Where the Sun Sets
Chapter 23
A quick shower and a light dinner helped to clear his mind. By this time
tomorrow, he had convinced himself, Antonia would be his and his alone. However he
did not trust his lustful nature and feared that someone else may get in his way.
He did not want another minute maid. He wanted Antonia. Before he dealt with
Josephine, he would have to satisfy his desire for Antonia. And the only one who
could do that would be Antonia herself. Checking his appearance in the diner's lobby
mirror, he smiled, as his anticipation grew. Although he had finished eating, he
was hungrier now than he was when he had entered. There was quickness to his step
as he headed back to Antonia. He was as excited as a school boy.
Harold was escorted to a window seat. The waitress handed him a menu as he
removed his coat. Sitting with his back to the entrance, Harold never saw the
gentleman walk out.
***
Antonia heard voices outside the door to her room. She could not understand
what was being said but thought she recognized the tone of one voice. She could
not be sure. It seemed to her a déjà-vu of sorts. Perhaps, she thought to herself,
perhaps it was just an affect from the medication. The door to her room cracked
open.
Her body tensed with anticipation and dread. She could feel the hairs on her
arms all come to attention. Her breath involuntarily refused to exit her lungs.
When the door was closed, once again, Antonia knew she wasn't alone. There was an
odor in the room now. A stench from the past.
He came to the side of her bed and stood silent as he gazed down on her. His
left hand carefully touched the inside of her right arm. His fingers slowly brushing
the flesh until the back of his hand came into contact with her right breast. His
hand froze in place. Antonia's stomach was constricting. "Please, don't let me
vomit.' she prayed to herself. He seemed to notice her tense. He slid his left hand
up over her right breast and across her chest, down the inside of her left arm,
where it came to rest on her wrist. He was gentle with the intravenous needle taped
to her hand. He did not want to hurt her.
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