[Fanfiction] INQUIETUDE - Chapter 9

Chapter 9 - Escape 

Clara reached the building where, hitherto, she lived for over 10 years and took a deep breath when entering the elevator. Reminded everything she wanted to talk to Cadu and all she would talk to Ivan, who surely would get confused with so much information that the mother would pass to him.

It was after 21:00h when Clara put the key in the lock and turned the knob. Cadu was lying on the couch and for a second Clara wondered if Felipe was there also. There was a strong smell of alcohol in the room and Cadu had stains on his shirt. He had messy hair and slept all crooked.

Clara snorted and breathed again. Cadu had drunk half a bar to escape the conversation. It would not help to wake him and throw him under the cold water, because when Cadu drank the only solution was a new day to make he better.

Clara went to her son's room and watched him sleep for a few seconds. The lamp next to the bed was on and she was there to turn off it. Kissed the golden hair of Ivan and, before moving away from the bed, the boy took her hand and said in a sleepy tone:

- Mom?

- Hi, my puppy - Clara said coming close to her son and crouching beside the bed.

- You lingered - whispered the boy with eyes closed more than open.

- I had ... dad a lot of work in the studio today. But Mommy is here now, you can sleep soundly.

- Sleep with me? - Ivan asked holding his mother's hand - I had a nightmare now, I called Dad, but he didn't come ...

- Mommy will take a shower and be right back - said Clara giving another kiss to the child.

She went to the bathroom and very reluctantly stepped into the shower and left the soap withdraw Marina's smell of her skin. While rubbing her body she remembered the touch of Marina in her body, and how the photographer had touched her and how she liked that. But before her mind to take her to a place that she didn't want to go alone, Clara turned off the shower, put a shirt and returned to Ivan's bedroom. Cuddled up to his son and a few seconds later she was sleeping more deeply than him.



***


Marina woke up in the middle of some sheets that mysteriously remained in bed since when she looked the floor, she found half of the bed linen was there. The photographer grabbed the pillow beside and inhaled the sweet smell coming from it. Her whole body shivered and felt an uncontrollable urge to call Clara and ask her to kill that morning craving. But she restrained herself. Knew at that time, or shortly before, things in Clara's apartment would be bad. She could wait a little longer. She had already waited so long.

Marina went to the bathroom and felt her back stung when the cold water trickled down her bruises. After a bath less time consuming than usual, she took an ointment in her box of emergency and passed it, awkwardly, on welts she could achieve. She wore a light tank top, jeans and went straight to the studio. Arriving there, she wished a good morning to Giselle and Flavia.

- Flavinha, I need a favor - said Marina going towards Flavia - Can you pass the latest photos that are here for my computer? - removed the memory card and gave to Flavia - Guard them in an isolated folder - she pulled Flavia by her arm and said softly - Don't let anyone but you see them, ok? Maybe Giselle, but Vanessa don't. I don't wanna anyone getting out of my face.

Flavia nodded without understanding much of Marina's request and went to the top of the studio organize the photos that her boss had asked.

- Marina ... - called Gisele, baffled by what was going to speak - it's ...

- What? - Marina laughing asked, blankly.

- Your neck ... Someone made a mess there, huh?

Marina ran to the huge mirror that was around and took a deep breath as she felt the tremors that brought the memories of those brands.

- Go into my bedroom and grab my makeup, please, Gi - asked Marina loosening her hair and throwing them over her shoulder, trying, unsuccessfully, to hide the marks that Clara had left. When Marina focused her look in the mirror, the image of Vanessa was reflected next to her own image and they looked at each other for a few seconds.

Flavia came down to the ground floor and sat in the big chairs that were there and his eyes shone with the photos she saw. Felt like If a bit of that love of the pictures were being transported to her.

- Why so concentrated! - Vanessa asked trying to peer.

- Nothing! - Flavia responded by lowering a little notebook screen - ... actually I'm finished.

- Later I'll see if these photos need some treatment - said Marina - But I don't think so...  they are... perfect. Thanks Flavinha.

- What are these photos? - Vanessa asked starting to feel jealousy.

- Personal photos, Vanessa - said Marina inserting the memory card in the camera again.

- Here, Marina - said Gisele handing the makeup to Marina.

Marina left the camera on top of her little table with a playing card format and went to the mirror.

- Apparently last night was great, huh? - Vanessa provoked.

- Better than you think - Marina, said glaring at the redhead through the mirror  - better? - Marina asked turning so that all could see her.

- Much better - guaranteed Flavia.

- I thought you were turning a Dalmatian - Giselle joked.

Vanessa rolled her eyes bored and began to organize the wall where the pictures to be chosen for the catalogs were.

- Gi, come with me to catch that panel that I put out there? I'll use it for the photo session later - asked Marina.

Giselle nodded with a military salute and followed Marina.
Vanessa ended preach the photos with preachers and turned on Marina's computer.

- You know that Marina doesn't like people handling her personal computer - Flavia said unwinding the strands of lights that they would use.

- What do you know about Marina? - Vanessa replied acidic continuing what she was doing.

- I know she doesn't like people handling her personal computer - said Flavia leaving the wires aside.

She stopped beside Vanessa and with one hand she lowered the notebook screen turning it off. But whatever was in that notebook would be discovered sooner or later.