Chapter 52

ALANA I STEPPED OUT OF THE TAXI CAB AND PRESSED THE INTERCOM AT THE MAIN gate. I’d lied and told Alejandro that I was on the later flight. I didn’t want Jacob waiting for me at the airport. I just wanted to get into a cab like a normal twenty5 year old woman. Because that’s what I was now – that’s what I would be. Jacob’s voice crackled over the intercom. I knew he could see me on the camera, but I felt the need to announce myself anyway. ‘Hi, Jacob, it’s me,’ I said. ‘Alana,’ he stammered. ‘We weren’t expecting you this early. I was supposed to pick you up.’ ‘I know,’ I replied. I wanted to walk into this house under my own steam, and of my own free will. I had to get this over with before I changed my mind. ‘But I’m here now. Can you let me in?’ ‘Of course,’ he replied and then the electronic gates slowly opened. I walked through the courtyard and to the front door which had already been opened by Magda w