One Last Hope

Chapter 5

⭐"Everyone has gone through something that changed them in a way that they could never go back to the person they once were"⭐
___

Nicolae: "Get out of here right now!"

Nicolae seems really angry! Me who had only seen his warm and welcoming side, I'm impressed!
I hold back a sudden urge to cry that threatens to overwhelm me. These people are crazy! All I want is to get out of here!
I fold my arms across my chest as if to protect myself. My gaze swings frantically from Drogo to Nicolae, then from Nicolae to Drogo.
Drogo hesitates, unwilling to obey his brother so easily. Once again he adopts the exaggerated attitude I saw when I arrived. Nicolae loses patience...

Nicolae: "Drogo, I told you to get out!"

Drogo: "And since when do you give orders...?"

His tone is icy, menacing. The two men gauge each other.

Nicolae: "Since Father is away, now get out!"

Drogo finally leaves the room, under the watchful eye of his brother who follows him.
I sigh, a sob escapes me. I had been warmed by the fire in the chimney, but now I found myself trembling with all my being.
It's as if a whole bunch of contradictory emotions had mingled in the seconds when Drogo was leaning over me... What happened to me?
I try to hear what Nicolae is saying in the corridor, but I don't catch much. He closed the door as he went out.
I can make out shouting as Nicolae raises the tone of his voice.

Nicolae: "Never again... Have you lost your mind?... Bizarre..."

Well that hasn't got me anywhere!

Never mind that, It's out of the question that I stay another minute in this house!
I quickly pack my books and CDs in my suitcase! Yes, the ones I'd just sorted out!
But I give up quickly and sink to the ground. I have no more energy, I start trembling again. I'm too nervous to concentrate on anything.
I have to get a hold of myself! I don't have to stay here! This family clearly needs a good psychoanalyst!
However, there's nothing I can do, I burst into tears! Knowing that I'm defenceless as far as he's concerned makes me really angry.
I try to contain my sobs, in vain.
I lay my forehead on my knees and bring my legs up to my chest...

Someone knocks softly at the door and I hear someone come in, without waiting for an answer. With my head in my hands, I don't know who it is.
I stiffen all my senses alert. What if Drogo had disobeyed his brother's orders? If he tried to hurt me again?
I'm not sure I'm ready for a second round. I can feel someone sitting down beside me. A hand touches my shoulder.
I finally raise my head and look into Nicolae's benevolent face. He lets out a sigh.

Nicolae: "I'm really sorry for what happened, I never thought Drogo would behave like that. Everything that happens under this roof is my concern. I should have known he wouldn't be able to control himself. He's too fond of inspiring fear in others. He sometimes forgets that we are not all his enemies."

I wipe my cheeks on the sleeves of my T-shirt. I don't really feel like listening to his explanations.
I let a wicked smile crack my lips.
When the opportunity for this job came up, I thought it was finally an opportunity to make a fresh start.
Until I came across Drogo, everything was going smoothly. I wanted this new life at Mystery Spell!
But apparently, a simple and quiet life is not for me.

Nora: "I don't know what's wrong with your brother Nicolae... But I'll take my things and leave. I don't feel safe here."

Nicolae sits beside me but doesn't say a word. He just listens to me.
Without Drogo, everything could have been perfect...