Twenty-nine

For a minute I thought I'd never get away. First because of the rain and second because they wouldn't leave the door. I was already going crazy in that house, I couldn't take that prison anymore. It was supposed to be just a few days of training, but in the end Benjamin always came up with a new excuse.

I know my house isn't the best place to go, but at some point I had to go back. My responsibilities went far beyond being just a wife for Thomas, they included the commitment I had with my people, also with those bizarre laws that urgently needed to be changed, the protection of that animal, which very likely I could have put him in risk when I discovered the cave and lastly being the most important, taking care of my life and everything I still want to achieve.

"But what about the part where you sit and stop and breathe and think about everything you've lost?"

Grief. I never went through grief. I do not know how it is.

What my little devil said now is exactly what I spent my whole life running from. I can cry, I can question, even freak out sometimes, but I never gave my mind and body space to experience everything they took from me, or the things I lost through stubbornness.

Family. Bruce. Freedom. Dreams. Thomas. Benjamin. Peter. My death.

The truth is, I'm afraid to let these things in and end up losing.

"The worst battle we face is always the one where the enemy is ourselves!"

— The lights... - I whisper as I drive, seeing the palace from afar.

"Funny how we drift in thought when we're driving!"

“W-wait! - My eyes widen. -O...o...no...it's not possible.

The gates open and security announces my arrival to everyone in the palace. I pull in the Maserati, braking inches past the gate the same minute I see him run towards me, the rain drenching him.

"Piter..." I murmur his name, getting out of the car.

He runs, runs really fast, but then when he sees me in full, his feet come to a screeching halt on the wet ground.

"Alive. He's alive!"

He's feet and feet away from me.

— Pi - -a sigh, all that comes out of my mouth when I see him in full is just a sigh.

"M-mila..." he said my name, softly. - Mila! - His voice rises, along with his breathing that makes his chest fill and empty quickly, loaded with anxiety. -MILA! - he screamed, he screamed loudly.

Fuck the guards, fuck Thomas if he's watching on camera right now.

I gain strength and he gains twice as much. We shot together in a straight line, wanting to annihilate that feeling, end it, nullify, kill all the desire and longing that every particle of our body desperately suffered, needing each other.

Wet by the rain, I throw myself into his arms and he squeezes me, cradles me, surrounds me with every bit of his soul.

— B-forgive me... - I cry on his shoulder, begging for his forgiveness. - I... I didn't mean to hurt you...

"Calm down, it's okay now..." he said, still hugging me.

Until that moment, I hadn't had a chance to apologize, I figured I'd never see him again, or be lucky enough to feel him again. I didn't want to let go of him and it seemed reciprocated as he didn't even let go of his arms. I'm capable of spending the rest of the day like this, even if it's standing in the rain.

I just need your lap, your affection, I just need peace, that peace.

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We were sitting on the living room floor, sparing the expensive sofas while we toweled off.

- How are you? - I ask alone with him.

"I told you I'm fine, you don't have to worry!"

"How not?" -debate. -I almost killed you...

"But he didn't!" - he said taking my hand. -What those idiots did to you, it was all my fault.

“That doesn't explain what I did, people like that are everywhere. Killing is not the answer!

- I disagree! -It's rigid.

We hear footsteps approaching and he quickly pulls his hand away, resuming his stance.

- All very well? -he's serious.

Tom (security)- Good afternoon, Your Majesty! -he greets me first, answering Piter, then. -Yes sir, everything in order! -he responded.

- Excellent. Don't lose sight of the King!

They nod their heads and continue on their way.

"Thomas..." I say.

"He's on the beach in the back garden!"

I don't go there, they never let me go.

- Alone?

“It was with the housekeeper. He asked them to leave them alone, but from time to time I send some guards to keep watch in secret.

"Housekeeper?"

"Do we have a housekeeper?"

"As soon as you left, he hired one!"

- Wow! - I'm sarcastic.

"LAST!"

"What an asshole!"

- What it was? she asked with a wry smile. -Are you jealous?

“Jealousy? -mock. - Jealous of Thomas?

"I'd be jealous, the housekeeper is so cute!"

I squint at him with a hellish expression.

- Calm! -he bursts out laughing.

- Idiot! - he commented quietly, rolling his eyes.

"I heard that!" - he said laughing. -I'm not like you, but I know when you're mumbling.

"You..."

That's when I remember something.

— Why did you never tell me that Benjamin is your uncle?

— Yeah...by...by... -he gets weird. -You better go upstairs and start getting ready! - he said getting up from the mat, changing the subject.

— Piter! - I put myself in front of you. -What's the problem? - I ask. -Why didn't you tell me?

"I have orders to instruct, Your Majesty, to carry out tonight's agenda!" - he said formally. -Please, you need to get ready!

- Your Majesty? - I repeat. - You decided to follow the rules now?

He's running away from my gaze, he answers me looking at the door.

— Piter! - I call him so that he turns to me.

- Please!

- What did I do? -question. -Was this all just because I asked about your uncle?

"I don't want to talk about it!" -he said looking at me. -I hate this subject, dammit!

- It's OK! - I get irritated. -All good!

I pass by him and head towards the stairs, when I see him following me, I stop frustrated turning to him.

