NELLYI slide my back across the wood of the door until I reach the floor. Bring my knees together on my stomach, I remain in the position until I have free mind. I'm sure my eyes are swollen when I get up, not knowing how much time has passed, go to the bathroom and wash my face. I gather my things in a single suitcase and put everything in my dad's old car that we keep in the garage.I drive to my apartment, leave my things in the living room, and head to the nearest grocery store.Not only that, but I can feel the other customers' eyes on me as I continue to place packets of candy, snacks, and cookies in the cash register. However, I don't care, I just don't care anymore. Eating is the only thing that will bring some relief, my only choice that won't bring disappointment.I pull on my winter coat tight and try to fasten the first few buttons, aware that I've gained a few pounds in the last few days, but refusing to figure out the exact amount. A little boy, no more than three year
NELLYI walk home with my thoughts far away, feeling a knot in my stomach and vomit come up to my throat. I lean against a random wall and count how long it will take me to get into my apartment. My cell phone rings in my purse and I ignore it, going back to walking when I feel better, but suddenly the idea of going home and not finding anyone turns me off, my cell phone rings again and I stop to answer it. Surprise and acting on autoTheticO, I confirm to Octávio that I'm on my way to his lecture.Where was it again?''Yes, of course I know where it is. ''I speak convincingly, not wanting to poke holes in my own lie. Even so, he speaks the address slowly, insisting on repeating it twice more for me to memorize. I turn off the phone, pack my bags in my purse, and hail a cab.Twenty-three minutes later, I get out of the car and parachute into the courtyard of a college crowded with women.The mix of voices causes an echo even outdoors and I feel diminished in front of so many eyes.''I
NELLYIs he?"My flight is about to depart, thank you for bringing me here. I really needed a friend today."I say with anguish in my chest.Smile appears on her face, and she hugs me excitedly."You don't have to go," she whispers, her head buried in my neck."Yes, I do. It's the best.""Thank you for bringing me over and being a trusted friend." I emphasize the last word so that she keeps her promise and doesn't say anything to her boss."You haven't officially resigned from your position yet." He argues, ignoring my words. "Everyone in the company misses you." I doubt it's true, but I smile at his attempt to make me feel special."I sent a letter to HR" I explain."Awnn.. Are you sure they haven't lost their license? You know, a big company always has a huge influx of people coming in and out. Maybe they've forgotten." I frowned.Should I be worried?"You know you're not going to be able to work for a new company when you're tied up in another one, right?""I'm sure they've seen my e
NELLYI don't knock on the door, but stare at the doorknob as if my end is near. I lose track of time when the first two minutes pass, so when I hear my mother call his name, the man I love, in a seductive way, as if they were close, I reach my limit of what I can bear and open the door. My eyes scan every inch of the room until they find the woman who brought me into this world and the man I love sitting together on the couch, very close to each other. They both look at me in shock, like they're seeing a ghost and just can't believe it."Do I interrupt?" I asked, focusing on my mother's hands squeezing David's left arm. Neither of them says anything, they just stay in the same position without taking their eyes off me.''Nelly.'' David says my name as he did when we were alone, locked in his apartment or curled up on his living room floor. Only this time, no heat passes through my body. In fact, the opposite effect happens.I'm angry. Furious with him. "Daughter?'' Kaciana speaks and
DAVID "Won't you go after her?" I clenched my hands into fists and counted to ten to the sound of Kaciana's voice. I can't attack a woman, even if I despise her and she's a disgusting human being.I stare at the door through which she left, the girl who is in love with me, the girl whose heart I have broken, and I mentally repeat that I must go after her, to go after the girl who has my mind and dry every one of her tears. But I can't. Not when I'm the main cause of your pain."That's pathetic, the way you look at it." Kaciana says, and I feel her body moving closer to mine.My muscles tense up, but I keep my hands down."You know, Nelly's father was the only man I really loved and cared for. His death was like my death too, I spent a lot of time trying to live like nothing had changed, but when you love someone the way I loved them, you can't just move on like nothing happened.""So? Do you expect this sad story of yours to touch my heart?" I say in a harsh tone."You and her would n
NELLYMy eyelids are heavy, and I have to work harder than usual to open my eyes. When I do, everything is dark.If it weren't for a gap in the roof of what I believe to be an abandoned shed, I wouldn't have seen my best friend slumped over and tied up next to me.The sound of heels crunching dry leaves and slamming against the worn floor makes me look for her in the shadows. I don't need time to remember what happened when I left David's office. She did it. Charlotte. "Where's Kiara, you crazy girl!? What did my friend do? An enormous rage arises in me when I remember her frightened face just before Charlotte hit her with a wooden stick.We were behind David's building, Kiara was trying to get some information out of me when I told her that I didn't reveal about the pregnancy. She took me there so as not to attract anyone's attention and because she still hoped to change my mind."Look who's awake. Finally." Charlotte says in an amused voice, smiling and clapping her hands. I put my
NELLYI keep forcing myself to keep my mind sane, if not for me, then for the little being in my womb. I spent years believing that I was weak, unworthy of love when, in fact, the problem was with the people around me. My mother was sick, Charlotte is sick, Edward was never able to make his own choices, and even Alice doesn't escape this list. I can see it now, all those years of toxic relationships made me believe that I didn't deserve something bigger, better. I'm dancing with my memories, opening all the doors I've kept closed to face the monsters, I can't count on the prince this time. This fight is mine and I am the only one who can defeat the dragon.I call my kidnapper's name, no, I scream for her.One.Two.3 times.'"What are you doing?" Alice asks, raising her eyebrows as she waits for the rusty door to open. Her jaw is locked and the way she forces herself to keep her head tilted, I can bet she has neck pain.I don't answer, I just wait for someone to walk through the door
DavidForty-five minutes before...I didn't know if the plan was going to work, but it was my only hope, and the clock was ticking. I made a mistake when I didn't immediately terminate Carlota contract and let her into my life again. Once again, I failed in my mission to take care of my Nelly.I drove down with a pain in my chest, determined to correct my mistake with every step I take, I allow Edward to guide us through what appears to be an abandoned place. It took him more than two hours to get here after an anonymous message arrived at his cell phone, indicating the location. The message offered an invitation, it was not necessary to add A + B to find out the sender. It was obvious even for an eight-year-old. The point is that we have a plan. We just need to make it work. My whole body is under strain and even though I try to stay calm, the blood rushes through my veins, speeding up my heartbeat. From afar, even in dim lighting, I clearly see the profile of three figures, three, n