MICHAEL
Aumentas mi obsesión
Nefertary's friend, 'with brown eyes, straight hair, blonde,' has turned her head every 10 minutes to look at me. I'm not surprised, literally any girl would want to be with me, well, except Nefertary, she's different. But she doesn't just look at me, also at the black-haired blue-eyed guy, Mathias, who is sitting in the row to the right, in the second to last seat. So that's him, the idiot who wants to free the monster. If only he knew the huge mistake he's making.
An hour has already passed and this class still isn't over. For some reason, that person with the incredible brown mane has caught my attention, or better said, she's had it since yesterday. It's amazing how she pretends among these stupid people, she's so hypocritical. Not with me, I know her very well, she doesn't fool me. That's why I nicknamed her mute swan, because they're beautiful, beauty can deceive and not show how dangerous they really are. Beauty deceives, and only people with a very high IQ will know it's just a facade, to fool their victims, to live among ordinary people.
—Miss Lucia, do you have a problem? Did you lose something? —the teacher snaps at Nefertary's friend, pulling everyone out of their thoughts, including me.
—No, professor —the girl says. She looks nervous, or better said, she is.
—Well, if you haven't lost anything, stop staring at your classmates, because they —he points at me and Ludwig— won't contribute anything to your learning. —God professor, don't you see she's hypnotized by my beauty?
—I'm sorry, professor —the embarrassment is clear in her words.
Now that Lucy's commercial is over, Nefertary's friend, just one day and she's already made my hormones stir like a 13-year-old boy. I really want to fuck her right now, grab her hair, that brown hair that drives me crazy, corner her against the desk, touch her skin, her legs, her breasts, nibble those lips, fuck her until… 'control yourself, Lorenz.'
Better not think about that, I'd be torturing myself more than I already am. Leaving my lust aside, I focus on the math problems, which to top it all off are 100 damn problems, worth 5 points for the exercise, which I obviously need, because if I don't do them they'll take them off the test tomorrow. What's the point of getting a 5.0 on the damn test if they're going to subtract 5 points for not doing the damn practice? Damn, a 4.5 wouldn't bother me at all, but knowing me I wouldn't be satisfied with that grade knowing I understood the topic perfectly and that I would get that 5.0. I'd be reproaching myself for the rest of my life. Had to be a damn perfectionist.
At least I only have 18 left to finish. Super focused on what I'm doing, I can't help but look at the watch on my wrist. Only 36 minutes left for this class to end, also the time needed to finish this shit.
'Don't stress, Mich, that doesn't help at all.'
—STOP BEING STUPID AND OPEN YOUR EYES, CAN'T YOU SEE THEY'RE TO BE EATEN UP! —Lucy's words, or rather her shout, echoed in the classroom, grabbing our attention again. 'Does this girl love making a fool of herself or what?' My brain analyzes with determination what Lucy just said to Nefertary. She called her stupid, although I can't see her face, she must be holding herself back from killing her for such a serious offense of shouting and calling her stupid in front of everyone. Wait, she said eat them… was she talking about me? I didn't expect it, but she said it in plural, definitely Mathias too.
—MISS LUCY, TO THE PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE NOW! HOW DISRESPECTFUL YOU ARE, REALLY! —damn, Lucy's dead, huh. She's going to be on thin ice for the rest of her life.
—But, professor…
—DID YOU HEAR ME OR ARE YOU DEAF? —this old man, damn, he has the temper of four demons—. CAN'T YOU EVEN WALK OR DID YOU FORGET? —I take back what I said, of the billions of demons in the world.
—Professor Eusebius —interrupts Nefertary—, I know Lucy has been very disrespectful to you and everyone here, but it's not necessary for you to yell at her. She already understands, she's just in shock because she knows she made a fool of herself —damn, the teacher of deception to the rescue. If I were Lucy's friend, I'd tell her to fuck off for talking to me like that. So neutral she sounds, so calm, but inside she wants to kill her, strangle her. Nefertary, my dear goddess and swan—. If you allow me, I can take her to the principal's office, since right now she's in a trance.
