Ella's POV
"Ma'am," A voice called out, interrupting my thoughts. Pulling me from the fog of exhaustion. I blinked, trying to focus on the figure standing in front of me.
"Your room is ready; you can go in now," the voice continued. It was the hotel room attendant. Her voice was filled with concern.
Looking down at myself, I was very dirty, my clothes torn from running in the woods. I couldn't remember how I got here because I was very weak, my legs were so heavy to lift, and very muscle in my body ached. But thank God I had finally escaped. I really looked like how I felt.
"Oh, thank you," I finally nodded, pushing myself up the lobby chair.
The room attendant helped me get up, and soon we were in the elevator. My sight was blurry, but I could feel the concerned expression on her face. I clutched my small backpack. Thankfully the elevator ride was short, and we were walking through the quiet hallway.
"Here we are, ma'am," she said, opening the door to my room.
"If you need anything, just call the front desk."
"Thank you," I mumbled as I stepped inside the room. The door closed behind me. I was alone. The room has a minimalist design and is very simple, with a large bed that looked incredibly inviting. I dropped the bag on the floor and collapsed on the bed immediately.
I lay there for a few minutes, regaining my strength and breath before dashing into the bathroom to freshen up because I was a mess.
As the cold water from the shower touched my head, I felt a cool sensation run through me. I felt the warmth and excitement that come with freedom. I thought about everything that had happened these few years: my dad's change of character, my stepmother's words, my stepsister always getting what she wanted and going anywhere she wanted. I was overwhelmed with mixed emotions.
Soon I was done bathing. I dried my wet skin with the sparkling white towel that was hanging in the bathroom. I made my way to the bed. Finally, it was time to rest.
For a moment, I just lay there, staring at the ceiling. The events of the past days swirled in my mind. I remembered the woods, the fear of almost getting caught, the fear of walking alone in the woods. This was the first time I'm all by myself outside the mansion.
I closed my eyes, letting the exhaustion wash over my body. My body ached and felt heavy, and I could feel sleep pulling me in. But even as I drifted away, a part of me still remained alert because I know my dad's men are still out there looking for me. And what if Lorenzo finds out I escaped? What would happen?
I woke up to a soft hum of the city outside. It felt so good waking up to the sound of a bustling city. The morning light filled my room. For a moment, I lay still, enjoying the warmth and comfort of the bed.
I got up slowly; I could feel my stomach growling. I was very hungry. My body still ached, but I felt better than yesterday. I picked up my phone and checked the time. I barely used my phone in the mansion because there was no network there, but here in the city, the network was full. I planned on getting a new SIM card since I discarded the other one.
I got up from the bed. I took a quick hot shower. Letting the hot water wash away the tension of yesterday. As I dressed, I thought of ways to leave this state, Rome. I already faked an ID, so what's left was to execute the plan.
Soon my thoughts were interrupted by my growling stomach. I grabbed the cellphone on the side table.
"Hello," a voice answered from the other end. It was a male voice.
"Hello," I said. "I will like to have breakfast," I replied.
"Oh, okay, ma'am. What do you want to order?" The male voice asked
"I don't know, I'm just hungry," I replied, surprised at the question.
"Okay, ma'am, there's a menu under the cellphone; please go through it and tell me what you want," he said politely. I guess he could sense this was my first time, as I sounded naive.
"Okay," I said as I anxiously picked the paper.
"Okay, I can see Cappuccino, coffee, and croissants. Please, can I have that? I asked
"Sure, you can, ma'am." He replied, "I will place your order now; your food will be ready in 10 minutes."
"10mins? Okay, no problem, I can wait," I said.
I felt like my stomach was tired in knots, growling loudly enough to be heard across the rooms. It's as if my entire being was consumed by the need to eat, and nothing else mattered until I satisfied that primal urge.
After what felt like eternity, I heard a knock on the door. I knew my food was here. I felt a wave of relief as I ran to open the door. The aroma of the freshly prepared meal made my stomach growl louder as I anticipated eating it.
The hotel staff placed the food on the table and left immediately; now it was time to devour it. As I took my first bite, the flavors exploded in my mouth. I felt a sense of satisfaction.
After eating, I lay on the bed for a moment, thinking of what to do next. I felt sleep pulling me in again. I guessed my body still needed rest.
I soon woke up to the sound of horning cars. It was night already. I got out of bed and slowly walked to the window, pulling back the curtains to look out at the city light. The street below was still lively, people moving out of their daily lives.
I needed to clear my head and celebrate my freedom before leaving the hotel to Pienza, another city in Italy.
I finally decided to go to a masked club to help me disguise myself from my dad's men or Lorenzo's men in case they have joined the search.
I chose a stunning short gown that hits just above the knee, perfect for dancing and showing off my legs. The dress was a vibrant color, a bold red that caught the light and made me stand out. It had a flattering fit, hugging my curves in all the right places, with a bit of sparkle to add some extra glam.
To complete the look, I slipped into a pair of high heels that elongated my legs and added a touch of elegance. My accessories were carefully chosen: a pair of statement earrings that drew attention to my face and a delicate bracelet that added a bit of shine. I carried a small clutch, just big enough for my essentials, with a matching design to my dress.
For my makeup, I went for a bold look with smoky eyes and a hint of glitter on my eyelids. My lips were painted a deep, sultry shade, adding to the overall allure. My hair was styled in loose waves. Everything was set, except the mask, and I knew I got one as I walked through the city.
I can't believe I had managed to park all this in my backpack before escaping.
Soon I was in the streets of Rome, walking my way to the club.