The next morning, I woke up with a sense of urgency. The events of last night still haunted me, but I had no time to dwell on them.
I needed to see Sofia. I quickly got ready, throwing on a pair of jeans and a comfortable top, and rushed downstairs.
"Good morning, Aunt Maria!" I called out as I passed through the bakery."Good morning, sweetheart," she replied with a smile, her hands busy with a tray of freshly baked pastries.
"Are you okay? You seem in a hurry.""Just need to see Sofia," I said, giving her a quick peck on the cheek before heading out the door.
The walk to Sofia's house was brisk. The event of last night replayed in my mind, the mysterious hooded figure.
I needed to talk to Sofia, to make sense of it all.When I arrived at her house, I knocked rapidly on the door. It opened almost immediately, and Sofia stood there, looking just as anxious as I felt."Elena! Come in," she said, pulling me inside.
We went straight to her room, where she handed me a cup of coffee. "So, how are you holding up?
Honestly, I'm not sure how I'm holding up. I got that nightmare as usual again and when I woke up, it was already 2:30 midnight. I started crying, my heart feeling heavy with the familiar weight of grief and fear. I felt like someone had eyes on me, despite being in the locked room. The sensation was so intense that I walked towards the balcony.
I thought it would be the usual: I'd look around and find no one. But last night was different. When I opened the door, I saw a man wearing a cap, staring towards my balcony room-and then directly at me. He didn't even spare a glance away. It was the same hooded man from the bar. I could feel it in my bones.
Sofia, yesterday when I saw him, it was like he had an aura of menace around him. It's getting worse day by day. I'm scared. Can he be the one who killed my parents and now wants to kill me?
Sofia looked at me with concern, her brows furrowing as she processed what I was saying. "Elena, that's terrifying. Why didn't you tell me sooner? We need to do something about this."
"I didn't want to worry you," I admitted. "But now, after what happened last night, I can't ignore it anymore."
She nodded, squeezing my hand. "We'll figure this out, Elena. You're not alone in this. Maybe we should go to the police or at least hire some security."
"I don't know, Sofia. What if this person is watching our every move? What if going to the police makes things worse?"
Sofia's eyes widened. "Then we have to be careful. But we can't just do nothing. You're too important to me to let this slide."
Her words brought a small measure of comfort, but the fear still lingered. I needed to be vigilant and watch for any signs that might explain what was happening.
After our conversation, we decided to take a walk to clear our heads. As we strolled through the park, I tried to push the dark thoughts aside, focusing instead on the beauty of the morning. The birds chirping, the fresh scent of flowers, and the warmth of the sun were a stark contrast to the cold fear that had gripped me.
We talked about lighter things, our upcoming classes, and plans for the weekend. It felt good to momentarily escape the shadows that seemed to follow me. But deep down, I knew that this peace was fragile, that the answers I sought were still out there, lurking in the darkness.
As the day went on, we made our way back to the bakery. Aunt Maria greeted us with a warm smile and a tray of freshly baked cookies. "I thought you girls might like a treat," she said, her eyes twinkling with affection.
"Thanks, Aunt Maria," I said, taking a cookie and savoring the sweet, warm flavor. "You always know how to make things better."
She gave me a knowing look. "Just remember, Elena, you're stronger than you think. Whatever's bothering you, you'll get through it."
Her words lingered with me as Sofia and I settled into the cozy corner of the bakery, enjoying our cookies and coffee. For now, I could push the shadows aside and focus on the light, knowing that with Sofia and Aunt Maria by my side, I could face whatever came my way.
***
After Sofia left, I decided to take a long shower. The warm water was soothing, helping to wash away the lingering unease from last night's nightmare. Once I finished, I settled myself in bed and picked up my phone. Scrolling through my emails, one message caught my attention. It was from an associate my father had worked for, informing me that the renovations on my old house were complete.
