Chapter 4 4

Malika.

I can't believe it! Did he really kiss me? No one has ever even held my hand except my dad! It was such a strange feeling, but honestly, it scared me. The moment his hand pulled me to his chest, my whole body shivered. I can't tell if it was fear, anxiety, or some weird sense of safety.

It was such a mix of feelings-but definitely not desire. I just felt like I wanted to stay in his arms forever.

The problem was, when his tongue touched mine, I suddenly felt like he took everything from me. Like he'd stolen my innocence with that kiss. It was like he was telling me with that kiss that I belonged to him now.

Normally, if he were my boyfriend-and if my mom and dad hadn't just died-I think I would have been happy. But I was confused-not disgusted, just shaken. My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it was going to burst out of my chest.

He was so different when he laughed compared to when he hit me. It was like he was a whole other person. Even when I threw the books at him.

Could this be love at first kiss?

No, no way!

He's an animal-a wild beast! He thinks I'm just some girl he can do whatever he wants with!

No, Malika, snap out of it! There's no way you could ever marry someone like him!

As soon as he left the room, I closed the door behind him. I decided to pack a few clothes in my suitcase and run away. Since I was still underage, I didn't have a visa, but I did have some cash. My parents, God rest their souls, always gave me a big allowance and taught me how to save. I was like a little kid-even though other girls my age were dating, going out, and staying up late, I really had a sheltered, normal childhood.

I ran to the small suitcase I'd hidden in my desk drawer-the one I used for studying. I opened it, pulled up the chair, and started counting my money. I prayed I'd have enough to get to my friend's house in Alexandria. Yeah, it's far from Cairo, but that's the point-no one would look for me there.

Her family used to be close to my parents. Actually, her dad was the only person my father ever let into our home. Dad always said, "Salah is more than a brother to me."

After I counted the money, I found I had twelve thousand, seven hundred pounds. I thought that was decent. I also had some gold, but the problem was, I kept it with my mom, and Mazen, my cousin, was outside the room.

"I have to figure something out."

I put my laptop and iPad in the suitcase, along with the cash. I crept quietly to the door, pressing my ear against it to check if Mazen was outside. I didn't hear anything, so I opened it, careful not to make a sound, but my body was shaking. All I could think about after that kiss was that Mazen was planning to turn me into a slave, just like in the novels I used to read! I was terrified.

I looked left and right, tiptoed out like a thief-"Thank God, he's not here"-and made my way to my parents' room. It hurt so much to open that door and not see them. I had no idea how I was supposed to keep living without them. Of course, I started crying; my heart isn't made of stone.

I closed the door gently behind me, my hands trembling as I opened the safe in the wardrobe where Mom used to keep her gold. I took everything and stuffed it in my bag.

I grabbed one of Mom's jackets and one of Dad's, just to have something that smelled like them.

I put the suitcase on my back and decided to run-there was no other way! I'm actually athletic; I did gymnastics and competed in a lot of tournaments.

I looked down the stairs-no sign of Mazen. I hoped he'd gotten bored and left or decided just to leave me alone.

Of course, I was naïve. The moment my foot touched the last step, someone came up behind me and whispered in my ear, "Hey, sweetheart, you really think you can run away from me?"

I froze, my whole body trembling. I decided not to waste any time-I ran as fast as I could, even if it meant leaving my suitcase behind. When he grabbed it out of my hand, I realized there was no way I could take it back from him. He was just too strong. So I tried to escape.

That was the biggest mistake of my life.

As soon as I started running, I heard him chasing after me like a rocket. I barely made it out to the street, with him shouting behind me, "I'll catch you, and you'll wish you hadn't! Just wait and see!"

I flagged down a taxi, and it actually stopped. I jumped in, yelling, "Please, hurry!"

"Where to, young lady? Should I call the police?"

"He's trying to kidnap me! Please, just go!" I kept looking over my shoulder to see where Mazen went. He'd vanished, but suddenly I heard screeching tires and saw Mazen tearing across the street like a madman in front of the taxi. The driver got out and started cursing at Mazen. "Who do you think you are? You don't own the street! Move or I'll call the cops!"

The driver's threats didn't faze Mazen one bit.

He got out of his car like a king, walking with ridiculous confidence. He pointed his finger in the driver's face and said, "You've got two options: you leave her and take a thousand pounds, or you stay and I'll have you arrested and ruin your life. What's it gonna be?"