Kidnapped: Welcome 'home'

Chapter 28: New Me

The next day, I woke up early, performed ablution in the bathroom with half-open eyes and prayed to Allah the Fajr prayer; I then made dua to Him, asking for guidance, ease and safety in what's to come in my life; then read some of the Holy Qur'an for a while. Once I was finished, I got changed into some comfortable clothes and wrapped a loose hijab around my head.

I left the bathroom and entered the kitchen to make something to have for breakfast. When breakfast was ready, I took it with me to the balcony of my room. Looking out to the city, I had my breakfast whilst deep in thought.

All the tears seemed to have dried out ever since I found out the truth. That's good, I guess: if I'm going to be part of the mafia, there isn't any space for being emotional, I'd just have to be more logical. Think quick and move on at times of crisis. Stay alert at all times, especially whenever things are going smoothly.

I'd be the main target for them to kidnap and abuse in order to get to David. That would result in plenty of suffering for me that I don't want to experience. I don't know much about the mafia, but I guess I'll be learning more about it, and soon, if I am to stay safe. I should also stick with the group. No wonder why David always sent either Steve or King out with me. In fact, no wonder why a bodyguard had to accompany either one of us at all times.

From now on, I won't be the same.

Having just about managed to force my breakfast down my throat, I got up and took the finally-empty dishes and cutlery from the balcony table back to the kitchen, setting a one hour timer on my phone.

Silently, I washed the dishes and put them away. Then, I dropped into the couch, switched on the TV and flicked through the channels. Uninterested in whatever was available, I switched on Netflix and flicked through what it had to offer. Still, I couldn't decide on anything to watch due to my lack of interest. The sun rays peeking through the window caught my attention.

I rushed up to my room, grabbed the novel I bought at the airport and rushed outside, into the garden. Settled in the swinging bench, I watched the sun shyly peek over the horizon. Once it had made its full appearance and was proudly climbing up the big blue stage after stowing away its colourful canvas, I began reading my book.

Today marked a new day with a new me.

~ ~ ~

"There you are!" someone screamed behind me, making me jump slightly.

"What happened? What's wrong?" I asked, worried as to what happened.

"I found her." Pierre yelled behind him, "Mademoiselle, we got worried, you gave us quite a scare." he turned to me.

"What happened?" I repeated, this time, really confused.

"We thought you made a run for it." he explained.

I chuckled, "No, I was here all along."

"And I was in bed." complained King, trudging towards us in his pyjamas.

"Well, you can go back to it now." I stated simply.

"Now I know what time it is, I might as well stay awake." he whined.

"Your alarm woke me up!" Steve protested angrily, waving a phone in his fist.

"Sorry." I apologised.

"Now we know everything's alright, we can go back to sleep." yawned a sleepy David.

I laughed at the sight of them in their pyjamas and wondered aloud "Do you all usually sleep in?".

"No, but it looks like everyone's decided to sleep in today." Steve muttered. He handed the phone to me and I threw it next to me on the rocking couch and adjusted my position. It was then that I noticed the guns in their hands.