My Enemy’s Daughter

AMELIA LEAL

He’s insolent. Arrogant and extremely underhanded.Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!

And, I shouldn’t have given Bar Man his phone number, let alone come with him to do it. Argh! Henrico Zattani wants to destroy my father, his hatred for my family has dragged on for years and I’m certainly not getting away with his revenge, I’m fully convinced that the man won’t free me from his clutches and rancor. Still, I’m in his room, waking up after a night of many dreams and a horrible hangover. No one in my family can know about this.

I clench my fists, slamming them against the mattress a few times, beyond infuriated at the effects the bastard is having on me. I look back down at my body, running my fingers over her shirt, I’m not wearing a bra underneath and scenes of me from last night are flashbacks in my head. I was pretty drunk when he picked me up from the bar and brought me down to the farm, I vaguely remember a young woman helping me shower and then change into these clothes, probably the Marisa he mentioned. My cheeks heat up and I can tell they’re red even without seeing them, I have to remember to find the woman and say thank you, I also can’t go unnoticed that the idiot was kind when he could have taken advantage, but I can’t congratulate a guy for not be abusive.

I get out of bed, still with that thought creeping through my head and walk slowly to the big window, pull back the thick curtains and peer outside, a smile tugging at the corners of my lips at the stunning image of the green woods. The landscape of this place always made me dizzy, even when I was still just a girl and I felt like an intruder in my own sister’s house, this place always stole my attention and made it worth every sharp look Aurora gave me. It wasn’t like I wanted her company anyway, either, back then Dad still forced us to deal with each other’s presence and force some approximation, well, it never worked. Aurora hates me and will always be that way.

I turn away from the window when I hear a knock on the door.

” Who is it?” I ask, smoothing down the shirt and wishing its length was longer.

“Marisa, the boss sent me. I brought your clothes.” A female voice speaks, making me sigh in relief.

I run towards the door, realizing it has been open all this time. Of course, he left just now.

“Hi?” I say, using a low tone.

The girl enters, wishing you a good morning with sympathy. As she moves to the table next to the bed to put my clothes on, I take in her small figure, a little pale for someone who lives on a sunny farm with so many places to explore. She turns around, giving me a simple but true smile. The thin, well-designed face carries sophisticated but sad features. She is pretty. Very beautiful.

“Need something else?” Question.

I shake my head, feeling shy about being almost naked at my stepsister’s ex-husband’s house. After all, I’m in his room and wearing his clothes, not to mention he slept here. Suddenly it sinks in and for the first time I think about what the whole scene looks like.

He and I in the same room!

Heavens! What must everyone be thinking about me…

“Nothing happened.” I hasten to speak when the girl makes a move to leave the room.

She stops, looking at me with confused eyes, which I only now realize are almond, contrasting with her long, light brown hair. Then she reverts to an understanding expression.

“You don’t have to explain it to me, you’re not doing anything wrong either. Don’t worry.”

Her speech makes me even more uncomfortable, terrified of what she imagines I’ve done to her boss, making me realize I’m explaining myself too much to a victim. I should relax like she indicated and act like nothing happened, but I care. I correct my posture, tucking my hair behind my ears.

“Just to clarify, he and I have nothing.” I say, staring at the girl still standing.

She nods, forcing herself to swallow the smile that threatens to break out on her thin lips.

“Fine, but he seems to care about you. I don’t work here, but my parents make so much sense to understand me, since Henrico for his people and helping and helping for our people. Yesterday he was a waste of seeing you in that situation, I know it’s none of my business, but I think he likes to read from you.” She says, taking her way back to the exit, leaving me bewildered by several.

“Marisa, it’s… hmm” She stops again, looking over her shoulder at me, gripping the knob with her hand.

“Yes? ”

Thanks for yesterday,” I say, remembering Henrico saying that she was the one who helped me change my clothes.

She smiles, this time showing all her teeth and nods. “Your tattoo, what does the bird mean?” question and my cheeks flush, saliva leaving my mouth. She’s talking about the tattoo on my hip, a little bird I got clandestinely at seventeen. Nobody but me and the tattoo artist saw it, I’m careful to keep it hidden from the eyes of Mom and the photographers, which was easy since I rarely go to the beach or pools.

