Panic Once More
608 Words
Helena spent the morning at home alone. She took the opportunity to take a long shower and was once again forced to wear one of Estefano's t-shirts. She had washed the yellow dress, the one she arrived in, and realized she needed to find a way to have more clothes, so she gathered her courage and called her husband. Just thinking about him in this way made her heart race.
In the third ring, Estefano answered.
"Helena, did something happen?"
"Actually, no, but I can't keep wearing your t-shirts. I wanted to be able to get my things."
She heard a long sigh, and when he replied, his voice was rougher than usual.
"I don't want you in that house ever again, and you won't use anything that was bought with the money of your i***t, of a late husband, am I clear?"
"Yes."
Helena felt a surge of anger. She couldn't stay the way she was, so she hung up on him, and as soon as she turned her back, the phone started ringing, and she simply ignored it. She made lunch, sat at the table, and ate calmly, almost feeling at home and safe. At the exact moment she finished organizing the kitchen, Estefano appeared at the door. She didn't feel fear, she couldn't explain why, but she thought she was braver away from the bedroom.
"Why didn't you answer the phone?"
"Because I didn't want to."
And Estefano laughed out loud. She expected any reaction but not that.
"Helena, are you losing your fear of me, sweetheart? That's good."
"Don't you want me to be afraid of you? It would be easier to control me."
"I don't like easy women, and to answer your question, I don't want you to fear me. I already got that on the street. I prefer to control you in other ways. In bed, for example, outside of it, you can even confront me, as long as you don't dare smack me like the other time. You'll never receive violence from me, but I want the same in return."
Estefano could see that the word bed clouded Helena's eyes. She had extreme fear of him in the bedroom because that's where she was abused by her ex-husband. Maybe if he approached her outside of it, he could get her to let her guard down.
"Get ready, we're going to buy clothes for you. Damn, that yellow dress is going to make me lose my mind."
They drove to the main street of the city, and when they got out to walk, Helena started to walk and was stopped by Estefano, who held her hand. She was surprised. She had never walked hand in hand with anyone, never imagined a man like him would do that, especially in front of the two soldiers who were following them.
"You are my wife, so you'll walk with me like one. Stay calm, sweetheart, we're on the street, we can't go further."
They went into several stores and bought everything from clothes and shoes to bags and earrings. Helena had gained a complete wardrobe.
As they passed under a tree, he hugged her, and when she tried to push him away, Estefano didn't allow it.
He held her and kissed her. At first, Helena didn't react, but suddenly she began to respond. When she realized what was happening, she broke free and once again smacked him. Like the other time, she only realized the madness too late.
She was dragged into the car. He drove off with screeching tires, and at that moment she was sure that this time her action would have consequences.
- Writer
