HIDDEN

In a cab, the streets of Palermo, Sicily She looked out the window of the cab, watching as the people and shops grew bigger and then became smaller as the cab drove along the narrow road of Palermo. She had always enjoyed looking out the window and she had no idea why. She even saw the Renaissance architecture that she always wanted to visit and now, they are right before her eyes. After spending all her life in Northumberland in England, she was finally going to meet her family who lived in Palermo. It is not that she ran away from home; she was sent away since she was a baby for safety and now, the danger is past. Her name was Hagae Reena and she was a very beautiful woman. She had white hair which was as white as freshly fallen snow and she packed it into a neat bun. She had blue eyes which was as blue and clear as the ocean and had a tan skin color with a golden undertone. She had a very clear and smooth skin, light freckles scattered across her face and her cheeks were slightly pronounced. Her eyes were almond eyes and were not too big and her lips were averagely big. She wore a well-fitted pale orange crop shirt that stopped right above her navel, a black cargo jean and a pair of black leather Zara sneakers. She gave off an aura of innocence and simplicity and her voice was nice to hear. The only makeup she did was that she applied a little powder and a nude lipstick. She also had a small purse that she hanged over her shoulders. She sat back, resting her back on the seat. She didn’t know what to feel right now as she was going to meet people she had never met before in her life. “Where are you going to drop off, ma’am?” The driver asked, looking at her through the driver’s mirror. “Via delle Chiese.” Reena responded as she was dragged out of her thoughts by the driver’s question. She felt a shiver when she saw the driver’s eyes on her. She thought she had gotten used these types of stares from men but she hasn’t up till today. The driver on the other hand, was shocked upon knowing where she was going to. “Do you know the specific house you are going to drop in?” The driver asked as fear was visibly written on his face. “Yes, I do. No. 77” Reena responded as she noticed the driver’s fear. “Is anything wrong?” “Nothing is wrong. You are not from around here, are you?” The driver asked as he looked at her through the driver’s mirror. “No, I am not. Are you sure there’s nothing wrong?” Reena asked again, this time moving forward. “You seem to be scared when I mentioned Via delle Chiese.” The driver didn’t say anything again. Via delle Chiese means ‘Street of the Chinese’ although very few Chinese live there now and is now populated by the highest-ranking members of the mafia which are called Capo dei Capi. He was wondering why she was going there. Was she one of the male Capo dei Capi w****s? But she didn’t look like one of them. Could she be one of them? “Sorry if this sounds offensive but why are you going to Via delle Chiese?” The driver asked, still in fear and looking at her through the driver’s mirror. “I am going to meet my family. I have been separated from my parents since I was a baby and was taken care of by my grandma but she recently died.” Reena responded as she sat back down. “Do you know anything about your family?” the driver asked as he drove into an empty street. “Nothing. I just know the house address. That’s all” Reena answered as she folded her hands. “We’ve arrived.” The driver said as he stopped the car right in front of a gate. He immediately came down and opened the door for Reena to come down, surprising her. Reena wondered could cause this type of treatment from the driver. “Why are you treating me like this?” Reena said as she came down from the car. “Your family is very wealthy if they live on this street.” The driver said as he brought out her luggage from the trunk of the car. “You probably don’t know this but this is where the wealthiest families in the world live.” “Are you sure?” Reena asked as she looked at the majestic mansion standing before her. “Are you sure this is the place?” “Yes, it is. I drop lot of women here.” The driver responded as he brought out the last of her luggage and closed the trunk. “A lot of women? Why? Is it a brothel for women?” Reena asked as she turned to face the driver. “How much is the fare?” “It is alright; you don’t need to pay. I can just become your personal driver.” The driver replied as he came to face her. “You, after all are from a wealthy family.” “Even personal drivers receive salaries or wages.” Reena said as she brought out some pounds from her small purse. “I don’t have any Euros on me right now. I will collect your number so as to pay you later.” “It’s alright. Here’s my number in case you need my services again.” The driver said as he handed her a piece of paper with his number scribbled on it. “I will surely make use of your services again.” Reena said as she put back the bills into her small purse. “Thank you for your help.” “Any time, miss.” The driver said as he entered into the car and drove away. “So, this is it.” Reena said as she looked at the gate. A man was opening the gate and saw Reena standing with her luggage behind her. “I am telling you Master Highe doesn’t want to see you. He is not the father of your unborn child.” The man said, opening the gates. “I don’t know what you are talking about. I don’t even know this Master Highe you speak of.” Reena said, surprised at the way the man addressed her. “Then what are you here for?” The man asked as he took a good look at her. “I am here to see Madam Macmerri. I was sent here by Madam Anthonia.” Reena said as she handed him an envelope that she brought out of her small purse. “Madam Anthonia?!” The man shouted as he collected the envelope. A car then honked and the man remembered why he was opening the gate. “Why is a woman standing in my way?” A person shouted from the car as the man ran to meet them. “I’m sorry, Mistress Triffani. But the woman claims to be sent by Madam Anthonia.” The man said, shivering as he handed the envelope to the person in the car. “Grandma?!” Triffani responded as she snatched the letter from the man. Triffani quickly opened the letter and read the contents. Her expression changed upon reading the letter and she squeezed it in anger. “I am not going out again. Let her in and close the gate.” Triffani said as she came down from the car and the man went to lock the gate. Triffani had straight white hair but it was more like blonde than white, her eyes were as purple as lavender and she had light skin color with an ivory undertone. Her skin was absolutely clear and smooth and her cheeks were round and chubby. She had downturned eyes and very small lips. Her eyes were coated with a light coat of mascara and a bit of red eyeliner and she wore deep red lipstick and a light dust of blush on her cheeks. Her hair wasn’t very long and it rested comfortably on her shoulders. She wore a brown checkered jacket with a black turtleneck underneath, a pair of blue jeans trousers and the Stuart Weitzman Cinderella slippers. She also wore a Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime and the Cartier Ruby and Diamond necklace. Her eyes were cold and chilling like she could send someone six feet under and her voice could instill fear in anyone. She was very beautiful but not as beautiful as Reena. “Are you Reena?” Triffani asked as she walked to Reena and stood in front of her. “Yes, I-” Reena was saying before Triffani grabbed her hair bun and yanked it, making to fall. “Tell me you dyed your hair! Tell me you dyed your hair! Tell me!” Triffani shouted. “I didn’t dye my hair! Please let go!” Reena begged as she tried to remove Triffani’s hands from her hair. “Tell. Me. The. Truth.” Triffani said as she slapped her after each word. Reena’s mouth began to bleed while the driver drove the car and the gateman stood and watched them after closing the gate. “I am telling you the truth!” Reena begged and Triffani let her go. Triffani then kicked her leg, making Reena to fall down and Triffani began to kick and stomp on her. “What is going on?” a voice asked, making Triffani to stop beating Reena.