Running away from Dad was easy, but dealing with the consequences wasn’t. Under the scorching sun, I lost count of how many sighs I had let out. Robert, being his usual self, ordered me to go to a supermarket within the subdivision to buy groceries.
Earlier, the weather wasn’t so sunny, but after a few minutes of walking on the sidewalk, the sun suddenly emerged from behind thick clouds. By the time I reached the supermarket, I was drenched in sweat.
I almost sneezed due to the sudden change into a cold environment. My teacher once told me that it’s not good to enter a cold place abruptly after being in the heat for a long time. But what did it matter? I wanted to get inside.
I glanced around and saw various types of people. Though the subdivision wasn’t large, many shoppers were buying groceries that day.
Quietly, I grabbed a cart and headed to the vegetable section. I picked up some condiments, a few good vegetables, and fruits before making my way to the meat section.
Robert had given me a purse full of money. It was then that I realized I had nothing else with me except my own body and what I wore. So, I asked Robert to buy me clothes. I couldn’t shop outside the subdivision; Dad’s men might see me wandering.
Even though Alcantara was far from the city, it was better to be safe than sorry.
While doing the grocery shopping, I still wore shades. The salesmen didn’t say anything, but as I passed by the guard watching the ATM machine, he suddenly called out to me.
“Miss, please remove your shades.”
I forced a smile at him and followed his request. When I entered earlier, I had taken off the shades I borrowed from Robert, but I put them on again later. I knew it was necessary to remove hats and shades when inside such marts.
After a few minutes, I lined up at the counter. I glanced around hoping no weird person was staring at me. But I was wrong!
There was a salesman who kept staring at me, even though I was already in line at the counter to pay for my cart of groceries. I didn’t want to pay attention to him, but the line was long, and he kept staring longer.
That’s when I got nervous. I didn’t mind if he was thinking something inappropriate while looking at me, but I worried if he was one of Dad’s men or knew someone who was, who might report seeing me. That would make it easier for Dad to find me, and I didn’t want that.
When another salesman passed by me, I quickly called out to him and whispered, “Please tell your colleague to mind his own business.” I gave him a fake smile and nodded towards the salesman who kept staring at me.
My companion nodded. “Sorry, Ma’am.” Then he walked over to his colleague.
I breathed a sigh of relief. The line moved forward until it was my turn. I placed all my purchases on the counter. After a few minutes, my groceries were bagged, and I finished paying.
I turned to look at where the man who had been staring at me earlier had stood. But I didn’t see him there anymore. Although I felt relieved, my anxiety didn’t completely disappear, so I quickly left the supermarket.
As I walked along the sidewalk, someone suddenly called out from behind. “Miss!”
I almost jumped in surprise but managed to keep my composure and turned around. I narrowed my eyes at the same man who had stared at me inside the supermarket.
“Miss!” he called out again, smiling as he approached me.
My brows furrowed. “What do you want? You’ve been staring at me earlier.”
He swallowed. “I’m sorry for my behavior earlier, Miss. But aren’t you friends with Skylar?”
My frown deepened at his words. “I don’t know who you’re talking about.” I quickly turned and took a step away.
But the man followed me and even had the audacity to walk alongside me. “Miss, Skylar Angeles. You’re friends with him, right?”
I kept my anger in check and stayed calm. “I don’t know you. Stop following me!”
“Miss–”
“Don’t you understand? Or do you not realize that what you’re doing now is harassment? I could report you to the homeowners’ association and get you fired!”
That silenced him. I didn’t see him in my peripheral vision anymore, indicating that he had stopped in his tracks. I quickly shrugged my shoulders and held my groceries tightly against my chest.
I didn’t know why he asked about Skylar. My teeth gritted in annoyance. Did that guy do something again? And why did I keep hearing his name even in Alcantara?
“Who did you meet?” Robert asked when I entered his house.
Since I didn’t know how to cook, I insisted on staying in the other house where he was staying. I would only go back to the other house at night after dinner.
And it took me hours before Robert agreed. He was that kind of jerk, and I never thought he was one.
I sighed and placed the grocery bags on the kitchen counter. “Some weird guy,” I replied.
I stole a glance at Robert, who was currently holding a pack of juice to his lips. His arms were crossed, leaning against the wall next to the refrigerator, and his eyes were fixed on me.
My breath caught when I realized he was staring at me intently. I furrowed my brow. “Why are you staring at me like that?”
“I was thinking…” He lowered the pack of juice from his lips. “If your father finds us in this place, what will happen to me?”
My eyes blinked at his question. Several seconds passed before it sank in. I cleared my throat. “Well, you’d have to run away and hide from him.”
That’s when the corner of his lips curled into a smile. That gesture again!
“If I were to run away and hide, how would you pay back your debt to me?”
I choked, swallowing hard with a dry mouth. A cough escaped my lips, and I held my throat, coughing several times before I raised my head to stare at Robert in disbelief.