Amapola Part 2

"Eat up. I'll come back later to get the tray. I also brought some clothes for you. I wasn’t sure what you like, so I went with jeans and a t-shirt. If you want something else, just let me know," she said.
"But he said that if I didn’t come down to have lunch with him, I wouldn’t eat at all."
"Forget it, child," she waved her hand dismissively, as if what I said didn’t matter. "He may be the Mafia Boss, but he’s not a monster. If you pay attention, you’ll see." She spoke, and I shook my head, disbelieving.
"That’s exactly what I see when I look at him."
"It’s what you *want* to see, angel. That’s different," she smiled, as if certain of what she had just said. "Besides, no one under my care is going to starve. I can guarantee that."
ngela left, leaving me with a lot to think about. Could she be right? Is there another way for me to gain my freedom without risking an escape?
I gave in to the demands of my stomach and ate the entire plate of pasta she brought. I really couldn’t turn down any food.
Lying on the bed, I thought about my escape options. Even though I had listened to her advice, I still felt that escaping was my best chance at the moment.
So, I took a shower, put on the clothes she brought me, and continued to work on my plan. Maybe climbing out the window wasn’t the best idea after all. Sitting on the bed, I started considering another possibility.



***



I spent the entire afternoon considering my options. I could stay here, but living in uncertainty isn’t really my style. How could I be content with waking up and going to sleep trapped in a tower like Rapunzel?
No. That definitely wouldn’t be Amapola Beviláqua. And that’s why I decided to try and escape.
Later in the afternoon, when ngela came to pick up the tray, I felt like she could read me. She knew I wouldn’t follow her advice and that I would attempt to flee, but she didn’t say anything, nor did she reprimand me.
She asked if I needed anything and emphasized the importance of eating. It was as if she was taking care of me, making sure I was strong enough for the escape, even though she didn’t approve of my plan.
I declined. I wasn’t really hungry, and I didn’t like lying to her. Even though it wasn’t technically a lie, I just wanted my freedom and hoped I could achieve it. I thanked her before she left, and it wasn’t just for the food she provided, but for all the care and attention she had given me while I stayed in this house.
That afternoon, I mentally mapped out the route I’d traveled since entering through the gates of the compound.
Navigating the inside of the mansion would be easier. With all the lights on, I knew exactly where I had been. I slightly regretted not going down for lunch. Maybe I could’ve spied something outside? But since I didn’t, there was no point in dwelling on it.
My only concern was the outside area. It was a long way to the gates, and in the darkness, I hadn’t paid much attention. Inside would be tricky because of all the people moving around, but I’d find a way.
During my time at the window, I noticed there were always armed men walking through the gardens. I’d have to figure out how to avoid them, but I was confident.
So, when the darkness of night took over the sky, I knew the moment had come. I could be mistaken for an intruder and shot by one of the guards, but I trusted that my small frame would help me slip through the bushes and columns and aid in my escape.
With my heart pounding in my chest, I slowly opened the bedroom door. I knew it wasn’t locked because every time ngela had entered, I hadn’t heard the sound of keys, not even when the demon had been here.
I tiptoed to the top of the stairs. I considered taking off my shoes to make less noise, but I decided against it. I wouldn’t have time to put them back on once I was outside.
Carefully, I surveyed the lower floor—at least the parts I could see. Step by step, I started descending the stairs.
Sneaking around the edges, knowing exactly which path to take, I soon found myself at the large door that separated me from the garden.
For a moment, I hesitated. I knew that if I managed to get out, I would gain my freedom. But it was also likely that I would never see the angel/demon who both saved and imprisoned me again. And as much as I wanted to deny it, that thought bothered me.
What would it be like to never look into those crystal-clear, impenetrable blue eyes again? What would it feel like to no longer have my heart race, both from fear and excitement, whenever he was near me?