Chapter 3
Once I returned home, I went to the bathroom and turned the shower on the max.
I felt filthy and kept on scrubbing myself until my body was flushing red. But I could still see the bruises.
Memories of our intimate moments overwhelmed me.
Antonio’s hot breaths. The sweet nothings he whispered. His strong arms wrapping around my waist…
I flinched as I reminisced about it
I shook my head to get those absurd memories out of my mind.
My skin was grazed. But I failed to fall asleep because of Antonio again.
Again and again, I picked up my phone.
There were no texts or calls from Antonio.
As far as I could remember, we always talked before we went to bed.
I had trouble sleeping. So, Antonio would stay on the phone until I fell asleep.
I felt a squeeze on my heart.
That was it. I had to admit that Antonio didn’t love me,
I was awakened by the soft touch on my lips.
Realizing what it was, I opened my eyes abruptly.
I looked directly into Antonio’s eyes.
Antonio chuckled, “Why didn’t you return my text? Huh?”
He knew the password to my house. It wasn’t the first time he came over without telling me.
I used to think it was sweet as it showed how close we were.
Now, I only wanted to berate myself for my stupidity.
I didn’t react to his words. So, Antonio leaned down to deepen the kiss. I shoved him off me.
Antonio froze briefly as if he was caught off guard.
But he recovered immediately.
Antonio looked at me with an arched eyebrow.
“Are you shy? I waited till midnight last night.
“And you said nothing when I asked you earlier. Grace, good for you.”
Antonio lunged at me and lifted the blanket.
Before I could say anything, he covered my mouth with a hand.
Pinning me down, Antonio whispered into my ear. His hot breath fanned my skin, making my knees go weak.
“You said you wanted to see this show. I waited in line all night
to buy the tickets.
“Before I came over, I went to the eastern part of the city just to get you dessert from your favorite bakery.
“I can barely feel my legs now… Tell me, Grace. How are you going to repay me?”
Antonio said lowly and his hand had slipped under my pajamas.
Suddenly, I felt humiliated and started pushing him away.
Antonio took it as my way of foreplay.
He only stopped moving with hesitation when he saw my tears.
“What’s wrong?
“Why are you crying? You’re mad because I didn’t come over last night?”
I didn’t answer.
Antonio pinched my cheek and teased.
“That’s ridiculous. And you said you weren’t jealous.
“Is it Leila again? What did she tell you this time? I’ve explained it to you so many times.
“Norah and I are just friends. Anyway, we kissed because we were playing truth or dare.”
My eyes were red–rimmed. My body shook in anger.
As Antonio was distracted, I gave him a hard kick on the chest
and slipped out of bed.
Antonio covered his chest and panted.
He glared at me and shouted, “Grace!”
I ignored him and ran out of the bedroom.
I sat on the couch to get myself together.
Two minutes later, Antonio left the bedroom too.
He crouched in front of me. The impatient and gloomy expression was gone.
“Come on. Stop pouting. I promise you that I’ll take you to our gatherings in the future.
“By the way, did you take the contraceptive pill yesterday?”
Antonio stood up and patted my head as if he was cooing a pet.
“If not, you need to take it later. Be good, baby. You don’t want to get pregnant, right? What are you going to tell your parents then?”
Antonio took my hand in his.
“Let’s go out for breakfast. We’re going to watch the show tonight.”
I didn’t move.
The standstill went on for a while. Suddenly, Antonio kicked the couch.
“Grace! What do you want?
“I gave you an out. I went out of my way to please you. What more do you want?”
Antonio grew angrier.
“Who do you think you are, Grace?
“Yes, we fucked. Big deal.
“You were willing. What? Are you not satisfied?”
Antonio sneered, grabbed my wrists in a tight grip, and tried to pin me down again.
“Since you’re not satisfied, I can make it up to you now. It should be enough to shut you up.
Tears ran down my face before I realized I was crying.
Humiliation and embarrassment washed over me.
I cried so hard that I was out of breath.
Antonio was stunned.
As if he was shocked by my reaction, he got off me rigidly.
I immediately got as far away from him as possible. Antonio pursed his lips and apologized.
“I’m sorry, Grace. I got drunk yesterday and didn’t know what I was doing.”
Antonio got up and returned with a glass of hot water. He
handed it to me, but I knocked it out of his hand.
Water landed on him and the floor. Antonio frowned. “Hey, Grace…”
His phone rang and cut him off.
Antonio’s expression changed after he read the text.
He clenched his phone and said hurriedly, “I need to go. Calm down.
“You’re not a child anymore. In college, nobody will tolerate your tantrum.”
Then, Antonio strode out without another glance at me.
