SEA'S BRIDE (PHILMYTHO ROMANCE II)

CHAPTER 6

The next day, I had to quickly move out of bed and mark my calendars on the pad I have. If I could remember it right, it is already my third day in this place and I still haven't figured it out wherever I am. If I could at least have any other clue than knowing I am under the sea--and that according to Leandro, I am still the jurisdiction of Philippine Marine Territory--perhaps I might be able to connect the dots and find it out easily. But the available raw clues were not just enough for me to decode it.

As I am busy thinking, my stomach called out to me in a low complaining growl. I can't believe they won't feed me at all. This brings me to my first day here when Leandro told me I am their master's favored guest while lavishing me with the luxurious items that nearly flood the whole room.

"Favored guest your face!" I gripe that once again slips right through my mouth.

I tried climbing off the bed to peek once more and still saw the same tall guys outside the door. Shock just slammed my morning face as I saw how they maintain their standing posture there all night. Weren't they even feeling worn out by guarding there for that long?

When I attempt to open the door further, the two look at me with their sharp glare. It instantly strikes me like a sharp blade that made me fall back in an instant. I had to quickly lock the door before them to secure myself inside. What was that just now?

Their eyes look terrible with the undereye dark circles that prove how worn out they are yet they remain standing before my door to keep me inside because of some stupid order of their master. I can't believe how inhumane can he be treating his employees with so little consideration of their health. Doesn't he even realize how this can make a huge impact on their health later on? It won't even count no matter how rich he is if he won't be able to save their lives once they perish from this kind of employee treatment.

I went straight to my dresser to return with my plan when my stomach once again growls, this time there came a little line of pain across my belly. I am totally hungry. I didn't eat anything yesterday. They never even gave me water, not even a single glass at least. People here are too cruel that it just easily makes me cry in an instance. I can't be this fragile in their eyes. My tears will not do any good had I allow this to continue, they would only just think of me as weak and feeble.

Bombarding the door now to shout for freedom is futile knowing my hunger is slowly absorbing the reserve energy I have. I'm trying to move less and reserve the energy I have to chances that might find a way to get out of here.

This made me think about the two guard's situation outside, If they have guarded the door overnight, I believe they should need a replacement any time of the day. And I have to check without them noticing from time to time.

An idea came to mind which made me rush to pick out a small hand mirror from the shelf of the dresser. I had to take the mirror out of it and slide it carefully under the door's bottom which has a very thin space just enough for the mirror to get through. It wasn't enough but I could at least see their feet moving from here.

I've waited here for like the next few more minutes when I suddenly heard their footsteps walking out from the door. My cue has finally begun. I instantly took out the robe lying on the dresser's chair and instantly open the door, I gaze around and find the coast clear from anyone. Within seconds, I have already reached the main hall without creating noise.

The feeling of getting caught instantly haunts me that I could also feel my bare feet trembling in fear. Where do I go next? I remember Leandro showing me how vast this whole place can be and I fully recall every entrance and exit of it since all of these doors are interconnected like some sort of maze, confusing but attainable to exit.

It's best if I instantly take my leave now. I had to quicken my phase as I could hear voices nearing the hall. As fast as I could, I rush towards the entrance opposite the wing forth the dining that leads me to the entertainment hall. It's well lit and before I knew it, my feet voluntary led me towards the next room. I could feel my exhausting out of hunger is slowly taking its toll on me. My movements have slowed down and that I could feel my body slowly weakening as well.

My recollection of what Leandro told me, the whole place is too spacious that we barely even finished touring half of the place. I had the feeling that I would probably die first before I could even reach the end of this in the hope to see an exit out of this place.

I soon notice how my hands have fully depended on the walls while I exit each room. And this has become scarier as my knees are already showing me how weak they are. My stomach growled again and this time, it felt as though it's a major warning I can't ignore. But I needed to find a way to get out. My hunger could wait until I am safe away from this place. For a moment, a flashback of Mamá Celia and her sweet and delicious cooking has appeared in my visions. My mouth instantly moistened by the thought. How I wish to eat her cooking once again—like right away this moment. Then a new vision came into the flashback, my two younger sisters. I miss seeing them and hanging out with them. My grandma dearly loves me. My Papá Roger. My friends at work. I wonder if they are even looking for me. My tears once again escaped from my eyes.

This is insane, all of these are making me insane. Why would I even be in this place in the first place? What do they want from me? What does that Man, the master of this household, taking me a hostage for? I am not rich, neither my parents too. But that does not count since this man is too rich to even care about money. I have been here for three days and they didn't even demand me to call back my family for any ransom money. I strike out that thought and tried to ponder for other reasons, yet all I could think about is the idea that I might be being prepared to be sold as a slave. I don't know how the idea run across my head. Slavery seems like a hidden practice in the black market. I wonder if it is their real motive, but if it is so then why in the world I am still here being lavished with luxury? Though now it's a different story since I raged the master to starve me to death.

Was this because I told him over my dead body?