ISABELLA's POINT OF VIEW:

"MARIA ISABELLA!" Nana was calling my name.

Finally, I was able to hide in the kitchen. So Nana couldn't see me, so I knelt beneath the counter. I felt like I was playing a game of hide-and-seek with Nana.

I've been here for nearly two days in my Abuela's villa in Palencia, Spain, and they won't let me leave. If I stay another day, I'll be so bored. Mommy and Grandma are worried about not being able to let me out. It frustrates me because they're all overprotective.

On the first day, mommy and I arrived in this country, I can say that Palencia has really changed a lot. I now don't know where the routes are heading because I was the one who drove. My mother had to rest first. Mommy said there's no need for my abuela's driver to pick us up at the airport because this visit was a surprise to her mother-in-law, my Abuela.

And frankly speaking, I don't know Palencia anymore. And they are, in fact, correct that Palancia has changed a lot.

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 whip you!" Nana yelled.

Oh! I almost forgot about my situation right now. I was still hiding from Nana's wrath.

"I'm sorry, Nana but this is the only option I have," I whispered.

"Come out now, Bella! I'm really angry now!" Nana was still shouting, calling my name but I didn't listen or answer her.

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 can buy a new one but for now, I want to be alone.

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 it 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, Se?ora Isabella," said the old lady. I greeted her with a smile and continued walking.

I have a lot of nicknames here, too. Nana nicknamed me Bella, and others refer to me as Isabella rather than Maria. Why? Because all of the ladies in our family have the name 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 Abuela 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!

I came this far so I don't have any choice but to continue. This is what I want from the very first day we arrived here, freedom to roam around Palancia. I know that it was risky but I can't stay another day at the mansion without enjoying the beautiful view and of course the fresh air of Palencia.

I continued on my way. I think it took me another fifteen minutes to finish walking the paddy, which is now completely covered in sugarcane. Sugarcanes irritate me because they block my viewpoint.

My walk is coming to a close. I could make out lush woods in the distance, which meant I was getting close to our dam and the waterfall I wanted to visit again.

I offered Lucas to join me at the waterfall, but he was too preoccupied with his forthcoming wedding to join me. I'm even more upset because I haven't met my close friend Lily. What's the matter now? I'd go by myself because I can, right?

I exclaimed as I mounted a rocky outcropping simply to enter the woodland. It's the distance I walked that counts. This was something I never grew weary of when I was little. I trimmed the plants down so that I could get to the dam.

With every step of my combat boots, I could hear the crackle of dried leaves. I can also hear the chirping of many birds. I'm well aware that this forest is likely to be home to wild pigs and other critters. Every time the two of us went with Lily, Lucas would put me on the horse. I actually walked here just now. But what options do I have? All of these have sparked my curiosity.

It was their fault, and they were unresponsive to my concerns. All I want is to visit and enjoy the places I've been missing for years. But, they all didn't listen to any of my concerns. They are overprotective. Nothing will happen to me, right?

I continued my walking even if I was terrified a snake would fall on me when I heard the standing tree. My eyes raked the dry leaves, too, in case the snake was lurking nearby, creeping.

I ran again once I got my breath.