NOAH
I woke up at 11 a.m.
For a second, I realized Elise was sleeping in the room next to mine… but then last night came rushing back.
I need to find out what connects her to those people… and why she decided to sell herself.
I got up, took a shower, got dressed, and went downstairs to the kitchen.
Eva was there, and she gave me a strange smile.
Eva is a 60-year-old woman who has worked in this house since the day I moved in. She's one of the most important people in my life.
Three years ago, I lost my parents in a car accident. She was the one who helped me survive that tragedy. Eva takes care of me like a mother.
"I heard we have a guest," she said, smiling.
"News spreads fast," I replied, rolling my eyes.
"Who is that girl? You've never brought a girl home before."
"Her name is Elise. And she'll be staying with us," I said shortly. "Please, give me something to drink. My head is killing me."
Eva made me breakfast. I took some medicine.
Then I left the kitchen and went into Elise's room.
She was still asleep, completely wrapped in the blanket, only her face visible.
I smiled.
She used to sleep like that as a child too.
I walked closer, pulled the blanket down from her leg, and looked at her knee. It was swollen.
I left the room and asked Eva to call a doctor.
"Are you okay?" Eva asked worriedly.
"I'm fine. Elise needs it."
She nodded.
The doctor checked Elise's leg and bandaged her knee.
She was sleeping so deeply, she didn't hear anything.
"It's nothing serious. She just needs to avoid walking for a few days," he said, handing me a prescription.
I got into my car.
I was heading to the house I brought Elise from.
I rang the doorbell a few times. A girl opened the door—she looked familiar.
"Oh my God… is that really Noah Carter?" she said, shocked.
I looked at her more carefully and remembered—she works at one of the strip clubs I go to.
"Please, come in," she said, lowering her head slightly.
"I'm not working today, but… I can make an exception for you," she smiled.
I sat down on the couch. She sat next to me and placed her hand on my leg.
"Tell me everything you know about Elise," I said, getting straight to the point.
"Oh, Elise!" she said. "I almost forgot—where did you take her? She's so lucky…" she added with a hint of envy. "Do you want me to come with you too?" she asked, wrapping her arm around my shoulder.
"I don't have time for nonsense," I said, removing her hands.
"I don't talk—or do anything—for free," she replied, fixing her hair.
I took a few hundred-dollar bills out of my wallet and placed them on the table. She smirked.
"Why are you so interested in Elise? I'm much more interesting… and I can offer you much more," she said, leaning closer.
"Talk," I said coldly. "Who was that man holding her by the hair?"
"Oh, him? My client. Good thing you didn't kill him."
Then she told me everything she knew.
"I met Elise in the orphanage. She was adopted at seven, but brought back a few months later because her father beat her badly. She had two broken ribs. After that, she never left the orphanage. Now she left because of money. The owner wants to sell the land and throw the kids out."
I listened.
I said nothing.
"When are you bringing Elise back?" she continued. "I need to find her some clients. The money she got from you isn't enough."
My blood ran cold.
"Don't say her name again," I snapped.
She looked at me, shocked.
I got into my car.
I couldn't believe what I had just heard. It sounded like something out of a movie.
"Damn it," I hit the steering wheel.
I feel guilty.
If I hadn't forgotten… if I had kept my promise…
She wouldn't have such a tragic life.
A few seconds later, I started the car and drove back home.
I still have a chance…
to fix everything.