VI
1902 Words
That afternoon, the work at the car wash was more exhausting than I expected, and I appreciated the opportunity to be in a cool place where cold water circulated constantly, soothing the scorching heat covering my body. However, by the end of the afternoon, I couldn't distinguish which part of the moisture on my skin was from the hoses and which was sweat. The only positive thing about that intense work was that it allowed me to clear my mind and forget, at least for those hours, about Elene, Dub, and the twins, who had promised to come despite my warning not to.
I watched with satisfaction as the tips accumulated in my account, but then I wrinkled my nose when I sensed the reason my account was increasing so rapidly. Despite being in a decent place and wearing the large overalls that covered my body, I couldn't ignore the way several customers looked at me, especially when I leaned over the large hoods of the trucks, and my backside was exposed to their severe and very meticulous inspection. I then knew that a significant part of the extra p*****t I received was due to that involuntary show which, initially, made me quite uncomfortable, but considering that every dollar brought me a step closer to my goal of independence, I ended up resigning and accepting it.
"Do you think Luigi didn't notice that when he hired you?" Aly responded to my complaint about how some customers observed us. "I only know two people at the car wash who got a contract just by looking at them."
I was surprised by Aly's words because I didn't think my physique could be so eye-catching. Although I didn't consider myself an ugly girl, I didn't consider myself very beautiful either, more like a middle term, maybe a 7.5, and well-groomed an 8. But I would never have considered myself approaching a 9.
"Who's the other one?" I asked after scanning the other three girls working with us.
Aly raised an eyebrow. "Seriously, can't you figure out who it might be?"
I checked the girls again, but the truth was, with those overalls and caps to protect their hair, I couldn't distinguish which of them might be the other one that Luigi, the manager, had hired so quickly.
I shrugged and shook my head. "I have no idea."
"Look, if I don't force-feed you a stream of water, it's because I like you, Sussan," Aly protested as she raised the hose. That's when I realized.
"Are you serious?"
Aly didn't respond, but then I looked at her the way a man would, and in doing so, I had to admit that Aly was not only quite pretty but also had a body with such pronounced curves that it almost seemed like the overall was made of lycra.
When I was about to ask her for more details about how quickly they hired her, I saw a high-end sports car roar into the car wash. My eyes met those of the twins, and even though they were identical and several meters away, I knew Liam was behind the wheel.
I was able to distinguish them now.
"It can't be. I told them not to come," I complained just as I leaned behind the truck I was finishing rinsing so they wouldn't see me.
Aly looked at me, surprised, but then she looked away.
"What are you talking about now? What do you mean you told the twins not to come?"
"I'll explain later. For now, it's important that they don't know I'm here."
Aly raised her eyebrows without looking at me. I wasn't sure if she had understood me or not, but at that moment, all I could do was trust that she did. Crouched where I was, I peeked a little, just enough to see the twins and follow them with my gaze. If at first I had hidden just so they wouldn't see me and decide to leave when they found out I wasn't going to wash the car they had brought, now I had to remain hidden to protect my life because not long after, coming from I don't know where, the twins' girlfriends appeared. Chloe was the first to greet Ethan; now I knew who his girlfriend was, followed by a pretty dark-haired girl who did the same with Liam before kissing him on the lips.
Seeing them appear so casually and scanning the car wash, I suspected they might already know that the twins would be there at that time and had agreed to meet them.
"Did you see that? Chloe is here," Aly warned without daring to look at me. "If she sees the twins greet you, or even ask about you, you might have to change schools and maybe move to another town."
Although Aly's warning was terrifying, at least I knew she would do her best to help me avoid the twins.
"I'm going to intercept them, but remember you owe me an explanation for all this."
I didn't say anything, but I nodded when Aly briefly looked at me.
I saw her approach where the twins were, who had already been greeted by Luigi, and although I couldn't hear what they were saying, by the gestures on their faces and the way Aly gestured, I knew she was making sure someone else washed the sports car they had arrived in. I saw Chloe, Ethan's girlfriend, and Liam's girlfriend taking the twins by the arm and persuading them to leave. Although I knew the reasons for doing so, I couldn't help but wonder if it was true that they had been waiting for their boyfriends near the car wash.
