Page 39 of Owned By Frank

PROTECTED

I open my eyes slowly but close them just at the moment when a wave of pain occurs in my head.

I feel like this one is going to explode, I feel like I can't breathe. My throat is complaining about how dry it is.

I hold the palm of my hand to my forehead and open my eyes in amazement when I notice that I am burning with fever.

The door opens calmly and a lady wearing a uniform enters. She doesn't look at me, she just leaves her breakfast on the table.

- Miss, Mr. Frank told me that all this must end...

I look at the tray and it consists of a variety of fruits, bread, coffee and other delicacies that at this moment I don't feel like trying. I just don't get hungry.

How long has it been since I've eaten well?

I don't know. I spend all my time locked up reading the variety of books Dante leaves me, other times I just stay in the room watching movies. Maybe that's what takes away my appetite or maybe it's just the confinement that has depressed me. I don't deny it, I usually go out into the garden, obviously escorted by his men, but that's not enough for me. On the other hand, I haven't seen him since that night, according to the cleaning ladies, he's more than busy.

- Tell Frank I want to see him please... - my voice sounds a little hoarse.

The woman nods and leaves the room in a hurry. I get up very carefully and feel dizzy. I breathe over and over again until I stabilize.

I gather all my strength and raise my body. I stagger to one side and to avoid falling I hold on to the little table that is a song away from the bed.

I wait a few seconds and without further ado, I enter the bathroom.

I brush my teeth and my face and then go out and look for something to keep me warm since I have started to feel chills.

I opt for a pair of jeans, a T-shirt with straps, a wool sweater that goes up to my waist and a scarf that covers my neck.

I put some mascara on my eyelashes but I don't finish my work, and I feel so weak that at any moment I feel like I'm going to fall.

I look at the tray carefully and from there I just drink the orange juice. I feel my stomach starting to complain but I don't give it a second thought.

I look out of the window and the garden is there as always greeting me. Frank's men are holding their guns and walking around.

I take a book and go back to bed. I try to read but it is difficult, my head is spinning making my reading go bad.

I throw the book on the floor and stand still trying to give myself warmth, that's when the door opens and Dante enters.

I look at his face and he is serious as always. He wears a black suit without a tie, he has a coat over him that goes below his waist and his hair is perfectly combed.

He is still upset about the way I treated him at the party. He hasn't spoken to me, he hasn't even wanted to see me and as much as he denies it I want to apologize to him, after all, he just wanted to protect me.

- What's going on, Dante? - I ask

He looks at me seriously and begins to approach me slowly.

- Frank will not be able to come, he is discussing some issues with some partners and things are not quite right...

- Why are you telling me this?

- Mrs. Lori told me that you asked her to call Frank, as I told you he is very busy and will not be able to come see you for a while.

I sit lightly and fix my gaze on another point than Dante's blues, it makes me uncomfortable. I don't know exactly why, it's as if he knew I was starting to feel something for that German.

Dante looks at me and when I think he's going to talk to me he does the opposite. He turns around with the intention of leaving.

I must apologize, I must apologize for the way I treated him, he just wanted to protect me and I behaved badly. It's now or never.