I stared into the fridge. Empty as usual. I sighed and wondered if it was okay if I put some actual food in it.

"Lucia." I turned towards the stairs when I heard Mary's voice. She rubbed her eyes and come down to the kitchen. "I want breakfast."

"We'll have to order out."

"I want to eat omelets."

"Omelets?" Can we order them? I don't think anyone delivers that. "Mary I don't think that's possible."

"Well, we can just shop for the eggs and other materials needed and then you can come and cook." She said and fished out Xander's credit card from her pocket. "let's go!!" She grabbed my hand and was about to take me out when I panicked.

"M-mary I can't leave the house! Xander won't like it." She paused to look at me.

"But uncle said that I can take you anywhere as long as we don't leave the hotel."

"Really!?"

"Yes! So let's go!!" Well if he agreed it should be fine.

We both went down, first to his office floor which was empty then to the shopping floor. We made our way to the supermarket and grabbed a number of essential ingredients at first and then I added on a few more stuff, along with a cookbook, the fridge is way to lonely.
On our way to the counter, Mary held my skirt.

"Lucia."

"Yes?"

"Can you pick me up? I'm tired."

"Okay." I picked her up in my arms and she hugged me so I could focus on pushing the cart to.

"Lucia, do I annoying you?"

"Not at all. You're a kid and kids want to be carried every now and then." My answer satisfied her and she hugged me again. Coming to think of it, she's only six but still, she's more mature than her age.

When it was time to pay, she hopped off and placed the card on the counter.

****

On on our way back she held my hand and I gripped hers in return.

"Lucia." The elevator opened and we stepped in.

"Yes?"

"I like you." She said when the door closed.

I chucked. "You know what? I like you even more. You are such a sweet girl."

She giggled and then stood there smiling the entire time till we reached back. The door of the house was opened.

What's this? Why is it opened? Did Xander come back for something.

We stepped in and I noticed a man sitting on the sofa in all black. Slowly I walked to the kitchen counter, placing the things there.

"Who are you?" I asked.

He looked at us and began walking towards us. "I'm Roy."

"Oh!" So he's the Roy, he must be here to pick Mary up. I looked down at her and paused, she was scared.

"That's not him." She whispered and I shot my head at the approaching man, while I stepped in front of Mary.

"I would like to take the young lady home now." He stood in front of me. He was tall and intimidating.

I gulped. "She wants to stay here a little longer. Can you come back later."

"Oh no. Her mother wants to see her now!" He tried approaching Mary but I held his hand.

He glared at me then suddenly tried pushing me away and grab Mary but I stood my ground and pushed myself on him.

"Mary run!!! Go to Xander!! Hurry!!!" Mary turned and was about to run when the man pushed me off and run to grab Mary. He almost succeeded when I clung onto his leg making him loss his balance and fall. Mary ran out while the man looked at me in wrath. He grabbed my hair and pulled it hard.

I groaned in pain but tried fighting back. But the thing is, I've never been a strong person and I knew I could never win but it's okay. I can tolerate a beating to buy some time for Mary to reach Xanders.



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