AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Daniela
“Hello.” My voice sounds small and hesitant.
“Good evening,” he says in a low, silky timbre. “I see you found your new phone.”
I hold my breath, bracing for a stern lecture filled with the promise of punishment. But he doesn’t sound angry—at all. Quite the contrary. “New phone? The phone is for me?”
“Since the chat with Isabel went off without a hitch, I thought you might like a phone so you can be in touch with her more often.”
My heart leaps. I won’t be able to take the phone with me when I leave, because I’m sure it can be tracked, but I can talk to them every day while I’m stuck here. Although it means keeping up the ruse with Isabel that everything’s fine.It’s worth it to hear their voices.
“Thank you. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate being able to talk to them.”
“Don’t get too excited. The phone is closely monitored, and there’s no internet access. If you want to video-chat again, you’ll need to ask.”
Why couldn’t he just say ‘you’re welcome’? Why does every kindness have to come with a small slap?
“Where are you?” he asks softly.
Where am I? Really?
“Out shopping and getting a manicure.” There’s a touch of humor in my voice to offset the sarcasm. “Oh wait, I’m not allowed to leave the property. I’m in my room. But I’m sure you already know that.”
“Where in your room,Princesa?”
“I’m in bed,” I reply cautiously.
“Hmmm,”he murmurs.
I should have told him I was curled up in a chair, reading. What if he wants phone sex? So what if he does? Daniela!
“Thank you again for the phone. But it’s late, and I was almost asleep. Can we finish this conversation tomorrow?”
“You don’t sound like you were almost asleep. You squeaked like a little mouse when you answered, but now you sound wide awake.”
I don’t bother to argue, because he’s right, and he knows it.
“I left something else in your room. Maybe that’s why you’re in such a big hurry to get rid of me. Did you find it?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I scan the room, but there’s nothing that appears new. “No. I don’t see anything.”
“Go to your dressing room, and on the top shelf, above the lingerie drawers, there’s a leather case. Bring it back to the bed. But before you do, take the key that’s on a red ribbon from your panty drawer.”
“You were in my closet? In my drawers? When?”
“I was. And does it matter when?”
I don’t respond, because all I can think about is him rifling through my things.They’re not really your things. You’re just borrowing them while you’re here.
“Do as I ask, and stop worrying that I touched your underwear.”
It’s unsettling to know he was in the room where I sleep, without me knowing, although I don’t pretend to have much privacy here.
“Daniela?”
“I’m going,” I mutter, climbing out of bed.A case and a key.What are you up to, Antonio?
On a high shelf, above the lingerie drawers, there’s a blush-color leather case about the size of a hatbox. It wasn’t there this morning.
