A Curvy Girl on My Hill

Chapter 6: Larissa

NARRATED BY LARISSA

After some time, I heard a noise at the door and Milena entered the room with two cups of tea.

“I thought you might like something warm to calm down,” she said, handing me one of the cups.

“Thank you,” I murmured, accepting the tea with gratitude.

“It was Mrs. Sandra who made it; she's been working here since we were kids,” she said, and I gave her a weak smile.

We sat in silence for a few minutes, drinking the chamomile tea and absorbing the momentary tranquility. Finally, I decided to break the silence.

“Milena, what is it like living here?” I asked, trying to better understand her reality.

She sighed, looking out the window.

“It's not easy, Larissa. But it's our reality. The community is united, but there's also a lot of tension and danger. My brother, Baron, does what he thinks is necessary to protect and support our family and the community. I don't always agree with him, but he's all I have left. He may seem like a brute to others, but to me, he's the best brother in the world.”

I nodded, gaining a better understanding of Milena's life. “And you? How do you deal with all this?”

She shrugged. “I try to help in any way I can, studying and working to have a better life. And now, I want to help you. No one should go through what you went through alone.”

Touched by her sincerity, I said, “You are truly amazing, Milena. I don't know how to thank you for all this.”

“You don't need to thank me. We're friends, and friends help each other. We'll get through this together,” she said, smiling.

When I was done with the tea, Milena let me rest for a while. I closed my eyes and, for the first time in days, allowed myself to relax. I knew the road ahead would be full of challenges, but with Milena by my side, I felt I had a chance to rebuild my life.

When I woke up, the sun was starting to rise. I checked my phone; it was seven o'clock in the morning.

I got up and went to the bathroom. I took a shower in the warm water, something I hadn't done in a long time since our electric shower at home broke down and my parents couldn't afford to buy another. I enjoyed the long shower, feeling the hot water relax my body and relieve some of the weight I was carrying.

After drying myself off, I went to the bedroom and started opening the bags I hadn't even put away yet. I grabbed a moisturizer and applied it to my body, feeling my skin become softer and more cared for. I found a pink dress with a few patterns and a set of white lingerie that Milena had chosen for me. I got dressed and brushed my hair, leaving it wet. I put on some light makeup to disguise my eyes, still swollen from recent crying.

I sprayed my favorite perfume and slipped on a pair of Havaianas. Looking at myself in the mirror, I felt a mix of sadness and hope. Despite everything, I was trying to move forward. I left the room and went to the living room, where I found Milena talking to a tall man with a severe but very handsome appearance. He had the same determined look as Milena. He looked me up and down, which sent a chill down my spine, and from a distance, you could see he had a gun at his waist. He was so covered in tattoos that he looked like a comic book.

“Larissa, this is my brother, Ronaldo. But everyone knows him as Barão,” Milena introduced.

He looked at me with curiosity, but also with a kind of silent respect.

“Nice to meet you, Larissa. Milena told me about you,” he said, taking my hand, and I felt a chill run down my spine. “Milena talks too much. I don't like her mentioning my name to anyone, so for you, I'm Barão,” he said with a cocky tone, and I swallowed hard.

“Alright, don't worry,” I replied, trying to stay calm.

Barão looked at me with a serious, but not hostile, expression.

“You can stay here as long as you need, Larissa, provided you stay in line. Milena will explain how things work here on my hill.”

I nodded, understanding the seriousness of the situation.

“Thank you. I promise I will respect the rules.”

Milena pulled me over to a table laden with delicious treats. The coffee was fresh. I was surprised by the bread varieties, fruits, and cakes. It was a welcoming sight, something I hadn't seen in a long time. I sat down, still trying to adjust to the new environment. Barão just drank his cup of coffee and left, and I silently thanked God because he scared me.

While I was serving myself, I saw a lady outside, hanging clothes on the line.

“Who is that lady?” I asked, curious.

Milena looked in the direction I pointed and smiled.

“Oh, that's Dona Sandra. She's been working here for many years. She's practically part of the family. She takes care of the house and always makes sure to prepare a delicious breakfast.”

I nodded, feeling a bit more at ease.

“She seems very attentive.”

“Yes, she is,” replied Milena. “She will adore you. Dona Sandra has a big heart and always treats everyone with a lot of affection.”

As I ate, Dona Sandra entered the kitchen, drying her hands on her apron. She gave me a warm smile.

“Good morning, dear. How are you feeling today?”

“Good morning,” I replied, trying to return the smile. “I feel better, thank you.”

“That's good,” she said, approaching. “If you need anything, just call me. I'll be here all day. If you'd like, I can make another calming tea; I'm quite good at it.”

I thanked her, feeling truly welcomed. The presence of such kind people made all the difference during such a difficult time in my life. Milena and Dona Sandra continued talking while I finished my breakfast. The tranquility of the scene gave me a sense of normalcy, something I hadn't felt in a long time.

After breakfast, Milena took me back to the room to talk more privately. We sat on the bed and she began to explain.

“Here in the community, things work a bit differently. My brother, Barão, oversees everything that happens. This means that security is reinforced, but also that we have to follow certain rules. You must avoid getting involved in any suspicious activity and always inform someone you trust about where you're going. Stay out of trouble and keep to yourself, and everything will be fine.” She paused to make sure I understood her words. “The people here are close-knit, but they also need to follow the rules to keep the peace. My brother may seem tough, but he does it to protect the community.”

I nodded, absorbing all the information.

“I understand, Milena. I'll do my best to adapt to and respect the rules.”

She smiled, placing a hand on mine.

“I know you will. And remember, I'm here to help you with anything you need. You're not alone.”