Jessica doesn't trust men. Worse, she has a string of short relationships and runs away when things get too serious. Demons from her past resurface when she meets him, Angel Seth Saint, her new teacher with a burning look. And, even if the young wom...
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"Is this your new occupation, Jess? "
"I... "
"Being a whore? "
In truth, I would have preferred her to slap me. I would have preferred her to get up from her chair and jump down my throat. It would have hurt less than having to watch her expose all my mistakes. Because, yes, I do make them. I've made a few....beautiful...but Angel....Angel hasn't got one. He's the only person who manages to make me smile. And it's been a long time since I've been able to do that.
He's this bubble of oxygen in the long, dark corridor that is my life. And even if it seems ridiculous, pathetic to rely on someone, I need it. And, above all... it feels good. I didn't steal it.
"This is your current distraction? Your teacher?! Another man foolish enough to be manipulated by... "
"He's not a distraction, Mom! I love him. "
"Oh... "
I read a slight bitterness in his voice. But not enough to wipe the smile off his face.
"Better and better...He's married I guess. "
"What...no! "
"But old enough to be your father! "
"He's nine years older! "
"Nine too many! "
"I don't see why it bothers you. You have nothing to say to me and my life is none of your business. "
"I beg your pardon? "
She leaps out of the chair. So fast, I almost jump.
"Say that again! "
"You weren't there. You never were. He took care of me. "
"By tying you up and using you like a common sex object? "
She bursts out laughing and my heart breaks. I feel my chest break into a thousand pieces, like a vase thrown to the ground.
"He loves me. "
That's all I can say.
"It's not love and you know it. "
Then she picks up some leaves and throws them in my face. It takes me a few seconds to realize that they're photos. Above all, they scratch my skin and I focus on the pain. It keeps me from hearing those even more hurtful words. At least, that's what I tell myself...in vain. My mother has always been so good at getting through to me. Unfortunately for me.
"That old pervert used you. You're mad at me because you know you were stupid and blind."
