She swings the door open and walks out. I listen to her go, her words replaying over and over again in my head. I know she’s right, but I still won’t cave that easily.
After tomorrow, I’ll be able to eat again. Food is what I need. Fuel. I can’t make a plan on an empty stomach and tired mind. I need rest and energy.
I should do what’s best to survive around here, but Draco knew my father and he wasn’t an enemy. That means he sees something in me. And to me that means I can probably get away with a lot more than anyone else around here can.
He’s familiar to me. I remember seeing him before…a long, long time ago.
But the memory is so dim that not even the sun can bring it to light.
I slouch on the edge of the bed, staring down at my feet.
“It’s day nine here,” I murmur. “And I miss you so much, Toni. If you were alive, I know you would save me. I know you would kill him right in front of me if you had to…and I wouldn’t even think differently of you. After what he’s done to me—what he’s done to you—I would take him down myself.”
Chapter Eleven
Day 10
My alarm clock goes off at 7:15 a.m.
My outfit for the day is already hung up on the wall.
I wearily climb out of bed and go to the bathroom to pee. Afterwards, I start the shower, making sure to really scrub my hair and body.
I didn’t hear the footsteps last night, and I’m glad. Draco didn’t come around all last night, which means those were most likely his footsteps patrolling my bedroom and him peeking in at night.
After taking care of my hygienic needs, I brush my wavy, chocolate hair and then get dressed in an orange and creamy white dress. I slide into the sandals and then walk out of the bedroom.
There is a lot of commotion today.
I hear someone vacuuming one of the rooms. A man and a woman’s voice is shouting in Spanish from downstairs. They both sound angry.
I step down slowly and when I make it to the bottom of the staircase, I look over to see Francesca and the white-haired man standing in the den. She’s pointing a finger, speaking rapidly.
He points towards the door and then points up.
She scoffs and then flips him off. She storms away from him, in my direction, and I collect myself, looking away rapidly, but I’m sure she saw me watching.
I know for sure she did when she says, “Let’s go. We have about one minute.” She continues her walk past me and I follow her.
I glance back at the white-haired man. He’s frowning at us, his arms folded.
“What was that about?” I whisper.
“He’s a fucking asshole.”
“What do you mean? What happened?” I try and keep up with her but she’s a fast walker. Her legs are much longer than mine.
“Draco knows,” she says, and then winces.
“He knows what?”
“That I gave you the food…and water.”
“What?” I gasp. “How?”
“Because Bain told him. That fucker I was just talking to.”
“He saw us?” My voice comes out panicked and rushed.
“No…but one of the maids did and they told him.” She glances over at me, and the look in her eyes isn’t a good one. It’s like she knows something is coming, she’s just not sure how bad it will be.
“Francesca…shit, I’m so sorry.”
“No. I’m sorry,” she retorts. “I knew I shouldn’t have listened to my heart. It always fucks me over in the end.”
“I’ll take the blame.”
“We’re both to blame and he knows it.” She shakes her head and then walks faster to get to the dining hall.
As soon as the door is slung open, she walks right in, even as Draco sits in his chair with his dark glare fixed on us. His elbows rest on the arms of his chair, and I realize as I follow behind Francesca and take my chair that it isn’t her he’s watching.
It’s me.
I glance at the clock. We have less than thirty seconds. At least we made it, but we shouldn’t have cut it this close.
Draco’s silence is deafening. As we sit here, waiting for the food to arrive, I feel suffocated. I’m not sure what to expect either, but with the way Francesca reacted, I know not to expect him to be lenient.
I just hope he doesn’t try and starve me for another day. I don’t care what happens to me as long as it isn’t that.
The butlers come out with the breakfast. This time everything is set up on white plates, sort of buffet style. They place everything on the middle of the table and set it all up nicely.
There are croissants, chocolate filled pastries, waffles, sunny side up eggs, bowls of fruit, and pineapple juice.