Chapter 90: Chapter 90

I watch my friend as we walk down the college hallway. She doesn't look at me.

- I don't like talking either – Skyla whispers – Because I know no one can help me – we stop at the exit door, because I'm going to the parking lot, and she gets out. Your eyes meet mine - But if there's anything I can do, anything in the world, tell me.

I shake my head.

Suddenly, I have a lump in my throat.

- Promise me you'll take care of yourself - Skyla asks.

- All the time - I say, and I hate how it feels like goodbye - I promise.

She pinches my cheek, as if I were a child, then pushes open the double doors and leaves. I remain standing, staring at the glass, gathering the strength to walk to the other side.

I stare out the door at the street, staring at the cars in the lane. A chill runs through me as I remember the traffic incident. In an instant, an idiot driver had surrounded me. The next moment three guns were pointed at the car I was driving. I twisted the steering wheel so badly in this stupid maneuver attempt that I hurt my wrist.

Then I was in the hospital, shaking with fear. It's been two days, and I even took off the gauze. But the feeling that I am insecure continues to haunt me.

I thought I would never drive a car again. That would mean I wouldn't be going back to college anytime soon. However, LeBlanc offered to drive and pick me up. Every day. I don't know to what extent he thinks he really has a responsibility to me, but, I admit, I can only appreciate his kindness.

I hold between my fingers the rosary that I always have around my neck, to remind me that God will not abandon me. At least, I prefer to believe not. I turn to walk in the opposite direction, toward the parking lot, where Aaron's Bugatti is waiting for me. But at that moment, I end up bumping into a body bigger than mine.

- Attention, Angel - said the person holding me by the arms so as not to collapse on the ground. I recognize Vicenzo's voice – Are you in a hurry?

I pulled myself together, grateful that I didn't have to go through the embarrassment of falling to the floor.

- Nope. The class ended early - I answer.

I look at Vicenzo. He looks older since losing his father and taking over the Mares family publicly. They function like a dynasty, where someone must be in charge, and the others serve as ornaments of power and glory.

“Mine too,” said Vicenzo. He scratches the back of his head, looking clumsy like he's never done before, I'd like to talk to you.

Please don't!

- Clear.

We walk side by side, and I allow him to guide me. I still have the rosary in my hand, and finally Vicenzo looks at it. Vicenzo enters a computer room. I stop at the door, suddenly, with a bad feeling. I could say it's just my superstitious and negative side, but I feel like it's something more.

- Please - Vicenzo shows the inside of the room.

It's just a conversation.

I walk inside. Vicenzo closes the door, but does not lock it.

- I'm sorry about the disagreement with your father. I know how hard you have worked for the Donneli family.

I lean my hip against one of the tables. Vicenzo understands all about broken families trying to get better.

- Don't feel. The result was predictable,” I say.

- But that makes me wonder – he approaches, but can't manage to invade my personal space – What are you going to do now?

- What you mean?

- No public support, no social position, no money...

I don't like the meaning of this conversation. I can almost feel he's going to propose to me, and knowing him well - and believe me, I do - I know it won't be decent.

- I live one day at a time.

And that's okay, isn't it? I can have Aaron. I can almost say that I like being with him. I can talk to Gabe in the morning, go to college in the afternoon. I can lie on a soft bed and dream of your tongue. I don't want to think about the future now. I don't want to think about when I should act. I…I don't want to have to plan desperately.

- No, Angelique. You're too smart to do that. Vicenzo lifts my chin with his thumb and I glare at him. I always considered him a nice boy, unlike his father. But now all I see is the reflection of Senator Mares, and it makes me want to vomit. If only I had something in my stomach - You need someone to take care of it for you. From someone who makes your life easier – continues Vicenzo – Do you have any idea how many men would put the world at your feet? Do you have any idea what they would do to have a woman like you? His hands frame my face.

- Vicenzo... - I warn, trying to get his hands off me.

He takes a step towards me, then our bodies press against each other.