—Okay —no, this girl has more respect than I thought.
With that, she nods at the teacher, stands up and waits for her 'little friend' to do the same. Apparently it takes her a few seconds to process what she did. God, I can't help it, I can't stop laughing inside, my smile comes out. This girl really is stupid. Well, for something she's Nefertary's facade, she's not her best friend, just a friend, her only friend, who only knows the essentials about her. She doesn't let her see more, since she doesn't have the full trust to tell her who she really is.
Finally Lucia deigns to stand up, both head toward the door to go to the principal's office. If it's her first time getting into trouble, they'll give her 1 or 2 days suspension, plus cleaning classrooms or anywhere in the school. If she's had problems before, 'which I doubt since for a facade you have to pick the right person,' they'd give her a full week or more, plus community service included.
Lucy and Nefertary disappearing from our sight, the teacher continues to say the following:
—Well guys, whoever has finished can come up so I can check their problems.
I still have about 6 left, and 22 minutes left.
'DON'T STRESS, JUST DON'T DO IT.'
NEFERTARY
Already in front of the classroom door, I hurry to give two soft but audible knocks on the door to be able to enter, since it is closed. Who greets me is Professor Eusebius.
—Go ahead, Miss Ibagon. —I just nod and proceed to enter and look for my chair or desk to sit alone, since Lucia has gotten into trouble for the first time. I can feel that feeling of being watched, and definitely, they are watching me, but I don't want to look at those filthy rats, they're unbearable.
—Well, guys, you should be handing in the practice now, to get your 5 points. You know it counts for tomorrow's test, since it will be deducted, not added, and that can affect your grade — the professor finishes saying as he sits at his desk. And I'm already at mine. I still have about 4 problems left to finish and hand it in. Literally, I know I'll get an excellent grade, like I always do, and I won't let this stupid practice take points from me and leave me with an unsatisfactory grade.
Finally, I finish. I get up from my chair to go to the professor's desk and hand in his shitty practice. I can't help but look at my watch, which I wear on my left wrist. It's a very modern and elegant watch at the same time. Its colors are silver and gold tones. No need to ask if it's expensive — it looks very good. Its brand: Rolex, one of the most expensive in Switzerland and the whole world.
There are still 8 minutes left to finish the second hour, then the third will start, and two hours remain until recess. I hand the practice to the professor, who receives it and starts checking if it's correct, which it apparently is. 'As always, right?' Yes, as always.
—Excellent as always, Miss Ibagon. —Well, that was obvious, wasn't it?
—Thank you.
I return to my seat and am thankful to have finished before everyone else, who are only now getting up from their chairs to hand in the damn practice to the professor.
I search my backpack for a sketchbook, which I carry with me every day, so I don't get bored during free time. I proceed to find the page I've been working on. It's a drawing of a tree, which conveys what we see on the outside but not inside, what we think is good when it isn't. How our eyes and life deceive us, just like that.
—Is that you, monster? —I was so focused, better said, relaxed, when this idiot comes to ruin my damn life. He's in front of the desk, waiting for an answer.
—Maybe, hunter, maybe — I said, raising my gaze to look him in the eyes. After that, I return my view to the drawing.
I can feel him take a few steps to sit right next to me, in Lucy's seat.
—You're always so relaxed, "perfect." Of course, that's what you want these idiots to see — at least he said it in a careful tone, the idiot —. I liked my nickname, you've gotten very creative. Monster… how much patience do you have?
—If you think you're going to ruin me like this, you're wasting your time. Be smarter, hunter — I say this and give him a "friendly" smile, very forced and believable to everyone but him. He says nothing and just gets up from the seat to go to his own. I refocus my gaze on my drawing when the bell rings, announcing the hour has ended. The professor is gathering his things to leave when someone knocks on the door and a bitch opens it, welcoming the Ethics teacher. I hope these hours end fast.
