Running away

"You know what to do now, right?" The man scolded Sefi one last time before leaving. "Don't waste this valuable opportunity! Most people would gladly have this chance!"

Sefi watched as they scurried off, her hand gripped the little bottle of pills tightly, trying her best not to hit the back of their head with it.

Then on second thought, she wouldn't want to waste it on people that were worthless. She placed the bottle inside the back pocket of her trousers. Not that she had any intentions of using it, but just to be on the safe side she might as well keep it for the time being.

She needed to get out of this place. It was too toxic. She let out a big exhale of air. Yes Sefi, she said to herself, deep breaths in, deep breaths out.

Tracy came back having walked the guests out. She saw Sefi's darkened face and tried to cheer her up, "it's a lovely day today, would you like to go for a walk?"

Was it? Sefi glanced out the window. It did look pretty sunny. Maybe it would do her the world of good to get some fresh air. She nodded her head.

The young maid seemed delighted with Sefi's response. She took her to the front entrance, at the same time chatting excitedly. "Young master is going away later to join his team for training. He won't be back until tomorrow afternoon, just in time for the party."

Ok, Sefi thought to herself, not really all that interested. She didn't care what he got up to with his spare time. As long as he kept out her way, otherwise, she would bulldoze him over!

They walked along the corridors in silence.

The Tang's mansion was much bigger than she had imagined. On the walls were full of European styled oil paintings.

They walked past a few wooden doors until they got to the red-carpeted staircase that was wide enough to hold four or five people standing in a row at the same time. A huge crystal chandelier hanged in the magnificent hall with a black grand piano placed underneath it.

Passing through the sunny dining room she saw a swimming pool in the back garden. The sparkling blue water was tempting her to dive in for a swim.

Sefi suddenly felt this place might not be as bad as she initially thought. If she swam once per day, then her mood will definitely be much better. Not only her mood, but her original toned athletic body might be back within a month.

"There is an indoor swimming pool downstairs." Tracy saw her staring at the pool longingly and explained, although she didn't understand why Miss Sefi suddenly took so much interest in the swimming pool when she couldn't swim.

Why didn't you say it earlier? Sefi wanted to roll her eyes at her. She wanted to swim and exercise!

Persephone, she tut-tuted herself disapprovingly. Honestly, since when have you become so materialistic? Two swimming pools and you've been bought? Where was your integrity? Were you only worth two swimming pools?

She pursed her lips in utter disgust. No, of course, she was worth more than just two swimming pools. She decided. She was worth at least four!

They got to the front door and Sefi nodded towards the young maid, motioned for her to go back in. Then she stepped outside.

The blazing sun seemed to have come out of nowhere, she raised her hand to cover her eyes like a vampire, worried that she might end up burning to dust in the next second.

After getting used to the sun's rays again, she squinted her eyes and looked at everything in front of her. From the meticulously trimmed garden to the sprouting water fountain, and the beautiful, colourful flowers surrounding her.

A few small butterflies danced around the hedges. There were two Rolls Royces parked near the door, and a kind-looking elderly was wiping one of them despite the fact that it already was gleaning under the sun.

He saw her coming and he bowed at her. Sefi was not used to an elderly person bowing at her. It felt so wrong like it really should've been the other way around. She bowed back deeply to return the favour and then hurried away.

Walking along the gravelled pavement, she could feel a pair of eyes stalking her from behind. She turned around to look, all the windows were shut, there were no signs of anyone.

She shivered involuntarily. Why did she suddenly felt cold under the red hot sun?

She rubbed the goosebumps on her arms and accelerated her pace as if the villa behind her was a blood-sucking beast. If she slowed down, she would end up being engulfed by it.

The path leading up to the front gates seemed endless. The compressed atmosphere made her unable to breathe. When she reached the gate, she took one last glimpse back at the house, confused as to why a house could have such a big profound effect on her. It was only a house.

Then turning on her heel. She ran. As fast as she could. All she knew was she needed to get out of here as quickly as her legs could carry her.

She had no idea where she was going, or where she wanted to go. She only knew that she was running to escape. Escape from the cage that threatened to trap her inside.

She ran and ran until she couldn't run anymore. With her heart thumping, She stopped at a nearby park and panted, trying to catch her breath again.

Her lungs felt like they were on fire and her muscles were screaming for mercy. She placed her hands on her hips and slumped her body on the grass.

She laid there, inhaling the clean and fresh scent of freshly cut grass and the wholesomeness of the earthy soil as her heart slowly returned back to normal.