na'

you wouldn't have known. I had rented an apartment with the money Capella gave me, and I felt so grateful. I changed my hair

ad never been that late to work. Locking my door, I ran downstairs to look for a bus. "Good mor

asked, but I couldn't answer pr

ing; I'm late," I to

my shift at the Café 15 minutes ago, and my manager was going to kill me. I quic

ed to calm down, but my mind was racing with all the things that could go wrong

already knew I was in trouble, "Sir, I'm sorry; I won't be late n

ine! I've heard you; I'm going to let you off for today because y

. My manager told me to go serve the new customers who had just arrived. T

look at their faces. "Good morning, gentlemen; what can I off

two, then one black coff

nic set in, my heart racing like a wild animal, threatening to burst out of my chest. I yearned to scream and flee, but my legs

enses, and memories of what happened came flooding back. I panicked, "Oh God, he's found me!" I

ding in the corner of the room, watching me with an unreadable expression, and I felt a chill run down my

s voice low and gentle, but i

ith you! Leave me the fuck alone, Marcus!" I threw things at him

ed, my voice shaking, my whole life depended on his responses. But before he could explain, Marcus approached me, and I felt a wave of terr

down!" He said softly, but

this monster...." I begged, my voice cracked with emotion, and my body trembled with fear.

ar. I felt so weakened and drained, my throat parched. "Water," I croaked

me explain things to you. I'm not who you think

Miss Meriam, please calm down. You're going to harm you

to you. His name is not Giovanni. He's Marcus, and h

n, "Take a deep breath, okay? L

, just leave me alone. Don't hurt me, please." I screamed, my voice hoarse, "Why are you soundin

As he said, I'm not Marcus. I'm Giovanni. I won't

ds, protective of my child. "You

owing he was trying to manipulate me. The doctor returned, "T

ride with my phone and the driver arrived quickly, I was relieved to be heading home. My mind was racing. "Am I

ped. "It's Giovanni, coming to pick you up for your appointment. Don't as

business and life." But he was a

red me to get in the car. "No, I'm not going with you! You ca

!" He looked at me with a sincere expression, and for a moment, I wondered if

braver than I felt. But before I could react, he scoope

ng to break free. He ignored my protests and in

ound panicked and brave at the same time. Fear could

nfident. "I'm the system here. And screaming won't help yo

instead of waiting, he dragged me to the doctor's off

doctor greeted him, as we entered the office. I f

my stomach to proceed with the scan, I felt a sudden shiver run down my spine. The gel was icy cold,

amination. I saw my baby on the screen. I felt emotional and started crying. "

rprisingly, I felt calm. "Calm

're carrying twins. Look at the screen; the bigger one

od news, doctor; thank you." I h

ions, amore,

on, telling me to rest. As we left the hospital, I couldn't help but wonder who