ADELE
Lighting cracked, the clouds rumbling and the soft breeze blowing past the windows.
"Grazie" I piled up the clothes into the basket and settled my bills with the few cash I had with me.
"When will I see you again, Adele?" The madame of the laundry store asked, staring at me with an untold seriousness on her face.
"Perhaps tomorrow? I might have some laundry done tomorrow" I responded, turning to pick my basket.
But as soon as I did, her old hands held mine, pining it against the basket handle. Her grip was firm.. Extra firm for an old lady.
"Perhaps not, Adele.."
"What do you mean, madame?"
A strong wind suddenly began.. Fierce and heavy. The windows rattled, the door right across us burst open, giving way for more wind to rush in, sweeping across the room.
There was a sudden thunderstorm which created a deafening crash that startled me.
But, Madame stood still, not distracted by the sudden wind and thunderstorm which created an almost spooky feeling.
"It's today, Adele.."
Confusion etched on my face. Her face turned pale. Her eyes changed colour just for a few minutes that I almost thought I'd seen wrong.
"You get to be with him again, after decades of hiding under the flesh of another. Tonight, your real fate begins"
Her voice echoed.. Her eyes turned white and red at the same time. I shivered, goosebumps appearing on my skin.
I stood still. Her gaze burned through mine, like she could see through my soul. Her lips moved fast but words weren't coming out.
She shut her eyes close.. Her lips moved faster and faster with each passing second. I couldn't tell what she was saying. I felt scared because Madame has never acted so weird and mysterious.
Then came another sudden thunderstorm.. Louder and more deafening. Loud gasp escaped my lips but Madame scared me the most
Suddenly her lips stopped moving, her eyes snapped open. They were burning red with flames.
I wasn't wrong this time.. Her eyes had fire in them. The rumbling sound of the sky stopped, the wind and the rattling sound of the windows. Everything faded, including Madame's burning eyes.
She slumped. A force propelled me to reach out to her. I did, crouching to her level. Her eyes still weren't normal. They were as white as snow.
"Madame? Are you okay? I asked, trying not to stutter.
"Go Adele.. your real fate begins now"
Her eyes terrified me the most. The tone of her voice caused an eerie feeling. What real fate?
"Go!"
I left the laundry store in a hurry, feeling like I'd just left a mystery underworld or something. For as long as I can remember, Madame has been good to me. But the Madame in there was different.
It felt like she was suddenly possessed or something. I felt like going back and asking what she meant by that? What fate? What man? But, just the thought of her red eyes sent cold chills down my spine.
______________
It had started drizzling.. the cold air brushing past me and raising goosebumps on my skin. Madame's words kept resounding in my head and my heart hasn't stopped beating.
I saw the front door open, which was really so unusual. I hastened up, stepped in and was stunned to find my step mother held at gunpoint.
The silence struck me as I scanned the environment. The living room had men dressed in black, hefty and strong.
I rushed forward and stood in front of my step mother like a shield, arms spread wide. I could pee in my pants because of the gun pointed straight at me.
"What are you doing? Why are you pointing a gun at my step mother?"
"Move away, if you don't want me to blow you up?" He threatened.
I remained standing.
My step mother pushed me away with a force that made me scratch my arm against the hard floor. I winced slightly, wondering why she would do that in this situation. When I was only trying to defend her.
I watched her speak to the man in a low tone that was barely audible. His sharp gaze turned towards me, his eyes narrowed then he straightened the gun at my stepmother again.
"Tonight. I'll let the big boss know. If you think of escaping, that will be the end of you" He threatened, corking the gun.
My stepmother remained unfazed. Earlier, she looked pale.. But now, she had a slight smirk on her face as though she had just laid an offer with the men and left them with no option.
They left.. but the tension still lingered in the house.
"Get up you fool" She snapped at me. I stood up immediately, lowering my gaze to the floor
She left the kitchen and returned shortly with a meal.
"Eat this.." She pushed the plate towards me. I hesitated because this is unusual.
All the years of living with my stepmother, she has never for once treated me nicely, not to mention serving me dinner.
She wasn't talking about the men. I had a lot of questions. Who were they? Why were they aiming a gun at her? What did she whisper to them? What does she have with those rough looking men?
But, I dare not say a word to her or I'd spend the night out in the cold.
"I'll eat later.." I told her.
She grabbed my jaw, digging her fingers into my cheeks.
"You would eat when I ask you to eat, Adele. Now eat"
Without any hesitation, I took the plate and ate the food as fast as I could.
"You worthless little thing. If I'd known you to be an option, I'd have done something earlier" she paused, smirked and eyed me then continued "But, I've found a good purpose for you. It isn't too late after all"
She turned and left, leaving me all alone. I returned the plate back to the kitchen and left for my room.
When I laid down, I couldn't stop thinking about everything that happened tonight. From Madame's strange words to the hefty men.
Who was the big boss being referred to? What dealings does she have with them?
My step mother is known for her gambling addiction. Could she have gotten into trouble with them? Does she have something that belongs to them?
I had so many thoughts in my head but as I kept thinking, I suddenly started feeling dizzy. My eyes became so heavy that I could barely keep them open.
Before I knew it, I slowly drifted into a deep slumber.