Emma

Part 2.1

Once she was dried and changed, Alex headed to the garage to get Emma's things. She put her purse down in the hallway and went back to the bathroom to drop off the rest of her belongings. The shower was still running. She retreated to the living room and called Nicolas. She claimed she had overslept and didn't feel like going out. She casually arranged to meet him the following day. She went out to the terrace to breathe again and gulped a beer she picked from the refrigerator. Coldness soothed her senses.

Alex's house stood alone at the edge of the ocean. A friend of hers, a real estate agent, had found it specifically for her. It was an old building, and she had needed to restore it completely before she could move in. The main room now consisted of a modern kitchen that opened onto a spacious living room. Its large windows led to a huge terrace offering an unobstructed and magnificent view of the ocean. Vintage surfboards hung on the walls alongside furniture and various wood and metal objects. The whole set-up gave an industrial, contemporary, and warm vibe. Alex was charmed at first sight by the quietness of the place and the proximity of the water. She didn't hesitate for a second to buy it, aware it was an opportunity many others would envy her. A good ten minutes separated her from civilization, via the beach, for those who made the effort to walk. It took twice that time when using the access road in order to arrive on the main road and cover the remaining distance.

Alex enjoyed her peace and quiet, as she was both solitary and fearless. A seasoned sportswoman, trained in combat sports for her own pleasure and defense, she moved within a male environment and despite the slowly changing attitudes she had to put up with sexist comments and gestures more than once. Her name was well known in the surfing world and sealed her success. She was respected thanks to her personality and her complicity with Nicolas, with whom she'd been sharing the same passion since childhood. Surfing was her drug, her passion. To her greatest pride she could live on it now, and very comfortably. She lit a cigarette and let the sound of the waves sooth her. Alex rarely allowed herself to succumb to this vice, but the contact with Emma had upset her too much. Knowing she was in the shower, so close, had awakened her senses – inappropriately in these circumstances, she knew –, nevertheless her body had reacted and she couldn't help it. Alex had to meet Nicolas the following morning for their daily surf session. How could she hide his sister's presence under her roof?

Emma took her time to clean her skin, soiled by her husband's words and blows. Sluggish at first, her movements became more vigorous as she came out of her daze and she replayed the latest events in her mind. She showed a lot of courage and energy to leave her home and travel all the way, alone. She was slowly realizing what happened. She also appreciated how lucky she was to have met her brother's friend. What would have occurred if she hadn't? How Nico would have reacted? She didn't dare think about it. Alex was quiet and attentive. She had known how to approach her, how to speak to her. Her kind gestures instantly won her trust. When Emma undressed and let her examine her bruised body and take all these photographs, she felt only a slight embarrassment. When they were together under the shower, there was no aversion either. Although she wasn't accustomed to this kind of connection in such a short time, she didn't feel any real discomfort. On the contrary, Alex's presence soothed and reassured her.

An hour later Emma came out on the terrace. Alex sensed her approach and looked at her with a slight smile. She noticed Emma was wearing the clothes she had been given.

"I knew these would fit you." Alex said.

"Do you know my size?"

"No, but I have an eye for this kind of thing. How do you feel?"

"Much better... Thank you."

"Good. Don't move, I'll be right back."

Alex went inside to retrieve the ice pack. She filled it and handed it to Emma after she came back on the terrace.