✧────── ༉───✦───༉ ─────✧
Finally, this hell, I mean school, frees me. The hours went slower than I expected. I have to admit that Lucia made my day, definitely made it less boring. I had to take care of Martina, since 5 minutes before the recess bell rang, she sent me a message asking me not to leave her alone until Friday when she's back. She got suspended for three days and also told me she has to help in the school cafeteria for two weeks. On top of that, she has to wait for her parents' punishment.
The worst part wasn't just having to take care of Martina, it was that the dead fly invited a filthy rat. I think her name is Valentina Miller, she's her classmate. The girl is blonde, gray eyes, her hair length is to her shoulders, a few centimeters taller than me. Since when do I sit at a table with all the rats of this school in the cafeteria? Honestly, I'll have to talk to Lucy about this — why does she want me stuck with Martina if she already has a little friend, that prude?
What's wrong with the driver not showing up? I've been waiting outside the institute for 5 minutes saying goodbye to rats, bitches... right now, I just want to be in my bedroom, away from this shit.
Amen, he's here! I wait for him to open the door. He gets out of the limousine full speed to come to me. While opening the car door, he tells me he's sorry for being late, to which I "kindly" reply that it's no problem, it was only a 5-minute delay. Honestly, I wanted to scold him, but since I'm the multimillionaire, perfect, polite girl... the bullshit that gave birth to me, I couldn't do that. Well, you always have to be hypocritical. I don't know anyone more hypocritical in this world than me.
—Good afternoon, mother —I say as I enter the mansion and see her in the living room. The trip back here was faster than I thought.
—Good afternoon, daughter. Are you going to have lunch with me or in your room? —It surprises me that she asks me that and the tone she uses, like "hurt."
—What's wrong? You've never spoken to me like this and...
—Your father is missing... or rather, dead. —She says it so fast that my brain barely processes it. My father dead!? I go into a trance for a few milliseconds, then confusion and anger take over.
—It's a joke, right? A fucking joke, to test me like you always have, to challenge me. But this time you went too far. —I can't control my words and the urge to cry, which without realizing it have escaped, leaving my cheeks wet. Her words affected me so fast that I barely notice my voice sounded... hurt?
—No, my daughter, it's not a joke. His private jet seems to have had an engine failure on one of its wings and, since there was nowhere to land, it crashed into the Atlantic Ocean. —For the first time I can feel she's being transparent with me, for the first time she doesn't show that barrier she always had with me and everyone else. For the first time I see her cry... my mother is crying.
—Are you sure? —I just don't want to believe it. I can't... he was the only one who let me be a monster, the one who accepted me as I was, the one who didn't impose stupid rules to follow.
—I know I haven't been... I know you hate me, but I'm not lying to you, Nefertary. I wouldn't play with something like that, especially if it involves your father. —Her words are so sincere that, even so, it's hard to believe. I refuse to believe it. I'm acting immature right now. They say people feel something when something bad happens to someone they love... I didn't feel anything... nothing.
Clearing my sight again, I see my mother approaching to talk to me, or maybe to comfort me. To which I react by taking a step back.
—Don't you dare touch me. I hate you and hate being like you. Why can't I be a normal person? You don't know how much I hate you.
—Daughter, please...
—SHUT UP, JUST SHUT UP! YOU'VE ALWAYS WANTED ME TO BE THE FUCKING PERFECT GIRL, YOU'VE ALWAYS TESTED ME SINCE WHAT HAPPENED... WHAT HAPPENED WITH THAT GIRL. SINCE THEY DIAGNOSED ME WITH THIS DISORDER, SINCE THEY SAID I'M LIKE YOU AND NOW I'M WORSE. He let me be the monster, took me to his workplace, where the people were guilty, let me do whatever I wanted to them... it was our little secret. We couldn't tell you. —Suddenly I feel her arms... she's hugging me, and that destroys me even more. Why now, of all moments?
—I know I've been the worst mother in the world. I just didn't want you to make so many mistakes you won't regret even a bit, my love, my queen. I don't want you to be shit like me. —I push her away sharply. She's as broken as I am.
