A light in the darkness

Chapter 9

Maria walked out of the bathroom. "Here." she said and held a tube of foundation for Anna to take.

It was the next morning. Or they guessed it was morning. The same guard who had brought them there had woken them up, brought them breakfast, and told them to be ready to leave in an hour.

Anna had taken a shower, while Maria had changed the bandage on her head. Anna changed into another black hoodie and the same black jeans and Maria had put on a white button-up shirt and blue skinny jeans. She was amazed at how many clothes Anna had managed to pack in that small bag for both of them by using methods of packing she had learned from the internet.

Maria had three shirts, two black and one white, two t-shirts and three pairs of jeans and underwear.

"Keep it." answered Anna and gently pushed Maria's hand back while looking at her now make-up-covered cheek. "You need it more."

Just then they heard a knock and the next second, the door opened and Ben walked in, nodding for the girls. "Follow me, you are leaving." he said to Anna as the girls mumbled good mornings and followed him out.

"Where will she stay?" asked Maria as they walked.

"In the King mansion." answered Ben, trying to not stare at Maria. She looked much better than yesterday. There were still dark bags under her eyes and she looked pale and tired, but by covering the bruises on her cheek she looked healthier. Her hair now clean and brushed was bouncing up and down freely with each step. She simply looked breathtaking even looking like that.

"What?" asked Maria confused not believing her ears, while Anna just looked shocked. 

"It's the safest place in the State." said Ben and finally looked at Maria and raised an eyebrow. "Or maybe you have somewhere else in mind, my lady?"

"I'm just ..." gulped Maria and glanced at Anna who was trying to look tough and unbothered, but Maria knew she was scared. She gently touched Ben's arm and he stiffed and stopped. "Is she going to be safe there? I mean, her sister tried to kidnap the children of the family." she asked and stared at Ben's eyes, trying to find some comfort in those green seas.

"Don't worry." he said, resisting the urge to tuck a strand of hair that had fallen on her face behind her ear. "No one's going to hurt her. You can trust Mason's words. She will be safe."

Maria nodded and they began to walk again, and soon they walked out of the front doors. A car was waiting there with two men standing next to it. Both nodded at Ben when they saw him. One of them opened the backseat door and looked at Anna expectantly.

Maria stared at Anna and smiled nervously. Both of them were breathing hard. It was the first time they were going to stay away from each other. Maria put both of her hands on Anna's shoulders and kissed her forehead and pulled her into a tight hug. "It's only for a short time. I promise." she said and felt Anna nodding in her embrace and sniffling.

She pulled away still keeping Anna at arm's length. "I will call you as much as I can. I think I can do it, right?" she directed the last part at Ben, looking for permission.

"You can." he nodded and Maria smiled at him gratefully before kissing Anna on the forehead one more time and guiding her to the car. She stood there, watching the car going away as a few tears escaped her eyes. 

"She will be safe. I promise." She wiped her tears once she heard Ben's soft voice behind her. 

She turned and nodded. "I trust you." she said and she could swear she saw a small smile on his lips for a fraction of a second and her breath hitched in her throat. He looked handsome in his black slacks and white dress shirt with rolled-up sleeves. His arms were crossed, making the muscles in his arms bulge, showing how muscular he was other than being much taller than her.