The Path to Love

Chapter 13: New Horizons

Once the twins and I returned to the dining table , I sensed that it was almost time for the Roberto's to leave our home .

"Thank you for giving my sons a tour of your lovely home. Griffin told us how you offered to show them around. " Mr. Roberto said .

I played along by smiling . "It is my pleasure." I did not need to be the root of anyone's suspicion. If I wanted to run away ,I had to show them all what they wanted to see.

"Griffin speaks highly of you." Valencia said. My mind went blank. How does someone respond to a comment about a perverted man who could be a vampire?

Luckily for me ,he kept his filthy hands to himself for the rest of the dinner.

"Oh ,I am deserving of no praise. It is Griffin who does . His warmth and kindness towards me excites me for our future together."

My parents and his bought it . In fact ,they were delighted , certain of my honesty.

Griffin inconspicuously scowled at me from his seat across mine. The twins sat in silence ,their expressions unreadable.

"How wonderful." My father said . He looked between Griffin and I , satisfied while I sat , quietly disgusted.

"I knew that both of you would be well suited for one another." My mother said. " It is only a matter of time before our families become bound forever ."

I choked on my spaghetti and quickly drank a few sips of water.

" Well ,I believe that we have an agreement." Mr. Roberto spoke ,getting up and shaking my fathers hand .

His wife and their sons got up as well, as it was time for them to leave . On our way to the door ,Hugo slipped a note into my hand that I concealed under my dress .

After the Robertos' departure ,I helped Sonia and the maids clean up our dining table and organize the dining hall .

My parents had long returned to their rooms. I will miss Sonia though .

I pulled her aside ,in order to speak to her. " I'm running away." There was no point beating around the bush. She looked at me in astonishment . Before continuing in our conversation, I needed to ensure that nobody else was privy to what I was about to disclose .

We went to my room and I locked the doors . Just to be secure ,we also entered my walk in closet.

"I can no longer live here . It is suffocating . I hate being related to my parents and I won't marry a monster. Oscar is dead and I am alone at school." Seconds later, I burst into tears , crying as I spoke .

Sonia wiped by tears and hugged me comfortingly." I know that we haven't known each other for long but you are the only person I can trust."

She released me from her embrace and I brought out the slip of paper Hugo gave me .

"Where will you go ? I just want you to be safe and happy." She said .

"Tomorrow is the day that I leave. I will check in to a hotel far from here. Mobinville will no longer be a home for me. I will move to a new city, get a job and change my last name." I sighed .

Everyone knew my family name. I would also need a new appearance." I need your help."

So , preparations began. Sonia helped me pack clothes, other essentials and added her contact to my phone. "If you ever need anything ,contact me and I will come to you ." She assured .

Everything was in order. My parents would be asleep by the time I left for good . Sonia advised that I leave before they wake up and I agreed to do so. It was now 9:30 pm and I planned on leaving at 6:30 am .

Hugo's note was simple . It said 'run.' Time was going and my moment of freedom would soon arrive. The plan was doable but not without its challenges .

I needed a ride to the train station. James did not arrive for work till 11 am on Sundays . Regardless ,Sonia and I weren't sure that we could trust him. He was always too obedient towards my parents and rightfully so .

Then at 8:00 am , I had to catch the train to the city of Pedham , located four hours away from Mobinville . Once the first phase of the journey was complete, the next step was to check into a hotel.

Knowing my parents, they would come looking for me. Credit cards can easily be monitored and tracked. I would have to withdraw money from ATM's along the way . Luckily for me ,my parents don't leave their rooms till almost twelve pm on Sundays .

By that time ,I would have withdrawn some money and would have almost reached Pedham. Fortunately, Sonia assured me that a friend of hers would also provide me with a card I can withdraw money from ,if necessary.

Sonia made some calls to people she knew . Some were maids ,other were not . To their knowledge, a pregnant friend of hers needed a ride to her dying Aunt . Sonia embellished the story a lot more ,to seem more desperate.

As she made calls ,there was something I needed to do. I made my way to the kitchen and put two knives in my backpack. One can never be too safe.

After that ,I wept as I played the piano. The more I played Rachmaninoff's Prelude in C sharp minor, the more certain I was of my departure. The minute I step outside of this prison, I will no longer have a home. That is why I wept.

The uncertainty of my own future filled me with great consternation. But there was no time for second thoughts . I had to act fast and abandon the life that I had always known .

I will not miss the wealth, nor the fancy dresses ,parties and least of all ,my parents . For a few moments ,I simply let my hands glide across my piano, feeling it's silky smoothness.

I kissed it for the first and last time before turning off the basement lights forever . Once I returned to my room ,Sonia assured me that a friend of hers had agreed to help .

" Nina is one of my most trustworthy friends . I couldn't lie to her ,so I told her the truth . She promised not to tell a single soul ." She said .

I trusted Sonia's judgement and thanked her for all her help . "I couldn't have done this without you." I weakly smiled . Saying goodbye to people we trust and admire is never easy. It is easier to part ways with enemies.

It was now 10:30 pm. I had less than eight hours to complete the final task. My appearance had to be altered to the point of no recognition.

Sonia hugged me and shed a few tears." Please, do everything you can to stay safe."

We decided that I wouldn't text or call her just in case she is suspected by my parents. I would text Nina instead ,who would in turn, text Sonia in a coded language . For anyone reading the messages, it would seem as though they were discussing what's on the news, the weather, celebrity gossip and other mundane topics .

" Farewell Claire ." I smiled at her . Then she left my room . The clock struck 11 pm . My green eyes were my most striking quality. Thus, I concealed their true color with contacts my mother bought me a year ago . According to her ,I would look better with brown eyes . A year later ,I am thankful for her gift.

My hair was naturally long and luscious. So ,I decided to straighten it and style it into a neck length bob. As I cut my hair ,I watched myself morph into a different identify, one that I was quickly coming to terms with.

I was no longer a McLeighton. I removed all the makeup my mother applied on my face. I did however intend to use makeup to create fake freckles on my face in the morning . This is who I have become . Our identities are so multifaceted and so malleable.

11:30 pm . Seven hours more .