ᴋɪɴɢ ʀᴀꜰᴀᴇʟ: ᴄᴏᴍᴘʟᴇᴛᴇ ✓

⭒36⭒

Our lives begin to end the day
we become silent about things that matter
{Martin Luther King}
________

Folding the piece of paper in my hands, I exited the taxi with a 'gracias'. This was the address, so why was I in the middle of nowhere. During the drive here, I'd noticed that we'd left the urban city and ventured into perhaps the countryside? Or some type of jungle? I mean, what would explain all these trees here?

The taxi whizzing from behind took me out of my thoughts. Walking up to the gate, there seemed to be an alarm system here, so I rung that. After a couple of seconds, an unfamiliar voice greeted me.

"Hola. This is Emanuel speaking, who is here today?" A man said in a distinct spanish accent.

"Hi there, this is Laila" there was silence after this. His voice replied back after a few unruly seconds.

"Hmm. I'm not sure there is anyone booked down as Laila in our system? Did you have a booking with Mrs. Garcia?" Was he referring to Antoinette? Not knowing what else to say, I stumbled upon the words "sure" and "yes" and a vigorous head nod, not that he could see me. Anything to get me out of this secluded area.

"Okay. And can you tell me your last name please?"

"Bakhash" I replied back. After a couple of minutes, it seemed like he'd found me much to my relief.

"Bien. You may come through" just then a loud beep sounded before the gates automatically opened sideways. I stood back in shock, not expecting them to be so abrupt. Technology these days. Jeez.

Okay now I sounded like a grandma. Maybe I needed to go out with people my own age rather than old doctors in a hospital. Having walked to the front of this huge house, I was no less surprised to see a butler stood in the porch, seemingly waiting for my arrival.

He smiled down at me, welcoming me with his outstretched arm.

"Hola, missed Bakhash. It seems Mrs Garcia has been waiting for your arrival. Please follow me" wow. I was taken aback by the formality. This seemed like a job interview more than anything.

Nodding my head, as not to be rude, I followed behind, soaking in the surroundings. This house was very modest. Not like Rafael's, whose had a sense of antique-ness to it. If that was even a word. Wait, why am I even comparing this beautiful house to his?

There was seriously something wrong with me. I concluded.

We stopped behind two large doors. The man before me knocked thrice before a familiar voice spoke from within. "come in" it called. The supposed butler bowed his head down, both his arms clasped ahead of him in a V shape.

"You may enter the room" his hoarse Spanish accent broke out, with a warm, wrinkly smile. I smiled myself before entering the room. Shutting the door behind me, I was pleased to see Antoinette perched upon a black office chair. Her left shoulder was gauzed and bandaged up, much to my relief.

But I'd been greatly surprised by her attire. No longer was she supporting the flowy floral dresses required of her, or the mundane shirts and skirts. She was infact clothed like a boss. I couldn't help but feel underdressed with my baggy jeans and a long shirt.

She looked ready for business, with her own knee length skirt and a smart shirt which seemed to support no creases. Her smile captured my attention away from her.

"Laila. Buenos dias. I hope it wasn't a pain to meet me here" she returned formally. Although I'd been used to this attitude, somehow now it felt more out of place. I guess I was still attached to that innocent, go-to woman I'd known for the last two months.