Toxic and Mine

My uncle Joe is one of the craziest men I know. When I was 16, I was in the car with him, his wife, and their daughter, my cousin. I remember her really getting on my nerves. We were constantly fighting, and I was trying my best not to lose my temper and lash out at her, but my anger towards her was growing day by day.

One time, we were driving home from the movies late at night. We got into an argument in the car, and she threatened to beat me up and slam me. I started screaming at her to do it, and we ended up hitting each other in the car until my uncle yelled at us to stop.

"Do you really want to fight?" he asks us, and we both say yes. So, he pulls into a liquor store parking lot, tells us to get out, and instructs us to fight right there. And so we did.

I mean, she did hold her own, but I ended up winning. I let her have as many rounds as she needed until we were both tired and had no energy left, but it did help us get our anger out. She was upset about losing every round, but it taught us a valuable lesson. Sometimes, even when you love someone, and I do love her, there comes a point where you can't stand each other, and there's mutual dislike and anger. Fighting it out was how my mom and I improved our relationship a lot. Matter of fact, I pushed her down the stairs not too long ago and it was best thing I did in a long time. It was like I instantly forgiven her for a bed parenting getting my anger out.

Despite her being knocked unconscious and breaking her arm, she wasn't even mad at me. But now I understand why my mother and father work things out. Instead of letting anger build up until one screams for a divorce, they deal with it by confronting each other physically, and that's what I intend to do as well. I'm tired of Silva thinking he can hurt me without consequences and his sense of entitlement. He claimed me before even getting to know me.I can't stand his smug smile and he crazy soft hair and his fair skin that's going to bruise so easily and make him look a mess once I'm done.

"Stasi, please don't do this," Sharon says, grabbing my arm as we pull into the manor. Both my parents, her, and Megan came with me from my hometown. My hair was pulled back in a ponytail, making it difficult for her to grab. I was drinking a bottle of Gatorade while she spoke to me.

"I really need to have it out with him, girl. I've never been afraid to fight anyone, and if he thinks we're going to settle this, we have to go at it," I say.

""Daughter, do not embarrass me and fail. You're a Brookes, and we never back down. I believe in you," she says with conviction.

I get out of the car and see Gisselle standing outside to greet me. I give her a kiss before walking over to my family. Manon is also here, being as nosy as everyone else.

"He's waiting upstairs," Trujilo says, escorting us all in. The tension in the room is palpable. I made it clear to Silva that I didn't want talk, only action. As soon as we see each other, it's on sight.

"Nastasia,  this is fucking crazy, I don't support this, I'm just letting you know." Sharon says again. "But like if you manage to beat his ass then I'll support."

"Everyone is staying out here." He says stopping them from going any further.

"So we can't see the fight?!" Renzo yells out. "Here take my phone and record." He said handing it to me.

"We will wait outside the door for you." He says smiling at me. "Today we'll see if you're deserving of the Romano name."

Silva was standing there, shirtless and wearing only his boxers, staring at me as I approached him.

"So we getting naked now?" I asks.

"I'll do better, unrestrained," he says quickly and quietly. I walk closer to him, not saying a word as he continues to stand there. The room is dead quiet, the violent throbbing of my heartbeat making it seem as if I can hear it loud in my ears.