The morning after

The security at Aunty’s house is very tight, but once the guards see that I’m the one in the car with Jeff, they immediately let us in through the gates of the large estate, the relief on their faces clearly apparent. I feel a pang of guilt, knowing that the guards, especially the ones at Carol’s house must have gotten hell for letting me go out without protection.

I’m ready for a fight if it comes to that, though. I’m not a child, neither am I a prisoner, and I can go wherever I want to go without needing permission from anyone or needing to be followed around like someone who doesn’t know her left from her right.

“Good morning, ma’am. We were all worried sick when you didn’t come back last night. Mr. Charles sent people out to look for you, but we couldn’t find you anywhere.”

“It’s alright, Jim. I went out with my friends last night, and somehow lost my phone, which is why I couldn’t call anyone and why you guys couldn’t reach me. Anyway, I left my car at the hotel where I spent the