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Pacing the room rocking my responsibilities to sleep, I hatch out a genius plan. A mad, ambitious, probably stupid, plan. I like it so much it excites me, and I am buzzing with anticipation when my guests come onto my little rock in the ocean.
CHAPTER 5
Lucia
The man in my phone is too good to be true, even I know that. Yet I cannot stop myself indulging in this fantasy with him. He sends me gifts, expensive gifts, and he says all the right things. Not just the dirty things, but the flattering, kind ones too.
I am opening up to him, in ways I have never done before — maybe it’s because he isn’t real. He is just this voice on the internet, a figment of my imagination. There is no way he is real, and if he is, he’s probably a goblin. Why would he be online and hiding himself if he wasn’t ugly? No one else talks to me. In fact, I think my brothers have forgotten I exist, they are too busy with whatever it is they are doing to save us. I can’t see anything around me that shows we need saving — I don’t get it.
I know my place, and it is not in their business, so I just keep myself occupied around the house. It’s starting to get a bit much, I am desperate to get out even if it is just for a drive around the block. Anything but these walls.
I want to meet you, in person.
The message pops up on my phone while I am eating lunch alone on the patio. I look around as if anyone could see what I am reading. The guilty feeling is hard to ignore — I want to meet him too. To know what he looks like, if it’s been a catfish all along. I sit there, staring at the screen, thinking how I tell him I can’t leave home without security — or at all right now. What will he think of me? How do I reply?
I think about it. Just the idea of getting out and meeting him makes my heart race. How though? I start typing a reply and delete it, this is crazy. I cannot go and meet some stranger off the internet — we literally had lessons in school about this. It’s stupid, and I might be a complete fool, but I don’t think he is bad guy. He seems amazing, and I could ask to meet in a public place, somewhere safe.
The pros and cons run riot in my mind. Fuck it what do I have to lose? I am prisoner here, and they’re going to trade me off to some Russian monster soon anyway. This could be my one shot to save myself from that. Why on earth wouldn’t I take it.
I cannot just leave, my family are very protective. There’s security… I don’t know how we would do that?
Are you a catfish?
Seriously? I should be asking you that - I have never even seen your face! No, I am not a catfish.
There are ways to get around security, you are a smart girl you should know that.
I have never had a reason to get around them, I just live with it.
That’s not living Lucy, live a little find a way to come meet me.
When? And where? It won’t be easy to get out, and I won’t have lots of time.
Saturday afternoon, during the football game they will be distracted. Meet me at cafe opposite the train station closest to your house.
I know the place, I have just never been inside. It looks dingy and slightly cheap, but no one would look for me there. It’s close enough that I might be able to sneak out and get there unnoticed. He’s right, these goons will all have their faces glued to the football final. It’s all anyone is interested in, soccer is a second religion in Italy.
Okay. Don’t stand me up because I am going to be in so much trouble for this.
Are you ever not in trouble?
He has a point, I am always in shit for something so I might as well make it worth it for a change. IslandKING sends me a voice note, detailing his plans for my Saturday afternoon. It has me giddy, and nervous and so, so horny. He will meet me at the coffee shop but plans to take me to his villa for the afternoon so we can enjoy fine food and wine. There’s mention of gifts and spoiling me like I deserve to be spoiled.
I’m lost in the fairytale world when my phone rings, it’s Laura. I haven’t heard from her in a while, I know they are also in hiding. The entire underworld is on edge, no one knows who to trust. It’s a scary time, and I have missed her. She’s the closest thing I have to a friend in this world.
“Ciao,” I greet her, happy to finally know she is okay. “How are you?” My excitement makes my voice squeaky.
“Ciao, we are good. Are you okay?” she asks me. I know she cares. We might have no choice but to love each other, being family, but we really do care.
“I have cabin fever, but I am okay.”
“Luca’s father said they want you to marry some old Russian guy!” she blurts out, “are you really, okay? Promise me!” She sounds panicked, as if this is news to her.
“I am fine. I am not marrying a Russian, my brother is delusional. I actually have a date.” She can’t know any more than that, but it will be enough to calm her the hell down.
“A date?” That got her attention, “tell me everything.”
“I will, after the date,” I say, not wanting to get caught. “Let me see if I like him first.” He could still turn out to be a basement goblin with no life and live with his mother. Laura sighs, and I quickly change the subject back to her. “What are you doing?” I ask.
