"You said I was the most exotic flower."



11

Words can hardly express the overwhelming emotions coursing through me. First, I find myself, against my will, depending on a man—likely for the rest of my life—because I may be pregnant. After everything, we finally reached our destination: a mansion where, supposedly, my mom is living.

I wish Stassie were here. I need a friend's support right now, but I've come this far with no friends by my side. So why should things change now?

"Ami, I need to take care of a few things, but we'll have dinner later. I'll see you, beautiful," Reign said, his voice soft. The car came to a full stop in front of the grand house. I nodded, still uneasy from our earlier conversation.

Reign gently stroked my bottom lip with his thumb before kissing me passionately. The door to my side opened on its own, and I hesitated for a moment before stepping out and heading toward the front door. I took a deep breath, heart pounding, as I rang the bell—fear tightening in my chest.

When the door opened, there she was—my mother's face, eyes wide with shock. "Amina?" Her expression shifted instantly to one of surprise, and then, a wide smile spread across her face. She rushed forward, pulling me into a tight embrace.

"I've missed you so much, Mom," I whispered. She cupped my face gently, kissing both of my cheeks in response. As soon as I felt her arms around me, I couldn't hold back anymore—I began to cry softly. Her face softened with concern, and she quickly wiped away my tears with her thumbs.

"Come, come," she urged, pulling me inside and shutting the door behind us. I couldn't help but glance around her place. Music played softly in the background, accompanied by low murmurs of conversation from a room on the right. I furrowed my brows, looking at my mother, realizing only then that she was dressed in an elegant pearly white gown.

"Mom, are you having a party?"

She hesitated for a moment. "Uh, honey, you caught me by surprise. Let's talk upstairs—" Her Portuguese accent was still there, but the way she spoke so much English surprised me; her fluency had clearly improved over time. I nodded and agreed to head upstairs, though I remained both confused and curious.

We reached the open balcony, and Mom took hold of the railing, inhaling deeply before turning to face me with a wide, closed-lip smile. But even that faded when she noticed the stoic expression on my face.

"Princesa, are you okay?" Her voice was slow, deliberate, as though she were measuring each word.

A tear slipped down my cheek, and I quickly wiped it away. "Y-yes, why do you ask?" I forced out a laugh, trying to cover it up.

My mother said nothing but looked me directly in the eyes. This was how she read people—just like she used to do with Dad. She'd stare at him like this, knowing he'd break under her gaze. It was a quiet kind of pressure, but one that spoke volumes.

"Seriously, I'm okay. I'm happy. I have a good job, and... I have a boy-boyfriend." I stumbled over the word "boyfriend," but as I said it, I saw her eyes widen and a small, knowing smile play on her lips.

"Is that who brought you here?" she asked softly.

"Yes, his name is Reign." I look down playing with my fingers.

"Better than other boy what's the-the name .. Archie.?" She shook her head with a disapproving look.

"I thought I lost my baby to him, very bad boy." She shook her finger at me while giving me that gentle smile, I sent her one back without saying another word I started to feel ashamed. Archie was one of the biggest lessons I ever had to learn, but I do thank him.

"You do know I was happy." Our eyes bounce around in each others, "With Archie, I felt happy. He was my breathe of fresh air.."

"Yes I know, that is why I step back. Your father didn't know how to let you make your own mistakes." "Princess." She called out, so I looked up at her. She reached out to fix the tiny straps on my dress. "I know when someone is lying to me especially my daughter, you may be going through a lot but when ready you talk to mommy yes?"

I nod, as I cry on her shoulder.

"Não desejo nada além do melhor para você, Amina." She whispered before kissing me on the forehead.

"Gabriela, I've been looking all over for you." My Mom flinched at the sudden interruption, and it's my uncle Renaldo. My fathers eldest brother. "Uncle Renaldo? What's going on here?"

I look over at my mom, she has this look of devastation without saying a word. "Mom?" I started to feel desperate for an answer.

"Anima uh please let me explain for you .. I was lonely going through rough time—,"

"What the fuck! Mom you can't be this stupid." I whispered and it lead into a yell.

Mom looked as if she taken back by my sudden choice of words,"Now Ami—," Renaldo started.

"Only my father called me Ami, and I'm speaking to my mother." They were both silent, my mom nodded off for him to leave us alone on the balcony.

"Amina, no need to act out this looks bad I know. você sabe que seu pai não era santo. I was unhappy for uh long time princesa we talked about this. It's hard to share this with you. After what happened with Archie, you shut me out no?"

I rolled my eyes, looking off to side. My mother was right, I did shut her out with what was going on with me and my father was far from a saint.

"What is all this, a party?"

She was silent looking at me with a guilty look on her face. She's engaged? So my mother has created a whole life away from me after my father passed away.

I nodded speaking clearly in the language she can properly understand, "Eu tenho muito respeito por você mãe, você merece toda a felicidade do mundo, mas isso é muito para mim agora. tenho que ir, não posso estar aqui, posso voltar em breve. eu te amo."

(I have a lot of respect for you mom, you deserve all the happiness in the world but this is too much. I must go I love you.)

I wrapped her in a hug, pressing a kiss to her cheek before pulling away, stepping out before she could stop me. As I slammed the front door behind me, I stood there for a moment, fighting to keep my composure, my breath shallow as I fought back the tears of frustration threatening to break free.

•••

As the sun began to set, I walked alone, lost in my thoughts. Around me, the streets were alive with energy—partygoers dancing, vendors hawking food and drinks, music blasting from every corner. This was the scene I remembered: carefree people, living vibrant lives, no matter their age.

I took a shortcut through an alley and overheard a heated argument. Turning another corner, I saw a woman pressed against the wall, a man looming dangerously close to her face. I froze, lingering in the shadows, trying to stay hidden as I cautiously peeked around the corner. From the venom in his words, it was clear he was trafficking her.

The girl trembled, her fear palpable. Her arms and legs were covered in bruises, and she couldn't have been more than eighteen—yet her beauty was undeniable, despite the terror in her eyes.

The strange man sent a strong back hand to her face. The poor girl fell hitting the floor holding her cheek, if you saw her efforts trying to get up it would break your heart.

She lifted her head, her tear-filled eyes meeting mine. In an instant, the man yanked her away, pulling her in the opposite direction. But before he disappeared around the corner, he glanced back at me, his eyes narrowing.

Not a single tear escaped her as the man struck her, and I knew then—this girl had a story, a dark one. My heart ached as I gripped my chest, stepping backward, but I stopped short when I collided with something solid.

I looked up, and there he was—Reign. How did he find me? The intensity in his blue eyes felt like fire, and I couldn't help but cower, uncertain of what he was thinking. The darkness that seemed to surround him was so palpable, so menacing, it made my blood run cold.

"You like to wander alone, Amina?" he asked, his voice low.

"I—I just went for a walk," I whispered, my fear evident.

"Come on, let's go for a drive." He extended his hand, and I hesitated. I knew he hated hesitation. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

"P-please don't hurt me, Reign," I stammered, my voice barely audible. He didn't respond, only watching me with those piercing eyes as I shakily placed my hand in his.

He led me to a sleek, black sports car, opening my door before sliding into the driver's seat. With a sharp motion, he pulled away, the engine purring as we sped through the streets of Rio.

A tear slipped down my cheek. "R-Reign, you don't understand—" I tried to explain, but he silenced me by gently placing a finger to his lips, a wordless command. His hand slid to my upper thigh, gripping it firmly. I didn't dare look at him, my gaze fixed forward as he accelerated through the city of Rio.

•••