- Your father has fallen, but that doesn't mean you will too – his hot breath hits my face, indicating that he is closer than he should be – Be by my side – asks Vicenzo – I propose . Accept to stay with me. Accept to be mine, and I will do for you what Elliot could never do.

- Please let me go.

Tears form in my eyes. Not out of fear. Not out of anger. Only salt water, because once upon a time there was a man who had the power to enhance me. He chose not to. He chose to stay with his beautiful wife, his new fortune and his perfect little life. He abdicated me. Not as an object, because he made it clear that he valued his material possessions. He abdicated me like an animal. As if I was something rotten in your line.

Tears run down her cheek in a thin line. Not just hearing from Vicenzo that I can be useful, like a whore, in his family. But also knowing that he deeply believes that this is what I deserve.

- Listen to me, Angelique. You'd still be the same girl, doing the same stupid things and pretending you love her. Nothing would change – his hands squeezed my wet cheeks – You would be at my house and wearing my wedding ring. That's all I ask. Be faithful to me.

I cry and allow myself to cry. All the pent up tears since I was attacked in traffic have to come out of me. All of LeBlanc's rage for buying me. The disappointment when I remember everything I've done for every Donneli I know. The fear of dying. The will to die. All.

“I'll think about it,” I say, because I'm desperate to get out of here.

- Do not think. I do it for you. I will do anything for you – Vicenzo holds my arms and rocks me, as if he needs to bring me back to reality – You just have to be mine, be in my house and bear my children – his lips approach mine. I turn my face to the side – It would be a good life, Angelique – he whispers.

- If you don't let me go, I'll start screaming.

I don't see it, but I'm sure Vicenzo is watching me. I can feel his anger overwhelm us, because spoiled boys don't like to be denied.

His hands loosen on my arms. I don't wait another second. I duck to the side and walk away. I run for the door, however, my freedom lasts less than expected. Before I even reach the handle, Vicenzo joins me from behind. He grabs my elbow and pushes my body against the wall.

I think about screaming, but he's more agile, grabbing my throat and squeezing me hard enough that I start choking.

- You act well – his lips touch mine – For a bitch.

I claw at her arms in a desperate attempt not to be strangled.

- Please… please – my words dissolve into sighs and gasps.

- Who do you think you are, Angelique? Answer me honestly. Are you going to keep acting like you have a golden pussy much longer? – Vicenzo presses his body against mine, and the way he rubs against me disgusts me – I would do you a favor if I accepted you into the Mares family – his mouth is still pressed against mine, to prove that the whore control is in place – But I'm going to move on to the next chapters, so you can make the right decision. In ten years, I will be one of the richest men in the country. I will be married to a woman who is obsessed with me, and she will give me as many children as I want - he says. I keep gasping for air, digging my nails into his skin trying to push him back - And you, Angelique, you'll be at best the slut who spreads her legs when I'm around, praying to get pregnant and I hope to have a bastard in the family seas.

I start to close my eyes. My vision is blurry, black parts, blurry parts. My throat is getting dry and my hands are starting to lose strength. Vicenzo rubs against me, and in that moment I know he's let his guard down. I bend my right knee and push it between her legs with all the strength I have left.

Vicenzo gasps, pulling away from me to contain the pain. He shouts, probably insulting me, but all I can see is the door. I lean against the wall and walk towards the door, coughing and tasting blood at the start of my throat.

- To help! - I try to shout, however, my voice comes out imperfect and scratchy.

I reach out and desperately turn the knob, but my hands are shaking too much. I know it's not locked, but I can't turn that damn handle the right way.

As I try to stop shivering, Vicenzo stalls. I feel his hand grab my ponytail and pull me back. He slams me against a table and the computer crashes to the ground from the impact. The noise rumbles, but no more than the sound of my heart exploding in my ears.

I need to think. I need to have leverage.

He walks over and I rush back onto the table, knocking over another computer behind me. When Vicenzo gets close enough, I kick him in the stomach. He pulls away again, grabbing her abdomen with both hands.