"Where do you think you're going?"

"Can't I accompany you?"

- In the bath? - I'm direct. -Want to join me in the shower?

— Mila... -he implies that he wants a ceasefire.

- No! I point my finger at his chest, eyes wide. -Don't call me Mila, call me Your Majesty.

He snorts with a laugh and runs his tongue over his lips.

"Let's stop with-"

- He is! - I direct the ground with my finger. -Stay here and don't follow me!

"What if I don't stay?" -he faces me, stuffed with ignorance.

"I suggest you don't push your luck!"

— I think you can understand that I'm not afraid of you, much less of Thomas!

'But who brought up Thomas's name?' - I ironize. -I know you're not afraid of Thomas or me. But what about Benjamin?

His eyes, along with his face change instantly.

— Oh! -mock. -You're afraid of Benjamin, aren't you?

The face he makes is identical to those fearful teenagers, who get pissed inside when someone pokes a wound full of repression and envy.

"Stay here Mr. Bennet!" I resume my strict behavior, climbing the steps. -Oh! - Stop in the middle of the stairs. -What was the lie that you and your family invented for the King, regarding my disappearance? - I ask. -I need to know so I don't run the risk of saying something different.

"That you went on a business trip with Benjamin!"

"What?"

"Y-you said I traveled with another man?" - I'm perplexed. -Was that the best excuse they could come up with?

— Well, I got the same face you have now, except that the culprit is not me, but your creator!

"How did Thomas react?"

- He guesses?

"My God, is there time to run away?"

"When this man sees me, he will kill me!"

— Incredibly, he trusts his best friend so much that he didn't care!

"Why did he say (Oddly enough)?"

- Just look! - I say in surprise. -Now I understand...

- What did you understand?

“Jealousy. You feel jealous!

I laugh and go back upstairs, leaving him even angrier on the floor below.

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After the shower, I stare at my closet not knowing what to wear to fulfill the agenda that Piter spoke about.

"I should have asked...

"I'm angry!"

"—He's on the beach, in the back garden!"

Undecided, my mind plays like a radio, replaying what my security revealed.

I walk to the back window, the one I rarely went to and wrapped in a towel, I stand there looking for him in the sand.

- Huh! -I'm looking for him. -Where is he?

There's no trace of him, or the other one.

?- Thank God for not being able to see you from the sand!

"What?"

I turn around slowly, a small flame of irritation igniting inside me.

?- I was informed about your indiscipline, but I confess that I did not expect to meet you like this, under these circumstances.

"KILL HER MILA, KILL HER, KILL, OR I WILL!"- shouted the little devil.

— Sorry... - I swallow my laugh, twisting my mouth that was running to ask about her boldness. -Who are you and how did you get into my room?

?- My name is Martina Gutierrez! He introduces himself, extending his hand to me.

I look at her, I look at her with an inexplicable mockery. I look at her hand stretched out to me and I stay in this back and forth, aiming at her eyes and her fingers, over and over again.

She's cute like Piter said, but her personality manages to destroy her flashy blonde hair and bright light eye.

Martina- Well... -she notices that I'm not going to squeeze and then pulls her arm back. -I'm King Thomas's governess!

"Thomas's housekeeper..." I say. -When you say, "From Thomas", what do you mean exactly?

Martina- I'll let your imagination answer that question!

"You don't want to know what my imagination is saying right now!"

She turns, walks over to my husband's armchair, and then sits in it, looking me up and down.

"God, please get this human being out of my room, I don't want to sin my father, but this is too hard!"

Martina- I confess that you really are very beautiful! -praises with disgust.

"Am I supposed to say thank you?"

Martina- Maybe if she was a little more nourished, fuller... -she pretends to talk to herself, pointing to my body. -No. I don't know. Maybe it's better to leave it the way it is!

"If you don't show her, I swear I'll get out of here and do it!"

"Do you have the habit of entering people's rooms without knocking first, Mrs. Gutierrez?"

Martina- Call me by name! -it's rude. -I didn't hit because the King doesn't get bored when I don't hit. I enter unannounced and it was never a nuisance for him.

— Oh, so you come in here unannounced, you're alone with my husband and to top it off, he doesn't feel uncomfortable?

"You Must be kidding..."

— I'm sorry Martina, but if you'll excuse me, I need to get dressed now! - I go to her and stretch my arm towards the door, showing the way out with the palm of my hand facing upwards. -Please, if you can leave!

She stands in front of me, throwing her a disgusted look.

Martina- I believe you will need my services in choosing a decent outfit!

— You don't have to worry about that, I guarantee I know how to choose my clothes well!

Martina- It's an important dinner, I can't let it damage the King's image, wearing anything.

"OH NO, OH NO. I'M GOING TO BREAK THIS PIRAN'S FACE - "

“Shhh!

Martina- Did you "shhh" for me?

I focus on her again, while trying to calm my little devil.

- Let's go! I tap her on the shoulder, pushing her towards the exit. -It's over. It's great. Thanks!

Martina- You are being very thick! -she said, getting irritated with my light pushes.

"Come on girl." I have more things to do! - I say walking through the door.

Martina - Oh! -complained. -How did you manage to become Queen, with that education?