Episode 15

Brayan: You feeling better, Nicole?

Nicole has been quiet for over an hour with a distant look, I've thought about leaving so many times, but I can't get out of here. Nicole knows how to defend herself, she's discreet, she knows how to assert herself, and she has a beautiful smile too, those are the things that catch my attention in her. Today she is fragile, scared and visibly down and I have no idea how to comfort her!

Nicole: Brayan didn't leave my side even when I went to take the exams, he looks at me in a way that I don't know what's going through his head. I knew Vinicius was dangerous and crazy but today he almost killed me, so he's even worse than I imagined! I keep thinking about how I can protect Anna from him, fear takes hold of me when I remember her falling to the floor. The doctor examined me and I'm waiting for the results of some tests, I still have the oxygen mask on. The pain and burning have subsided considerably with the medicine.

I... I'm fine...

Brayan: Don't strain yourself to speak.

Nicole: It's... not... that... painful... anymore...

Brayan: That's good!

Silence takes over the place again, Nicole falls asleep. The doctor says he will leave her here for a few hours under observation, if she is better by 6:00 pm he will discharge her. The exams are all good, I get uncomfortable when the doctor says that the chest x-ray showed sequelae of rib fractures, I wonder if this guy already assaulted her?! I don't know, but I intend to find out! I just stare at Nicole sleeping, she moves all the time showing how much the oxygen mask is bothering her. I close my eyes a little, intending to rest. I hear Nicole speak...

Nicole: Leave... me... alone...

Brayan: She speaks softly, her hoarse voice is almost inaudible, soon after she starts to get agitated, debating as if she were in a fight. I approach her and try to wake her up.

Nicole… Nicole…

Nicole: No... Get... out...

Brayan: She wakes up dazed, hitting me as if trying to protect herself.

Calm down, it's me, Brayan, it's okay! You're safe here, it was just a nightmare!

I can't resist Nicole's frightened look and hug her, I feel her body calming down, she rests her head on my chest and I feel her breathing soften.

Nicole: I have a nightmare with Vinicius, I wake up scared with Brayan calling me. He hugs me and I feel the world stop, I feel my body relax and I lean on his chest listening to the sound of his heart. I remember that he is my boss and I quickly pull away!

I'm sorry.

Brayan: I smell Nicole and get intoxicated by her perfume. She fits perfectly in my arms. I keep thinking about how she messes with me, out of nowhere she walks away quickly and apologizes. I'm mentally grateful because we really crossed some lines today!

It's okay! Was it a nightmare?

Nicole: Yes.

I reply awkwardly.

Brayan: Who is he, Nicole?

She wakes up with her voice a little better.

Nicole: Vinicius, he is Anna's ex-boyfriend, he wasn't like that Brayan when he met her, that's why she accepted to date him. And then he showed who he was, a psychopath! He's literally crazy about her, he doesn't leave her alone, you know those cases of toxic and abusive relationships that we hear about?! Well, Anna was misled, she fell in love with him, she was initially treated like a princess, then he lowered her self-esteem, and alienated her from everyone, controlled her every move, including her clothes and schedules and finally... He started to get aggressive, that's when I started to notice bruises on her, I should have done more for her. I only managed to get her out of that relationship when he violently assaulted her. And that's it, he hadn't found her since the day he assaulted her, he told me today that I turned Anna's head against him and that everything that happens to her is my responsibility!

Brayan: Nicole I'm so sorry. And look, you did what you could, so don't think about what you didn't do, it doesn't change anything and it will only hurt you! Now can I ask you something?

Nicole: After everything you've done for me?! Yes you can.

Anna: Nicole, how are you?

Nicole: I'm fine and you? Look at your arm Anna, that bastard.

Anna: Friend, stop worrying about me when you are much worse, look at your neck. Your face friend, even your eyes, my God how he hurt you!

Nicole: At least I don't work with my image.

Anna: Are you going to make jokes now? Don't try to change the subject, let's report him, friend. Sorry for not listening to you when you asked me to report it, it's all my fault.

Nicole: Stop it now Anna, it's Vinicius' fault, he's a coward! That damn unscrupulous madman! He's the only one to blame, thanks for reporting him. I want him to pay for everything he did!

Cassio: He will, Nicole! How are you feeling?

Nicole: Very good!

Anna: Friend, I don't want to be alone in the apartment today. I'm staying at Cassio's.

Nicole: I'm more relieved! I was worried.

Brayan: I take advantage of Anna coming in and I'll see if Nicole is cleared to be discharged.

We can go Nicole, I signed your discharge!

Anna helps Nicole, we head to the car, without arguing Nicole agrees to let me drive and we head to the police station. We give our statements and are leaving when we are stopped by a furious woman.

(Amanda, Vinicius' mother)

Amanda: You dishonest slut! How could you report my son, you accepted our agreement. How can you go back without telling me anything first? Do you have any idea how this could hurt us because of your lack of common sense?

Nicole: Lack of common sense? The lady can only be crazy or is pretending. Look at me, but look closely! You know why my face, eyes and neck are in this state? Let me tell you, your son tried to strangle me to death! That madman broke into Anna's apartment today, look at her arm. We spent hours in the hospital because he hit her head so hard that Anna passed out, Ms. Amanda. So tell me, who here is dishonest?

Amanda: You provoked this whole situation, don't go playing the victim. I saw my son's face Nicole, I'm sure he was just defending himself.

Anna: He defended himself? You are to blame for Vinicius being the crazy psychopath. How can you support him after everything you've heard? He should have been beaten much more and believe me this time he will pay for what he did!

Amanda: No Anna, he won't. He is already far from here, far from your presumptuous and manipulative clutches. And where he is, you can't hurt him!

Brayan: Well listen carefully, I will find him and personally after teaching him a lesson I will bring him to justice and do not doubt my word. Now if you'll excuse me, Mrs. Miller, I'm going after information to find your son!

Nicole: Brayan speaks to Amanda in a way that makes me uncomfortable, I'm scared by his look. We left there quickly, Anna says goodbye and goes with Cassio and I go with Brayan. I fall asleep on the way.

Brayan: We arrived at the mansion and Nicole is sleeping, I don't want to wake her up and I do another insane thing, God this hot devil is going to drive me crazy! I take her in my arms and carry her to my room, I must be crazy! With what little sanity I have left, I lay her down on my bed, cover her up, and lie down in the armchair facing the bed. I don't want to leave her to sleep alone tonight.

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