Hoping for a Fresh Start

The next day, I and Danny had breakfast in the only cafe downtown. I was amazed with how simple this area is, totally opposite with where I came from. I don't miss the city though, at least for now. This place looks so peaceful that it makes me forget the horrible life I used to have. After breakfast, we were picked up by Mr. Salazar himself. He introduced himself as John, in his early sixties, who looks very cheerful.

"Please get in the car. Careful please. It seems like you will be giving birth soon. When do you expect to see your baby?" He asked. He hopped in the car immediately once we were settled in the rear passenger's seat.

"I'm due next month. How long have you been living here?" I asked. Danny is enjoying the scenery outside. We were taking a road adjacent to the beach.

"I've been here since I retired 8 years ago. I and my wife fell in love with this place. You look familiar. Have we met before?"

"I doubt that. I heard many people saying I look like someone they know. My face seems very common I supposed."

"I don't think so. I'm sure I've seen you before. Wait!" He suddenly stopped the car which made me and Danny almost bumped into the front seats.

"I'm sorry. Are you okay? I just can't believe it. You're the woman on television in the morning news! You're husband said you ran away with a man."

I was lost for words with what he said. I definitely ran away with someone but never with a man.

"You see, this place is very small and all people living here know each other. The fact that you want to rent an apartment means you want to stay here for a long time. If you want that to happen, you'd better be honest with us." John explained.

"I'm sorry. It's true I'm on the run but as you can see, I never ran away with a man. I found out that my husband is cheating on me and the night before I ran away, he almost raped and hurt me so I decided to leave. My husband is a powerful man and he can manipulate things. I don't want my baby to grow up beside him. And he is planning to kick me out from his life once I give birth. I can't live with my baby not beside me. Please believe me. I'm not a bad person. I just want to start a new life away from him and away from his control. Please help me." I couldn't stop myself from crying begging a man I just met. The hope and peace of mind I had last night and this morning suddenly disappeared. What if the owner of the motel and the convenience store saw the news and they already called the police or worse Geoff to say that I'm here in Marshville. Danny hugged me, trying to comfort me.

"Please believe us. I actually work for madam Park and I saw how miserable her life was living with Sir Geoff so I decided to come with her here so I can look after her and her baby. Please allow us to stay here without calling my male boss. We don't know where we will go next if they found out where we are." Danny pleaded.

John faced us with a smile on his face. "Don't worry. I believe you. I will let everyone know about you situation. Most of the residents here are older as you know, but we know how to protect someone. Stop crying."

"Thank you so much. I will be indebted to you all my life."

Thank you so much sir. I and Madam promised to be honest to you all the time. My name is actually Nancy but please call me Danny."

"The two of you need to relaxed, okay? Let's now go so you can see your new place."

I smiled as a reply. We started moving again. The shadow of being married to Geoff Park, the CEO of Liberty Group is something I can never get away from. It is something that will follow me for the rest of my life I think. I just hope it won't be a hindrance for me to start a new life.

When we arrive Mr. Salazar's place, he got off the car first. "Let me talk to my wife first before I introduce her to you. I will explain to her about your situation."

"Thank you." I and Danny chorused.

We waited for more than 10 minutes inside the car. Waiting makes me more tense. What if Mrs. Salazar doesn't want me to stay in her apartment so she won't be involved in my situation. What if she would think her and her husband's life would be in danger if we stay here. This is what watching Korean dramas effect to me, I can think of possible scenarios instantly.

When he got back, he was already with a woman who looks younger than him. Her eyes are still teary but she was smiling.

Mr. Salazar signaled us to come out of the car which I was hesitant to do at first. I took a deep breath before opening the car door. Danny already hopped out of the car using the opposite door.

Before saying anything, Mrs. Salazar hugged me immediately. I could hear her sniffing, a sign that she is crying.

"Call me Dorothy. I heard about your situation from my husband. And you are Danny." She then hugged Danny. "Thank you for taking care of Jessica, or should I say, Joan." She held my hand next and gave me a warm smile. I started crying again. I didn't want to show my weakness in front of them but their hospitality and friendliness make me feel safe again.

"I don't know what to say. Thank you. You don't know how much this means to me and my daughter."

"Thank you Mrs. Salazar." Danny said.

"Please, don't be so formal. We are now your family in here."

I and Danny smiled as a reply.

"So you are expecting a baby girl. I can't wait to see her." She caressed my tummy still with the smile on her face. "Don't worry about the people in here. I and John will explain your situation to everyone. Since you are pregnant, we decided to give you the unit on the second floor. I and my husband stay on the first floor so you can come to us whenever you need something. I'm sorry we don't have an elevator. Is it okay for you to come up and down the stairs? Wouldn't it be uncomfortable for you to do that?"

"Pregnant women need exercise. And besides, it's only a few steps." John explained.

"I haven't seen a baby for ages. I'm so excited. Come, I'll show you to your place." Dorothy said.

The married couple showed me and Danny the unit. It has two small rooms, a toilet and bath, a small kitchen and a kitchen. The appliances are rather old but are still working. This will be my new home from now on. This is the exact place where my daughter will grow up in.

"We will take it. It's lovely."

"Are you sure this place is fine with you? I know this is nothing compared to ...

"This is all that we need. I don't need a big house if I don't feel happy in it. I just want a place where I and my daughter can live without fear. This is perfect." I had to stop Dorothy from finishing her sentence.

"I'm happy to hear that." Dorothy said smiling. Her eyes are teary again and it seems like she will start crying again.

"When do you want to move here? I will help you move your things from the hotel to here. Just let me know the day and time." John offered.

"Actually, we don't have many stuff. The bags that we have in your car are the only things we have. I and Danny need to shop for our clothes and for my daughter.

Dorothy can't stop crying this time

"Stop it, honey. You should stop watching dramas. That's their effect to you. You are so emotional even with simple things. I'm sorry. She's always like that." He turned to us and smiled.

I hugged Dorothy. "We are okay. We are in a better place now. I feel so happy now." Dorothy hugged me back.

"I will ask the mothers in this town for some old baby clothes. You don't need to buy new ones, if it's okay with you of course."

"That would be lovely."

They invited us for lunch that day and in the afternoon, I and Danny made ourselves comfortable in our new home.

"Are you sure you're okay with this place madam? It's totally different from the mansion you used to stay in."

It's Joan, Danny. Please don't forget that. We are now a family so you have to stop calling me madam. This is now our new home. I want to forget everything that I used to have in the past. This is me now, and this is our home.