SECRETS

CHAPTER 2

I awoke to the gentle rays of the sun, their delicate glow filtering through the tinted windows. It astonished me that I had managed to drift into sleep amidst such discomfort. Glancing at the clock monitor positioned at the front, I observed the digits read 6.57 AM. Regrettably, I hadn't even had the opportunity to steal a glimpse through the window, to catch a fleeting glimpse of our intended destination. My gaze fixated on an empty space, my mind lost in a trance of profound silence. This was not what I had envisioned for my life. This was not the interpretation dad  had intended when he spoke of a 'better life.'

I snapped out of the trance when i felt the car come to a stop. It almost looked like we had pulled up in a driveway in the middle of nowhere. It took me time to realise it was an airplane hanger. The two doors on either side were opened and both the men walked out. 'What's happening?' I was confused. 'Step out of the car,miss.' one of the men practically ordered. The sun shone so brightly in my face that i had to squint my eyes for protection.

Ofcourse, there were more men. I walked a bit staggeringly. My legs were kinda stiff from that 5 hour ride. We walked a tad bit further. I thought i was getting one of those light illusions..but no. We were standing in front of a private plane. The boarding door was opened and the stairs let out. I glanced over to Marcelo who was now holding a briefcase. He walked up the stairs and took a look at me,signalling for me to go up too.

That was crazy..and it needed a couple of seconds to process. I was hitching a plane to God knows what part of the world. Could my life get any better?

Its not like i had an option. My whole life i've never had an option. I'm told when to wake up,when to sleep,where to go,when to go. Who knows, next i'll be told how and when i should breathe.

   Atleast the plane had some breathing atmosphere. I didnt see any more men get it in the plane. It was just Marcelo and I,well the pilot too.
Marcelo's worked for the family for ever. I've known him since i could talk. He was the family bodyguard. He took my siblings and I out for weekend walks,bought me my first dog. Something my parents should've done. He's more than that now,and not on the good aspect. He's something or part of something i dont want to know of.

   I've had the most absent parents. My dad's into politics like crazy. I thought his absence was going to reduce when he decided to step off being mayor when i was a kid,until he announced he was going to run for senator. My mom? I practically dont know her anymore. Its pathetic how i cant even look her in the eyes and call her mom. She's unrecognizable. I cant count the number of times she's been in and out of rehab.

'Would you like something to eat?' Marcelo said snapping me out of my thoughts as he returned with a plate of scrambled eggs and toast. 'No, not really' The last thing on my mind was food even if i had to admit that i'd been starving.

'You need to eat something. Its quite a long flight' he insisted. 'Where are we going? I atleast deserve to know that.'
'You'll know when we get there.' He replied sternly.

'Oh c'mon. Who am i going to tell in the air? I have nothing with me,no phone,no clothes, and for Christ's sake.. i'm in pajamas and slippers' I was starting to get frustrated. 'Besides, i'll find out anyway. Unless what? You gonna shove me in a transport container and ship me off on the pacific?'

'I understand your frustrations Miss. There's nothing i can do'
'Well you can start by telling me where i'm being taken.'

'I'll be more than glad to tell you...when we get there'he replied with a cynical smile.

~~~~~
I took a nap,woke up,took a nap again, watched lord of the rings, took a nap again. Marcelo wasnt joking when he said the flight was going to be long.

'Put on your seatbelts. Preparing for landing in 10 minutes.' I heard the words on the monitor and strapped my belt back in.

It was night time already. The plane landed in a place similar to where it had taken off from. I could see something kinda like street lights, very distant but equally bright.

I was actually surprised by the fact that there was no one in the hanger when we got off the plane. Just another black SUV.  Marcelo got in the driver's seat and i in the back.

'There's a pair of fresh clothes and shoes over there. You may change once we reach our destination' he said without looking back.
I muttered a small thanks and returned to staring out the window. Trees where scarce in the area and the road had almost no cars. I glanced back to Marcelo in the drivers seat. And then it hit me. He were driving on the left side of the road. I instantly started thinking of the possible countries we could be in. NewZealand,India,South Africa, Malaysia,England? The list was starting to seem endless.

I closed my eyes and the next time i opened them, i was being woken up. I followed Marcelo into a house..well more like a mansion. He led me up to one of the rooms. I could finally take a bath! Not to mention change from the pajamas.

~~~
I opened the curtains and met a beautiful view of the tower bridge. I could tell this view from anywhere. We were in London.