Reputation's Play (Book 1)

Ch.24 Lost In Translation

Chapter 24 Lost In Translation 

With just a small bag packed with her identification cards and some essential items, Gia sat on the edge of her bed with the lights to her room turned off. It was a quarter past two and the whole house was as silent as the dark sea. Gia listened for any sounds that might tell her who was still lurking around in the halls.

Her heart was too afraid to beat. She was fearful someone might catch her in the act and drag her back into the house kicking and screaming. And she prayed to god that someone wasn't her father. Maybe some people learned to stand and fight their problems. But not Gia. No problem was ever too big enough to run away from.

As the minutes passed and she waited for Daniel, Gia wished she could talk to someone about what she was about to do. She longed for Daisy. Manly because she knew Daisy would tell her all the things Gia was trying so hard not to acknowledge. But maybe it was a good thing that Gia hadn't called Daisy. Maybe she needed to run and maybe....just maybe being logical wasn't an option at that moment.

Gia gripped the sheets beneath her causing knuckles to turn white. She bounced her legs impatiently as she waited for the flashing headlights to appear outside. Her heart was in her throat, beating silently but with such strength that it made her head spin. She stared at the wall until the passing lights finally stopped and she saw the two flashing headlights she had been waiting for.

Running to her window, Gia pushed aside the curtains and looked out. She spotted Daniel's car parked outside as he rolled down the window and looked up at her. His eyes softened and he let out a small sigh. Gia's chest tightened as she held up her finger to tell him she would be right down.

With shaking hands, Gia turned around slowly. She looked around her room and quietly grabbed her bag off the bench she had been sitting on. She pulled on her black hoodie and gently walked to the door to make sure she didn't make the floorboards creak. When she opened her door, she found the living room completely empty.

Holding her breath, Gia rushed to the door. She managed to unlock it and sneak out into the stairwell without a hitch. In the darkness, Gia used the light from her phone to hurry down the stairs and into the foyer. She was almost there. Just one more lock to get past.

With only the trees standing witness to her, Gia felt a mixture of emotions inside of herself as she stepped out of the doorway and inhaled the cool night air for the first time. Daniel, who had been waiting for her in his car, stepped out immediately upon seeing her. Gia ran down the stairs and flew into his arms as he caught her with ease and pulled her off the ground.

"Are you okay?" Daniel asked, his heart beating wildly in his chest as he held Gia against it.

Gia nodded. She pulled back and looked over her shoulder at the house.

"Are you sure about this?" Daniel asked when he noticed Gia's attention was caught on the townhouse.

"Yes," Gia slowly took in a deep breath. She let Daniel take her bag as he walked her to the passenger seat and opened the door for her. Gia climbed in and closed her eyes to say a farewell prayer Maria had taught her. She heard Daniel start the engine and the car drove away from the house.

Several minutes passed before Daniel reached across the seat and placed his hand on Gia's leg. He waited for her to look at him before he took her hand and placed a small kiss on her knuckles.

"Are you okay?" He asked again, worried by the way her face had shred all its light. Her eyes were sunken in and her cheeks hollow.

Sitting in the passenger seat, Gia nodded and intertwined her finger with Daniel's.