Chapter 20. The Next Days

The succeeding days were a blur for Maria, who was not prepared for the hot and cold behavior directed at her by Mike. He was nice one moment and mean the next. He would cook her breakfast, and then, while she was eating, he would throw a fit, spill everything on the floor, and force her to eat like a dog. She wanted to starve herself but was afraid of what would happen if she did that. He was just so unpredictable that there were moments she thought he was just plain evil and a lunatic. Little did she know it was all part of a scheme of events that he would portray, and she was just a pawn.

“Sorry, Maria, I do not know what came over me.” It was all a ruse when, in fact, it was all part of his grand plan. He would apologize profusely. They both knew he did not mean it, so what was that for? She did not know, but his plan was in place.

She nodded her head in acknowledgment. “Okay, I forgive you.” Knowing deep inside she abhorred him, and she accepted or at least tried to