Vows of Deception: Bound to My Ex's Step-Father

Chapter 11

“Hazel?”

That’s Rydell’s voice.

It’s been three days since we landed at the private hotel here in Paris, and the invisible between the two of us remained unbroken. I ignored him for three days and I know that he’s completely aware of it but still chose not to talk to me about it. Today is our fourth day here, and maybe he got tired of it so he’s now calling me from my own room.

I didn’t bother to put on my robe and let my night gown be the only fabric in my body as I opened the door. Rydell is standing and about to knock again if I don't open it. I raised my eyebrows when he just stood there and did not say anything.

“Yes?” I asked.

“I’m going out for a meeting. If you want room service, or anything else, tell it to Kane. He will give you everything.” he said. He’s wearing black suit so I think he’s really going somewhere in Paris. Which is a good thing because I want to roam this city alone.

“And no matter what happens Hazel, don’t go outside,” he added.

“What? But-” He didn’t even let me finish or hear what I’m about to say when he closed the door of my room himself. He really plans to lock me in here.

The sudden emptiness of the suite left me restless. The walls in my room feel like they’re closing in, the memory of the burned orphanage and Rydell betrayal made me want to puke. I can’t stay in this room anymore. I need to go out. I need to breathe.

I dressed in a simple trench coat and large sunglasses and slipped out on the suite’s secondary exit. I saw it on the map when we were on the elevator when we first came here. I know it’s Kane who’s in charge of me now, I don’t wanna trouble him but I just can’t stay in my room all day. With a few turns, I manage to reach the lobby and blend in with the busy place of Paris.

The European air felt like some liberation against my skin. For the first time in days, I finally had some alone time with me. I moved carefully like a ghost through the crowds while I walked aimlessly, completely alone until my eyes caught the corner of a quiet avenue. I stop when I reach the oak doors of the church. The scent of melting wax and ancient stone filled the air.

I step inside. I walked down the dim aisle toward the side chapel where I saw the Virgin Mary, where dozens of tiny prayer candles flickered in the dark. My knees gave out, and I sank heavily onto the cold wooden pew. Then I closed my eyes, folding my hands tightly in my lap as the tears I’ve been holding back finally slipped down my cheeks.

Please, I prayed silently. Please watch over them. Mother Superior Beatrice…the children…give them peace. Let them rest beside you where they would be safe so the shadows of this world would never hurt them again.

I buried my face in my hands, catching my breath as the darkness inside my mind began to twist. The memory of Rydell’s refusal, Ariston’s tearful face on the news, and the ashes of my past swirling together made me feel like there’s something heavy in my chest. And please guide me, I added. Because I’m losing my mind. This grief and rage inside me is turning something into …something I don’t wanna be. I don’t wanna be protected anymore. I don’t want to be locked away. I want to feel the warmth of the fire that consumed them. I want to kill the person behind my suffering. I want to tear Ariston’s father's face apart with my own two hands…please..I am scared of what I’m becoming.

I slowly wipe my tears and stand up, the cold air of the church is making the heaviness of my chest a little at ease. But I know that this won’t last long, because the darkness in my thoughts was too loud. I wrap my trench coat tighter around myself and walk out to go back to the bustling Paris street. I’m about to go back to the hotel when I heard a cry from a nearby alleyway.

I paused and saw a man gripping a child's arm who’s holding a brown paper bag. From the scent of it, I know that inside that bag is freshly baked bread. They’re both wearing dirty and destroyed clothes so they must be street beggars. The child was holding the crumpled brown paper bag tightly.

“Donne-le-moi, sale gosse,” the man said in French so I don’t know what that means. But then I don’t need translation when it’s clear that he’s bullying a child. The boy began to sob when the man successfully snatch the paper bag from him. I just prayed for the souls of the innocent children and now this grown up man just snatched a piece of bread from a child. I feel like God is testing my patience. I think.

“Hey!” I called them while stepping directly into the alley. “Leave him alone.”

Then turn his attention towards me, he looks at me from head to toe, and maybe because of my plain trench coat and scarf he thinks I’m also one of them. “Encore un va-nu-pieds qui veut jouer les héros ? Si tu veux nourrir le gamin, paie-lui son repas. Donne-moi tout ce que tu as dans les poches, ou je m'assurerai que vous repartiez tous les deux en sang.”

I didn’t know what he just said but when he looked at my wrist watch I knew what he wanted. But I’m not giving this up because I’m terrified, I knew I couldn’t fight him physically but I had learned how to play a part. I reach beneath my sleeve coat, and take off my diamond encrusted wristwatch to him. That was given to me by Rydell before. I gave it to him.

He says something in french again that I really don’t understand, so I just let him do what he wants on that watch, I walk to the boy and give him the paper bag once again. He smiled at me before running away from the alley. Then, I’m about to go on my way too when the man suddenly grabbed my arm and held me.

“ Tu me prends pour un imbécile ? Une fille comme toi ne possède pas une montre pareille. Tu l'as volée. Ou alors, tu essaies de m'arnaquer.” he said.

I tried to pull my arm back away from him, but he’s gripping it too tight, and he’s getting closer and closer so I slap him. I heard him cursing in French so I know he will give me the attack that I gave him so I close my eyes and wait for it.

A sudden blur of motion cut through the space between us. And the next thing I heard is him gasping from the pain as his wrist was forced backward. I hold my breath and look up. His gray eyes were completely devoid of life staring at the thug with the cold interest like a butcher eyeing a piece of meat.

“You chose the wrong day,” Rydell said, which not only scared the thug but also sent a shiver straight down to my spine. “And you absolutely chose the wrong woman.”