Saving Her

Chapter 3: Have I Finally Gone Crazy?

Eight Years Later

Audriella's POV:

I still think about Zayn. I still think about our last conversation. Why did he seem so happy, just to turn around and leave? I turn eighteen in two weeks. It's been eight years since I saw, or even spoke to Zayn last. It's like he dropped off the face of the earth and I'm the only person who remembers he existed.

Luckily Leo has stayed in contact, although he tells me every time he sees me that he's not supposed to see me. He also won't tell me anything about Zayn. So really we just hang out and catch up from the last time we saw each other. He doesn't show up every day or anything, more like once a week. But even he hasn't been coming around these last few weeks.

I crawl out of bed, grabbing a pair of sweatpants and a tank top as well as a few extra hair elastics. I have training today. Elio, my trainer, informed me that today is going to be a double session. Pa says it's good to be able to defend myself against anything, but I mean, when am I ever going to need to fight someone? Especially with a gun?

I'm getting a degree in business, to help within my father's company. I'm not working to become a police officer or a bodyguard. I may also go into medicine after I finish.

Still, I get dressed and head out into the hall. Walking past Pa's closed office door, showing he's in a meeting, and down the stairs to see Maycie in the kitchen. "Hey, Maycie!" I chirp, grabbing water and sitting at the counter next to her.

"Hello, Miss. Audriella. Good morning, I see you have training today." She responds simply, looking at my outfit. Maycie has aged quite a bit. She used to look so young, but now she's old and grey hairs are flying out of her scalp. Her age also shows on her face; lines form around her eyes and mouth. She has been working for my father for as long as I can remember. But over these past eight years, it's like time sped up. She hands me an apple and my bag with extra water, and a few granola bars in it.

"Yeah, Elio is planning on killing me today. A double session. Apparently, he wants to go over some more fighting techniques that he thinks I'd be good at." I say with a chuckle taking my things from her, and biting into the apple.

"Well, I think it's wonderful that you are learning all these new things, Miss. Audriella!" She continues: "You never know who someone is until the truth comes to light, often too late to see it coming." She smiles softly. "Elio is a fantastic trainer. I'm sure you are learning so much from him." She smiles.

I just smile back at her and finish my apple before heading out to the field to meet Elio. Quickly gave him a hug and said hello.

"Audrey, you're late. What should we do about that now? Two extra laps?" He scolds, shaking his head of black hair. He chuckles and takes my bag before setting it under the tree. He's the same age as me, only a few months older. He's taller than me, but not by much, an inch or two at most. He has brown eyes and dark ebony skin.

"I was speaking to Mace, Elio. You know I can't just not talk to my favorite member of my father's staff." I wink at him before re-lacing my shoes and beginning to stretch.

"Oh, I see, I am the low man on the totem pole now. After everything we've done, suddenly I'm dirt" He laughs, "Alright, let's start with ten laps, and then we'll get right into knife throwing, then some sparring, and we'll end down at the shooting range." He spoke stretching his legs out. "And then we'll head back up here and go over the new fighting techniques. I think you'll actually enjoy these ones."

"Alright, Elio, let's just get started, I want to get done somewhat early before heading back to shower and spending the day in bed." I chuckle, starting my first lap, Elio starting behind before catching up and passing me. I stay steady, allowing him to push ahead, chuckling at his demeanor when he laughs at me falling behind; I'd never admit it to anyone, but training really was my favorite part of the week.