Healing Together

Chapter - 7

Spain.

When the sunrise fell on my face from the window, I awoke with a sigh. I attempted to close my eyes, but sleep is nowhere in sight. I sighed and rose from the bed. I entered the bathroom and completed my morning routines before having a warm shower that relaxed and refreshed me. One of the maids was there waiting for me with clothes as soon as I went out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around me.

"Thank you," she just smiled and handed me some clothes before exiting the room. My gaze was drawn to the closed door as I hastily changed before taking a seat on the bed. I know it's the closet, but I've never gone inside. Curiosity got the best of me, and I shrugged. When I got inside, I was met by a closet full of men's clothes. When I see this closet, I scowl in perplexity. I believed this was a guest room, but if I'm right, it belongs to someone else. I'm curious about whose room this is and why he's allowing me to remain here.

I was going to peek around the closet when the bedroom door was knocked on. I emerge from the closet to find one of the maids waiting at the entrance.

"Mr. Castillo requests your presence for breakfast," she said as she walked out of the room, but I couldn't help but see her hatred for me. What did I do to her? I scowl at her actions. I thought before walking out of the room.

I made my way downstairs before entering the dining room. I noticed Xavier with a man who was whispering privately. There was no mistake about it: the man was a composed and handsome. When I saw a gun in his palm, I froze. When Xavier came into my room last night, I didn't question him about the gunshot because I was afraid of his response, but something inside of me wanted to know why there was a gunshot within the house and why no one, not even the maids, responded to it. It appears to be a regular occurrence. I took a step backward and slammed with the side table since I couldn't see what was behind me. I flinched once more as they caught me. I'm not sure what they'll do now that they know I was watching them. When he saw my tear-filled eyes, Xavier's eyes softened.

"Harper" He breathed out. The mysterious man looked between Xavier and me, puzzled and amused. I took a step back and shook my head. Xavier swiftly examines the gun and grabs it from the unknown man, tucking it behind his waistcoat.

"There is nothing to be afraid of. We will never inflict you pain." When I heard Xavier's reassuring voice, I exhaled with relief. The handsome man steps forward after seeing me all relief, He extended his hand for a handshake. I gaze at him first, then at Xavier. I don't want to touch anybody; after all I've been through, I don't have the capacity to touch any other man, and I'm not sure how Xavier held me last night without me panicking. Their dirty hands are still on my flesh, making me shiver in revulsion.

"I..." I'm at a loss for words. I gulped and began staring at my feet, making the situation uncomfortable. It's been 2 minutes when I heard Xavier clear his throat. I gazed up at him before turning to face the stranger, who stood with a slight smile on his face and his hands on his side.

"Hello, we haven't met before. My name is Nicholas Vincent. Xavier's best friend" I heard a grunt from Xavier, which made me grin a bit.

"My name is Harper White. Nice to meet you," he nodded, but before he could add anything, his phone began to ring. When he saw the caller ID, his eyes widened.

"I need to go, wife's duty," he said, storming out of the house without even waiting for our response.

"Let's go for breakfast" I was so preoccupied with my thoughts that I didn't notice him approaching, and I gasped in surprise at how close we were. I took a few steps back and breathed a sigh of relief.

"Sorry," I apologised, but he made no response and continued to gaze at me. He nodded and turned to leave after a minute of awkward silent. When I spotted the delicious breakfast, I eagerly started following him to the dining room where it was already served, and my mouth watered. I was never treated like a member of my father's family when I lived with him and his family; I was never allowed to sit with them for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. There was a rule that I should always eat after them, or else I would face severe consequences. I'm feeling sad just thinking about them. How can a parent abuse his daughter in such a way? I believe that after my mother died, he no longer considers me as his daughter.

"Are you feeling alright?" Xavier's serious voice jolted me out of my reverie.

"I..." I couldn't even talk while staring at him.

"I'm fine," I murmured all at once, leading him to nod. I quickly followed him as he began his meal. We were eating our breakfast in perfect silence when I had a thought. I take a deep breath before opening my mouth.

"Xavier," I have his complete attention now.

"Yes," I'm not sure why, but his stares make me anxious.

"When can I leave?" His demeanour abruptly changed from emotionless to hard. He gripped his hand over the fork harder, and his grey eyes pierced my soul like daggers, making me shudder with anxiety and terror.

"When you are healed," he said, standing up to leave. I called his name once more. He remained in the same spot, awaiting my question.

"At least, you should tell me where I am." I expected no response from him, but I was surprised when he spoke one word that made my head spin and then left the house without waiting for me to question him.

"I'm in Spain," I say, surprised. How could Kate will come here and take me to New York, and how did those kidnappers abduct me and move me here without drawing attention to themselves? Just thinking about them makes me want to crawl into a deep hole. I shook my head; I shouldn't think about them. I chanted in my mind before taking a deep breath. After finishing my breakfast, I walked into my temporary bedroom which belongs to someone else. I quickly grabbed the phone which was given by Xavier.

"Hello," just hearing her voice made me relieved.

"Kate," my voice is trembling because I am unsure of what I'm going to do now that I know where I am. How am I going to get to New York without any money?

"How are you, Harper? Did Xavier do anything to you?" I shook my head when I remember she can't see me.

"Kate just relax. He didn't do anything to me" I can feel her sighing in relief.

"Then" I took a long breath before saying.

"I am in Spain" She was silent for a few second before shouting, "WHAT?"

"Yes," I say quietly. We fell silent because we didn't know what to say or do. She decided to speak after a few seconds of stillness.

"There's nothing to be worry about," she said before continuing. "Just tell me when you're ready to come to New York, and I'll book your ticket," I began to smile, but it quickly faded.

"I don't know how I'm going to repay the money back, Kate; I don't have anything with me except the locket that my mother gave me before she died," I brushed away my tears.

"Harper, you are my best friend; I will go to any length for you. So quit whining and give me the date. I'll pick you up at the airport."

"Hmmm, I'm not sure about the dates. I'll have to ask Xavier for it," she was silent before responding with an alright.

"Harper, your father came to my place this morning" My eyes widen.

"Wh...What?" I picture her nodding her head.

"Yes, he was asking for you," I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

"He did?" I'm perplexed by his behavior. If I'm right, he should be relieved that I'm no longer in his life.

"Yes, and I was confused by his behavior." me too Kate me too.

"What did you tell him?" she became silent before responding.

"I told him I didn't know where you are," I exhale. We then abandoned the subject and began chatting about her studies, and when she had to go, we hung up.

The whole day my mind was occupied with my father and what's he wants from me now.