Chapter 22
Avidya
Standing in the doorway of the office, I stared at the pile of brown boxes that were set up around the large overstuffed chair that was backed up towards the row of bookshelves along one wall. Surely, this was more than the few boxes mom had mentioned.
“Your mom had your room packed up when my men went over to gather your belongings,” Zachariah’s voice reached my ears. I assumed he had followed me after he had told me where to find the boxes. There was more than just a few.
“There’s no way this is all mine,” I said, still not tearing my gaze away from the mountain.
“My men are positive that it is, in fact, all yours,” he spoke, stepping up behind me and laying a hand on my lower arm. His touch was warm, and I was extremely tempted to lean into him. “Clothes, books, and then the items your mother had mentioned. Whatever you don’t want can be donated or packed away until you decide on what you would like to do with them.”
“Okay,” I muttered. I didn’t want any of this stuff, but I’m sure mom wouldn’t have boxed it up if she had no reason to. Mom wouldn’t have packed all this, as I knew for a fact that father would have just burned it to ashes before she would have willing sent it to me.
“What you want to keep, I can get up to your room after you get through it all. Or I can put in storage,” he went on. “There’s no hurry.”
I had no plans to keep much out of all this stuff if anything at all. Zachariah already had more than enough clothes stocked up for me, things that I actually liked even.
“What about the journals?” I asked. That was the whole point of this man sending his own men over there to get them.
“You’re welcome to keep them in here, or in your room,” he answered with a shrug as he dropped his hand from my arm. “I do want to read them, but they belong to you, Avidya.”
The journals would be the first and possibly the only thing that I’d keep. What would I find in them, though? Did I really want to know? What secrets did they contain?
“Any idea what box those would be in?” I asked, glancing up at him, already knowing the answer.
“Nope,” he replied. “I gave my men orders to not look inside the boxes.”
“I wouldn’t have cared,” I replied. I was used to not having much privacy.
“But I do,” he returned, his eyes meeting my own.
“Why?” why did he care so much?
“Someone should,” was the only answer I received with a soft look like it was that simple.
Before I could say anything more, Zachariah went straight to his desk and busied himself with booting up his computer. I couldn’t help but let my eyes wonder over his form. Even dressed laid back, he was a sight to behold. His dark hair was slightly damp from his shower, and he forewent shaving. Again.
I noticed in the short amount of time I had known him, I had never seen him complexly clean shaven. There was always a small dusting of facial hair, and I rather enjoyed it that way.
I still couldn’t figure out why he would pick me when he could easily have a line out the door of willing women.
“Are you just gonna stand there all day?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at me.
“If I can stare at you, yes,” I answered. A moment later, I blushed as red as a tomato. I hadn’t meant to say that out loud, but this man caused me to blurt my thoughts.
He gave out a chuckle as I looked down at the floor, wishing it would open up and swallow me whole. Could I possibly embarrass myself anymore?
“You are certainly a breath of fresh air,” he said, his voice light and cheerful. “If you want to stare, go for it.”
Instantly, my head lifted and met his dark eyes. I hadn’t expected that response.
“I could watch you all day, too, Avidya. You are the most beautiful innocent girl that has been in my company for many years,” he went on. “But I do have work to do, and you should start on getting through a few of those boxes and see if you can find those journals.”
“What will you do with the information that’s in them?” I asked, letting my feet carry me to the pile and sitting down on the chair.
“I’m not sure. Depends on what I find out. It’s possible that the journals will not have any information that will help me figure out where you came from,” he answered.
“And if they do?” I asked.
“Keep it between just us for the time being,” he answered as he crossed his arms on top of his desk and leaned forward. “I have to find out why your father wanted to marry you off, and why he has you, to begin with. I’ll find out in time, as I have more than enough blackmail on him to make him give me the answers I need. The timing needs to work for me before I take such measures, though.”
I wasn’t sure why I cared so much. So far, he had given me no doubts about what he could do. I had no idea who this man across the room was, other than his name and my soon to be husband. I couldn’t help but question myself here, or my own thoughts. He made my mind think in ways that I hadn’t before.
“You’re worried,” he said, leaning back in his chair as my gaze dropped to the floor. “Why?”
I gave out a shrug, not wanting to voice my fears and worries. Would it change anything if I did?
He stood and walked around his desk towards me. Once he was in front of me, he kneeled down and made me meet his eyes by lifting my chin with his index finger.
“Whatever you are concerned about, there is no need to be. I will let you have a say on what happens in your life. I will keep you up to date as much as I possibly can on everything if you want me to. I will practically do anything to keep you happy. I want you to be happy, Avidya,” his voice was calm and smooth as though he knew my doubts and fears. He was able to speak in a way to calm my worries.
“I won’t ever back out on my promises,” he went on. “I’m always upfront about my wants, which have already all been laid out before you. I just want you to be happy here with me, and not have to worry about anything.”
“I don’t know who I am, so how can I be happy?” I muttered with a blink of my eyes, fighting back the tears that gathered out of nowhere.
