Thank you to everyone who read and reviewed the last chapter. Sorry that I didn't post this chapter sooner. I had some things come up in my personal life that were urgent. To make it up to you all I will post doubly this month. I don't own FSOG. Happy Reading!
Chapter 21: Escape Part 1
Escape: the only thing on my mind. I eye the front door, I'm about to walk through after a long shift and another long walk home in the chilly air. I only have to deal with Jose for a few more days. The ending is in sight. Freedom, I can almost feel it, taste it. The days left with Jose move far too slowly for my liking, Friday can't come soon enough. Maybe it's my mind playing with me, but I feel Jose's eyes watch me constantly, like a hawk, watching its prey.
Thursday night, I make up a lie to Jose, informing him, I'm working a double, that should buy Christian and I some lead time. I sneak into my room as Jose grumbles about my need to work too much. My fingers tremble, reaching for my one small duffle bag, I keep hidden under my bed, the one I use when I visit Kate and Elliot.
Quickly, silently, I place the few belongings I have maintained from my life here. Glancing around the room, once my duffle bag is packed. I'm not surprised to find the contents of my life can fit inside this bag. That night, I can't sleep, my fingers playing with my fake wedding ring Christian gave me when we started whatever this is together. My fingertips running the simple, white gold, twisted band between them, wondering what he was thinking, giving this to me. Beginning to feel sleepy, I place the ring onto my middle finger, and shut my eyes, knowing tomorrow, my life really begins.
Dreams, or should I call them nightmares, are filled with the worst-case scenarios, of Jose, figuring out what Christian and I are planning, of Jose killing Christian in front of me, in cold blood, or worse Jose figuring out where I have run to, coming to drag me back to hell on earth. I bolt upright, sweat pouring off me, screaming, no. My eyes glance around the room, taking in, the off white walls reflecting the sunlight for the last time I am ever waking up in this place.
My eyes taking the photo Christian left for me in my locker yesterday. A photograph of a picture from who knows where with a saying: In the end, we only regret the chances we didn't take. My fingers run over the photograph, my mind begins to daydream of my life with Christian once Jose is gone for good. A yawn escapes from my lips, a small smile tugs at them, thinking of Christian, and the way he makes my heart sing in my chest. My feet hit the cool, wooden floor, I move to hide the photograph in my duffle bag.
I listen for any movement within the house, it is abnormally quiet for this early in the morning. "Jose," I call out, unlocking my bedroom door. No answer. I was worried about how I was going to slip my duffle bag out the front door without Jose noticing. "Jose?" I call again, still no answer. My fingers subconsciously play with the ring. My mind screaming: I should take the ring off, and hide it, in case, Jose comes home. Grabbing a bowl, I decide to make myself pancakes for lunch, starving. Humming a song to myself, my spirits high, not having to deal with Jose today. My mind screams: this is too easy. A knock sounds on the door, sending my heart racing. Who the hell is knocking on the door? My eyes fly to the clock. It is only ten in the morning.
Slowly, I walk to the door, the person knocking, is now banging on the door repeatedly. Swinging the door open, I reveal Lelia. "What do you want?" I snap, crossing my arms, staring at the woman who dares to ruin my good mood. "Where is Jose?" She asks, not answering my question, looking into the house. "I don't know. Shouldn't you know? You are the one sleeping with him every night." She shrugs her shoulders, smirking, "Going somewhere, Ana?"
Shit! I forgot to move the duffle bag off the table, it is in the sightline of the door. She pushes past me, moving toward my duffle bag. I roughly grab ahold of her arm, swinging her toward the door, yelling, "Get out of here, Lelia! You weren't invited in here!" She laughs, grabbing my wrist, her eyes locked on my middle finger. "Interesting, he gave you his mother's wedding band. I was wondering where that band disappeared to, from his chest on the boat."
Tugging my hand from her grasp, her eyes narrow, moving rapidly between me and the duffle bag, her voice serious, "Ana, you aren't running away, are you? You know Jose will catch you, and of course, I will be right there to watch it all unfold, when he kills both Grey and you." I don't answer her question, staring at the floor, replying "Get out of my house, Lelia! I am returning something to Grace at work, not that it is, any of your business." She rolls her eyes, throws her hair over her shoulder, and says, "Ana, just so you are aware, if you do plan on making a move, Jose will be home in an hour. I will think about not calling him and telling him, I saw you run out the door with a duffle bag this morning when he asks about an update on you."
"Who says I am running? I am working a double at the hospital today." I reply, quipping an eyebrow. She laughs, "I would if I were trapped in your situation. Grey is a good man, but don't get too comfortable with him. Just remember at the end of things, he is mine, and we are having a baby together." Her hands falling to her swollen stomach. My stomach drops at her news of Jose coming home in an hour, not sure if I should believe her statement. My mind wondering why Lelia is being nice all of a sudden, and wondering what her game is now?
My stomach sinks, wishing Christian was here with me. He seems to help calm my nerves for some reason. Quickly, I stuff my three pancakes into my mouth, not knowing when my next meal will come. Swiftly, I shower and change into my scrubs, my fingers reach for my duffle bag. My eyes taking in the appearance of the house, I spent years wondering if I would ever leave this place. My feet carry me to the door, still having over forty-five minutes until Jose is expected home according to Lelia. My fingers reach for the door handle to leave forever. When suddenly, a car speeds into the driveway, heavy footsteps run up the porch steps, and keys strike against the lock. The door bangs open against the wall, revealing: Jose. Shit! I thought I was going to escape without ever having to see him again!
Please review and let me know what you thought. I will post the next part of this chapter sometime this month. What do you think is going to happen now that Jose is home? Why do you think Lelia is really being nice? Do you think Lelia is playing a game like Ana? Do you think Lelia is the reason Jose showed up earlier than expected?