RISE AND SHINE!

PAULA

“Rise and shine, Hermosa Princesa,” (Beautiful princess)

Steve walks into my bedroom and finds me curled up on the floor in my winter pyjamas. The room is a mess and very dull, as I also did not open the curtains. I stay on the floor without moving. I hear his movements, and I am not even bothered about what he is up to at this moment, but all I want to do is escape this place.

“It is your father and brother’s bail hearing today, so it will be best if we all can go and give them support,” He stops in front of me and scrunches down to my level. “Did you sleep here?”

Of course, I slept on the floor. The cold and the discomfort kept reminding me that I am not dead. But I do not say that out loud to him though.

“Are you just going to ignore me, babe? Okay, I am sorry for hitting you the other day; I lost control, and… I am sorry, okay? Please get up and get ready so that we can leave as soon as possible,” He holds my arm and pulls me up gently, and somehow, I cooperate with him. He