My Enemy’s Daughter

Henrico Zattani

I breathe in the clean air, feeling for the first time since I got out of jail a sense of security and familiarity. Guilhermino points from one distance to another with a smile plastered on his face, proud to finally have the opportunity to show me the growth of the crops. All displayed like a peacock.

“You did a good job.” I comment, looking out over the vast rice paddy. “Thank you for not abandoning me and believing in me.” I feel his gaze boring into my skin, concentrating on what I’m saying.

snort.

“I know your character, brat. You would never kill a snake, even if it were close to biting you.” I take his reference, frowning and clenching my fists as I remember that night.

“I still don’t remember everything that happened.” I comment, seeing the blurry, jumbled images flash through my mind.

He sighs, pulling in and out with force, almost as if something is getting in his way.

“What?” I ask, finally turning to face him.

“You went out that night to pick up Aurora, it was a rainy night and you were worried that she still hadn’t arrived from her date with her father.”

“But she wasn’t there.” I complete his train of thought.

“Exactly, instead of her you found Augusto Leal, stuck in the mud.” A smile breaks out on his face at the end and I follow along.

Yeah, I found that old man with the car sunk in the dirt.

“However, she called you.” He speaks again, bringing my thoughts back to the present.

” Yea.” I affirm.

“But she didn’t.” I finish and raise my eyebrow.

“Where do you want to go?” I ask.

He rolls his eyes and claps my shoulder, giving me his big brother look.

“Don’t you think it’s time to look for her? Whatever happened that night, your ex-wifeshould know. Instead of worrying about revenge, you should be trying to prove your innocence.” Says it and I stop to reflect, he’s right, but it’s not just about proving my innocence. “Focus on Loyal Dawn.” He adds and his words make me dizzy, all this time locked up and I could only think that they were taking away my freedom, usurping my right to come and go. I focused on making Augusto Leal pay, because I always knew he was the cause of my suffering, but I ignored the fact of proving my innocence.

Guilhermino is right, it’s time to visit my ex”wife.

[…]

I stare at the elegant, flashy, futuristic”architected building, deciding whether to wait for her to leave or just go there and demand that she allow me in.

Would she? Would you let me in of your own free will, smile at me and answer every one of my questions? There are many.

“Sir, can we end the game?” the middle”aged man asks, looking at me through the rearview mirror.

“Just let the meter roll, I’ll pay every minute of your time with interest.” I reply, focusing on the slender blonde exiting the elegant building.

I feel my pulse quicken, my eyes drop straight to the bulging abdomen, evidencing the development of pregnancy.

” On here.” I toss three hundred”dollar bills to the taxi driver, believing it to be more than enough for the race.

I jump out of the car, hurrying across the busy avenue, ignoring the horns.

“Love.” I say, taking her by surprise by whispering close to her ear, when she was already signaling for a black car. Her hand drops to her rounded belly, while the other starts squeezing the strap of her purse.

I feel the tension emanating from her body and I swear I can hear her heartbeat.

“I knew you would come at some point.” She says, still on his back.

“Did you miss it?” I use my cool tone, even though, deep down, I’m seething with mixed feelings.

“I’m Pregnant.” She says, as if that would keep me away.

I almost laugh.

“Believe me, everyone can see it. Turn around.” I demand, feeling her body shake.

She hesitates, but does as I ask seconds later, staring at me with clear eyes, indifferent to any memory of the two of us.

Right now we are just a man and a woman, not two lovers or friends. But I still want answers.

“Why did you never visit me?” The words spring to my lips, making me uncomfortable to realize that of all the questions, this is the one that stands out.

She seems to analyze me, her eyes darting around us, avoiding direct contact for more than two seconds. I frown, wondering at his behavior.

Aurora Leal doesn’t lower her head and doesn’t look away, simply because she was raised by a fucking narcissist.

And then, Guilhermino’s words begin to weigh and make sense. She’s hiding something, I can pinpoint the guilt in the pale irises with precision.

“What happened that night?” I press, further shortening the space between us.

“My husband is waiting for me.” His eyes finally meet mine, not remembering at all the way he looked at me before.

A knot forms in my stomach. Feeling reality hit me.

She is no longer my wife. This Aurora in front of me looks like someone completely different.

“I don’t care about your fucking husband, I just want you to tell me what happened that night. I went to meet you, but it was your father on that road.” I scream, catching the attention of some pedestrians who pass by.

“Do you know what happened.” He spits back, sticking up his little nose.

I crack a smile.

“No, honey. I don’t remember anything other than what I’m telling you. I went over there to get you, but to my surprise your father was buried in the mud and I had to stop to help him, I didn’t question what he was doing there. as you had met earlier that day. We started the car but it was raining and your father asked me to help guide him to the farm and I did so but it was dark and I ended up crashing. After that I was being arrested for drug dealing. I was arrested for drug dealing!”

“You had drugs in your car.” She dares to speak, wearing out my patience.

Fuck!

“You know very well that they set me up!”

My breathing is fast, my fists are clenched, and I’m forcing myself to remind myself that she’s female and pregnant.

Damn, I really fell in love with her. I idealized a family.

” I do not know anything.” He says, almost in a whisper, shattering any hope I had that ancient Aurora still exists.

The sparkle in the eyes of a girl with true dreams.

The simple, easy smile.

Did her dad do that or was she always like this?

I’m ready to push a little more when my cell phone rings, cursing I pick it up, considering it might be an important call, but I’m surprised to see that the call is being made to my personal number and the name Amelia appears on my display.

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I answer the call on the fourth ring, frowning at the male voice on the other end of the line.

“Hello?” The voice repeats due to my silence.

” Where is she?” I ask, ignoring a formal introduction.

“Henrico ?” the man asks.

I frown further, not liking that he ignored my question.

“Yeah, where is she?” I ask again.

“Man, she was almost asleep. This girl is trouble and she’s dancing on my counter. Come get it NOW! “Says it all at once.

“Message the location, I’m on my way.” I mean, already hanging up.

“Where do you…” Aurora starts to speak, but I cut her off with a sign of silence.

“I’m going to take care of something important, but I’m not done with you yet.

Having said that, I leave. Waving for a cab, feeling my phone vibrate with what I believe is Amelia’s location message.

Gods, I didn’t think I’d see you again so soon. This girl is a mess.