Naomi's eyes squinted as the blinding light seeped through her closed eyelids. She groaned softly, her body stirring as she gradually became aware of her surroundings. With deliberate effort, she lifted herself up, her arms reaching out to her sides to aid the weight of her weary body. The room, once unfamiliar, was now drenched in a soft, ambient light. It took her a moment to comprehend her situation. She had been sleeping, but where was she?262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiRvK9NcXL
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Her fingers tightened around the fluffy blankets that enveloped her. She pulled them closer, seeking both warmth and comfort, as a cool breeze whispered through the room, causing the curtains to dance in gentle, ghostly movements. Curiosity piqued, she turned her head to gaze out of the window, her breath visible in the cold, dark night beyond. The world outside was silent, wrapped in the shroud of midnight, and she couldn't help but wonder how much time had passed during her slumber.
Mixed emotions swirled within her. On one hand, she dreaded the thought of causing a fuss, worrying the people who had taken care of her. On the other, there was a sense of relief, an elation that came from the knowledge of being safe and surrounded by the familiarity of her room.
Her room?
Her heart sank as reality settled in. This room was not hers. Her room was back in Helslip, miles away from this foreign town. The realization brought her shoulders slumping as a heavy sigh escaped her lips. With an exhausted groan, she leaned back against the headboard of the bed. Another shiver coursed through her, sending her seeking refuge beneath the warm blankets.
She glared at the open window across the room, the source of the chilling breeze. However, she lacked the energy to muster the strength to get up and close it. Weariness hung on her like a heavy cloak. She closed her eyes, her head resting against the padded headboard. In that moment of stillness, her hand brushed against her chest, coming into contact with a soft, fluffy fabric. She began to rub it gently, her brows furrowing in confusion.
The door creaked open, and Agatha's warm, concerned eyes locked onto Naomi's. A soft, reassuring smile curled at the corners of Agatha's lips. Naomi breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that it wasn't Anthony who had entered. "Finally, you're awake," Agatha's voice held a note of genuine relief. "You've been asleep all night long."
Agatha entered the room, bearing a plate of food. Even though Naomi couldn't see its contents, the aroma wafting from the dish filled the room, teasing her senses and making her mouth water. She sat up, perched on the edge of the bed, her curiosity getting the best of her. "Agatha?"
The question lingered in the air, carrying an undercurrent of uncertainty. "Are you the one who dressed me?"
Agatha looked up at Naomi, her gaze catching the worry in Naomi's eyes. In response, Agatha smiled, her eyes holding a warmth that seemed to soothe Naomi's unease. She reached over and gently took Naomi's hands, giving them a reassuring squeeze. "Yes, my dear. I am the one who dressed you. I wouldn't allow Anthony to see you in disarray." Her hand moved to rest on Naomi's cheek, offering a reassuring touch. "Don't worry. You're in safe hands."
Naomi nodded in gratitude, her own smile emerging in response. "Thank you."
Agatha's demeanor shifted slightly, and she gently urged Naomi, "Now, please, eat your food quickly. It's almost middle night."
At the mention of 'middle night,' Naomi's attention snapped to Agatha, her eyes wide with curiosity and a touch of apprehension. "What do you mean?" Her voice quivered with uncertainty, and a bead of sweat formed on the back of her neck.
Agatha's expression changed, a hint of sadness and concern darkening her gaze. "Anganaa hasn't spoken to you?"
Naomi's breath hitched, and a tremor of fear touched her voice. "W-what?" Her jaw dropped in astonishment. "You know about Anganaa?"
Agatha's eyes filled with a mixture of understanding and empathy as she sought to reassure Naomi. "Did you think I sent her to you? To manipulate you and turn you against Anthony?" Tears welled in Naomi's eyes, but she blinked them away, trying to steady her emotions. "You don't want me here, and you thought you found a way to get rid of me, is that it?"
Agatha shook her head vehemently, her eyes filled with urgency. "No, no, Naomi. You've got it all wrong. I'm not trying to get rid of you. It's just that I don't want to see you trapped in this place. I'm doing this for your own good."
Tears threatened to spill from Naomi's eyes, and she met Agatha's gaze with a mixture of confusion and disbelief. "You're trying to brainwash me. Anthony loves and trusts you so much. Do you realize how betrayed he'll feel if he hears that you're speaking ill of him behind his back?"
