Matteo's Eyes

Chapter 8

My idea failed. I've been pulling pranks all week. They still haven't gotten sick of me and thrown me out. I don't know what they told my parents but they haven't come looking for me yet. Or they hid me really well.

"Ivory. I'm coming in now." It's not a question. They just tell me. "You need to get ready for school." It's my grandma that walks in.

"You're sending me to school?" Please they are making it too easy to escape.

"Yes but don't worry we put a tracker on you and a microphone and we have multiple men all over watching you. Oh plus a camera so we can see what you see."

Shit. "Oh, ok."

I wait till she leaves to get ready. I purposely go slow to make us late and I succeed.

When I walk in Matteo is waiting for me.

"Where the hell were you?" He yells at me angrily.

"Hey calm down man she was with me." I roll my eyes knowing anything Linus says will only make things worse.

"I wasn't talking to you." Matteo looks back at me. I try to give him a look that says help me without making it obvious.

"I was with Linus. It got late so he let me stay the night." I say with a small smile.

Linus wraps his arm around my shoulder. "We are late for class. We should get going Ivory."

"Yeah, we should. Bye Matteo." Please don't leave me. Stop him. Punch him. Do something! I want to scream but I know the moment I do the men that are watching will shoot me or Matteo.

***

School goes by as usual. Alina questions me on why I am dating him and I just tell her I had a change of heart.

"Linus my parents and siblings will get suspicious if I don't go home tonight." I need to figure out a plan to find a way out of this.

"Yes, you can go home with your brother after school." I didn't even ask but he still acted like I did.

"Thank you." I almost genuinely mean it except for the fact that I normally would be allowed to go home with my brother if I wasn't kidnapped.

I walk over and get into the back seat of Matteo's car. I sit down and try to find the microphone on me. I pay down my sleeves, my shoes, everything. I can't find it. It's probably in my damn phone. But what if it's not? I don't want to risk it.

Matteo and Shay get into the car shortly after me.

"Ivory," Matteo says glaring at me.

"Are you actually dating that guy? Do you really like him?" Shay immediately asks me.

"Yes, I realized he's not as bad as I thought," I say quietly. One look at Shay's face and this whole situation hurts so much more than before. He looks sad for a second then it turns to anger. My entire family will be mad at me but Shays hurts the most. I want to say sorry but I know that will break my cover. Please forgive me. I am just trying to save you guys.

"You're an idiot. Linus is a douche and he has a shit name." I am not disagreeing.

I don't respond. I just stare out the window until we get home thinking of what to tell Mom and Dad.

I walk in behind Matteo. We dropped Shay off at his house one the way home. I keep my head down as I walk up the steps to my room.

"Ivory, come here," Mom says from behind me.

"Yes, Mom?" I try to act indifferent.

"Do you want help packing for your vacation with Linus?" Vacation?

"Oh yes please." I go with it assuming Marcello and my grandma convinced my parents to let me go on a vacation with Linus.

"You never told me about a kid named Linus. Is he cute?" Mom asks me.

"Mom it's not about looks." Even when I am fake dating him I can't bring myself to say he's cute.

"His parents Linda and Carl seem nice. What did you think of them?" Linda and Carl? Real basic.

"They are very sweet and welcoming." I lie.

Mom keeps talking to me about the vacation and Linus and I keep lying. Eventually, we have everything packed for a week-long trip.

"Thank you, Mom." I hug my mom for what might be one of the last times. I have no idea what Marcello and my grandmother are going to do to me.

"Of course Ivory. Your dad is in a business meeting so I will tell him you said bye." Mom says.

"Can I write him a little goodbye note?"

"Um sure," Mom says questionably.

I try to think quickly. The camera they have on me is watching so I can't just write help.

Dear Dad,
How exciting. Even though we just started dating we get to go on a vacation together. Let me tell you how happy I am that you and mom are letting me go! Pretty ocean views and warm weather. Miss you already. Everyone have fun while I'm gone!
-Ivory

I hope they see the message. I hand my note to Mom and walk to my room for my luggage. I walk outside to the car waiting for me when I see Shay.

"Hey, Shay." I smile at him hoping he isn't still mad.

"Ivory." He barely glances at me.

"I'm leaving for vacation with Linus. Dad was in a business meeting so I left him a note although everyone can read it. It's just a little goodbye." Please read it. If anyone will figure out my message it's you.

"Vacation? Don't you think you guys are moving fast? Are you sure you even really like him?" Yup. He's still mad.

"Yeah, it's a little fast but I... like him." I didn't think it would be this hard to lie to Shay. I had to force the words out.

"I thought you were better than this Ivy. I hope you realize how much a douche he is." Shay rolls his beautiful grey eyes and continues to walk inside.

"Don't forget about the note!" I sigh giving up hope. I get into the car. "Where am I actually going?"

"We don't have permission to tell you. We are two minutes behind."

I roll my eyes and stare out the window. I hope someone gets my message for help.