Chapter 5
809 Words
Anita was tensed up for a new challenge. Her nerves were stretched thin. Each day that Raymond stopped by, his weight on her life increased and the dream of freedom receded even further away. The walls of his mansion were high and any look from his men, spoke volumes to her- they were afraid of him as much as she was.
As soon as she was left alone with a hidden phone she immediately dialed Stanley, her heart beating fast. Comforted by his tone as if she had known it for ages, he spoke gently to her.
“I can’t keep doing this without you,” she heard herself whispering to the empty room as she sat before Stanley. “I am getting a feeling that I am gradually disappearing.”
“It’s not much farther,” he comforted her. “You know, Raymond is going to travel soon, don’t you?”
She nodded, looking around as if to make sure she was not overheard. “Yes, he leaves for Paris tomorrow. He has set everything up for his absence and security will be lighter.”
A silence, then, “What?” Stanley’s voice had become mild.
“Do you trust me, Anita?”
Her breath hitched. “Of course I do.”
“Then meet me tomorrow night just as soon as it is dark, and by the garden gate. It’s our chance.”
She heard a sigh of relief as the call ended.
That night, she slept restlessly shifting between dreams of liberty and anguish of Stanley. The soft-spoken man, his warm gaze, which seemed to hold genuine concern for her – it was nothing like she felt toward Raymond. He saw that she always longed to be noticed, she longed to be appreciated.
The next day rendered a mere fog of preparation. She took her briefcase full of necessary things and arranged it secretly as her heart started beating fast. Before the night arrived it was so quiet in the mansion that it looked and felt like a dead place. Raymond was planning to leave the study while Anita quietly approached the garden gate.
But as she stepped to the end of the garden path, she saw him, Raymond’s head of security, lurking there with his eyes on her.
“Going somewhere, Mrs. Smith?” He inquired with an impassive voice.
She felt a knot in her stomach yet she had to smile and wondered if he hadn’t seen the small bag tucked beneath her shawl. “Just wanted some fresh air. It’s been a long day.”
He looked at her for one moment longer before he mentally shook himself and nodded, moving out of her way. She was walking fast, although she felt that he was following her every step of the way.
She came to the gate, where Stanley was already standing. He took her hand and placed it on his chest as if to cover her from everyone. He touched her gently, and for the first time in a long while, she could breathe without being afraid.
“It’s the moment, sweetheart,” he murmured in her ear.
Anita, muttered okay and gripped his hand tightly. “More than ready.”
They started walking and then a phone rang. Anita froze. She recognized that melody—it was Raymond’s secret number that only a few people around him had.
Before she could say anything, she reached for her pocket, pulled out her phone and saw his number on the screen. Beating briskly, she looked at Stanley and he encouraged her to respond.
“Hello?” she whispered shakily, her voice barely audible on the other end of the line.
Raymond’s voice was very composed, unemotional even. “Anita, darling. I just got an engaging call now, I think one of my men noticed you getting closer to the gate. Care to explain?”
She shivered, turning her head to see the truth, what he had done and how far it must have gotten.
“I... I just wanted some air,” she replied, struggling to stay calm.
“Air, near the gate?” Raymond spoke the words through clenched teeth. “Go back to the living room and be a good wife. We’ll talk when I return.”
It went as far as being silent and the next thing Anita found herself was that the line was cut.
She turned her face to Stanley and her eyes opened wide as she was even more sad.
“We have to move. Now,” he said more seriously and his grip on her hand tightened.
However, before they could take another step, the headlight illuminated the gate. Raymond’s car was approaching fast, he was angry beyond measure.
Anita was startled as she froze in her tracks. There was no escape route for her now.
- Writer
