Ana Oliveira Part 2

I narrowed my eyes, trying to understand the taunt as I watched him take a swig from a Corona bottle. It had been so long since I last drank that seeing him savor that amber liquid, with a small lime wedge perched near the rim, made me a bit envious. Harry was different from Josiah. He was tanned, lean, and had an athletic build. Josiah was much taller, close to two meters, with massive arms and thick thighs. Although Harry was attractive, he was completely overshadowed by my neighbor. Not even the numerous piercings on his face could make him stand out next to the muscular giant by his side.

I noticed that the "terrible trio" had their eyes locked on a single spot... me! They were staring at my chest without any restraint, and then I realized what was happening. I looked down and saw that my white tank top was soaked, as were my jean shorts. My nipples were completely visible. I covered my chest with my right hand, even though I hated the fact that they could see my deformed fingers, and hurried inside, gripping the hose with my left hand.

I despised Josiah, but I hated his companions even more. They were obnoxious, idiotic, and seemed more like his henchmen than friends. I threw the hose onto the slip-resistant floor tiles in the yard, designed to mimic the contours of stones. I pulled off the bandana from my head, folded it, and tucked it into my shirt to cover my nipples. I couldn't waste any time, or else they might...

"That's right, Jow..." Isabela laughed.

I didn't need to step outside to know that Josiah had scattered the trash all over again. He stood there, in front of my white garage gate, while I leaned my hand on the yellow wall and took a deep breath, trying not to lose it and slap him across the face. It would be so satisfying to see a red handprint on those pale cheeks.

"What's wrong, Sweetie?" he taunted with his deep, velvety voice. "Don't you love being a little maid? Clean that shit up again!"

I glared at the cynical half-smile Josiah gave me, then looked at the garbage can overturned on the cement sidewalk. The trash I had worked so hard to clean was now scattered everywhere, mixed with dark berries I had picked up from the yard. My eyes filled with tears, and I could see the pleasure in his expression, his green eyes darkening with sadistic glee. I nodded at my neighbor and walked over to the garbage can, righting it and grabbing the broom that was propped against the wall. He didn’t move, just stood there, watching intently as he devoured my humiliation.

I could hear the snickers of Harry and Isa as I cleaned the sidewalk again, swallowing my pride, which felt like it was scraping down my throat. I could feel Helena’s gaze burning into my back, hidden behind the curtains so Josiah wouldn’t see her. I also felt another pair of eyes, like a hawk’s, watching me as if I were prey. Sometimes, as I swept, I would look up, only to find his gaze locked on me, studying me with curiosity.

I completed the task faster this time, sweating, panting, and when I dumped the last pile of dirt into the garbage can, I overheard my neighbor’s friends whispering that it was still dirty.

“Done!” I said to my neighbor as I tied the garbage bag by its edges and pulled it out of the can.

I noticed the curious look on the giant with black hair as I walked slowly away from my trash can. He probably thought I was going to the steel trash bin that sat between our houses on the sidewalk, but I stopped right where the wall separating our properties stood, in the middle of the contrast between yellow and black. I stared at his black electronic gate, then back at him, holding his gaze as I straightened up and smiled. When Josiah realized what I was doing, he moved toward me, but it was too late. I had already swung my arm and tossed the garbage bag over the fence. Through the gaps in the gate, I could see that I hadn’t tied the bag very well, and it spilled its contents all over his driveway.

I grinned smugly, triumphant, as I turned to face him, but he had already grabbed my jaw, pushing my body against the iron gate with fury. My back hit the metal, and I took a deep, shaky breath, feeling his fingers digging into my face. Josiah was panting, rage etched in his eyes, his body leaning in close, bringing his face as near as possible to mine. I could smell him, the same scent as always—a mix of lavender, mint, and tangerine. My nightmare never changed his cologne.

“You’re going to pay for this!” he threatened, so close that I could feel his menthol cigarette breath.

“And how much do I still owe? I’ve been paying for way too long already!”

His eyes widened at my response, glaring into mine with sharp intensity. I watched as his pupils dilated, his expression growing focused, and he tilted his head to the side like a furious yet curious dog.

"Getting bold, Sweetie... What are you after?"

"You know what I want?" I whispered, inching closer with such audacity that our lips almost touched. "I want you to go to hell!"

There was a certain amusement in the crooked smile he gave me. He didn’t pull back; instead, he stared at my lips for a moment, continuing to smile. There was a challenge in the air, and he caught onto it. He realized that I was done putting up with his crap, that I wouldn't remain submissive anymore. I was ready to fight back. I would fight back...

"Your wish is my command, Sweetie!"

In seconds, he stepped back, leaving me paralyzed, my heart pounding so hard I could feel the vein in my neck throbbing. I heard him kick open the side gate of his house, and his dynamic duo followed suit. The challenge was set, and I knew he wouldn’t stop now. His attacks would get worse. But I was ready—I would fight back.