Forbidden Attraction

4. Departure

Amelia's POV:

As the night crept in, I sat on the edge of my bed, surrounded by a chaotic array of clothes, toiletries, and essentials I had hastily thrown together. Each item I packed felt heavier than the last, and an overwhelming sense of dread settled in my chest. I felt horrible knowing I had to leave my home, the place where I had always felt safe and secure.

I couldn't bring myself to do my usual skincare routine. Instead, I sat in the dim light of my room, staring at the suitcase that held my future. It felt surreal that tomorrow I would be stepping into a world of secrets and danger, leaving behind everything I loved.

In that moment, I turned my heart to God. I knelt beside my bed, my palms pressed together, and I began to pray. I prayed for my parents, that they would be safe and protected while I was away. I prayed for strength, for guidance, and for the wisdom to navigate the challenges that lay ahead. I poured my heart out, my voice trembling as I whispered my fears and hopes into the stillness of the night.

Tears streamed down my cheeks, unbidden and relentless. I didn't care about my own safety; all I could think about was how my absence would affect my mom and dad. What if they worried too much? What if something happened to them while I was gone? The thought twisted my heart, and I cried harder, feeling the weight of responsibility settle over me like a thick fog.

I spent the whole night lost in my thoughts, tears soaking the pillow beneath my head as I wrestled with the reality of leaving. Sleep eluded me, and the darkness felt suffocating, echoing the uncertainty that surrounded me. All I could do was pray and hope that God would watch over my family while I ventured into the unknown.

As dawn approached, I finally lay down, exhausted but still awake, the tears slowly subsiding. I clung to the hope that somehow, everything would be alright, that I would find a way to protect the ones I loved, no matter what awaited me in the days to come. 

I could not sleep whole night. God, Please help me through this.

The next morning, I woke up with a severe headache, a dull throb that echoed the turmoil of emotions I had felt the night before. As I rubbed my temples, there was a gentle knock on my door, and I opened it to find my mom standing there, her face a mixture of affection and concern.

"Morning, sweetheart," she said softly, pulling me into a warm embrace. "I wanted to see how you're holding up today."

I forced a smile, trying to mask the heaviness that still lingered in my heart. "I'm fine, Mom," I lied, but the sincerity of her gaze made me feel guilty. She must have noticed the puffiness around my eyes, and I could tell she was worried I had been bawling my eyes out all night. "I just didn't sleep well."

She nodded, her expression softening as she brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. "That's understandable. It's a big day."

As I gathered my suitcase, a couple of men from our household called out to me, urging me to take care and to make them proud. I nodded in acknowledgment, feeling a bittersweet pang in my chest.

When I stepped outside, I was greeted by a scene that nearly brought me to tears. The entire household had gathered to bid me farewell. Many faces I recognized were filled with sadness, and I felt a lump in my throat. They had all watched me grow up, nurtured me, and treated me like family.

"Don't go too far, princess," one of the elderly women said, her voice shaking with emotion. "This house will feel empty without you."

Danny, the chef who had always been like a father to me, stood at the front, his eyes brimming with tears. "You'll come back, right?" he asked, his voice trembling.

"Of course," I promised, my heart breaking at the sight of him so upset. "I'll be back before you know it."

Some of the men tried to lighten the mood with playful flirting and teasing about me leaving, but I shook it off, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on me.

I took a deep breath, my heart heavy as I looked at everyone gathered around, the love and warmth they radiated filling the air. "I love you all!" I called out, waving one last time, my voice cracking with emotion.

With a final glance back, I turned and walked away, my suitcase rolling behind me. As I stepped into the unknown, I carried with me not only their love and support but also the knowledge that I would return, no matter what lay ahead.

As I settled into the backseat of the car, I turned to the driver and asked, "How far is it?"

He glanced at me in the rearview mirror and replied, "It's a long one hour, Miss."

Hearing that, I felt the fatigue from the previous night's sleeplessness wash over me. The heaviness in my eyelids was undeniable, and I decided to close my eyes for a while.

I leaned my head against the window, the gentle hum of the engine lulling me into a state of drowsiness. My mind raced with thoughts of the upcoming days, but the rhythm of the tires rolling on the pavement soon drowned out my worries.

As the world outside blurred into a blend of colors, I allowed myself to drift off, hoping that a short nap would help clear my mind for the challenges ahead.