CHAPTER 14

It is time to say goodbye to everything that once made up my life, I must untie those ties that invisibly subject me to my slave side. To that girl who looked from the shadows at all that was hers and did nothing to get it back.

But one day I will return, right here, I don't know how, but I will and that day there will be nothing left in me of that girl who fears the darkness of the aberrant night and what is hidden in it. That day I will be everything that was denied me, that day I will not lower my head out of fear, starting with today. But until then ... until then I will have to reinvent myself in nothingness like the stars.

They are not immutable objects, they have a cycle of birth, life and death like me. Its birth lasts for years and begins when a region of the interstellar medium becomes dense and massive enough for the force of gravity to break its balance. When this happens, the material begins a contraction process that only ends when a star is created, inside which the force of gravity is balanced by the production of energy.

That has been my life, a simple nothing that struggles to survive until one night my balance was broken, all the pieces of pillars that held me vanished. Agata joined each one of them and what were at some point the chains that dragged me into the void, transformed them into my strength, joining each piece until creating something new and strong in me from what was destroying me. Now I feel inside me a strange force that is growing and permeating its strength in my being. The one that was given to me on the day of my birth when I received his name, today I was born like the stars. Like the one that gave me my name and that millions of years ago had to undergo a long devastating process to become that little light in the sky that shines with each sunrise.

Even from destruction and chaos life can be born and only through it is a star born, my star is born.

I am Suhaila, The Star of the Dawn.

Brazy drives the car that drags me to an uncertain future, Ali is next to him, but it is as if an empty and inert body accompanies us. Look at nothing as if it were everything. We had been on the road for an hour and it seems that I have yet to reach my destination.

Destiny ... what a strange and simple word, but which has the power to change a lifetime through its lyrics.

__ I will not do it __. Ali turns sharply to look at me without hesitation.

__ What have you said? __ I watch him carefully trying to decipher what is going on in his head, and from his eyes it is not good.

__ I will not do it. I'm not taking you to that place where God knows what will become of you… Brazy, at the next intersection turn right.

__ No ... What do you think you do? __ He ​​even seems to hear me. __ They cannot do it.

__ We will go to the center of the city __ continues Ali.

__ There we can lose them, I know some friends.

__ Perfect, Brazy you'll have to be quick.

__ Enough, stop saying that __. But nothing, they don't look at me and they just ignore me as if I didn't exist.

__ We will have to find a shelter for Suhaila.

__ Ali, the first thing is a change of clothes, with which you will attract attention.

__ Enough! … Enough both of you! __ Ali looks at me for the first time knowing that nothing will happen if I don't decide. Brazy watches me in the rearview mirror looking at me like I've lost my mind.

__ They will not do anything, they will not change the course __. I look at them one by one without hesitation __. They will take me to the place according to your orders, period.

__ But have you lost your mind girl? I will not do such a thing __. Ali furrows his eyebrows like he only does when he's outraged.

__ You will and it is not up for discussion.

__ Never ... I'm going to get you out of here, even if it costs me my life __ he swears without a trace of doubt. Anyone who knows him knows that he does not swear in vain.

But what price will you pay to fulfill it.

__ I have no doubt about that __. I can't help but smile fondly as I feel my eyes sting. I know that he would give his life for me without thinking __. What about Brazy's, are you willing to sacrifice his?

His fiery dark eyes narrow, forming little lines around him as he turns to look at the man beside him whom his heart calls his son.

__ And what about the others? __ I point behind us, more than ten black cars escort us. Glancing at them, I saw four of the guards who have taken care of me mounted on them, without a doubt Ali had it planned when we left. But in addition to them, men faithful to my brother still occupy positions in the cars.

__ Do you think that the men who follow you will stay on the sidelines Ali? They are faithful to you, so much so that they have cared for me even at the risk of their lives all these years.

__ No Suhaila, they are faithful to you, to what you represent, to what is fair and to the good man who was your father ... They are your people and they would give their lives for you, like us.

His steady, penetrating gaze flashes decision. I am grateful, I owe them so much, that is why I cannot allow it. I cannot let them lose their life for my freedom, that is a price I am not willing to pay.

