The Hasty Gateaway
Orely
Diego and I were having dinner when we suddenly heard noises coming from outside. So my husband gets up to see what it is by the window. Without saying a word, he heads for the broom cupboard to get his shotgun. Stepping towards me, I was both petrified and saddened when he told me that it was Miguel Rivera's men who had come to kill him for refusing to sell him his land. So he came to threaten him by force.
"Get out of here! Run away as fast as you can! It's the only thing to do," he orders in a firm voice.
"But what about you? You're not going to face them alone."
Out of the blue, one of the men speaks loudly.
"Come on out, Diego! We just want to talk."
Distraught, I feel the tension explode in the room, holding my breath as Diego's gaze turns to the confrontation outside. I move closer to the window and see an unhealthy smile stretching across his face, and a shiver runs down my spine. Away from the window, eyes fixed on our house, I can see these men, weapons in hand, laughing, clearly amused by the fright we can feel.
"I'm already screwed, Orely. You'd better go before it's too late."
"But.."
"Do as I say! We're running out of time. The land is yours, I already put it in your name a few days ago."
"But I don't want your lands!"
"My darling, now is not the time to crack. I knew that sooner or later this would happen. Be strong and take care of these lands. They're worth a fortune and will make your future. I want you to fight. You're the only one I've got left.
At his words, tears come to my eyes. He approaches me and kisses me on the forehead. I felt I was losing him, but he remained silent. His gaze is intense, almost unbearable.
"Know that you are and always will be my Orely. Now run away," he declares, trying to wipe a tear from my cheek with his thumb.
Quietly, I go out the back door and run with all my might, thinking of Diego, who must already be dead.
"At 25, I'm already a widow. Why does life have to be so hard on me," I said, crying my eyes out.
But the intensity of the scene gradually escapes me and I feel my heart breaking into a thousand pieces, but I keep running until I collide head-on with a rather muscular, fairly young man. I am so on edge and panicked that I rebelled against him a little. But he convinced me he was on my side. His charisma is so eminent that after a while, I just stared at him for a few seconds. The man's name is Santiago and although my mind is elsewhere, a magnetic tension seems to grow during our brief exchange.
After running hastily like a donkey who didn't really know where to go until Santiago intervened, I found myself in the little house of Annetta, his godmother. At first glance, it's an old local barn, which has been lovingly and thoughtfully transformed. Even though I'm in a moment of upheaval, I can't help but notice authentic details that appeared during the renovation.
It was the mini veranda that caught my eye. It's designed to be an extra space in the house, offering a warm and intimate place to relax. This small, covered and open porch, attached to the outside, also allows you to appreciate the beauty of the outdoors such as having breakfast or simply daydreaming of the sunset with a drink in hand) and a gentle breeze caressing your face. Simply divine to forget all worries. But then, it's not really the time for daydreaming, but it relaxes my mind a little instead of sinking into dark thoughts. Once inside, the change is obvious, creating a warm atmosphere. The living room is furnished with simple medium-sized furniture, a sofa bed and a rocking chair.
Annetta is the most anxious of us all, because these men could turn up at any time, and understandably so. She panics, she screams, but she does her best to help me, and I appreciate it, otherwise I'd probably be out of this world like Diego. I have been made to hide in the basement, which isn't as unpleasant as all that, and it's clean. I'd say it's a small room where a few second-hand antiques are stored and, under a big blanket, I can hear Annetta pulling out all the stops to get those morons to back off. She's doing pretty well, a real rascal.
After the episode at his godmother's, he wanted to take me back to my mother's, who lives two kilometers from here. In the car, the image of Diego is playing over and over in my head, and right now the only thing on my mind is going to see him. So I decided to make small talk if I can convince Mr. Benefactor.
"Are you Santiago or Sebastian," I claim.
"Ah, it's a very long story. But my name is Santiago. It's only her who calls me like that."
"I see. Can you do me a favor?" I try to ask nervously.
"Just say it."
"You know it's risky. It could even be a trap for that feeling of weakness."
I don't answer and he is right. Going to see him will only make my case worse. Very early in the morning, I'll go and get the legal documents for the land. My land. Besides, I only listen to him with one ear. Suddenly, he speaks up.
"You'd better not think about it too much."
"What do you know?" I retorted sharply.
He says nothing, and I turn my head slightly to look at him as he concentrates on the wheel.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have reacted like that." I said shamefully.
"Ah, it's nothing. He is your husband after all, it's understandable."
Sitting next to this man, with this imposing silence, I feel that he emanates an aura that is both gentle and dangerous. Unexpectedly, the vehicle stops, bringing me out of my reflections as I see that we are in front of my mother's house.