My Enemy’s Daughter

AMÉLIA LEAL

Contradicting the sun earlier today, the weather closed and the sky is full of heavy clouds, dark and ready to release liters and liters of water. The rain has always fascinated me, when I was little the rainy days were the best for me, simply because I had mornings so I didn’t even have to go to school and deal with all the childish jokes about being a mistress’s daughter, a bastard who didn’t deserve to be here. in the same place with them, the legitimate children of their good and worthy families. I grimace at the memory and shift my gaze to the framed picture I keep on the table with my notebook, a picture of me and Mom, when I had just turned five and was starting to lose my teeth. She’s smiling like she’s really happy, the complete opposite of the woman I saw today. I left her in her room when we went up earlier today and until now I haven’t seen her again, she dismissed me with a few words, saying she needed to be alone and slammed the door in my face. I didn’t question her either and stayed in my room ever since, needing to be alone too. I asked Rosária, our boss, to prepare something light for lunch and send it straight to the rooms.

The first drop of rain falls and hits my window, slowly making its way down the glass, as if waiting for the others. The second falls, then the third until I lose count and observe only the heavy rain in all its magnitude. I lose track of time, trying not to think about recent events, my resentment that Mom has withheld her relationship with another man is still strong, but it is no greater than the love and admiration I feel for her, so I put myself in her place and just threw all that shit into oblivion. However, Dad won’t forget a betrayal and I fear the retaliation that will come.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from Dad during all these it’s that honor is precious to him and his reaction earlier today was beyond strange, he seemed out of his mind at certain times and extremely controlled at others, as if he was fighting a battle. with myself and that put me on alert. Butas time went by, i understood, he was betrayed and didn’t know how to deal. The great Lord Loyal was tripped and that left him destabilized. I inhale, pulling air into my lungs, still looking at the rain through the window, pushing away the images of the man who divulged such private information and traded my trust for his idea of ​​revenge. I shake my head, pushing his image from my mind.

Focus on the real, Amelia. You have more important matters to deal with. Forget the damn bastard.

I stare at my phone, realizing it’s after 6:00 pm and my stomach is growling, complaining about the lack of food. I move away from the window and slip on my flip flops, grabbing a moss green sweatshirt and pulling it on over the plain dress I’m wearing. I can’t contain the groan of disgust when I step in front of the mirror and visualize the purple mark on my neck. Damn you.

Has that stain been here this whole time?

I inspect my neck, looking for more marks, and find two more small purple dots. I snarl, wanting to slap myself for being so stupid and falling for his manipulation game.

He used me, stole privileged information and didn’t think twice about leaking it to the media.

Asshole.

I just can’t understand how he got those pictures so fast. snort.

He really should have known about the extramarital affair my mom was having by now and he played it up for me.

Asshole.

Asshole.

Asshole.

But, it sucks so well.

What? Damn no. What am I thinking.

Focus, Amelia.

I twist my face at my reflection in the mirror, disgusted to have his marks on my body. Screw it, he doesn’t matter to me anymore.

I leave the room and head towards the stairs, pondering when I take five steps and I see the door to Mom’s room. Maybe I should knock on the door and ask if she wants something to eat, or… If she’s okay.

Come on, Amelia. Ask your mother if she is okay. Go and talk to her. I shout in my thoughts, urging myself to take the first step since we haven’t had a real conversation since our last fight.

“Okay, I can do this.” I mutter in a low tone, just to myself and head to her door, determined to knock and call for her.

” She left.” Someone speaks and I turn my face to identify Peter a few steps away from me.

I arch an eyebrow.

” What are you doing here?” I question and he laughs, fun.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

He shrugs when he realizes he’s the only one smiling.

God, I don’t even know why he’s smiling in the face of so much tension.

“Aurora decided to stay and support your father” she says like it’s obvious and I nod, realizing this is just like her.

”Right.” I say, still not understanding why he is in this corridor, since Aurora’s room is before this one.

His expression is unreadable as we look at each other in silence and I feel uncomfortable in his presence, something I never thought could happen. But something has changed since the hospital, we’ve spoken a lot less and a wall seems to have been built between us.

” I’ll eat something. ” I say, using my hunger as an excuse.

” Wait.” he says, holding my hand as I pass him.

My body freezes and the uncomfortable feeling increases now that I have his touch on me. I try to let go discreetly, taking a step away from him without seeming purposeful and I face him, giving him the cue to speak.

“I don’t like this awkward atmosphere between us. ” He reaches out and caresses my cheek, pushing back a loose strand of my hair.

I frown, wondering at his gesture.

What’s up with it?

” We are well.” I declare, even though it is not true.

“You don’t look at me the way you used to.” he says, bringing the hand that was in my hair back to my cheek.

I frown again, not understanding what he’s getting at.

“Is it because of him?” He says, making me wonder what he’s talking about Henrico .

I don’t answer him, not because I don’t want to answer, but because I don’t know what to say.

What does he mean, I don’t look at him the same way anymore?

“I…” I stammer, confused by the way he’s looking and touching me.

“Did he leave those marks on you?” he asks, running his fingertips over the bruises on my neck.

My body locks in place, my mind trying to formulate the answers to his questions.

“I can do this for you, Amelia. I can give you pleasure, a lot of pleasure and no one needs to know. she says, her mouth edging dangerously towards mine.

Then the penny drops.

Peter is saying that he wants me, implying that I can be his in secret.

As a…

Lover.

My eyes fill with tears and I bite my bottom lip to stop them from falling, but Peter takes the gesture as permission and attacks me, sticking his lips to mine roughly. My stomach turns and I spread my hands on his chest, pulling him away from me and cupping his face with my hand.

” What the fuck? ” I growl, wiping my mouth with the sleeves of my sweatshirt.

His eyes are lost for a second before looking at me again.

” Sorry.” he whispers, sounding sincere, reaching out to touch me.

” Not.” I say, taking another step back.

” Amelia, I… ” He starts to speak, but I ignore him, running hurriedly to my room, feeling even hungry pass.

I’m breathing fast as I walk through the door and lock myself in my room.

” Are you okay?” She looks like she’s seen a ghost, she’s paler than usual. I move my head in the direction of the voice, jumping back when I see Henrico ‘s wet, shirtless figure sitting on my bed.

” Jesus!” I scream due to fright, putting a hand on my chest to check my heartbeat

” No, it’s me, Henrico Zattani. The love of your life.” Says, smiling in a witty way.

I squint my eyes at him, massaging my eyelids with my fingertips to make sure I’m not seeing any mirages.

I just might be going crazy, this day just gets worse.

“Is it you?” I ask suspiciously.

He smiles wider and stands up, showing off the defined physique of his belly.

“Flesh and blood, heart. All for you.” Blink an eye, believing I’m going to melt at your feet.

I frown, looking at him and then at the slightly open window.

“I should lock it from the inside.” She speaks again.

“Did you jump out my window?” I say, still incredulous with your presence in my room.

” I almost broke all over, so cherish me” He blinks again, playing charm and my patience goes to space.

“Fuck no, you cretin! ” I lunge at him, slapping the first part of his body I reach.