The blonde woman

CAMILLA
~•~
"I believe you have seen him now. You might as well go to bed." Antonio said aloud, when mister Ivan had disappeared into the staircase. I stood, frozen on the spot, unable to move or do a goddamn thing. But, I did not understand why I could not bring my legs to dash up the stairs and hurry to my room. I did not understand why that sight had affected me so much, besides the fact that it was painfully inappropriate.
I cleared my throat, my cheeks flustered in embarrassment and shame. His eyes lingered on me, but I failed to see the hint of mockery in them.
His eyes only reflected grave pity and…I corked my head to the side, taking a closer look at him.
Was that anger?
But why would he be angry?
I had not done anything wrong.
"Please, miss Camilla. I must see to it that you are in your room before I retire." He continued.
I forced a smile at him, before I turned my back towards him and hurried up the stairs. I rushed up the steps and flung myself into the corridor. It was at that moment I regretted having my room so close to mister Ivan's.
I had always thought the rooms were sound proof, but I was either wrong or the woman's moans defied all laws of physics. She was screaming at the top of her voice, grunting like a mad cow. And the sound of flesh pounding against flesh? That added to the list of things that made me want to fling myself into my bathroom and puke into my toilet seat.
Bloody walls!
I pushed my door open and banged the door behind me. My fingers shivered as I turned the lock, it ended up taking me more seconds than it should have. I rushed towards my bed and flung myself against my mattress, I sank into it immediately. I turned my head to face my ceiling, trying to stare into space and clear my mind.
But, of what?
The image of mister Ivan kissing and ravaging the body of another woman?
Why did that even matter to me?
I mean, it was just like every basic soap opera, only this one happened live in front of me.
I had seen Freddie do worse things to women, more sensual stuff, but I was never as restless and irritated as this.
I pulled my pillow from under my head and pressed it against my face, before screaming all my pent up frustration and confused anger into it.
When I put the pillow down, I tried to text Freddie. He was the only one who could talk me out of these crazy situations, but he was yet to reply to my thirty messages on iMessage. Even my WhatsApp texts had been left on read. I frowned.
I stretched my hand towards my bedside drawer and picked up the book that lay there. I buried my head into it, and drowned myself into the words of the book.
I woke up the next morning with my face plastered on my rumpled book. My glasses lay beside me and at first glance, I prayed that the lens had not broken. It would be hard for me to get new ones. I sat up slowly and scratched my eyes. It was going to be a long day, because I was going to have to see mister Ivan today and many other days to come. How could I look at him without seeing the flashes of last night's events?
I did not allow myself to dwell on the thoughts.
I got myself ready for the day. In black palazzo pants and a white sleeved shirt, I tied my hair into a tight ponytail and slipped my phone into the back pocket of my trouser. I stepped out of my room and closed the door behind me. I had noticed that Antonio only came up to call me for lunch and dinner, I had to fix breakfast for myself.
I walked down the stairs, hoping that I would not run into mister Ivan, not now, not until I was mentally ready for it. I knew we would have a session later today, but I needed time to prepare for it, in all ways.
I took a turn into the kitchen after making up my mind to make myself toast and eggs. However, the first figure my eyes caught sight of caused me to stop on my steps.
My heartbeat quickened in my chest and a frown I neither expected nor understood snuck into my face. My fists rolled into two curved balls beside me and my lips quivered in anger. I wished that all these were only happening in my head, but she could see through me.
The blonde lady stood in front of the cooker, flipping something that looked and smelt like pancakes. My eyes found the maple syrup and plate filled with raspberries beside the cooker. Her thin legs were bare, and she stood almost half naked, clad in the shirt I swore I had seen mister Ivan in last night. The scent of his cologne was all over the kitchen. It was as though she had resprayed the shirt, just to spite me.
Why would she even want to do that? Perhaps, I was overthinking everything.
I could not do this. I could not stay here. I had prayed to not run into mister Ivan, but this was a far worse option.
I turned on my heels, ready to dash away from the kitchen, never to return until I was sure she was out of the house. However, immediately I turned to leave, I heard her voice call from behind me.
"Oh. Please, do not leave it on my account."
I paused on my tracks. It was impossible for me to take one more step without seeming suspicious. I turned my face towards her and slipped my hands into my back pockets.
She was a curvy woman, I had noticed yesterday. Even today, her lips were outlined by the large shirt.
It was no wonder mister Ivan found her very attractive, she was indeed beautiful.
"Would you like some pancakes?" She asked, plastering a friendly smile on her face. I watched in silence as she reached out for a ceramic plate and dished a slice of pancake into it. She stabbed a raspberry with a toothpick and went ahead to stab the pancake with it.
She stretched the plate out to me.
"You could have a serving, if you want."
Okay, maybe I misjudged her. She was actually a really nice person. I mean, I could not tell when last a stranger offered me a slice of pancake, with toppings! Come on!
But, I flashed her my own signature smile to respectfully decline.
"Thank you, but I'm on a no-sugar diet, especially for breakfast." I stated, and it was true.
She seemed disappointed. She placed the plate on the counter and shook her head.
"Very well then. It's a shame though, they were really nice."
I knew. I could smell them.
"Maybe I'll have it for lunch." I replied. I did not want her to feel bad. She was too nice for my subtle rejection.
I saw the sparkle in her eyes as she nodded.
"Of course, of course. I'll have Antonio warm it up for you. It might be a little, you know…"
I chuckled lightly.
"I know."
I turned my back to leave, grateful for a second chance to walk out of the awkward situation. However, I soon realized I had spoken too soon.
"I know you love him." She called out. Her tone carried an air of accusation and I quickly snapped my neck backwards to look at her.
"Sorry?" My left brow arched on its own accord.
She put off the cooker, held the spatula in her right hand and flashed me a daring smile. There was nothing nice about this one, only intimidating, spiteful and fake. I swallowed hard.
Things had taken a strange turn really quickly.
She scoffed and took one step towards me.
"Ivan, I know you love him."
My eyes narrowed on her.
Love?! Even if there were many things I felt for mister Ivan, love wasn't one of them. It could never be one of them.
"I'm sorry, but you are making a terrible mistake, I am not…"
"I saw the way you looked at me last night. It was the same way I looked at his wife all the time." She blurted out, taking slow strides towards me, with the greasy spatula in her hands.
Something in my head clicked.
His wife? She had known his wife?
She flashed me a small smile when she stood in front of me.
"I'll do you a small favor and warn you. I expect you to stay as far away from mister Ivan as possible, because if you don't…" She paused, stretched her hand towards me and cupped my both cheeks. She stared deep into my eyes.
"I'll make sure you regret it."