—I want to be alone. —She hesitates to let me go, she wants me by her side, but I don't... I want her far away. She just nods her head, giving me her confirmation.
I go upstairs remembering he was here. I just want to sleep, forget. This has never happened to me. I've never felt so broken as I do now. I open my bedroom door and let my suitcase fall to the floor. I head to the bathroom to take a shower, to relax a little. When I enter, I see my reflection in the mirror. In my life I've looked like this, so... ruined. I take off my school uniform, get in the shower, turn on the faucet, feel the drops of water falling. I didn't say goodbye to him, I couldn't tell him I love him, I couldn't tell him I love him sincerely. I don't want to cry... but I also can't control my tears. I never told him I loved him in my miserable life.
" —Where are we? —I look at him puzzled.
—In a place where you can be yourself, at least for a few hours —he says with a smile on his face.
—But father, you know what my mother thinks about me being myself.
—I know, daughter. That's why it will be our little secret. Only you and I will know.
I look at the place again and it's not ordinary. It's one of those places you see in movies where mobsters take people who betray them to give them what they deserve. It's not so elegant nor so disgusting.
—I didn't know you had shady business —I stop looking at the place and look at him, who has a smile like he can't deny what I just said, nor contradict me.
—I don't have to deny it. Your father is not perfect... and you know, I'm surprised...
—Are you surprised I draw my own conclusions in any situation and say them so calmly? —I steal his words.
—Yes. That's why you're my favorite of all my children. —I can't help but let a crooked smile surface.
—How ironic. I'm your only daughter, remember?
Before he can answer, some men enter. Two of them are dragging someone roughly. He's a little beaten, somewhat nervous too.
—Where do we leave him, sir? —asks one of those dragging the traitor. They both look about thirty, muscular, attractive. Meanwhile, the bastard looks about twenty-two, physically not bad, he was fine for any girl. Well... if they want him after what will happen, because only a lifeless body will remain.
—There —my father points to some chains stamped on the wall. The two men just nod and take him there. They put chains on his two feet, both hands, and his neck.
—Now, Nefertary, you can have fun. —He removes the blanket that covered the table next to us. On it are daggers, knives, axes, pistols, shotguns, with their ammunition and everything. But the best is what my eyes can't believe I have in front of me... nitrogen gas. Oh, my God! It's the oldest method of torture, one of my favorites without a doubt.
—I don't even have to ask if you're happy, your face says it all.
—Well, you surprised me —I say without taking my eyes off the table.
—Well, it's all yours. Have fun and it's not necessary to extract information or keep him alive. Do whatever your instinct tells you, my psychopath. —I just nod my head and he leaves, leaving me alone with the individual.
I approach him, who raises his gaze, looking puzzled, wondering what I'm doing here.
—Girl, please, help me. —My face has the most diabolical and twisted smile... I can imagine it. I'm so happy to be me.
—Of course I'm going to help you, but first, we're going to play a very, very fun game... and I'm not a girl. "
It was the happiest day of my life. I was only 14 years old. He took me every Saturday to that place. It was my relief from what I had to endure, at school, in malls, being the center of attention for being the daughter of someone so well known. He let me be me.
I get out of the shower, head to my closet, take out some black pajamas to put on. I look at the clock on my desk... it's only 2:33 in the afternoon. I just want to sleep and don't care about the time. I look for some sleeping pills on my nightstand, grab the bottle and take out two. 'Luckily there's a jug of water within reach. I wouldn't want to go to the kitchen right now.'
I take them all at once. I wait lying down for the pills to take effect. While that happens, I can't stop crying... and I hate being like this.
I hate that he's no longer with me, I abhor that idea, although... it's already reality... isn't it?
Author's 🖤:
Who expected that twist with Nefertary's father? Because not even I did while writing it. This chapter was an emotional rollercoaster, but tell me
what do you think about Nefertary's relationship with her mother? And what did you think of that brutal flashback with her father? Did you imagine that side of her at 14?
I'm reading you in the comments. 👀✨