Hidden Secrets, Hidden Past, Hidden Lives

Chapter Nineteen (Leila)

Leila wanted to scream. She had been locked in her room everyday, and now when she wanted to go anywhere, she had to be escorted by at least one bodyguard.

Why is Erik doing this to me?

She knew the answer, but thought he had gone way too far. Nothing had happened between her and Sam...well...except for the kiss.

What had come over her? She asked that question all the time. She thought all she was going to do was give him a hug...as a thank you. The kiss...just...happened.

Maybe I was already in love with Sam.

She hoped Erik didn't know. She never wanted him to find out.

Leila paced the room to cool down. She hadn't been able to see Brian or Sam for the last few days. She thought she would go crazy. She just had to see Sam. She saw him everywhere. She even saw him in her dreams.

The thought of her family popped up in her mind. Did her brothers die in battle? Was her father alright? Would they be at her wedding? After the wedding, would she ever get to see them again? Leila prayed constantly, hoping everything would turn out alright in the end.

She sat on her bed and looked at her room. Nothing had changed much since she first arrived. Ever since Erik became jealous of Sam, there was a lot more 'womanly' things in her room. There were so many colors of fabric and thread; it seemed to take over the room. What angered her more than anything else was that Erik took away most of her books, many of them had been among her favorites. He didn't know that though. He knew she read, but never liked to discuss it much.

Leila took a few breaths before she picked up the embroidery she had started. There had been nothing else to do. She had already read the books that were left too many times to count.

Just a little longer. You can do it. The wedding is coming up soon.

Maybe she would be far away before then. If not, maybe Erik would give her back her books, but more importantly...her freedom.

If there was one thing that she dreamed of, it was her freedom.

She'd had only two roses when she has first arrived here: true love and freedom. Leila knew that she had found true love, even though it was not possible for them to be together. All she needed was her freedom to make her life feel happier and complete...and she she would have never met Sam if it hadn't been for God.