Discoveries
978 Words
Despite her despair, Helena managed to sleep. It was a disturbing sleep, full of nightmares, sometimes with Otávio, sometimes with Estéfano. She woke up to find it was already night and didn't know what to do. She didn't know the house or its owner, and her stomach growled with hunger, but she wasn't sure if she could eat or drink anything in the kitchen without a direct order from Estéfano. The feeling was humiliating, but she preferred to stay hungry rather than somehow irritate the man who was now her husband, so she decided to stay in the same place until he or someone else appeared to tell her what to do.
She stayed there for hours, staring at that blank wall. At times her body trembled at the thought of what would happen when Estéfano crossed the door.
When she finally heard footsteps approaching, she realized another night was coming. She curled up on the sofa. Estéfano opened the door and looked at her as if only now remembering she was there. He passed by her and said nothing; she heard the sound of water and a glass being placed on the counter. Immediately after, he started calling her name. She began to tremble, knowing it was no use running, but she hadn't done anything. She had been sitting there for hours on end, without drinking, without eating, not even going to the bathroom. When he appeared again at the door, he glared at her.
"I didn't do anything, I swear, please."
It was ridiculous to humiliate herself like that. She knew, but she had no chance against him. His pity was the only thing that could save her.
"What the hell did you eat during this time?"
"Nothing, I swear, I didn't touch anything, I didn't even leave this room."
He punched the wall. Helena took refuge behind the sofa, even knowing that if he wanted to hit her, it would be useless to hide there.
"Are you trying to starve yourself to death, is that it?"
"No, I just didn't know if I could eat or even touch anything, you didn't tell me anything."
Her words were choked with tears. He was without a cap, wearing a tank top that showed all his muscles. During the three years in Otávio's hands, she was never broken. Despite the painful beatings, she never needed a cast, and her teeth remained perfect, but looking at Estéfano that way, she realized he could break her in half in just a few minutes.
She was pulled from her thoughts by his command:
"Sit on this sofa now."
She obeyed.
"First, I know the life you led with the sick Otávio. You should know I don't use violence without reason. Cooperate and we won't have problems."
Helena looked at him and couldn't hide the look of disbelief at his words.
Estéfano let out a long sigh.
"Alright, I don't hit women, you need to know that, but I don't tolerate attacks of any kind. I was clear, I don't need to hit to destroy a person. Another thing: get up, take a shower and make something for us to eat."
At that moment, she remembered she had nothing to wear except the yellow dress that wasn't even hers.
She shook her head negatively at him, and immediately his expression darkened, his gaze scorched her like embers. She hurried to justify herself.
"I have no clothes, I didn't bring anything."
"Wear one of my t-shirts, then tomorrow morning we'll get clothes for you, or you can do like I do: order online, they'll deliver them tomorrow."
This time, Helena nodded in agreement.
"Where is the bathroom?"
"Use the one in our room, second door on the right." Estéfano looked at her and waited for her to make any objection, but Helena just went to take a shower.
When she entered the room, she was impressed by how organized the room was; not a single item was out of place, and the decor was impeccable. First, she opened the closet and took a t-shirt, went into the bathroom, and made sure to lock the door; the bathroom was also spotless. She took a shower and washed her long hair, and when she finished and looked at herself in the mirror, she realized the t-shirt looked like a dress, but she was aware that she appeared attractive. She prayed mentally for him to leave her alone, as she couldn't bear the thought of being touched by him or any man.
When she got to the living room, she didn't see him anywhere, so she headed to the kitchen, ate some fruit to appease her stomach that hadn't seen food for over 24 hours, and checked what was in the fridge. She could make a salad and a shrimp risotto, both quick and practical. At that moment, she was grateful for the hours spent in the kitchen with her father's hired cook; if she didn't know how to cook, she'd be in trouble. She didn't believe for a second his claim that he didn't hit women.
When she was finishing cooking, he appeared in the kitchen.
"It's almost ready."
"Great. Let's eat here."
She served his plate and then hers, and he ate without making any comments. When he finished what she had put on his plate, he helped himself with more.
At that moment, the phone rang.
Estéfano answered with a brief yeah.
"Helena, I need to go out. I'll sort something out and be back in half an hour. You know where our room is, so that's where you should sleep. I hope not to find you anywhere else if you decide to lie down."
With that, he got up, washed his plate and the utensils he had used, and left shortly after.
Helena stayed there, terrified of the night that awaited her.
- Writer