"Did you see? Chloe is here," Aly warned upon returning as I emerged from my hiding place. "If she sees the twins greet you, or even ask about you, you might have to change schools and maybe move to another town."
Although Aly's warning was terrifying, at least I knew she would do her best to help me avoid the twins.
"I'm going to intercept them, but remember you owe me an explanation for all this."
I didn't say anything, but I nodded when Aly briefly looked at me.
I saw her approach where the twins were, who had already been greeted by Luigi, and although I couldn't hear what they were saying, by the gestures on their faces and the way Aly gestured, I knew she was making sure someone else washed the sports car they had arrived in. I saw Chloe, Ethan's girlfriend, and Liam's girlfriend taking the twins by the arm and persuading them to leave. Although I knew the reasons for doing so, I couldn't help but wonder if it was true that they had been waiting for their boyfriends near the car wash.
"We'll talk later. I'll tell you everything," I promised Aly before heading back to my job.
We spent a few minutes with grim expressions, the twins got back into their car, accompanied by their girlfriends, and left.
"You'll explain why the twins seemed determined to see you," Aly said upon returning as I emerged from my hiding place. "You're not one of those girls who mess with other people's boyfriends, right?"
"Of course not, it's just that..." I was determined to explain to Aly what had happened at school that day and the obsessive way they seemed to be watching me, but then Luigi approached.
"The twins are excellent customers, just like their parents, and if they ask me to take off my shirt and start washing their car with it, I'll do it, no apologies," Luigi, whom until a few seconds ago I wouldn't have imagined reprimanding anyone, spoke to us firmly, but I knew his words were directed only at me. "Whatever drove them to do what they did, you must leave it outside the car wash and act here with professionalism. Let your private life not interfere with work, understood?"
We nodded with our heads slightly inclined.
"It won't happen again, sir," Aly replied on behalf of both of us.
I felt guilty seeing Aly being scolded on my behalf, even though the blame really lay with the twins, as I had told them not to come to the car wash that afternoon.
Luigi looked at us for a few more seconds, like a father waiting for his warning to be understood by his daughters.
"Well, carry on." He turned halfway and returned to his office.
"Now, what were you about to tell me?"
I was about to resume my words when I thought I recognized a car entering the car wash. My lips sealed when I identified the same vehicle of the woman who had been watching me when leaving school. I remained motionless, like a statue of salt when I noticed that, after getting out and being attended to by Luigi, the woman pointed in my direction.
"Wait, Aly... it's her, the woman..."
I didn't finish the sentence because Luigi's eyes met mine while he smiled and nodded. The woman turned her gaze toward where I was. Despite the heat, I felt a strong shiver running down my spine.
Who was that woman, and why, somehow, did I feel like we already knew each other? Who was she, and why was she watching me like that?
Her gaze had a penetrating nuance, as if she could scrutinize my deepest thoughts with just a glance.
Aly noticed my confusion and approached, but my eyes remained fixed on the woman.
"Sussan? Hey, what's happening? You're scaring me."
I took Aly by the arm and dragged her to the back of the truck where I had hidden from the twins.
I know what you're thinking. That I'm pathetic, always hiding, but I warned you that I was used to always going unnoticed. I was uncomfortable with so much attention on me. Please, understand me.
"That lady, the one who just arrived."
"Don't tell me she's after you too," Aly looked at me sarcastically.
"Well... that's what I'm trying to find out. I had seen her before, at school, at the exit."
"Today?"
"Yes. I don't know who she is or what she wants, but it seems like she's looking for me."
"I can go find out what's going on if you want."
I was uncomfortable involving Aly in what was happening. We barely knew each other, and although I felt like we got along very well, I didn't want to ruin what promised to be a good friendship because of my budding schizophrenia.
"Don't worry, Aly. I think it's best that I confront that woman and find out who she is."
I held onto the hope that she could be a social worker, professionals I was already familiar with since I lived with my grandfather and whom I had also dealt with when I came under the care of my aunt, but the car, elegance, and demeanor of that woman had nothing to do with the social workers I had dealt with before.
"Are you sure, Sussan? Do you want me to at least accompany you?"
I shook my head and thanked Aly for her concern and willingness to help.
"Don't worry. I'll find out who she is and what she wants on my own."
Determined to confront that strange woman, I left my hiding place and walked towards her.
- Writer
