Freedom

Finding the house wasn't easy, because I have no idea where it is. I rarely ventured outside the palace, so navigating the streets by car wasn't easy. I didn't even have my phone with me. After a long search, I finally found it. When I arrived at the address, I saw a small, cozy house. I parked my car in the yard and took the key out of my bag. I always keep it on my bag, probably because I knew I would have to come here one day. I put the car in the garage so no one would see it. I opened the door and went inside.

The first thing that caught my attention was a painting. A girl who looked a lot like me. Black curly hair, black eyes, and fair skin. I got closer and saw my mother's initials on it. Was she an artist? There were paintings in every room, and most of them had my mother's initials "M.O.R" on them.

On the second floor, I found a small room with a workshop, filled with lots of paint, brushes, and frames. I could imagine how she spent all her time in this room. I wish she were still here.

A lot of questions were running through my head. Why did my mother have a secret house that no one knew anything about? Did my father know that my mother was an artist?

My legs were shaking. I slowly lowered myself to the floor and lay down. I don't know why, but that's how I always calm down. I lay still and stared at the ceiling. Yesterday at this time I was excited and happy waiting for Michael to arrive, and today I'm lying on the floor alone.

I gathered my strength and slowly got up. I went downstairs and looked in the kitchen. Of course, there was nothing there. That's when I remembered that I hadn't even had a proper breakfast today. I couldn't go out, nor could I ask anyone to bring it or order it for me.

I went back upstairs, opened the closet, and started searching for clothes. If I was going to go out, I had to disguise myself so that no one would recognize me. Everything was dusty, but that didn't matter anymore. My mother had a collection of overalls. They were all painted in different colors, probably from when she was painting. I picked one out and put it on. It was a little too big, but it was very comfortable. I found a T-shirt, sneakers, and a hat. I didn't know if my mother liked to wear that kind of clothes. Luckily, I found my mother's glasses. I was sure I would attract attention with this outfit, but there was nothing else.

When I got ready, I went into the studio and put paints on my hands. I pretended to be painting and suddenly I had to go out. I was ready, but I was worried that someone would recognize me. I gathered my courage and went out, because if I hadn't done that, I would have starved. No one would have thought that a girl dressed like that was from the palace.

I overcame my fear, but I didn't know where to buy groceries and necessary items. I walked down the street, looking at the signs. I wasn't going to buy much, because if I bought a phone, the rest would be easy.

If anyone asks about me, I'll tell you that I was abroad to study and now I'm back. My father made everything so that very few people knew about my mother. Fortunately, my mother made sure I had a house and money. Maybe she wanted me to be independent and prepare everything for that in advance. 

Everyone outside was talking about me and Michael. I tried not to listen to them, but it was very difficult. "She was thrown out of the palace.", "I knew it would be like that, she thought she was a princess." They laughed at me. I can't believe some people enjoy the misfortune of others. 

I finally found it and bought the phone without any problems. Before going home, I bought a few necessary things and products. I will order the rest later. I immediately returned home because I was tired of hearing all this.

When I got home, I started cooking. In my free time at the palace, I would go to the kitchen and help the chefs prepare meals. I didn't often have time to cook anything in the palace, but I really love cooking. I made a sandwich because I didn't feel like cooking anything else right now. After eating, I started cleaning the house. I only cleaned the rooms I would need to use today.

I was exhausted from working so hard, because I wasn't used to it. Lucy used to take care of everything in the palace for me. I sat down in my chair and turned on the phone to order the necessary things.

Time passed so quickly that I didn't even notice. Before I went to sleep, I decided to check the news. Of course, a lot of terrible things were written about me again, but I read several comments supporting me. "Nobody deserves this, she's been doing her job for years, but no one appreciated it.", "I'm surprised how you justify Michael's behavior. I don't understand why you hate Eleanor when she didn't do anything wrong." I was glad that there are people who see the truth and don't believe these terrible rumors. I immediately turned off my phone and got ready for bed. I didn't fall asleep easily, which was no wonder because I had so many questions.

I slept until noon, probably because I was so tired. I checked my phone and some of the things I had ordered had already arrived. I quickly got dressed and ran downstairs. I brought my things into the house, I didn't feel like unpacking them, so I stacked the boxes by the door. Then I made some food because I was so hungry.

I knew they were very worried about me because of my disappearance yesterday. I didn't want to go out, but I had no other choice. I want them to know that I'm okay and that I'm not hiding. Although I'm hiding, I'm doing it for my freedom. If the journalists find out where I live, they won't give me any rest. I want to be away from this chaos. 

I changed my clothes, got ready, and went down to the garage. I took a deep breath before leaving. I didn't know where I was going, but I wanted to make up for the time I had lost while I was in the palace. I remembered that there was an amusement park nearby, and that's where I decided to go. I always wanted to play like other kids, but I never had the time or the opportunity. 

I got lost a few times and took a different route, but I ended up getting there. I parked the car in the parking lot and headed towards the amusement park.

The children's laughter and joyful shouts echoed, which made me even more excited. I tried a few rides and they were great. Then I decided to eat cotton candy and it turned out exactly as I thought. I felt like a little kid again. My happiness didn't last long, when suddenly someone called my name, "Eleanor." I was afraid to look back. I turned slowly. There was a boy who must have been my age or younger. I didn't know him, but I had a feeling that we had met somewhere before. He immediately ran towards me and hugged me. It was so unexpected that I didn't know how to react.

Boy: "Everyone is worried about you, I didn't think I'd find you here."

He was hugging me and wasn't going to let me go. 

Me: "What are you doing? Who are you? Let me go!"

He froze and then backed away.

Boy: "I'm sorry, I was so happy to see you that I forgot you didn't know me. Let's sit down somewhere and I'll tell you everything."

Me: "I don't know you and you want me to come with you?"

Boy: "I understand your stranger is asking you to go with him, but I'm not a stranger at all. I know you very well and we have mutual acquaintances."

He looks like someone, I can't remember who. His voice is so familiar. I don't know why, but I feel at peace with him.

Me: "Have we met somewhere? Your voice sounds very familiar."

Boy: "No, but I know why. You know my father."

Me: "Leonard?"

Boy: "Yes, it is me. You are more beautiful in reality. Can we go talk now?"

I nodded in agreement and we entered a nearby cafe. There was relatively less noise here. We talked about many things. I noticed reporters outside. Leonard helped me and I left the building through the back exit. Luckily, no one was near my car, but I didn't go straight home to be safe. I knew that new rumors would spread about me, so I had to be prepared for it. I couldn't do anything before, but now I can do whatever I want. I'll give them a nice surprise.