Present Time,
ZEDA'S POV
I tucked thoughts about being in love with Mr Ragnar away.
Because in what universe can that be possible?
I decided to leave things as they are and focus on school work which I was way behind.
It has been the hardest days of my existence since the Topaz Tower - it has been three weeks!
I could not leave the mansion, so I learned, submitted assignments, and presented my work online. Courtesy of Mr Ragnar's connection and help, I could continue learning virtually.
Professor Acheron was back to being one of my lecturers and I wanted to speak to him. I couldn't because I had no access to his phone number. I had yet to thank him for saving me from that slaughterhouse. All I could do was watch him teach and not be able to communicate.
I also wondered what is the fate of those girls who started the chase.
They were like mindless zombies that were being controlled at that moment - everything about them seemed completely off and false!
One of those days during a morning lecture, I was having the breakfast Nanny Greta had sweetly made for me when a notification popped on my phone.
While listening to the lecture I picked up my phone to check if it was from a certain someone - it wasn't!
"This is Kayla and I want to apologize for my actions.
I watched the video of what I did to you, and I do not know how to make you forgive me - it could have been worse if Professor Acheron had not stepped, and I do not know if I would have been able to live with myself.
I honestly don't know what came over me, and because of me, you can't attend school normally. Once again, I'm sorry.
It will be great to see you again even though I know Sir Ragnar Kamazotz would never let me come close to you again!!"
I was dazed for a second.
I knew she might not have meant all that happened but nothing could have prepared me to receive a text from her.
She has always been that 'untouchable and fearfully respected girl' for like forever.
I continued with the lecture and decided to respond to her later.
After the second lecture, I was on my way to return the plate I used for eating to the kitchen when I heard Nanny Greta on a phone call.
Without a doubt, I knew it was Falkur.
I hurriedly went to the kitchen, dropped off my plate, and requested to speak to him.
Nanny Greta was skeptical but she handed me her phone.
"Do not tell me you have an order to stop speaking to me?" I questioned.
He was surprised for a second but he recovered.
"No, I do not," He said with a small laugh.
"How are you doing Zeda?" He asked in that soothing, fatherly manner, and the anger I was feeling couldn't help but be eased a little.
"Fabulous. Nanny Greta and Julian have been very good companions.
Uhm, how is Mr Ragnar? He seems never to be with his phone - hasn't responded to my texts.
Is he all right?" I asked in the most nonchalant - serious manner possible.
My gut told me that Mr. Ragnar was currently close to Falkur and was listening to the ongoing conversation, but try as I may, I could not picture the tall and brooding person of Mr. Ragnar, listening in to a conversation between his right-hand man and someone he treats differently from others.
"He has been very busy Zeda. He barely has the time to pick up his phone.
I hope you understand"
I took a moment to fight my emotions to order. It has just been three weeks and there are five more to go through.
'Five more?' A voice mocked within me.
"That's all I can do…understand! So yes, I do understand. Have a good day Mr Norma!" I said and I did not for his response before I handed Nanny Greta back her phone and ran to my room.
On getting to my room, I buried my head in my pillow to muffle my sobs.
I have every basic thing I need to survive, live, and stay happy, and yet I do not feel that way at all. It was clear that something was missing - whether I admitted it or not.
Two more weeks passed and I was beginning to feel brain dead. Everything was monotonous. Nothing was new!
He didn't reply to my texts, and neither did he ever call back.
I needed to leave the mansion, to change the scenes that my eyes were so conversant to. Without him in it, everything was lifeless and choking!
I made my request known to Nanny Greta as she is the intermediary to get whatever it is I want done. Fortunately, my request was granted, but as expected, with detailed security and endless dos and don'ts.
I was heartbroken when I got to find out that even Julian had been reached out to and it wasn't Falkur that spoke with him. It was Mr Ragnar himself! That was unforgivable!
He only told me he was going to leave for two months, he didn't tell me he was going to ignore my existence.
"I was beginning to wonder for how long you were going to stay without wanting to connect with nature other than the garden " Julian teased as we got to the amusement park I had requested.
We sat on a white bench with cotton candy in one of my hands and a watermelon child-size juice box in his.
It was a sunny day; children were everywhere, and guardians and parents looked essentially happy from the joyful faces of their children.
"Well let's see, I held out for one, two…five weeks! That is supposed to be a world record of some sort!" I replied.
"Don't let those jailed for life hear you" Julian said.
I laughed, throwing my head back as I slapped his shoulder.
"Bodyguard, No! Comedian, Definitely!" I said as I laughed. But I stopped almost immediately.
I felt a shift in the air and a form of familiarity that came with it.
'He is here!'
It was a definite knowing.
The cotton candy in my hand dropped, and I stood up and turned around, wanting to catch a glimpse of him. Just s sign!
A glance at his hair, coat, eyes…something, anything!
Julian, high-strung on being alert and observant, was already on his feet.
"Are you all right? What's going on Zeda?" He asked as he watched me spin with eyes darting haphazardly around.
Without giving any answer to Julian- the fear that Mr Ragnar could slip away without my notice causing me not to think straight - I began to run.
I opted to go to the exit gate where he should surely pass by but I was halfway on the grass when I slipped and fell.