(POV: Renata)


    Lina enters the room with clothes in hand, wearing a gentle yet sad expression. I wonder why?


    “Here, Lena” she extends a piece of clothing to me, “There’s a nightgown for you to wear tonight. A pair of jeans, and a ck tank top to change into tomorrow, so we can talk morefortab when you’re well rested.”


    “Thank you, ma’am,” I take the clothes from her hands and give a slight smile. Her eyes widen slight, but before I can ask anything, sheposes herself.


    My smile quick fades as my stomach makes a loud, embarrassing noise, signaling that I haven’t eaten in a long time. I sense my cheeks flush.


    “Please, only call me Lina,” she requests, and I nod, agreeing, “When you’re done with your bath. I’ll bring you a delicious meal,” she winks at me.


    “Thank you, and I apologize for the inconvenience of having to shelter a stranger in your home. I promise not to be too much trouble,” I speak, trying to sound as genuine as possible. I ce the clothes she brought on the bed.


    “Don’t worry about that, dear,” she says and walks toward the door, but before leaving, she looks into my eyes. “You’re wee here; you can stay as long as you need. You’re under my protection, and even though I bare know you. I’ve taken a liking to you,” she says, and I once again feign a friendly smile. “There are all the essentials you need in the bathroom-clean towels, a new toothbrush, soap, shampoo, and conditioner in the cab. Make yourself at home,”


    She gives me a half-smile and leaves the room.


    I sit on a chair and observe the room. It’s enormous and very beautiful, all in beige with a ss window and a built-in couch without a backrest. There’s a brown door in front of the bed, which I assume is the bathroom. I head over there and start to remove my dirty, torn clothes. As I survey the bathroom, I’m left speechless. It’s all white with a one-person bathtub. A double showerhead in the spacious shower enclosure, a marble sink with a mirror above it. Is everything in this house so grand?


    I toss my old clothes into the bathroom’s trash can and look at myself in the mirror. My face is red and scratched, the skin on my arms is injured-I look pretty beat up. But I also still have bruises all over my body from the mountain climbing.


    I ce the nightgown on the toilet seat and step into the shower, turning on the water for a long and indulgent shower. The hot water helps rx my muscles, and the hygiene products smell lovely. When I finish, I step out of the shower and grab a plush towel hanging next to it, drying myself off and then putting on the nightgown. I don’t like going without underwear, but it seems I’ll have to tonight. It looks like Lina forgot about that detail. I hope there are no insects here.


    I find a wide-toothedb inside the cab and startbing my hair. I don’t want to go to sleep without brushing it and letting it tangle. I remember my dear mother; I hope she’s okay without me. But focus, Rê! Remember that you’re here with one purpose: to help my mother in her revenge against this family of monsters who destroyed my grandparents. Despite how nice they’ve been to me, even though they don’t know who I am, I can’t be swayed by their hospitality. I know what they’re capable of, and I’m here to make them pay, and pay dear!


    And speaking of hospitality, I remember the man who helped me on the mountain. He’s so handsome, those hypnotizing blue eyes. I thought I was only infatuated because he was the first and only man I’d ever seen in my life, but no. I didn’t feel anything like what I felt for him when I looked at the boys who helped me, and certain not with their father.


    Deniel stirred something inside me, and I can’t identify this feeling that surges within me. He’s aplete stranger… a handsome stranger. I sigh and shake my head to chase away these thoughts. I can’t deviate from my main focus, and I don’t even know if I’ll see him again.


    I leave everything as I found it, and as I exit the bathroom, Ie face to face with Lina sitting on the bed. Staring into nothingness, with a tray of fruits, bread, and juice beside her.


    “Hi,” I call her attention, “I’ve organized the bathroom with my things, so you don’t have to worry about cleaning. I can take care of cleaning up after myself.”


    “Thank you for everything, Mrs. Lina,” she grimaces.


    “Only Lina, as we agreed,” she says calm.


    “Lina,” I say, and she smiles approving, “You and your family have been angels to me. I have no words to thank you, and I’ll never be able to repay you,” Renata, you’re so fake, my conscience screams.


    “There’s nothing to thank me for; only get some rest,” she advises and leaves me alone in the room again.N?vel(D)rama.Org''s content.


    I go to the bed and sit in front of the tray. Without further ado, I attack the rolls, devouring everything quick; it’s all delicious. After brushing my teeth, I lie down in bed and let out a sigh of appreciation. The bed is so soft and fragrant. Thinking of my mother, I fall asleep.