Agatha's eyes glistened with tears as she squeezed them shut, "You don't know Anthony as well as I do. The things he had done to Anganaa..." her body tensed as if she had just relived a moment of profound fear. When she opened her eyes, they were soft, filled with empathy as she looked at Naomi. "I'm trying to save you, Naomi."
"Anganaa is Nur's wife, isn't she? What relation does she have with Anthony?"
Agatha's head shook, her gaze distant and troubled. "No, Naomi. She is not Nur's wife.Sje is Gabriels wife. It was all a ploy."
"Gabriel?" Naomi whispered, the name ringing in her ears like an ominous bell tolling.
"Look," Agatha implored, her voice tinged with desperation, "you don't need to concern yourself with the details. All you need to know is that when the clock strikes middle night and you hear those three car horns, you need to leave this place. This may be our only chance."
Naomi's determination wavered, and she voiced her fears, "I will do no such thing. I won't leave like a thief through a window. What if I fall, get a concussion, or worse, end up dead? Anthony promised to take me home, and I believe he will. He has been good to me, and I don't want to repay kindness with distrust."
Agatha opened her mouth to respond, but her words were silenced by the abrupt opening of the door. Anthony entered the room, his face lighting up as his eyes landed on Naomi. "You're awake," he exclaimed, his warm smile easing the room's tension. "How worried I was. Did Agatha get you something to eat?"
He settled down beside Naomi, and Agatha, standing nearby, seemed on the verge of tears. Anthony reached for Naomi's spoon, loading it with a portion of her meal, which he tasted with evident pleasure. Naomi observed him, her earlier doubts slowly melting away as she realized how genuine and down-to-earth he seemed. "This is really good. Have you tried it?" Anthony inquired
Naomi met his gaze, her eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and trust as she observed his joyful reaction to the food. It was hard to believe that a man who appeared so genuine could be the source of her anxiety. The conflicting stories and secrets swirled around her like a web, entangling her in a complicated puzzle.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo0z5JOrWpd
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Anthony continued to savor the dish, but his eyes remained attentive, never leaving Naomi for long. As he chewed, he examined her closely, as if trying to decipher the thoughts racing through her mind.262Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡazQuCA6cQ0
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"What's going on with you two?" Anthony inquired, his gaze moving between Naomi and Agatha. "Why do you both look so gloomy? Did I interrupt something?"
Agatha laughed, the sound slightly strained, as she attempted to maintain a facade of normalcy. "What do you mean? There's nothing wrong; you're overthinking everything." She smiled, but it held a hint of tension that didn't escape Anthony's notice.
Anthony's eyes remained locked on Agatha, his intuition honing in on her unease. "You seem on edge, Agatha," he noted, his voice tinged with concern.
Agatha tried to reassure him, but her smile felt forced. "No, nothing at all. I was just about to leave."
Anthony, his intuition sharpened by a growing sense of unease, switched to French. "Agatha, qu'est-ce que tu fais?" His eyes remained fixed on her, and he couldn't ignore her evident discomfort.
"Rien, arrête de trop réfléchir, Anthony," Agatha responded in French, her strained smile still in place as she quickly left the room.
Anthony turned his attention back to Naomi, his confusion deepening. "What were you two up to?" he asked, puzzled by the exchange he had just witnessed.
Naomi shook her head, trying to maintain a facade of normalcy. "Nothing really. Agatha just came to check if I was okay, and she brought me something to eat."
Anthony studied Naomi, his curiosity mixed with suspicion. He inched closer, his hand gently capturing hers and stroking her skin. "Naomi, I want to ask you something. Can you promise to tell me the truth?"
"O-ok," Naomi agreed, her voice tinged with both vulnerability and apprehension.
"When you entered the bathroom earlier, one of Nur's wives followed you. The woman in the orange sari," Anthony said. He paused, his voice carrying a hint of vulnerability. "Did you see her?"
Naomi cleared her throat, snatching her hand from his grasp, unwilling to reveal the tremor in her touch. She opened her mouth to respond, her lips forming the words, "Yes," before hesitating. Her voice wavered as she continued, "Yes, I saw her."
Anthony nodded softly, watching her intently as he tried to read the emotions hidden in her gaze. "What did she say to you?"
Her mouth opened, then closed, uncertainty and defensiveness tainting her voice. "Nothing. She didn't tell me anything. She just greeted me and then went into the toilet."
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Anthony paused, scrutinizing her closely."You're lying to me," he said firmly, his tone laced with suspicion.
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