𝟎𝟔 | 𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝 imprisonment

"We write down made-up stories to tell the truths we wish we could say out loud." —unknown

After they finished getting groceries for the stew, Avelina grabbed some food for the man outside. When she handed him the bag full of groceries, he had the biggest smile on his face. It made her heart swell to see how happy it made him. She made a mental note to stop by every once in a while to make sure he stayed well fed.

As they walked back to the hotel, Lucia began to tell her all about her childhood. From the sounds of it, she was especially close with her father. They shared a relationship that was envied by most. It was so easy to listen to her and watch her eyes fill with the color of the city. It was a color Avelina lost over the past few months. What once made her want to go from a caterpillar to a butterfly was now wrapping around her in a cacoon that she just couldn't escape from.

They entered the hotel building and rode all the way up to Miss Paola's floor. A frown seeped onto Avelina's features when she noticed that Jones was still not there to welcome her. She wondered where he had gone.

Once they walked into Miss Paola's penthouse, Miss Paola wore the biggest smile on her face before she saw Lucia behind her. Miss Paola was never the most welcoming kind of person. It was especially the case when Miss Paola stared at Lucia with narrowed eyes.

Avelina could feel the suspicion shedding off of Miss Paola in waves, and she was sure Lucia could detect it. Lucia kept her arms crossed over her chest and always made sure not to stray off too far away from Avelina.

"Miss Paola, this is Lucia!" Avelina introduced.

Miss Paola hummed. She took a few steps closer to Lucia, eyeing the woman down. Lucia hugged herself even tighter. There was sweat beginning to trickle onto her forehead as she looked away from the older woman.

"Miss Paola, you're scaring her." Avelina chuckled. She grabbed the bags from Lucia and handed them off to Miss Paola.

"Come help me out in the kitchen really quick, Avelina," Miss Paola stated, never taking her eyes off Lucia.

She sighed before following her into the kitchen. The moment they were away from the red-head, Miss Paola gave her a pointed look. Even though the older woman hadn't said a thing, her face showed it all.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" Miss Paola questioned, throwing her hands onto her hips.

"I know that I'm stupid. It's just that she was really kind and helped me with groceries and everything. Also, I'm really starting to enjoy her company," Avelina explained.

"Girly, the last time you enjoyed someone's company, they ended up making you fall head over heels in love, impregnating you, and then leaving you like a bag of stale chips. You have to be smarter. There are really powerful men who may or may not be watching you. And it's not just about protecting you anymore, it's about your baby as well," Miss Paola advised.

Avelina peered down at her baby bump, knowing that Miss Paola was right. She always allowed herself to be dragged in by a kind smile and sweet eyes without noticing the trap hanging over behind them.

"You're right..." Avelina's attention was drawn over to the television not too far from where she was standing. Adrik appeared—the man she once called hers—and beside him was another a woman. A woman she had never met before.

She found herself walking toward it, wanting to hear more about the woman Adrik was with. The closer she got, the better she could hear the reporter.

"...Zolotov, owner of Zolotov casinos was spotted with Scarlett Lewis, British supermodel. When asked about—" the television shut off. Avelina's eyes were blurring with tears that she hadn't even realized was there.

"Turn it back on!" she yelled, turning around to catch Miss Paola with the remote in her hand.

"Please just turn it back on," she wept, bringing her hands up to her face. Avelina covered her face, trying to hide the tears that were beginning to fall without restraint. She knew Lucia could probably see her, and it was the last thing she wanted. She didn't want to be weak in front of a stranger.

"Come here," Miss Paola called, opening her arms for Avelina to walk into. Avelina hurriedly accepted Miss Paola's arms as she cried.

She always knew he would find someone else—someone better—someone like a supermodel. She had to live with the constant reminder of just how stupid she was to ever trust him. He never loved her. He was just pulling her in with the words she wanted to hear, and she foolishly believed them.

Her heart was shattering as the reporters words kept repeating itself in her mind over and over again. Adrik moved on. While she was pregnant with his baby, he was with another woman. He was happier. He was happier without Avelina.

"Alright, Avelina. We have a guest so let's just take a deep breath and forget about Adrik for now. We can discuss this later tonight when your friend leaves," Miss Paola said, patting Avelina's back comfortingly.

Avelina nodded her head, wiping away her tears, and turning to Lucia who watched them intensely. Her mouth was agape as if she had something to say but couldn't get the words out.

"I'm sorry. Pregnancy hormones really make me overly emotional," Avelina hiccuped.

As much as she tried not to think of the man that caged her hear, he kept pressing her mind. The urge to look up Scarlett Lewis kept tingling her fingers. Tears were pressuring her eyes, and Adrik's name kept dancing on the tip of her tongue.

"It's okay," Lucia whispered.

Avelina watched the strange woman turn away and wipe something off her cheek. She then turned back around with a huge smile on her face.

"I kind of figured. I'll just pretend I never saw anything," Lucia continued, chuckling lightly.

"Hmm," Miss Paola hummed. "I'll be in the kitchen getting dinner prepared."

The moment Miss Paola was away, Avelina sat down on the couch. Her feet were really beginning to swell from the long day she had.

Lucia walked around the couch and perched herself right beside Avelina. "The father of your baby isn't in the picture, is he?" Lucia questioned.

"I don't feel comfortable talking about it. It's a long, complicated story, if that makes sense," Avelina tried to dismiss the topic as kindly as she could.

Lucia nodded her head in understanding, a tight-lipped smile on her face. "You sure don't trust people, do you?" Lucia asked, laughing lightly.

"I used to. I used to trust too easily," Avelina whispered. Her thoughts were swimming through the memories of Adrik. She couldn't help but picture him doing the things he used to do to her, to someone else. Someone like the supermodel.

"I'm sorry, Avelina. I truly am. I want you to know that no matter what you discover about me or anyone else that there is probably more to the story. I would never hurt anyone. I would especially never hurt anyone I love. When I heard about Adrik finally finding a woman who loved him despite his autism, I just had to see who it was. I had to make sure she wasn't using him for his money or his fame. I just really had to meet you. Then, I saw you were pregnant, and I just couldn't believe it. I'm so glad I got to meet you and the baby before the world came crashing down," her voice cracked. "I'm so sorry. I really, really am so sorry."

"What—"

"I have to go," Lucia stated, getting up from the couch and practically running out of the hotel room.

—

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Thank you so much for reading. The next chapter is when the action really begins. Ive had so much trouble squeezing this chapter out, and I really don't know why. However, I hope you all enjoyed.

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—A. Marie

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