BELLA POV:

"Bella!"

I was finally able to hide in the Kitchen. I knelt beneath the counter so Nana couldn't see me. I've been here for about two days and they won't let me leave. I'll be so bored if I remain another day.

Mommy and Grandma are anxious about not letting me out. They're all overprotective, which irritates me. I don't know where the routes are heading because I don't know Palencia anymore.

They are, in fact, correct. My cousin Lucas and I went overseas when I was nine years old. Palencia has changed dramatically since then. Almost all of the area is still agriculture, though there are now more manufacturers and businesses that rise over the years.

“Bella! When I see you, I'm going to be angry!" Nana yelled

So the more I don't show up, the better. Why would I bother to show there if I was going to be upset about the outcome?

I dashed out the kitchen door. I had to remain hidden because later daddy's staff might notice me at the horse stables.

As I walked down the muddy path leading out of the huge mansion's parking lot, my pulse was racing. My combat boots were covered in muck, and the brownish muddy sludge had seeped through my faded blue pants. It makes no difference to me. This is terrific!

“MARIA ISABELLA!” Nana screamed my full name inside the mansion symbolizing that she is really mad.

I'm chuckling. I had already exited the parking lot and was simply walking straight. I'm planning on returning to the path I used to come to our dam and pass through the bunker.

I took a glance around our family's vegetable house. I wouldn't have been able to return home if Lucas hadn't engaged. It's great that Lucas is getting married soon, and sent home here. Palencia has always appealed to me. The high-rise architecture of London, where my mother raised me, has never piqued my interest in high school.

In my pocket, my cellphone rang. I was tempted to curse. I should've just left this at home! What if Mommy dialed my number? Or worse find me through GPS? I'll just take care of it later.

I saw a lot of messages, but it didn't bother me. I put my phone down and started walking down the muddy road.

I tried to lift my hair with the umbilical cord. As I attempted to construct a ponytail, its curling tails fluttered. I took a big breath and inhaled the fresh Palencia air. This is amazing! I'm hoping Mommy and Daddy don't agree to send me back to London. This is my space, and it's where I dwell!

I continued on my way. I realized I should have brought the horse with me. Lucas suggested that I use Rowdy, but Daddy indicated he wasn't willing. I couldn't decide who I should follow. But, if I bring the horse, Nana would catch me, so I'd best be like this, strolling.

I took a saga of what wood I just found dry on the road and I carried while walking, When I saw that, someone even whistled. The old man was pinched by the old lady standing next to him and greeted me.

“Buenos Dias, Señora Isabel,” said the old lady I greeted her with a smile and continue walking

I have a lot of nicknames here, too. Nana nicknamed me Bella, and others refer to me as Isabel rather than Maria. Why? Because all of the ladies in our family have the surname Maria, we use our middle names to avoid confusion.

I kept walking while I listened to the furious sermon directed at the man who had whistled earlier.

My grandma owned this farm, therefore we're well-known. We possessed acres of property in Palencia, and nearly absolutely zero people who wouldn’t know who we were. My father could seek a government position and win, but he would rather oversee the entire farm. He and Lucas are the only ones expected to handle our large property, after all.

In the rice field, I went to sesame seeds. Now I'm off to another plantation. I forgot am I still going through it? I looked back at my starting point before moving on to the destination. Probably. Dammit, I should've brought Rowdy with me!