- To help! – I'm screaming – Someone help me!

I keep dragging myself back. Vicenzo advances.

- Shit, Angelique. Our destiny was drawn. You could have been mine forever. But you like... - His words die out when we hear a crash.

And then the door opens.

I look in that direction, and so does Vicenzo, but before he does, I can see the desperation in his eyes. It's not good that the future Deputy has an assault complaint in his file. I almost smile at your fear. Almost.

More tears stream down my face when I see one of the college security guards. Tears of relief.

- What are you doing here? he asks, frowning as he looks around the room.

"He…" I swallowed hard. Words and tears mingle – He wants to hurt me.

- She exaggerates. We were talking – Vicenzo fights back.

Asshole.

Son of a fucking whore.

- Go out! – shouts the security guard.

I blink several times, refusing to believe this reality. Not. Have I ever hit my head and stopped thinking straight? Is he really claiming that Vicenzo is innocent?

I am hurt! The room is torn!

- Did you hear me? – I scream – He wanted to hurt me!

- Mr. Mares, please take your girlfriend outside. I don't want any problems.

My ears throb, mimicking the furious beating of my heart. Suddenly, the physical pain isn't just from Vicenzo's attacks. It's because it stops here. No whistleblowing, because the sheriff won't believe me either. Without consequence, because nobody wants problems with the next deputy. My body didn't die, but unfortunately my voice did.

- Come on, my love - Vicenzo shamelessly turns around. His eyes find me as if we have a common secret.

To hell with the gold-digging bitch who fathered him.

I wipe my cheeks with the back of my hand. I get off the table, look at Vicenzo and pray that my eyes will turn into machine guns. I walk around him, thinking he won't attack me in the presence of security.

"Leave," I tell the guard standing in the doorway.

He makes room, then I run out of the room. I force my body to run like it depends on it. I barely see the direction, I just don't want to stop. I know the parking lot is on the left, but I run right anyway. I run down the street.

I push open the double doors and rush outside. The sun, the streets, the people, the traffic, the trees. I need to feel that there is something beyond the violence engraved in my body. I go down the stairs by trampling the steps.

I don't see much around me. I know people are watching me, some are even worried. But, on the whole, Americans are good at ignoring other people's problems. However, I see his car. The Bugatti parked right in front of the building, as if waiting for the moment when I would walk through the doors, destroyed inside and out.

Before he even reached the car, LeBlanc got out. It wouldn't take much for him to see that I'm not well, but his attention still makes me crumble. He runs towards me and meets me halfway, and when he does, my legs give out. It's like my body knows it can finally fail, because LeBlanc is here now. He hugs me tight and I sag in his arms like sugar in the rain.

I hug his body like I could merge with him. Her arms hold me, her scent surrounds me and her strength sustains me. And so, once again, I allow myself to cry. I make sounds of pain, despair and deep inside, a lot of relief.

- Vicenzo... he... - I choke coughing - He...

I want to talk. I want to get rid of these disgusting words. I don't want to keep these scenes in my head, like a little secret between me and Vicenzo.

- Angelique - Aaron calls. His voice, always hoarse and calm, contrasts with me. We are the perfect definition and peace and chaos right now. I look up, finding his dark eyes fixed on me. I can barely see the green around the irises – Take a deep breath – he asks, and I oblige. Even between sobs, I take a deep breath – What did he do?

I squeeze his suit between my fingers. I want to make sure that I'm safe, that this is real, and that I'm not going to open my eyes and wake up in this damn room.

"Vicenzo tried to hurt me," I say to each disgusting letter.

LeBlanc continues to stare at me. Your pupil dilates, just as your jaw contracts. He hugs me again, resting my head on his chest and stroking my hair.

I feel his chest rise and fall, then his breathing becomes eerily quiet. It's like the human part of him just fell asleep, and now a robot has taken over. Zero emotion, zero expression. His arms around me stay tight and he places a kiss on the top of my head.

- That was the last time he touched you.