Iris POV
I got down on my knees right next to her softly placing my hand on her shoulder to comfort her and make her feel better. I looked at her and asked, “Dahlia can you tell me where your daddy is?” My heart was beating very fast in my chest and I was hoping more than anything that he would suddenly show up.
She made a small frown and looked down at the floor her gentle face showing that she was worried. “He hasn’t come home yet. He promised he would be back soon” she said. Her voice had a quality of innocence that made me feel even more anxious and pushed me to act quickly.
“It's not going to happen fast enough for me,” I said softly under my breath feeling a wave of panic come over me. As I stood up I could feel the burden of all my worries and fears pressing down on me making my shoulders feel heavy.
Out of nowhere, Maria came rushing into the room. She quickly entered with a sense of urgency and her apron was covered in white flour showing that she had been busy in the kitchen. Her face looked a bit flustered but there was a clear sense of determination on her part.
“Iris my dear!” she called out her voice friendly but also firm. “I need your help in the kitchen right now! I have to go run an errand for a little while—would you be able to help me finish getting dinner ready?” She asked her tone kind but also quite urgent.
“Dinner?” The word hardly made sense in my mind as I was overwhelmed by the turmoil and confusion swirling inside of me. “Can’t it just wait a little longer? I need to focus on something else right now—”
“It absolutely cannot!” she interrupted with a strong tone her voice sounding as hard and unyielding as steel. “Rafaelle is counting on having a warm meal ready for him when he comes back and it must be prepared and ready right on time.”
“I—I will help you.” I reluctantly agreed as the strong and pressing feeling to locate Raf was clawing at my insides. It felt intense almost painful and it was mixed with the heavy burden of responsibility that settled around me like a thick weighty cloak. “Just… please go ahead.”
Maria smiled at me in a friendly way and she gently tapped my shoulder to show that she was thankful for something I had done. After that, she quickly left the room and rushed out. I went into the kitchen where I needed to prepare dinner.
Although I tried hard to focus on cooking and get everything done my thoughts kept drifting back to the serious conversation I had overheard earlier. It was about Miguel and his group of men.
Their plans felt heavy and ominous looming over us like dark clouds in a stormy sky. I realized that it was very important for me to take action quickly before things got worse.
“Why doesn’t Daddy ever take me with him?” Dahlia asked with her gentle voice. Her words sounded innocent but they were also full of yearning and longing. Hearing her question made me snap out of my deep thoughts and brought my attention back to what was happening right now.
I turned around to look at her and I tried hard to smile even though I was feeling a lot of pain inside my heart. “The reason is that he wants you to be safe my dear. The world outside can be very tough and dangerous and he cares about you so much that he doesn’t want to take any chances.” I said. I hoped my words would help ease her worries but at the same time, my heart was beating very fast and nervously in my chest.
“I love him too,” she said with sincerity her little feet softly kicking against the cabinet that was below her. This action showed just how much love and deep affection she felt for her father.
“I understand that you do,” I said softly feeling my heart fill with a strong desire to protect Dahlia the kind and gentle girl standing right in front of me. It was hard for me to believe that anyone would even think about threatening someone as innocent and lovely as her.
As I held back my worries and fears I focused on mixing and stirring trying very hard to keep my mind occupied and away from the deep uneasy feelings that were eating away at me from the inside.
Minutes seemed to stretch out and then suddenly change into hours and before I knew it the delicious smell of dinner filled the air around me. It caught my attention and helped pull me away from the chaotic storm of thoughts swirling in my mind. Glancing at the clock I felt a sudden wave of anxiety wash over me it seemed like time was slipping away much too quickly.
“Where is Maria?” I found myself thinking aloud as I focused on setting the table with great care making sure everything was just right. I hoped that by concentrating on this task I could find some distraction from the feelings of tension that were building inside me.
At that moment Maria came running back into the room her eyes wide and filled with excitement. Her face was red from all the effort she had put in. “Oh my goodness it smells so wonderful in here! Is the food ready yet?” she asked her excitement brightening the atmosphere of the room even though some heavier darker thoughts seemed to hang in the air nearby.
“Yes, I was just getting ready to serve the food,” I said in response. I then walked over to the stove with a sense of determination and focus carefully dishing out the delicious food onto individual plates. As I did this I hoped that the simple act of serving the meal would help me calm my racing thoughts and bring a sense of clarity to my mind.
“Maria said with a kind but firm tone ‘How about we feed Dahlia first before doing anything else?’”
“Let’s do that” I responded enthusiastically while I carefully placed a plate down right in front of Dahlia. In that moment my actions felt completely ordinary and familiar. “Here you go my dear,” I said warmly.
“Why don't we go ahead and start eating now shall we?” Maria said with enthusiasm as she filled her plate with a large serving of food. It was clear from her smile and bright expression that she was very happy to be enjoying this meal.
Dahlia was feeling very excited as she lifted a forkful of her meal her eyes shining with eagerness and expectation. However just a moment later everything changed. She suddenly stopped moving and a look of anger and confusion took over her face.
Before anyone could react she gagged and let go of the fork which clattered onto the table. The noise of her distress filled the room loud and alarming like a siren. “Iris!” she shouted out her voice heavy with fear and it was clear that she was in a state of panic with every word she spoke.
“What is it that you want Dahlia?” I suddenly sat up straight feeling a cold sensation moving up my spine as a feeling of fear began to take over me.
“No! No!” Dahlia cried out loudly in distress desperately holding onto her stomach with her hands. Her face turned a sickly shade of pale as she lost her balance and fell from her chair. Once on the floor she twisted and turned in pain struggling with a terrible feeling of agony that overwhelmed her.
“Oh my God! Dahlia!” I shouted in panic my heart beating so fast that it felt like it was going to explode as I quickly made my way over to her. “Dahlia please look at me!”
I tried my best to keep my voice calm but the terrible reality of what was happening felt like it was squeezing my chest with cold sharp fingers. “What are you feeling right now? Can you try to tell me what's going on?”
Dahlia's bright eyes which used to shine with innocence and joy now looked confused and scared. Her tiny body was shaking all over and I was doing my best to keep the atmosphere calm and peaceful. Amid this frantic situation, I turned my gaze towards Maria.
She was standing completely still unable to move with her hands covering her mouth in shock. Her eyes were wide open filled with disbelief as she started to realize just how serious and frightening the situation had become…