My thoughts drifted back to a few weeks ago. I had made the decision to move back to my parents' house. Living with Aunt Maria had been a blessing, but I didn't want to burden her any longer. She loved me and took care of me like her own daughter, but I knew I needed to stand on my own. Convincing her hadn't been easy. After a series of arguments, she finally agreed to let me move out.
I remembered the day I first returned to my childhood home. As I arrived, I saw some men working on repairing the door. I headed towards them, ready to ask who they were and what they were doing, when a voice stopped me. I turned around and saw a familiar face. It was Marco, the man sent by my father's boss. I had met him at my parents' funeral.
He greeted me, and I returned the gesture. He was the same man who had advised me to leave the house after my parents' death, warning that the killers might come for me as well. His advice had led me to move in with Aunt Maria.
"Why are these men here?" I asked.
"They're renovating the house," Marco replied. "We need to ensure there are no hidden rooms, no surveillance cameras. We want to make sure it's safe for you."
I nodded, absorbing his words. Marco continued, "Once the work is done, we'll notify you, and you can move back in. It's our responsibility to make sure you're safe until you get your degree and find a job."
It was a relief to hear that. My father's company had declared it their duty to take care of me after his death. They had continued sending my father's monthly checks, which allowed me to live without financial worries. Despite my initial reluctance, they insisted, showing me a contract my father had signed, ensuring his family would be taken care of in case of any mishap.
As I pondered this, my phone buzzed, pulling me back to the present. I glanced at the screen and saw a new email notification. It was a reminder of how much my life had changed since that tragic day. Deciding to rest, I put my phone aside and let my thoughts drift, hopeful that the future would bring some semblance of peace and normalcy.
The next morning, I woke up feeling slightly better. I got ready quickly, eager to start the day. Rushing downstairs, I found Aunt Maria already busy in the bakery. I greeted her with a quick "Good morning" before heading out. My first stop was Sofia's place; I couldn't wait to tell her about the house and the plans to move back.
But as I stepped out, I felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. Moving back to my parents' house was a big step. It was a place filled with memories, both good and painful. Yet, I knew it was something I had to do. It was time to face the past and build a future on my own terms.
I met up with Sofia, and together, we made our way to my childhood home. As we approached, a wave of memories crashed over me.
I had the best and worst moments of my life in that house. It had been seven months since my parents died, but the pain felt just as fresh.The house looked different yet familiar.
Repairs were evident, but the soul of the house remained untouched. Tears welled up in my eyes as I stood there, overwhelmed by the memories. Sofia squeezed my hand in support.
"It's okay, Elena. It's natural to feel this way," she said softly.
Sofia and I walked through the house, inspecting the renovations. As we entered each room, I felt a whirlwind of emotions-joy, happiness, and a deep sadness.
I was thrilled to be moving back, but the house didn't feel like home today. I couldn't rush to the kitchen to find my mom cooking meals for me. I couldn't find my dad in the study, reading as always.
Finally, we headed towards my room. It was the same, nothing had changed. But to my surprise, the balcony had been extended. It was beautifully decorated with numerous flower pots and colorful blooms. There was a coffee table, a comfy chair, a swing chair, and a bookshelf. It was stunning.
I didn't know why they had made these changes, but I was happy. Sofia came up from behind and hugged me.
"It's pretty," she said, teasingly adding, "I guess the boss is in love with you.
No one would do such things just for an employee.
"I laughed at her joke and replied, "If that's the case, I'll happily accept him."
Sofia giggled and we both sat on the swing chair, letting the gentle movement soothe us. The balcony felt like a peaceful retreat, a sanctuary amidst the chaos of my emotions.
As we continued to explore, I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude. The renovations had breathed new life into the house.
It was still filled with memories, but it also held the promise of new beginnings. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I was ready to face whatever came next.
With Sofia by my side and the support of my father's associates, I felt a renewed sense of hope.This house was my past, but it was also my future. And I was ready to embrace it.
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