If I didn't have an excuse to leave before, I got one now. I furiously draw the curtains and rush out of her house, closing the door soundlessly behind me. I run to the main house and say my greetings to the young house help, Lu was her name.
I see myself out and jog down the street, making a turn to exit the neighbourhood. I run a few more blocks and stop at a tree in front of a beautiful grey house. I lean against the tree and rest my hands on my knees, feeling the tears run down my face.
This was the plan but I didn't know it'd hurt this badly. After a couple of minutes, I wipe my tears with my shirt and tie my hair into a high bun. I enter my address in my phone's map and see that the shortest route is an 18 minute walk.
I get up, brush the dust off and make a turn around the corner
