man praised, looking proud. I guess he thought I was a foreigner looking for a good spot to eat.

So this is a restaurant, ha.

"It's near the seashore...go straight down the streets, then turn left and then right. You'll find it, señora!" The kind old man gave me the instructions and I nodded thanking him.

I went down the streets and from far I could see a small Mexican restaurant situated right near the seashore.

This was it, the final door to my escape.

I braced myself and walked towards it and in a few minutes I reached the entrance.

The restaurant has an inviting, laid-back atmosphere with an exterior that blends seamlessly with its coastal surroundings.

As soon as I stepped in, the smell hit me-a mix of grilled meats, fresh tortillas, and something spicy that made my mouth water.

I looked around and saw that the walls were covered in vibrant tapestries and old photographs.

It felt like I'd walked into someone's home, where the past and present mingled effortlessly, and I immediately felt at ease.

"Oye! ¡no corras!" A lady in middle aged yelled at children who were running around.

She was dressed in simple, comfortable clothing. A small apron, slightly stained from a day's work, was tied around her waist.

She looked like the owner of the restaurant.

I gripped the hem of my dress nervously and approached her, "Umm...excuse me?"

"Sí? ¿Qué te gustaría pedir?" She arched her eyebrows as she placed plates onto the counter.

"Uh, S-Sophia sent me here. I hope you know who she is." My hands trembled as I showed her the piece of paper which had Sophia's handwriting in it.

"Sophia who works in a mansion as a maid. I'm Ivery Clark. She gave me the address and told me to find you."

Her eyebrows shot up as she gave me a once over, " Ivery Clark? You're the girl Sophia talked about on the phone yesterday?"

I nodded as the tears brimmed at the edge of my eyes. She gasped and pulled me inside, holding my arm.

"How did you come? Did anyone follow you, little girl?" I shook my head, wiping fresh new tears.

"No, I came alone and I don't think anyone followed me." If anyone had followed me, they wouldn't have waited this much long to drag me back to the mansion.

"Thank god! By God's grace you reached here safe and sound." The owner bellowed, hugging me.

"I was so worried. It must have been hard for you, isn't it? Sophia told me everything."

I could feel the warmth of her body, solid and safe, as if nothing bad could touch me here.

And I don't know what came into me, I started weeping. The tears came quietly at first, then harder, until my body shook with them.

I couldn't hold it anymore.

"There...there, niña. You're safe now."

After I cried for good minutes in her embrace, I finally settled in a chair, my eyes puffed and swollen.

"Are you feeling good now, child? Here, have some burritos." The lady smiled kindly, handing me the burrito.

Her eyes were a deep, warm brown, sparkled with a mix of kindness and sincerity, the kind of eyes that made you feel at home the moment you stepped into her restaurant.

I smiled back at her and took the burrito. I was starving so much. I took a big bite and felt at ease. She chuckled seeing me eating nicely.

"My name is Aurelia and this is my family business running from ages, my restaurant." She introduced herself in a friendly tone.

"By the way child, where are you from? You don't seem to be a local." She enquired about me.

"You're right, I'm from New York. I was kidnapped and trafficked and was brought here against my will." My voice croaked as I ate a burrito. I couldn't stop eating, it was so yummy!

"New York? You're from the United States? Oh my! My husband is from the United States! He lived in Chicago until he came here and fell in love with me." She blushed as she mentioned her husband.

"Your husband is from Chicago? Then he might know how to get me out of here right?" I asked her in excitement.

"Don't worry, child. My husband Anthony knows every possible route, he will definitely send you back safely. Count on us!" She assured me and I felt a sense of relief.

"¿Hay alguien aquí ?" Someone shouted near the counter.

"¡Sí, ya voy !" Aurelia shouted back and got up from her seat.

"You can go inside, make yourself home! I'll be back as customers are here." She smiled and I nodded.

I walked further inside and met a huge veranda and a house. The house was modest, with whitewashed walls that gleamed softly in the morning sun.

Every breath I took felt deeper, fuller, as if I could finally inhale without the weight pressing down on my chest.

My body automatically felt relaxed and a little bit sleepy. I slept on the sofa for good hours.

But then when I got up, a face appeared in front of me that I almost screamed.

"Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." A young boyish voice escaped from his lips as he looked at me, concerned.

He was a young man of about my age, though his easy confidence made him seem older in some ways.

He was dressed in a simple cotton shirt and worn jeans, his thick, raven-black hair curled at the ends, framing his sharp eyes.

"W-Who are you?" I asked him, getting up slowly.

"I'm the nephew of Aunt Aurelia. I didn't know she had a guest here." He scratched his hair shyly.

"A beautiful one..." He murmured, his cheeks going red. He was kind of cute.

"Why don't you come out, it's evening now. Everyone are outside!" He let out a boyish grin, he looked quite harmless to be frank.

I nodded and walked along with him. As I stepped outside the restaurant which was calm and serene, now vibrated with life, every inch alive with movement and sound.

It's like the place was transformed into a living painting. The sun began to dip beneath the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and violet, the beachfront came alive with movement and sound.

Strings of lights, woven between palm trees, flickered to life, casting a warm glow over the sand.

"Oh you are here, Ivery and Carlos!" Aunt Aurelia came with her husband who looked 6ft tall with a strong, bulky physique.

"Ivery, this is my husband I talked about, Anthony." She introduced us and we greeted each other.

"Aurelia told me everything, dear. I already have a plan laid out for your escape. You'll be leaving the city tomorrow night."

What? I'm leaving tomorrow night?