THE ROUTINE

Chapter 6: The Routine

Days passed, and Kristen settled into a routine. Maria, the kind-faced maid, brought her meals and checked on her regularly. Kristen appreciated Maria's kindness, but she couldn't shake the feeling that Maria was also keeping an eye on her.

One day, as Maria was collecting Kristen's tray, Kristen decided to try and gather more information. "Maria, can I ask you something?" Kristen said, trying to sound casual.

Maria looked at her with a curious expression. "Of course, dear. What is it?"

Kristen hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But something about Maria's kind face put her at ease. "What is this place?" Kristen asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Maria's expression changed, and for a moment, Kristen saw a flicker of something like fear in her eyes. But then, Maria's face smoothed out, and she smiled. "This is Mr. Khaos's estate," Maria said. "You're a guest here."

Kristen raised an eyebrow. A guest? She was a prisoner, and she knew it

Here is the continuation of Chapter 6:

Kristen's eyes narrowed, but she didn't push the issue. She knew that Maria was just trying to do her job, and she didn't want to put Maria in a difficult position.

Instead, Kristen decided to try and gather more information in other ways. She began to pay closer attention to the sounds outside her room, trying to get a sense of the layout of the estate.

She also started to look for any clues that might be hidden in her room. She searched every inch of the space, but she didn't find anything out of the ordinary.

As the days passed, Kristen grew more and more restless. She was determined to escape, but she knew it wouldn't be easy.

One day, as Maria was bringing in Kristen's lunch, Kristen decided to make a move. "Maria, can I ask you something?" Kristen said, trying to sound casual.

Maria looked at her with a curious expression. "Of course, dear. What is it?"

Kristen hesitated, unsure how much to reveal. But then, she decided to take a chance. "I need to get out of here," Kristen said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Maria's expression changed, and for a moment, Kristen saw a flicker of something like fear in her eyes. But then, Maria's face smoothed out, and she smiled. "I'm afraid that's not possible, dear," Maria said.

Kristen's eyes narrowed, but she didn't give up. She knew that Maria was her best chance at escape, and she was determined to convince her to help

Kristen's eyes locked onto Maria's, searching for any sign of weakness or hesitation. But Maria's expression remained neutral, giving away nothing.

"I understand that you're just trying to do your job, Maria," Kristen said, her voice softening. "But I'm begging you, please help me. I don't belong here."

Maria's gaze faltered for a moment, and Kristen saw a glimmer of sympathy in her eyes. But then, Maria's expression hardened again.

"I'm sorry, Kristen," Maria said, her voice firm. "I really am. But I have my orders, and I have to follow them."

Kristen's heart sank, but she refused to give up. She knew that she had to keep trying, no matter how impossible it seemed.

"Please, Maria," Kristen said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Just tell me one thing. What does Antonio want from me?"

Maria's expression changed, and for a moment, Kristen saw a flicker of fear in her eyes. But then, Maria's face smoothed out again, and she smiled.

"I don't know, dear," Maria said. "And even if I did, I'm not sure I'd be able to tell you."

Kristen's eyes narrowed, but she didn't push the issue. She knew that she had to be careful, that one wrong move could mean disaster.

As Maria turned to leave, Kristen called out to her. "Maria, wait."

Maria turned back, a questioning look on her face. "Yes, dear?"

Kristen hesitated, unsure of what to say. But then, she decided to take a chance. "Be careful, Maria," Kristen said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Antonio is not a man to be trusted."

Maria's expression changed, and for a moment, Kristen saw a flicker of understanding in her eyes. But then, Maria's face smoothed out again, and she smiled.

"Don't worry about me, dear," Maria said. "I can take care of myself."

And with that, Maria turned and walked out of the room, leaving Kristen alone once again.

But Kristen's mind was racing with possibilities. She knew that she had to keep trying, no matter how impossible it seemed. And she knew that she had to be careful, that one wrong move could mean disaster.