The Tax Collector (GirlxIntersex) Book 1

Chapter 35

Chapter 35
Valentino POV
2 weeks later

"How are things between you and Ms. Lucia?" Reaper teased. I scowled at him. "Quite what happened at the party."

"It happened two weeks ago."

"What? Lucia sees you balls deep in your ex, who you're still fucking with, without her knowledge."

"She knows," I growled. "I told her that I'd give Deja a chance."

"Really?" Reaper lifted a sarcastic brow. My life was a shitshow. I made it that way.

"I was thinking, with you not liking Lucia and such not, maybe I could—" I slammed it back down his mouth before he could continue what he was saying.

He snarled, "You don't want her, so let someone else have her."

"You don't want her. You want her to slut out."
"I still desire her."

I felt a massive iceberg of remorse sink into my heart like the Titanic. What was I doing? I did not bring her here to hurt her. I could see it on her face. I need to stop staring in the eyes of women who mean anything to me, because when Deja pleaded for another chance, my intellect said no, but my heart wanted her back. That is something I think about with my heart.

"You cannot have her. No one can."

"So what? You're simply going to have her stay in your house like a house rat until things don't work out for you and Deja, at which point you crawl to her and she'll take you because she has no fucking option!"
I scowled at the reality. However, I did not perceive it as if she had no option. She does have alternatives. I just don't want her walking around in the outer world. She is vulnerable.

"At least if she's my slut, she understands who she is. At least I'm not leading her on."

"I did not lead her on. I have never slept with her. I had never even kissed her. I told her right away that I didn't want to have sex with her."

"This girl adores you."

"I understand."

"But I am giving Deja and myself another opportunity. It felt right. Things may happen differently."

"What if it doesn't?"

"It simply doesn't."

"Okay, Ms. Rodriguezzzzzz." He sang.
I parked my car near one of Los Angeles' largest narcotics vendors. They had previously agreed as a group to pay their fair share.

Just as I got out of the car, my phone rang, and it was Deja. I sighed, forgetting how she didn't understand boundaries. When I work, I despise being on the phone.

"Collect, I need to take this call." I spoke to reaper. He nodded as he approached the gathering of male and female drug salespeople.

I took the call and stepped slightly away from the crowd.

"Hey, I missed you." Her soft voice emerged.

I grinned, "I miss you, too." I weirdly missed Lucia and thought of her more than I do of Deja.
I think my ideas and feelings are just muddled, and all I can do is wait till it passes.

"I was thinking we might have an at-home date?"

"Sure, when shall we meet at your house?" I asked.

"I was thinking about your place. I could purchase the ingredients and come cook."

"We can't; remember Lucia is there." I couldn't have her come over. It just wouldn't feel right to have a date night in front of her.

"You can let her remain at Garcia's for a few days."

I pondered while scratching my head.

"Yo!" Reaper called. I looked back and saw him beckoning me over, his palm full of cash.

"I am coming." I mouthed.
"Uhm..." I didn't want Lucia too far away from me, even if she appeared to despise me. She should detest me. I botched up.

"Well?"

"Alright." I caved in. It was only a few days, and I believe she is looking forward to getting away from the house. I could have Garcia take her out to have fun.

"I will pack my bags for the week."

I laughed a little uneasy since I wasn't sure how I would feel without Lucia. I enjoy arriving home and seeing her interested look on the television screen. She has, however, been locked in her room for the past week.

"I'll talk with you later."

"I love you." She said. I couldn't lift my tongue to respond, so the connection became silent.
"Bye." I hastily said it and hung up the phone.
**************
Lucia POV

Garcia entered the room with an embarrassed expression on her face. She knew what had occurred. We just haven't talked about it. Since we weren't really friends—I couldn't really call her that—I guess there wasn't much space for discussion.

She's essentially a babysitter who gets paid to keep my company. If it wasn't for the money, I knew Garcia would be somewhere. She walked towards the closet, and I watched as she removed a couple of my things off the hook.

"Why are you taking those?" My voice was hoarse from sobbing for days.
I had no idea why I was so upset over Valentino and Deja's relationship.

I didn't want to say my heart was shattered; I don't think it was, since Valentino and I hadn't really gone anywhere or established anything in terms of relationships.

"Val mentioned that you will be staying with me for some time. I am not permitted to explain the reasoning behind it."

When she stated that. It does, however, make one wonder what the rationale was, and whether it is strange that I know what it was.

"It's because of Deja, isn't it?" I tightened my teeth and felt new tears stream down my cheeks. "Isn't it!" I cried. "It is," I responded to my own inquiry.
But she hit it home with a little nod of her head that I almost missed.

"But it's only a few of days. They're having a date night, and you know why she wants you out of the home for a while: she cares."

I nodded.

"Where is she?" I inquired.

"Still working, but she wants you gone before she arrives."

"Oh," I nodded.

"I see how that sounds, but it's not like she dislikes you or something. She's just confused."

I nodded. I've got nothing to say.