I look at him and say
"Why did you save me exactly?"
He looks up at me and stands up. His tall muscular frame overshadows mine as he quietly whispers
"The first time I met you, you were drowning, abandoned by the people who were supposed to protect...
I wake up in Xerxes' bed to see that he isn't here. He was very kind to let me sleep here, I have been having an uneasy feeling that someone was watching me lately and he is the only one who makes me feel safe. My thoughts are quickly interrupted by Xerxes walking out of the bathroom half dressed and still soaking wet. He looks at me and says "Good morning. How did you sleep?" I look at him and smile as I say "Very well thank you. How about you?" He nods and says "You should go take a shower, imma book us a flight for Rome while you do"
I nod and get up, though I probably should have done it slower because I got a bit dizzy and bumped into Xerxes. He grabs me and looks at me worried. His eyes look intensely in mine as I feel energy going through me as always. He whispers "Are you ok?" I nod and say "Got up to quickly" He nods and let's me go as I take one last look at him before I go shower. Once I enter the bathroom, I undress myself and leave my clothes on the marble and hanger. It's almost as if everything in this house is made of precious stones. I hop in the shower and start to bathe myself, however my mind has other plans as it drifts in the past.
Past:
"Yay I won" I was running down the hill with my friends while holding the ball made of twigs and strings. My village, situated in Senegal, is very isolated from modern society, we still obey the ways of the ancestors while some of our brothers and sisters have falling away, but that's ok because as long as this village and other villages exist, our traditions while live on, and through them, so will our ancestors. We stop running as I jump up and down in victory. Niama, my friend says "It's not fair! You always win!" I smirk and say "It's because I'm faster" She laughs with me as Tombu, a boy who is another one of my friends in our village runs towards us. "You are both too fast" We laugh and I say "If you would eat less Yam, you would be equally as fast" We keep laughing as he gets posed and yells "Its very tasty! Besides...." He looks down shamefully and says "I don't eat them that much" We keep laughing but I quickly state "Don't worry Tombu, we were joking besides, I think you are very handsome!" He blushes and Niama takes the ball from me and says "Ready for round two?" I smile and Tombu and I run after her, laughing.
How simple life was back then! My mother and father were still alive, I had my friends and my village. Now, I am all alone and the only person I have is Xerxes, that is, if he doesn't decide to betray me. He had been very kind so far but I can't allow myself to trust anyone fully. Humanity betrays and lies, and he is human. Advanced human but a human nonetheless. I finish taking my shower and step out of the bathroom. I look around to see that Xerxes isn't in the bedroom anymore but instead has left a few clothes for me on the bed with lotion. How thoughtful of him! I get ready and wear the simple green dress on the bed.
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I step outside of the bedroom and head towards the dinning room which looks magnificent as always. I find Xerxes sitting on the couch wearing a suit and on the phone with someone.
"So the flight has been set? Good. Yes we will be booking at the hotel. See you then." He hands up and looks at me with a smile on his face. He says "You look stunning, as always" He gets up and walks towards me. He holds my two arms as he looks into my eyes. I can't help but feel guilt build up in me. I say "I'm really sorry, Xerxes" He looks at me worriedly and says "Why?" I say "I put you in this mess, if it hadn't been for me, you wouldn't be stuck in this situation" He smiles and holds me closer. He says softly "This isn't your fault, you didn't choose this"
He sighs and looks down into my eyes, for he does hold a pretty big height difference then me. He says "It was within our destinies to meet, and even I cannot lie about the connection we have. Our souls are bound to one another, I feel the need to protect you like I feel the need to breath air, so don't ever feel sorry when I do just that." I smile as he plants a soft kiss on my forehead. I nod and say "Thank you, Xerxes. I don't know how I will ever pay you back" He smiles and says "Let's go"
We walk outside of the mansion and see a boat waiting for us with the driver in it. We get in and sit on the border in the front of the book right next to the driver as the boat eventually leaves the island to head towards the city. As the boat drives, Xerxes hands me a passport and an ID. He says "You are one of the most wanted people in this country, it's too risky to use your real name. I had a passport and ID made for you, from now on, your name is Hanna Smith. You are an orphan...." I laugh and say "Well that much is true" He chuckles and continues "I am your adoptive father, it will be easier that way. Normally I would go for husband and wife but it would be illegal and less to problems." I nod and say "Got it. I'll remember all that" He nods and the boat arrives in the city. The boat drops us off and Xerxes pays the boat driver. Xerxes holds my hand and we walk through the crowd which is busy at this time of day with vendors, Xerxes says "Lower your head" I obey without question and then realize why he said that as we pass by a few officers inspecting the crowd. I would guess they are looking for me. Thankfully, the don't see us and we end up picking up a taxi. We enter the taxi and the taxi man gasps. He recognized me. Xerxes looks at him menacingly and says "Drive to the airport, immediately" The driver gulps but obeys. We drive to the airport and pay the taxi quickly. Xerxes says "We need to hurry, he is going to tell on us." I tell him "Why?" He says "They put a reward on your head and if they figure out I exist, they will put one on mine too" I nod and we quickly walk in the airport. Xerxes carries the small handbag holding our identification and the ancient artifact given to us by David. We go to check in our flight. The lady says "Good afternoon. Passport please." Xerxes gives her the passport and she scans it as we start to see officers outside the airport identifying everyone in their path. Xerxes looks at her and says "Miss we are in a hurry" She looks at him and smiles shyly. She gives us the airport and the flight tickets. She says "Have a nice flight" He nods and takes the documents. We head to the airport security and an airport officer says "Put your luggage on the scanner alongside any metal." We obey and they scan us from head to toe. We hear screaming the check in hall as officers scan everyone by force. We finish our scanning and go to our airport flight. Thankfully, our flight is just about to depart so we don't have to wait in the airport. We get in and take our seats at the back of the flight. And I see my captor among the officers, our eyes lock and his eyes widen. I grin and blow him a kiss as he screams hysterically. I laugh as the flight departs.
