and move towards the piano gratefully.

relaxed in those moments. I can close my eyes and

keys. I usually play Chopin, but today, I decide inste

s my

t note rises up, blissful and simple. Th

ore them. I don't care if they pay att

not playin

ying fo

s, my fingers danc

I'm free of this ugly

far to

y good-daughter smile back on my face as I rise and turn to face

he a marvel?" Papa boasts, turning awa

. My fingers twitch again as I cl

the floor of my closet. I crawl under the silk sheets and try to fall asl

at the ceiling above my bed for an hou

sheets and get out of bed to trade my paja

rough the French doors, and

ungs. It makes me fe

kness calls my nam

our home's security guards, st

om his tone that he's concerned for me. Then again,

hing okay?

blunt nose and bushy eyebrows, but there's a tenderness to him that I

the cheek. "Hi, Mig

suit and the massive rifle slung across his chest, he's not much

tly against my father's orders-so he glances around to make sure no one

guel tells me excitedly. "Look

radiating off of him-this is how a father is supposed to talk abo

phone and hands it over to me with reverence. "H

wrapped up tight in a yellow blanket with

tight. "She's be

"She looks like her

both of you," I say, hand

g up so late?" Mig

sly. "I was planning

can accompany you around the gr

I beg. "I need to get off the compound, just

ed to let you go

to come with me. I'll be fa

't allow that. I'm under strict instructions from your father. Yo

Miguel," I plead. "Pl

this position, but I'm desperate

while... let me

know," I prom

eet, then back up to me. I see his

ur?" he ask

more," I tell

Instead, I give him my most grateful smile and take off in a hurry towards the back o

reak into a run. It feels good to move, to sweat,

it was the last freedom I'd

S

for an hour. True to my word, I mak

ls however, I notice that the house is still lit up. Artificial light f

rch of Miguel. I arrive at his p

ntly, I head into the house and towards to

loor drawing room when

sm

thorns. I think about ignoring him, but years of e

m is ajar. I push it open a

Papa sits outside, his back to me, his face angled up

, Pa

repeats. "Come and si

y have a choice, though. I j

sit down in the chair next to his. T

most definite

is it,

ueezes my fingers for a moment. It's an old gesture, one that

a nice run?" h

before admitting the tru

r liked late nig