Inamorata

Chapter 3

*SOLANA*

'Why didn't you tell me?' I ask my father standing in front of me.

'I didn't think it was necessary.' He answers.

'You didn't think it was necessary for me to know where my mother is, or at least who?' I feel tears filling up my eyes.

'She abandoned us after you were born, I didn't want you to get hurt.' He explains.

'So you made me believe that Tara is my mom, thinking if I found out, I wouldn't be hurt.' Tears start streaming down my face.

'Tara took care of you, she has been more of a mother to you than the woman who birth you.' I see his eyes filling with tears.

'The only thing Tara did was yell at me and made me feel worthless, she didn't even try.'

'Don't call her Tara, she is your mom.' 

'No she's not, she never gave me love, the only good thing that came out of this, is the fact that she's not my biological mother, I'm going out for a drive, when I'm back, I want the location of my real mother written on paper.' I leave and grab the keys on the kitchen countertop.

***

Tears fall down my face as I drive, it's the middle of the night, thank God everybody is asleep.

I turn the corner and realise I spoke too soon.

I see a outline of a person in the middle of the road.

I honk my horn and roll my window down.

'You are in the middle of the road and bloody, I just wanna pass by, if you won't let me, I will call the police.' I say and wipe my tears away.

He gets out of the way and I roll up my window.

I start to drive past him.

His hair is dark and messy, very cliche considering he's also covered in blood, but right now that's none of my concern.

My eyes meet his dark eyes.

I step on the gas pedal.

I look in the rear view mirror and see him standing there, as if he's still maintaining eye contact.

I don't know of it scares me, intimidates me or makes me kinda wet, maybe even all of the above.

What am I even talking about, I have to go back home, see where my mom is and demand answers.

***

I unlock the front door and step inside.

I walk over to the kitchen counter and see a piece of paper. 

I put the keys on the counter and grab the paper.

"Marlena Antoniou, 

that is your mothers name, I don't know exactly where she is, I tried to contact some family members, they said she's abroad and that they will call when they know more."

Marlena Antoniou..

I pull my phone out of my pocket and search her name up.

Nothing comes up.

I fold the piece of paper and put it in my back pocket.

I walk up the stairs and go through my bedroom door.

I lay on my bed and look at the ceiling.

What would I even say to her?

"It's me your daughter, you left a few months after I was born, I'm 20 now, why did you leave?"

I sigh and feel the tears building up again.

My phone starts to buzz, I grab it and try to decipher what it says through my blurry vision.

"No Caller ID"

Who in the right mind is calling me at this unholy hour, I wipe my tears and pick up.

'Solana speaking.' I answer.

'I heard you found out about me.' A female voice on the other line says.

'Mo-Marlena?' My voice trembles.

'You can call me mom if you want, how are you my daughter?' She asks as if she's been part of my life.'

'How did you find my number? Why are you calling? Why did you leave?' I feel the tears building up again.

'Don't cry, I will explain everything, don't tell your father I called, tomorrow I will send you tickets to come to me, and we will sort everything out.' She assures me.

'Tickets? I cannot just leave, I have school, dad also won't approve and I don-I don't know you.' I try to say without crying.

'It's just for a week, and don't worry about your dad, I'll sort everything out, as far as not knowing me, you will very soon, you just have to trust me, just a little bit.'

'I'm speechless.' I sigh, trying to picture a face that fits the voice, but nothing.

'You don't have to say anything, I understand, try to sleep, everything is going to work out, goodnight my daughter.'

'Goodnight.' I say and I hang up the phone while my hands are shaking.

I feel my heart beating in my throat. I put my phone on my bedside table and hug myself tight with the covers.

She didn't even tell me where I will be going and why did she call me with no caller ID, should I tell dad? She told me not to, but I don't know her. Dad also lied to me for 20 years, but at least I know he wants me to be safe.

This shouldn't be this difficult, I have to see my mom, demand answers, I have the right to know.

I close my eyes and drift off to sleep.

Before I know it my eyes fly open and my dad is in front of me.

'Don't go, if you love me you won't go.' He says.

'But I have to, I have to see her, I need to know, dad.'

'No you don't, you have me and Tara, who cares about Marlena, she left, I had to take care of you when you were a baby, I was 21, do you know how hard that was?'

'I'm sorry, but I can't move on before I get answers.'

'DON'T GOOOO-.'

I woke up sweaty. Even my nightmares are torn between two. 

I look outside and the sun was shining, it's morning. It's Saturday morning. Dad and Tara are out to run their errands, so they won't be back until 2 pm. I hope the tickets come before they arrive.

I get out of bed and go downstairs to the kitchen.

I see a package on the floor in front of the door. A package that fits through the letterbox.

I walk up to it and it reads:

'For Solana'

I grab it and sit on the coach. I open the package. There is a note, a wad of cash with an rubberband that holds it together and a ticket.

I look at the note and start to read it.

"My daughter,

There is 1000 dollars just in case you need anything before coming here. The flight is on Sunday, which for you is tomorrow. Use the money to also get a cab to the airport. When you're here, my chauffeur will pick you up, he will recognise you, so do not worry about that. I have a very important meeting, that's why I can't come, but it will give you time to settle in your room and prepare yourself.

See you soon,

Love, Marlena"