“You will in time,” he replied softly. “I can’t wait to find out with you, but I know it’ll take time. So far, I really like what I’ve seen.” He let go of my chin and stood up. My eyes followed his movements. “Now, how about you get some of these boxes sorted through while I answer a few emails that need my attention.”
“Okay,” I said in a daze. I knew he was a man that liked things a certain way, but wouldn’t he want more control over my life and actions like my father had?
So far, I knew that Zachariah was laid back, but just being in his house for a matter of hours, he was so different than what my father was. This man’s presence alone made me question myself and what I had known to be. He made me feel things I never thought I’d experience, let alone even learn about.
I knew Zachariah said he wouldn’t touch me in any way until we were married, but when would that be? He had yet to go into much detail about anything in the far future. Would he really have me marry him, or would he find another way to keep my safe?
Surprising a sigh and pushing away my worries, I opened the closest box to begin sorting through it all. I had to start somewhere, although I preferred not to at all. Opening the flaps, I found the box to be filled with a number of clothing items from my old closet. Pulling out each thing, I had no desire to keep any of the shirts or dresses. I loathed the dresses, and it didn’t help that I was forced to wear them every Sunday.
That thought made the question of what would happen now on those days. Did Zachariah attend church? I certainly didn’t mind missing out on it, even though I believed in God. His sister and parents went often enough, but I couldn’t recall ever really seeing Zachariah there more than a time or two. Although, that could have a part to do with me not really wanting to be very sociable after service if I could help it.
Stuffing everything back into the box, I pushed it slightly out of the way before pulling another box towards me. The next box was filled with shirts and pants, which part of them I did keep. Some donation place would love to get such nice clothes in, at least.
A few boxes were filled with blankets from my closet, although I had no idea why my mom thought I may want them. I had no use for them. I set them in a pile for storage. Maybe I would want them for some reason sometime later.
One box had my phone wrapped in a blanket from my bed, and I couldn’t help but smile. It may be disconnected now after the little showdown with father, but I would still be able to get ahold of her since I had her phone number. One bad thing about electronics, I never did take the time to memorize phone numbers.
After the fifth box, I finally found the box of journals, which were also wrapped in some unneeded blankets. Along with the seven colorful bound books, I found a letter with my name on it in my mother’s handwriting.
Glancing up at Zachariah, I found him still where he was, working away on his computer. He seemed to be concentrating on whatever he was typing away at.
Opening the letter, I slowly read the words, not sure what to expect, nor what to feel.
Avidya Mrya Ray,
I am sorry for everything that you have been put through, and for what is to come. I am sure that these journals will have the information that you will need, and some that you will not want to know. It is past time for you to find out the truth. I so wish I could be the one to tell you, but this way will work just as well in the end.
I’m stuck as much as you are, and I so wish that I was able to do more. You know how he gets, and I couldn’t risk your life, or mine until I knew you would be safe. Safe from him. Cody is not who he seems to be, and I am positive that deep down, you know that.
Your husband to be will keep you safe, that I have no doubt. Just do as you have so far, and you will get through this all. And just maybe find the love and care you so desire from him.
By now, I am sure you already know without question that I am not your real mother. I have always treated you as if you were mine, and I hope that your view will not change on that, but if so, there is nothing I can do. I have done what I can to make you as strong as you are today, even as you grew up to be the spitting image of your mother.
The journals are all from her – your real mother, and I have been able to keep them hidden until now. She wanted you to have them when you were of age, not knowing that you’d easily be faced the same fate as her.
I do not know much about the Melendez family, as Cody never allowed me to talk to them outside of Church, and that was just little chit chat here and there. What I do know from the little conversation I have had, they are a good family. Not just wealthy, but they really do care about people. I know you are good hands, no matter what type of business they run, or lifestyle they live.
I do want to tell you how sorry I am for everything I have done. I know that putting Shemoli up to taking you wasn’t the right way to go about things. I really hope that you can forgive me for doing that. He promised to get you somewhere far away, safe, where Cody wouldn’t be able to reach. I guess in a way he did. Zachariah won’t let Cody lay another finger on ever again.
I never guessed he would harm Becca. And for that I am so sorry.
Cody will be coming after you in time. He is not happy that you have ended up on the Melendez radar. I have no idea what he will do, but I can guarantee that he won’t stop until he has you where he wants you.
I have packed up your room, even knowing you will want nothing that is in the other boxes. I had to have a way to make it look like the box of journals were nothing more than a pile of stuff that you need at your new place. Couldn’t risk Cody searching or asking questions about them.
I hope to be able to see you again one day, my sweet daughter. Please, take care. Do not worry about me, as by the time you read this, I hope to be as far as possible from Cody before he kills me. We both know that would happen if I stayed.
I may have been forced to stay in the crappy loveless marriage with the hateful man who thinks he’s the man of God, but that didn’t mean I had my own way out. I have my sources to get me out now that you are safe and out of his reach, for the most part.
Please take care of yourself,
Lynn