Faded snapshots of joy were all she could afford in the last five years, and even then Robert manages to linger by the frame somewhere, this smudge of a man in her otherwise humdrum days.
At first she thought she would be lonely without the surgeon and even Marillia, but she realized she didn't need either of them anyway--only sensitive Vicente. They resided in each other, their souls dwelled through the cracks and crevices that still existed in this perfected mannequin body.
They're the parts that are still human enough to love and hate. To dream and despair.
She didn't feel cold or wet at the moment because she imagined Vicente could chase away any storm. He believed she was the strong one, which was funny, because it's obvious that they both needed a little saving. But somebody already dared; a brute and a rapist who was comparably as sinister as Robert himself.
No, no more talk of this darkness and the monsters. There's just the rain and Vicente now.
She didn't hear someone shout at first; the raindrops were harsh on her ears, but it only took a second later to snap out of it and become aware she was being watched. What is this? Must she always be the Batsheba to every greedy king?
Vera turned to the direction of the voice. Narrowing her eyes so she can focus her sight on the intruder, she also tried to stand more erect. She was unashamed of her nakedness in this borrowed body. It didn't belong to her. She belonged to Vicente. And this is his current vessel now. A tailored suit. A beautiful mirage. A clay to be mold, trimmed and displayed like art.
The man obscured by the rain was not from around here. She could tell by his accent and the language he used. English was a difficult thing to learn before, but thanks to many novels and the handy dictionary she kept close, Vera was sort of multilingual now. She knew some French too and is eager to learn more...in case she and Vicente finally move to another country.
"You shouldn't be out in this weather," she shouted back. Vera smiled then waved him over. "Would you like to come inside?"
Why not? If he must ogle her, she'd prefer to observe him more up close and personal too. And so she approached, allowing Vicente's cocky strides to manifest. He had to stay in the background though for Vera was more equipped to handle other men.
She's learning to understand these understated gifts women all have, and how to exploit them.
Once she's standing only a foot away, she looked him up and down and said, "You seem to have the same build as my husband. Maybe we can fit you into something of his. Come with me. My god, aren't we so reckless for being in the rain like this!"
And Vera took his hand and lead him to the kitchen back door.
Connection can start with a touch. Until she figures out what purpose he could serve later on, she intends to earn his interest...then sympathy...and build a plan from there.
