The Tax Collector (GirlxIntersex) Book 1

Chapter 18

Chapter 18
Lucia POV

I timidly put a spoonful of rice into my mouth. I chewed carefully and kept my head down. Valentino was focusing on her side of the plate. She had split the food portions in unequal halves, as she took extra, which made me very happy.

Valentino would occasionally utter a few things to me. And I would hum or nod my head. She didn't appear frustrated that I wasn't having a discussion with her. In all honesty, I was annoyed with myself for not reaching out to her, and I was unsure of why.

Martinez and I weren't used to talking to one other unless we have a task to do. My head flickered back to Martinez.

I'm curious if they found his body or thought he wasn't there. But, in all honesty, he was dead in bed. I glanced at the woman who had slain him. I couldn't let myself be disturbed just yet.

"How was your day?" She moved her chair out, opened the fridge, took two bottles of water, and placed one at my hand as she opened hers.

"Good."

"What have you done?"

I swallowed. "I did something wrong." I whispered. "You said not to clean the kitchen, yet I did as soon as you left."

She grinned. My eyebrows furrowed. Valentino puzzled me. Why hasn't she struck me in the face or kicked me in the stomach?

"It's OK; you feel happy when you clean?"

I nodded. "I thought a lot today," I admitted.

Her eyebrows rose. "You did? What did you think about?"

"I think about you. I think about you every hour. I was also thinking about Martinez. I was thinking about so many things."

"Were you thinking good or terrible about me?" She asked.

"Bad, I am wondering when you would start trading my body for money. Martinez makes a lot of money from it; you can, too."

She seemed to have lost her appetite as she placed down her fork. I, on the other hand, continued eating.

"I won't do that to you."

I nodded. She was going to do it to me.

I didn't need to be a genius to figure out what she had up her sleeves. I only now realized that her cousin was not present, and she appeared to have been gone for quite some time.

"I got you some clothes?" She remarked, bringing light into the room.

"Why? I can wear this T-shirt."

"You should put on some clothing. I am not sure what your style is, but you may wear these until you arrive to the store and buy your own things."

"I can wear whatever you offer me."

She stands up and takes a shopping bag off the countertop. She handed it to me and returned to her chair.

I dipped into the bag and my finger came into contact with silky fabrics.

Grasping it tightly, I pulled it out and noticed a stack of garments emerging. I stared at her and attempted to smile, but it wouldn't come. "Thank you." I whispered.

"No need to."

"Did you have a shower?"

I shake my head.

"When you shower, you may wear whatever you want. They're all casual home clothes."

I nodded.
**************
Valentino had given me a five-minute lesson on how to use the shower. I wouldn't say I understood the concept because I had previously showered in ice cold water, as was my custom.

I gazed at the clothing she had arranged on the bed for me to wear.

The outfit consists of a blue T-shirt with lettering on it, red lace underwear, and black shorts. I boycotted, put on clothing, and walked down the hall. The lights were all out, leaving just the television lights on throughout the entire home.

I assumed I'd give her my body, knowing she'd want sex from me in the end. I could hear laughter, but I assumed it came from the television.

Valentino sat on the sofa, holding the phone to her ears. I stepped in front of her. As soon as she realized I was nude as the dancing lights on my body, a shocked expression crossed her face.