C61 Call Me

The sunlight filtered through the large bay windows of the breakfast room, casting golden patterns on the polished mahogany table.

Annabelle sat across from Cathy, her heart light as she watched her sister take in the spread before her.

She tried not to think too much about the fact that Dante was still not back yet.

She had bitten her tongue many times to stop herself from asking Angelo if he had been gone all night because she had woken up so early to catch up with him, but he was already gone that early.

She was sure she didn’t hear any sound of a car leaving that morning.

And the fact that the ridiculous thought that he might be with his woman even made her feel frustrated was beyond her.

She deliberately took her mind off her silly thoughts and focused on the many joys in her life.

Like her sister agreeing to join her for breakfast in the main breakfast room.

The table was a feast of colours and mouthwatering smells.

There were golden croissants, glossy with a light sheen of butter.

A platter of ripe berries in shades of ruby, sapphire, and amethyst.

Eggs poached to perfection, their whites gleaming like pearls.

And stacks of fluffy pancakes drizzled with syrup that glistened under the light.

The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the faint citrus tang of orange juice.

Cathy, in a soft lavender sweater and jeans, stared at the food with wide eyes.

Her hand was wrapped around the glass of milk given to her by the cook.

Her hair, still damp from her morning bath, clung to her temples in delicate tendrils.

Then she picked up a fork hesitantly, her gaze flitting to Annabelle for reassurance.

“It’s okay, Cathy,” Annabelle said, her voice gentle. “It’s all for us. You can have whatever you want.”

Cathy’s lips twitched into a small smile, and she reached for a croissant, tearing off a piece and nibbling on it. “It’s so soft,” she said, her voice tinged with wonder.

Annabelle’s chest tightened at the innocence in Cathy’s voice, a stark contrast to the horrors she had endured.

She forced a smile, determined to make this moment a happy one.

Maria sat to the side, fidgeting slightly in her seat.

Annabelle had insisted she join them because Cathy had asked.

The whole thing had started when Annabelle had casually asked Cathy if she would like to eat in the main breakfast room downstairs.

Even Annabelle had never taken her meals there before, and she was just making conversations to get her sister to keep talking, but then Cathy had excitedly said,

“Can I? Yes, I would like to. Can Maria come too? I want her to eat with us.”

Maria seemed shocked when Annabelle told her to join them at the table.

“I don’t think the boss would like this, ma” she had said in hesitation.

“Well, guess what, he is not here. I am. Eat with us. I don’t think anyone here is so jobless as to report such a thing to him.”

Maria had finally agreed, but her discomfort was evident. Which was ridiculous to Annabelle.

It was just a meal after all. She doubted Dante would be upset about something like that.

“As if you know him all that well” her subconsciousness whispered.

She simply took her mind off such thoughts and focused on the present.

Cathy seemed more relaxed, and she even asked Maria about her favourite food.

Annabelle was filled with hope.

Cathy was talking, engaging even, and for a brief moment, Annabelle allowed herself to believe that things might truly get better.

“Maria,” Cathy said suddenly, her voice lilting with excitement. “We’re going to see my mom soon. Maybe you can come with us. Right, Anna?”

Annabelle froze her fork midway to her mouth.

Maria’s gaze snapped to her, curiosity etched across her face.

Annabelle cleared her throat, forcing a smile. “Eat your food, Cathy,” she said softly, avoiding Maria’s questioning eyes.

Cathy pouted slightly but obediently returned her attention to her plate.

They were finishing breakfast when the door opened, and Mikhail strolled in.

His grin was as broad and unapologetic as ever, his dishevelled hair adding to his boyish charm. He wore a crisp white shirt unbuttoned at the collar, paired with dark slacks.

“Morning, ladies,” he said, his tone dripping with amusement as his eyes landed on Annabelle.

Annabelle stiffened, her cheeks heating.

Memories of Dante’s warning flashed through her mind, and she immediately regretted choosing the main breakfast room.

Cathy, oblivious to the tension, tilted her head curiously.

“You’re blushing,” Mikhail teased, pulling out a chair and plopping down beside Annabelle. “I knew it. You’re hopelessly in love with me.”

Annabelle sputtered. “I am not!”

Mikhail ignored her protest, turning his attention to Cathy. “You must be the famous Cathy,” he said, flashing a disarming smile. “I would’ve met you sooner, but your sister’s been hiding you from me.”

“Why, Anna?” Cathy asked, her brow furrowing as she looked at her sister.

Annabelle opened her mouth, but Mikhail was quicker. “Because she’s too shy to admit I’m the love of her life,” he said smoothly, winking at Cathy.

Maria, who had been quiet until now, stood abruptly with her plate in her hand. “Excuse me. I am done eating. Thanks for inviting me, Miss,” she murmured, her voice strained.

“Yeah, you should shoo. What is the maid doing eating here, by the way?” Mikhail asked carelessly.

“Mikhail!” Annabelle snapped, glaring at him as Maria hurried out of the room.

“What?” he said innocently, stealing a piece of fruit from her plate. “It’s a known fact that the help doesn’t eat with their…how is it called…yeah, their better. Or their guests.”

Annabelle’s anger boiled over, her fists clenching as she prepared to unleash a tirade on his arrogant head.

But before she could speak, he held up his hand with a feigned exasperated sigh as he said,

“Don’t get yourself worked up, babe. It…”

He was interrupted as Antonia entered, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.

“Babe?” she said, her gaze darting between Annabelle and Mikhail. “You two know each other?”

**************

The stale smell of sweat and perfume clung to the air in the hotel room.

The sunlight streaming through the thin curtains did little to warm the icy dread creeping through Tad’s veins as he gaped at what was in front of him.

The brunette lay spread-eagled on the bed, her lifeless eyes staring blankly at the ceiling.

Her naked body was bruised and battered, and the deep red marks around her wrists and ankles told the story of how tightly she’d been tied.

Tad stood frozen, his heart hammering in his chest as he tried to piece together what had happened.

“I didn’t do this,” he whispered hoarsely, his gaze darting around the room.

He remembered her laughter, the way she’d teased him as they played their little game.

She’d been so into it, begging for more. But after that, his memory was a blur.

He was naked as a jaybird. Her lipstick and other stains were all over his thighs and chest, yet he couldn’t remember a damn thing!

“Get up!” he shouted, his voice cracking as he grabbed the bedpost. “Quit playing around!”

But the woman didn’t move.

Frustration and panic boiled over, and Tad began smashing everything within reach.

The lamp shattered against the wall, shards of glass scattering across the floor.

He flipped the small table, sending an empty bottle rolling under the bed.

“Get up!” he screamed again, his voice raw.

That was when he saw the blood stains on his hand.

He swore loudly and long.

A pounding at the door jolted him out of his frenzy.

“Sir, is everything all right?” a voice called from the other side.

Tad froze, his breath hitching.

“Yes, yes, none of your business here. Go away!”

Silence.

Then, “I am afraid we can’t do that, sir. We will need to check what is going on.”

Tad panicked as he ran to the window to see if he could jump.

No such chance.

They were on the fourth floor.

“Open the door!” the voice insisted. “We’re coming in if you don’t.”

Panic clawed at him as he looked around the room.

The blood on his hands, the mess, the body.

It was a nightmare he couldn’t wake up from.

His gaze landed on his phone, and a memory surfaced through his hazy brain like a lifeline, “Call me if you ever need help.”