19. Gabriela
Chapter 19
Gabriela
I know it’s him.
Joaquín is the unknown number that texts me. He is the guy that danced with me and left a hickey on my neck. It’s him.
It’s Joaquín that says I’m his queen.
* * *
I lay across my bed, scrolling through the text thread with the unknown number. The words on the screen penetrate my heart, making it beat faster and faster. It was Joaquín who whispered the filthy words into my ear at the dance.
“If I want to touch my pussy, I will. Whether or not you want me to. So let me make this clear, Reina. No one touches your pussy, this perfect ass, or these lips. Better yet, not an inch of your skin should be touched by someone other than me.”
He was possessive of me even while he tormented me. Come to think of it, I see it now so clearly. Anytime Nate would try to do something sexual toward me, he would immediately put a stop to it. He cares. Even though he tries to hide behind an unknown number, he fucking cares about me. I don’t know what to do. Do I confront him and try to work through all the bullshit to see if we can be salvaged?
Do I let him continue to hurt me, hoping my pain heals him somehow?
I don’t know what to do. I could call Cora and ask her for advice. But at this point she hates Joaquín and I don’t think she would understand my feelings for him. I wish I had my mom. She could give me advice that I could trust.
“Mom, what am I supposed to do? I think I love him. I think I’ve always loved him.” The words are a whisper into the darkness, hoping that she can hear me.