Kyle is right. If I'm going to get my Flower out in one piece, I'm going to need backup. Mack is just the guy to put together a covert mission.
I hold out my hand for the phone. "No. Let me call him."
23
Vanessa
"I gave you a sponge bath when you were sleeping. All fresh and clean now," Esther says, smiling like she's my best friend.
You aren't fooling me. You're the devil. You work for him.
Stay calm. Esther said if I stayed calm, she would let me out.
When?
Four days I've been good. I've not screamed or cried.
How long have I been here?
"Thank you, Esther. That's very kind of you," I force myself to say.
There's a knock on the door. A woman with dark hair pulled into a tight bun on the top of her head enters the room.
Who is that?
I'm about to ask when Carlos steps into the room behind her. My pulse races, and against my will, a tear falls down my cheek.
"Esther, you're relieved of your duties," Carlos barks.
Esther's eyes widen. "Sir?"
"It's been almost a month. You've not helped Vanessa progress. You will resume your normal work schedule."
"Y-yes, sir. Sorry, sir. I tried to—"
"Out, now," he barks, and my chest tightens as I try to breathe.
Esther scurries out of the bedroom.
The woman comes closer to me, and her heels click on the wood floor. Her eyes are dark and cold, and a new chill surfaces inside me.
She scans my body then turns to Carlos. "The straitjacket needs to be removed."
"She was out of control."
"She isn't now, is she?"
"No. But she is not acting rationally since she got back."
She raises her eyebrows at me. "Are you going to act irrationally?"
"N-no."
"Are you going to hurt yourself or others?"
"No."
"Do you want privileges?"
I nod as tears fall fast.
She sits down and strokes my hair. "Are you ready to start coming back to society?"
"Please," I whisper.
Carlos comes closer, and I sob in fear. He scowls. "See that? She can't—"
"Leave the room."
"Excuse me?"
"You want her to get better in time for the wedding?"
The wedding? Oh God. No. No, no, no!
"Of course."
"Make the statement to the press. Tell the wedding coordinator to put everything in motion. I will have her ready by then."
Why is she telling him this?
I want to scream no, but I can't get any air in my lungs.
"Arja, you better not make a fool of me."
"She will be ready," she sternly says then smiles at me. "You want your freedom, right?"
Freedom. There is nothing of the sort with Carlos.
I want my freedom with Hunter.
Is he even alive?
The grief I've felt since I last saw him swells, and my tears become so thick I can't see.
"Answer me," she sweetly says, but there's evil in her voice.
"Yes," I manage to get out.
"Good. Ten days and you can take her to dinner. One month she'll be ready for the nuptials."
"If you're—"
"Let me do my job. Go." She points to the door.
I've never heard any woman talk to Carlos like that.
How does she get away with it?
Carlos leans and kisses my cheek then whispers, "It's time to come back to me."
I close my eyes and wait until I hear the door shut and feel the woman unwrapping my legs.
"Knees up."
I bend my knees, and she continues to de-mummify me.
Is this happening?
Yes, this is real.
Don't get too excited.
"Your name is Arja?"
"Yes. I think it's best if we laid some ground rules."
"Rules?"
She smirks. "You can either step into your role or be committed to an institution for the rest of your life. It's up to you."
"Committed...no. Please, don't do that to me," I beg.
"Lift your hips."
I obey, and she continues freeing me from the white cloth.
"It's not me who will do it. But the choice is yours. Sit up."
I sit straight, and she finishes. I slowly move my arms and feel like I can breathe for the first time in a month.
"There. That's better."
"Thank you," I quietly tell her.
"Now, I prefer to work with adults who are ready to move forward in their life. Are you ready to do that?"
I focus on twisting my fingers. I'm falling into a trap no matter how I answer that.
"Should we go sit on the balcony and get some fresh air?"
She's going to let me go outside?
"Please." It comes out desperate.
She opens the French doors to the balcony, and the air hits my skin, feeling like heaven.
I step out, and my eyes immediately focus on the jungle, and I remember the conversation I had with Hunter.
I used to sit on the balcony and look out into the jungle, wondering if anyone could see me and help me. But no one could, I told him.
I would, Flower. Every day and night, I would watch you, planning the perfect time to execute my mission. You might not see me, but I would be there, watching you. His voice is clear, and it chokes me up.
Is he alive?
Is he out there watching me?
Arja thinks I'm overwhelmed by my taste of freedom.
"Ah, yes. It's nice to have privileges, isn't it?"
I stare at the lush greenery and nod, praying to see Hunter, but there are no signs. It's just the same as it's always been.
"In ten days, you will attend a dinner party with Carlos. You will not disappoint him, nor me. Do you understand?"
I turn to her. "No. I... I'm not ready to go out."
"Not today. But in ten days you will. If you do not act appropriately, you will be back in the straitjacket and be sent immediately to the asylum. Do you understand?"
My knuckles turn white from how hard I'm clenching my fists.
I should end it now.
I could jump.
I would come rescue you... I would save you, and he would be dead. Hunter's deep voice once again both soothes me and pains me.
I look up. "How do I have to act?"
She tilts her head, and her eyes become slits. "I don't need to waste my time on that. You know what is expected. You've done it before."
I've done it before.
She rises. "Take a shower. Fix yourself up. Get used to being the lady Carlos deserves. Lunch and dinner will be served here on the balcony or inside. Tomorrow we will discuss leaving the bedroom."
"You're leaving?" I don't know why I ask her. I don't like her, but she freed me, so she's better than Esther.
Don't fall for that. She's on Carlos's payroll.
"Do you know what my job is, Vanessa?"
I shake my head. "No."
She puts a lock of my hair between her fingers, rubs them together, then drops it. "I'm the top therapist in Belize. Do you know how I got to the top?"