“Freedom.” I answer and she doesn’t ask for more explanations.

“It’s beautiful.” She says, a different glint appears in her eyes and I feel like she has a secret passion for tattoos. “When I turn 21, I’ll make a phoenix on my back. I nodded, letting myself be swayed by the conviction and emotion in his voice. I didn’t question why she would wait until twenty”one or why she chose the phoenix, but I could visualize the big bird on her pale skin, an image so meaningful and strong, for some reason I knew it was a perfect choice and would suit her. Marina seems to have a lot of story to tell.

“I’ll take you to my tattoo artist, just let me know when you’re ready. It will be my gift of gratitude.” I speak, more excited than usual.

Your eyes shine.

“Truth?” Question.

“Yea.” I affirm.

And then, she leaves the room. Smiling from ear to ear like Vivi and Dieguinho do when eating chocolate.

I run to the door, passing the key and making sure it’s locked. I go to the bathroom and take a long shower, taking the opportunity to spy on what Henrico has in his bathroom, I open all the bottles within my reach, from shampoo to colognes, soaps and body lotion.

Body moisturizer.

Hmm… So, he’s a vain man.

When I’m satisfied and smelling like him, I step outside wrapped in a clean towel I found and get dressed, smelling the light scent of clean clothes on my shirt and pants. I even find my panties and mentally thank Marisa once more.

Ready, I look for my cell phone, remembering that I saw it only yesterday, when I gave it to Henrico . The idea that the phone is still with him comes up and I leave the room smoking, feeling that the man has even taken over my cell phone.

I ignore the chuckles and stares as I walk down the stairs and position myself beside him. Henrico looks relaxed and relaxed, chuckling at the other man who is now watching me curiously. The bountiful table, full of goodies and assorted fruits, looks perfectly like a scene from a movie and makes my stomach growl, making me feel like I need to get something in my stomach fast.

“My phone.” I hold out my hand, leaving my palm open for him to understand that I’m wanting him back.

“Sit down” He says, without even looking at me.

snort.

“I’m going home, but I need you to return my cell phone first. He continues to ignore me, pouring more passion fruit juice into his glass.

“You’re not leaving here until you’ve eaten something, so be a little grateful and sit your ass on the chair. NOW. His voice comes out impatient, as if he’s been on edge for a while.

I roll my eyes.

Wasn’t he laughing seconds ago?

Gratefully, he made a point of dragging his tone when he mentioned that word, reminding me that if it weren’t for him I’d be in trouble right now.

Idiot.

You can’t do a favor and then rub it in the person’s face.

“Fuck, I’m coming. I say, knocking my parents out, but their arms intercept me before I take more than a step.

“Don’t be a child, eat something. All you put in yesterday was shots and shots of alcohol. He growls, making his disapproval clear.

I let go of his grip, sitting in a chair far away from his.

” This cornmeal cake is to be prayed for. Stop fighting, girl, it looks wonderful. ” Another man at the table speaks My attention to him.

Your mouth is full of cake, but your plate doesn’t even have an assortment of breads.

“You already know Guilhermino.” Henrico says, nodding at the man.

Guilhermino. Yes, the name is familiar. Analyzing the man better, I remember him when I visited this farm for the time, he was also here when the unfortunate man next door kissed me forcefully.

” I’m not hungry.” I mean, blatantly lying.

The man snorts, looking at me as if I’ve just said some bullshit.

“Don’t be silly, girl. This food is too good and don’t expect to be spoiled to eat it, you grumpy sir won’t try to convince you, go for me. Sit down and eat.”

When I think about retorting and repeating that I’m not hungry, my stomach growls loudly and ruins everything. I end up giving in and pulling out a chair.

” Just a little.” I say, breaking a piece of carrot cake with chocolate syrup, feeling my mouth water.

The men don’t say anything, but the man doesn’t say anything, but Henrico ‘s smile and images of my side by my side invade, but he’s in a corner of my eye made of fine fabric the color of sand, his pants are black and I deduce it’s out of the corner of my eye of fine sand”colored fabric, his pants are black and I assume they are but I see he’s wearing a pair of quirky brown boots with gold trim on the sides. And I find myself thinking about how handsome he is.