But I didn't cry.
I still wouldn't give him the satisfaction.
My mind was all I had to use against him. My physical strength wasn't enough to stop him, my voice wasn't enough to make him think about me as a living, breathing person.
He didn't care about me.
So I let him think I was submissive, but he was dead wrong. I was just buying time, waiting for the right moment.
It had worked, we were going outside now. Maybe in time, I could get him to trust me. . .Trust is the wrong word.I needed him to think he controlled me, every last piece of me.
But he could never get inside my head, he would never know what I was actually thinking.
“I'm warning you, behave yourself.” His eyes flicked to my face, trying to see if he could catch even a glimpse of the fight I had inside. “What are the rules?”
“No talking, no looking at anyone.”
“And?”Holding my inner arm, he squeezed.
“No answering any questions.”
“Good girl. Let's go out, Love.” Remo walked in front of me, I trailed behind. Just like I was told to do.
It was fucking pathetic, he was fucking pathetic.
What kind of man would want this?
What kind of man would desire a woman this way?
There was no other word to describe a person like him, other than monster.
He was what scary stories were written about. He was the freak under your bed, the red eyes in your closet; Remo was my nightmare.
The car ride was short, but I tried to let myself enjoy the freedom of space.
No walls, no locks, no chains. I wanted to enjoy it all, but happiness had vanished from me. Other than the comfort of no confines, everything else still made me sick.
I thought that coming outside would bring me a sliver of joy, but it didn't.
Instead, all I felt was rage. He had taken everything from me to the point that the sun, the air, the sky. . .
None of it was beautiful.
There was no shine to the bright star that brought life to the earth, the sky was pale and gray even though it should have been bright blue. Even the air was tainted with sour notes I couldn't stop from flooding into my lungs.
Fuck, I hate him!
Fuck you!
Fuck you!
My voice might have been shut off, but the words still screamed inside my head. He couldn't hear them, but I could. And they were loud and clear.
Remo threw open the door to the restaurant, his arms out wide as he waited for the others around to recognize he was there.
“Hello, Lidia, how's business today?”
A small woman cupped her hands on the counter, forcing a large smile. “It's been wonderful, Sir, thank you.”