It was dark, very dark. But I knew there was someone else around because I heard a low cry breaking the silence of the room. I suddenly became aware that I was on a bed and stood up, startled. My pupils had become accustomed to the darkness and I realized I was in my own room.The crying became louder and then I recognized Julia's squeaky voice coming through the walls of the room. My heart raced and I pulled back the sheets and jumped out of bed in search of my sister, but when I was halfway down the corridor, the house didn't look the same. The conspicuous brick walls were there again and I felt a shiver run down my spine.- Bitch! - Someone shouted from the room ahead, snapping me out of my momentary trance and making me hurry towards the familiar kitchen.But when I entered the room, I let out a terrified scream. My father had his leather belt in one hand and with the other he was holdingJulia pinned to the floor by her neck, desperately struggling for air.- Let her go! - I shou
It wasn't a good journey to Buenos Aires, but it wasn't a long one either. When we arrived in the Argentine capital, the weather wasn't the best and a storm was approaching. Damien booked us both into a luxury hotel so that we would be sheltered until our flight left in the evening.Santiago and Teresa came to say goodbye just before the helicopter flight and made us promise to come back. We responded cordially, although I knew I wouldn't be seeing them again. Damien would definitely be back. It seemed to me that things had gone well and that he would close the deal he wanted with Santiago. It had been a good weekend for him.I didn't try to talk to Damien and we spoke only when necessary during the drive through Buenos Aires. I was anxious to get home, get to Brazil and get away from him. I wanted to buy ice cream and watch Top Gun in my small, safe room. Then all was just a distant dream that would fade as time went by.When we arrived at the hotel a little after three, Damien helpe
Damien's hands slid down my arms, causing soft goose bumps on my skin with each touch of his agile fingers. His lips returned to my neck and he spread warm kisses across my skin. I reached for him with my hands, molding his perfect biceps with my fingers and moving up his shoulders to reach the hair on the back of his neck. His warm chest was on top of mine and our bodies were wrapped in the thin dark blue blanket. I gasped and moaned as Damien lowered his lips to my collarbone and began to tease me with gentle nibbles around the sensitive spot on my breasts. I gasped for a moment and slid my hands down the mattress, clenching the sheet between my fingers. It seemed to get better each time we started again.Damien pulled away with a smile and leaned on his forearms, but suddenly his eyebrows drew together and he looked worried. But I couldn't concentrate on asking what it was. Not when he was so close and warm on top of me. I seized the moment and lifted myself up too, resting my righ
The clock on the platform ticked ten o'clock when we finally arrived in Rio de Janeiro. Damien was checking our luggage and I was trying to reach Arianna, but the call was going straight to voicemail, making me increasingly worried.- Everything's going to the car, Darling. Tom is already waiting for us. - Damien warned me when he pulled up next to me.I didn't look at him and turned off my cell phone.- I need to get home. - I stared at him, already imagining his reaction.- Now? No. I'm not letting you go home tonight, Ellen. - He seemed offended by my desire.- I didn't want to go, Damien. I'd rather stay with you, but I have to because I have to see my brother...- Your brother? - Damien looked confused.- Yes. - I answered quickly. - I have responsibilities towards them, you know.He looked at me for a few moments. I wasn't lying this time, but I hadn't told the whole truth either. I hadn't talked about the hospital. I was afraid that the news might cause some negative reaction i
Despair spoke for me and my mind was full of the last smiles David had given me before my trip to Argentina. He looked so well. It seemed that all this would soon be nothing more than a bad dream. He didn't deserve it. My little boy didn't deserve any of it. That's when the anguish squeezed my chest so tightly that the pain was physical. I held onto Damien's arms as I felt my body go limp.- Ellen? Ellen? - I heard him call me and pull me close to him. Then his voice sounded like a dream. - Forgive me. It's going to be all right.I felt his fingers on my forehead and that was the last consciousness I had.***It was like waking up after a bad dream, but in a not very welcoming one.I was lying in a pale room and there was a needle in my left arm transferring some liquid into my bloodstream. It took me a few minutes to realize where I was and even less to notice Damien sitting in the armchair opposite me. His blue eyes sparkled as they met mine and he got up to approach my bed.- How a
BONUS DAMIEN - I... - Ellen looked at me indecisively. - I'm going back to work. - Work? - I remembered the day I slept at her house. She didn't go to work. I thought she'd left her job. - Yes, she did. - She gently removed her hand from mine. - Next weekend I'll be in the cafeteria all day. I've been on vacation, but it's coming to an end. - But you don't have to come back. - I held her hand again. I didn't have to. I thought I had enough to support my wife. - I can take care of your expenses. All of them. - No. I can take care of myself and my brothers. That's how it's been for some time and that's how it should be. - Ellen said firmly and clearly. That tone of voice was sure that I wouldn't convince her otherwise. I sighed.I'm not going to convince her to resign, am I? - I already knew the answer. But we were both stubborn. - No, I won't. - She sighed. - I'm sorry. - But you're not going to convince me to go to Argentina without you either. - I said. Two stubborn people. -I
BONUS DAMIEN- You're a terrible best friend. - Nicholas complained, making me laugh as he opened the refrigerator.- Thank you, Nicholas. - I replied as I grabbed two cans of soda.- I'm sure you prefer brunettes. - I turned around and found Nicholas sitting in my armchair. - So that's why you declined my invitation. - He gestured to the computer.At this point I remembered that I had left my photo with Ellen on the screen. I left the cans on the fridge and went back to my desk.- Get out. - I ordered.- Don't get angry. - He stretched out in the armchair and crossed his feet. - I like her. And I think your surname matches her name.- Get out, Nicholas. - I growled nervously.He shrugged off my threat and got up. However, he continued to make fun of me.- Mrs. Ellen Mason. I can already see the box with the old Jack Daniels arriving at my house. - He clapped his hand on my shoulder again. - And then the children, the dogs. Very tragic.- Don't be an idiot. - I grumbled and turned off
BONUS DAMIENI was happy with the result.I got the staff to organize the room the way I wanted. Moving the furniture aside and leaving a considerable amount of space for thethat I would need. Then, with the help of the internet, I arranged the rest of the details for the surprise. Now I just had to wait for it. E It wasn't long before I saw her coming down the stairs. I didn't know how that could be possible. Every time I saw her, she looked more beautiful. Her hair was partially pinned up on thethe sides. Her face was lightly made up and her body was wrapped in a dress of ambiguous hues. Between green and blue, pleated by gold brooches on one side of her waist.- You look beautiful, Ellen. - I spoke up to attract her attention.Ellen looked at me and smiled, but then her eyes wandered around the room. It didn't take long for her to understand my intention.- No.I smiled when she looked at me terrified.- You want this. - I walked over to her and held out my hand.- No, no. - She