__ Thank you Ali… Thank you for everything you have done for me. You have been like a father and I owe you… I owe you so much.

__ Don't do this girl, don't give up, I can do ...

__ Not __. I take her hand wrapping it between mine __. I'm not giving up, just this is my war Ali. It is my turn to fight my battles.

__ No ... No. __ My heart breaks when I see that strong and unbreakable man distill his sorrow in silent tears. Now it's my turn to protect them.

__ Leceth will not allow Ali to escape, he will send his men after us and it will all be in vain. I'll only get them killed and I can't allow that.

__ I can't leave you there to your fate __ he protests frustrated, denying it over and over again as if the very thought of it made him feel disgusted.

__ You don't… I'm not a girl anymore, I know how to take care of me Ali __. I fill myself with the first spark of strength that he has not seen in a long time, the one that has been extinguished so long ago __. I want to do this and you must respect it.

He stands there watching me without knowing what he is looking for in my eyes, but soon the intersection arrives without giving the order. You do, respect my decision. Without saying a word, he turns in his seat and just stares at the road.

I did the right thing, I will not be able to forgive myself that something happens to them because of me. They have done too much for me, now it is my turn to take charge of my life and assume what the future brings. I am afraid of what I will find, my chest begins to rise and fall with speed seeing the silhouette of the mansion rise.

It is time, there is no turning back. A new life begins today and the course my destiny will take depends on me. There is no time for regrets, or to look at the past, that can only hold my steps. It's time to lift my chin and show the world what I'm made of.

I open the small box next to me, I take out of it the small piece of gold filigree to cover my face from my nose, it falls through my lips until it touches my chin, the hood of the cape helps to hide me. I get out of the car escorted by twenty men who walk behind me, while Ali and Brazy walk by my side until they reach Leceth and Zagin.

Here I am, I will be given as a gift of goodwill to close a deal. Like a replaceable object without value or voice. Zagin and Leceth guide me through the garden until we find a great sunset, when we approach a butler awaits us. In silence with a nod of the head he allows us to enter a large room. It has tall walls filled with beautiful paintings of angels that look like they were carved from pure gold. Sculptures somewhat old for their condition, but well preserved decorate the room, luxurious brown furniture combines in harmony with the decoration. Saying luxurious is not enough to describe it.

A tall, elegant-looking man in a suit of the kind used by foreigners appears in our presence, fixing his tie.

__ Mr. Mikael is in an important meeting, he asked me to come and receive them __. He smirks and for some strange reason that sends chills down my skin. Something about that man scares me without even knowing him.

__ We understand Mr. Tulio __. Zagin shakes her hand with his and then makes the introductions with Leceth.

And this is how the business is closed with the merchandise delivered. They just don't know that I am the scam, the merchandise they don't intend to receive. I smile to myself knowing that the filigree veil hides my lips.

Leceth turns away from the two men who are deep in their conversation and looking at them one last time he approaches me examining every part of me.

__ This is your fault Suhaila, you have sought your destiny __. He smiles in a twisted way squeezing my arm, celebrating his victory over what awaits me, which, in his own mind, is a worse fate than the one I have already had.

__ I prefer it a thousand times before having you around __. I release my arm from his grip as roughly as I can, making it clear by looking at him how much I despise him.

__ We'll see __ his voice like sharp blades backs up his warning.

The man I'm being handed over to will undoubtedly be my personal hell, courtesy of Leceth, and I'll find out in seconds.

Leceth walks towards the exit door with Zagin, not before smiling at me with malice and satisfaction. My body trembles just thinking about what I will find in this place. Whoever awaits me is terrible enough to make my brother delight in leaving me in his hands.

__ Come on, Mikael will want to see your gift __. The elegant-looking man takes me by the arms and brings me closer to him making me look at him __. If you know what is good for you, you will do whatever I tell you ... Although I understand that in this country women were born to obey __. He smiles reluctantly and pushes me, dragging me through the mansion.

I want to yell at him that he can go to hell, but this is not the time, nor is he my opponent. Choosing my battles is what Agata said and I will. Now I just have to pretend to bow my head obediently as expected.