Chapter 3 Escape plan.

MELISSA

As I woke up the next morning, I lay in bed for for a moment, too tired to move.

The light from the morning sun filtered through the curtains, gently warming my face. I made an attempt to get up but I couldn't, I tried again and was able stand up in one forced push.

I gently moved to the side of the bed, putting a hand on my waist to support the weight of my baby, as I got up to my feet.

I let my feet carry me the window, with hesitant hands, i carefully pulled back the heavy drapes, letting the morning light spill into the room.

I stood by the window with one hand on my waist and the other on my tummy, watching through the window, the livestock roaming free in the field as the servants relentlessly tried to capture them back into the poultry house and the chickens helplessly trying to escape.

That was when it hit me.

Escape.

I could escape from this place all I needed was an escape plan.

I quickly moved to the side of my bed to take my phone, I ran through my contacts and quickly dialed Nora.

As the phone rang through she picked on the third ring "hello Lisa" I heard from the other side of the phone, her voice groggy like she had just woken up.

"Hello sister, please help me" I said in a whisper.

"What?... Wh... What are you talking about?" She asked, surprised.

"I want to leave this horrible place, I need to escape from here" my voice cracking involuntarily.

"What ever do you mean Lisa? Escape? Why?"

"You know how Blake has been to me, he doesn't love me, he loves you and he's been too cruel to me" my voice hush,

"I want to give birth to this child, I can't let my child be born in this wicked environment Nora, please"

"Calm down Melissa, I'm sure it's not as bad as you make it to be" she huffed.

"No you don't understand, I need to leave here" my harsh voice cutting through the silence in the room.

She hesitated for a moment then responded, "okay fine, what is the plan?"

"A day after tomorrow Mr Salvatore usually takes his boys out for hunting over at the hunting grounds till the next day" I said quietly forming together my plan.

"They usually stay there for a few days before returning back. Do you remember that little cottage off grid back at Dulwich Village? Where father used to take us, it's totally off the grid. No one will ever suspect, that's the last place they would check" I sighed satisfied with my plan.

"That is a bad idea Lisa, you're six months pregnant, and how do you plan to get there, by driving all the way to Dulwich Village?" Her voice discouraging.

"Yes, that is it precisely" excitement washed over me as I spoke. "All you have to do is help me"

"How?" she asked.

"The day after tomorrow when Mr Salvatore, Blake and Oliver leaves to their hunting grounds, I will arrange my bags and wait for you at nightfall. All you have to do is bring me my old car at exactly 9pm, I shall be ready to run" I explained to her, my voice filled with joy.

"Are you sure about this sister? What if you get caught?" Nora asked her voice laced with worry.

"Trust me, I have lived here for five years and know my way around, I won't get caught" I said.

I could hear her sigh from the other end of the phone "Okay, I'll get the car ready" she said finally.

"Thank you so much Nora" I finished.

"Sure, bye" she said and I heard the ending tone of the call.

I placed my phone softly on the dressing table and sat on the bed, carefully thinking of all the important things I needed to to take with me. But I had one big problem.

No cash.

I wouldn't survive on my own, with no money if I just escaped like that. Then I remembered that blake has a suitcase that he always stashed his money in. It's never locked, because no one would dare steal from him and he doesn't keep count of what goes in or out. All I needed was to get a few bundles. But how?

Only the senior maids are allowed in his room, just then Mrs Rose walked into my room.

"Mrs Lisa?" She called out. "How are you feeling now?" She asked walking close to me, she stood right in front of me, maintaining a formal posture, hands Clasped in front.

"I feel okay" I mumbled.

"Breakfast has been prepared, would you want to eat now?" She asked affectionately.

"No, I don't feel like eating anything this morning, and my stomach might reject the food too, I don't want your hard work to go to waste" I said calmly.

She let out a soft laugh, "it's my Job to see that you're well taken care of".

"Don't worry about me too much Mrs Rose" I replied.

"Oh you poor child, whatever shall I do with you?" she said suddenly, making a small gesture.

"Well if you need anything, please let me know" she finished.

Well I do need something, some money and fortunately Mrs Rose is a senior made, luckily she's also cleaning Blake's room today, so...

"Can I ask you for a favor?" I asked my gaze meeting hers.

"Yes, anything dear" she said confidently.

"Come sit," I gestured for her to sit besides me, then her took her hands into mine.

"I need your help, I want to escape from here" I said looking at her eyes intensely.

"What?!" She wispered in disbelief.

"Mrs Rose please, you know the burden I carry, I don't want to pass them to my unborn child" I pleaded.

"I understand dear, how can I be of help to you?"

Glad that she didn't protest against my idea, I quickly responded.

"I already planned everything out with my sister Nora, she'll meet me at the back gates in two days with my old car and I'll go to a small village, we have an old cottage there, I could hide out there for a while. All I need is some cash"

"I hope it's not Mr Blake's suitcase you're thinking about Mrs Lisa?" she asked worry clouding her face.

"Please, just a few bundles, you won't get caught, you'll be the only person in the room, and he doesn't keep record of the money" I said pressing her hands lightly.

She nodded slightly "okay, I'll do it. But I'll sure miss you when you leave" she said hugging me.

I hugged her tightly as I whispered a 'thank you' in her ear.