My Enemy’s Daughter

AMELIA LEAL

“You’re not going to talk to me like that, do you understand?” Screams.

I don’t say anything, just keep my face turned away, avoiding looking at his face.

“I was a silly girl, I let myself be carried away by a luxurious world. I’m not denying my mistake, but I’m a different woman now and I demand your respect. I was a girl, Amelia. A young woman full of dreams and with a desire to have the best, I took the easy way out, however a lot of my decisions came from a lack of maturity. I want to be happy, daughter…” He stops, lowering the pitch of his voice. Sounding more appealing. “Please don’t hate me. Ezequiel and I are going to give each other another chance, but I need you and you seem to be happy. Without my beautiful girl I won’t be complete. He says, stroking my hair.

I pull away from his touch, heading straight for the door.

“Looks like you’ve already decided everything on your own, don’t start pretending you care.” I say, looking at her one last time before walking out and leaving her alone.

I cry out loud as I close the door behind me, making my way down the stairs as fast as I can. Ignoring Peter’s call as I pass him.

“Amelia, wait!” Peter yells, trying to keep up with my steps.

I grab Mom’s car keys from their usual spot and head for the front door, knowing her car will be parked in the garage, ready for any emergencies.

I unlock the car and get in, locking it again. Peter knocks on the window, but I don’t pay attention to him, I start the car and go to the same place I’ve been going every day this week, the same place I made refuge, Zattani farm.

[…]

It was almost impossible to maintain my concentration in traffic when my head was being bombarded with bad thoughts every second.

I run into the mansion, feeling the curious gazes of the staff following me every step I take.

“Where is he?” I ask, as soon as I find Guilhermino talking to another man.

He arches an eyebrow and looks at me hesitantly, carefully examining my condition.

“I think I’ve seen this movie before.” murmurs.

“No, this time I just want…” I trail off, not really knowing why I came here, maybe seeking refuge with him? “Just tell me where he is.” I speak.

He sits up first, but then sighs and gives me a hard look, pointing toward the stairs.

“He went to take a shower, you know the way.

I nod, heading straight for his room.

I don’t knock on the door and luckily find it unlocked, I bite the corner of my mouth, listening to the shower run as soon as I enter the room.

I bite the bottom corner of my lips, feeling nervous and guilty. I take in the decor of the place, noticing the small details for the first time. The pale, stout, old-fashioned curtains. looking at the wide, Victorian armoire, I see the large picture of a black horse next to the bed.

Heavens! What was I thinking coming here?

I move to the door ready to leave, it was a mistake. We’ve been spending a lot of time together, but we’re not friends. He confessed that he hates my family, he won’t let go of his revenge and I certainly shouldn’t have anything to do with him.

And who are you going to look for? My conscience accuses me, reminding me that I’ve cut off every possible friend, excluding any chance that I now have a shoulder to lean on.

Does not matter. He’s not my friend either. I grip the door handle, determined to get out. Yes, this one is right.

“Amelia?” The male voice locks me in place and I’m forced to turn to face him, embarrassed at being caught before my escape.

“I was going to wait outside.

No, you weren’t. My conscience marks.

He gives me a tight-lipped smile, showing that he knows exactly what I intended to do.

“No need to wait any longer. He says, holding my gauze with his. Causing an unknown heat in my body.

I lower my eyes, embarrassed, sliding down to his bare, wet chest. Realizing then that he’s just wrapped in a sandy towel, I involuntarily take inventory of the uncovered part of his body.

Noticing for the first time the cross tattoo he has on his forearm.

“Did you come visit Cristal?” he asks, holding a smug smile to his lips. I shake my head, trying not to let my eyes fall on his defined abs. Carved out.

I shake my head, trying to rationalize and not give in to my urge to look at her exposed skin.

“Can you get dressed?” I ask, making sure I’m blushing this very moment. He smiles more, this time showing his straight teeth and looks down over his own naked body.

“I’m in a towel.” He teases, indicating the terry cloth with his index finger.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

“Something decent.” I say.

His smile is different, wider and lecherous.

“I like nasty, maybe you don’t want to get back in the shower with me.”

He arches an eyebrow and gives me a seductive look.

“Wh-what?” I stutter, flattening my back against the wood of the door.

“Joke” says, but I don’t believe it.

He tilts his head, eyeing me as if I’m his possible prey.

“I desire the indecent, Amelia. However, I want to know, what do you want?” he says, wetting his lips, dangerously closing the space between us.

I walk out the door, dodging him and putting some space between us.

“I want you to get dressed.” Say, looking anywhere but at him.

I hear his mocking laugh and turn to face the expression on his face. My blood boils, realizing he was kidding the whole time. I press my lips together, holding back the barrage of profanities that see me mind.

“Idiot.” I say.

“Okay, sorry. However, the invitation was genuine. I wrinkle my nose in a frown and he throws his hands up.

“But before we go to the shower, you’re going to tell me why your eyes are red and puffy.” He says seriously, reminding me of the real reason I came here.

He almost sade me lose focus, but his remark brought back all the hurt and anger.

“I’m getting dressed now, so if you don’t want a private show, just turn your back,” he says, winking at me.

I immediately turn around, feeling my body heat up again.