The Assistant

Magdalena had only been gone a short time, but not long enough. Valencia rolled her eyes as the pregnant woman strolled in, reapplying her dark red lipstick while looking into a small compact mirror. When she was done, Magdalena spoke to Valencia as if they were old friends, as if Valencia weren't tied to the chair in front of her. Magdalena told her about her light snack and something about needing to keep her strength for her growing children. She prided herself in how she could afford a private chef, making a face as Magdalena eyed Valencia's body and commented about how she could use one herself.

Valencia gritted her teeth and turned her head. Magdalena took this as a win, then went on and on about how she and Roman were meant to be together. She talked about how they had fallen in love so quickly and easily but that he was just too intimidated by her to say so out loud. Men like Roman were always a little hesitant when it came to loving strong, beautiful, and intelligent women like her. Still, she knew all she had to do was reassure him over time and never overstep the boundaries Roman had set for her. Men need to feel strong and masculine, or else you'll bruise their ego. Or something like that, Valencia wasn't sure. She tended to drown out Magdalena's voice.

Every time Valencia laughed, scoffed, or interrupted, it led to another slap. After the fifth time, her cheeks were so numb that she didn't even feel the most recent hit. Valencia figured Magdalena was upset at her sudden quietness and got bored, prompting the unsolicited strike. Her brow pointed when Valencia reacted by only tightening her jaw and nothing else. Magdalena was curious but so self-absorbed that she shrugged it off and continued to drone on about the fairy tale she had created in her mind.

As time continued, so did the spontaneous smacks. Still, Valencia stayed quiet. She was occasionally spitting blood that came from a cut inside her mouth. Valencia could feel a bruise forming. It was all forgotten when a fresh wave of rage formed in her chest as Magdalena finally got to the last night she and Roman spent together. Magdalena mentioned that Roman would only see her if she lied about it being business. She spoke about how she knew Roman was too nervous to talk about their relationship and ordered him his favorite drink to help him relax. A Rum and Coke. Magdalena waved a hand carelessly when she spoke about adding a little something extra to loosen him up. Magdalena smiled as she talked about it, while Valencia's blood boiled increasingly with every passing word.

"You drugged him," Valencia suddenly interrupted. Her voice was low and ragged.

"What?" Magdalena replied, flitting her eyes, confused.

"I said—" Valencia replied, "you drugged him. Then, you raped—him." Valencia rasped.

Magdalena howled in laughter. "Raped? You can't rape a man. Everyone knows that. If his cock is erect, he wants it. And believe me, honey, he wanted it." Magdalena smiled broadly as if this confession were supposed to hurt Valencia, but it did the opposite.

Forgetting she was tied to a chair, Valencia attempted to lunge at her. Magdalena's eyes had gone wide at her sudden movement. She took a few steps back and just stared at Valencia incredulously. She had never dared to attack Magdalena before, but she could no longer ignore the rage that built inside her. She wondered if Magdalena really was this ignorant or if she had told herself that lie so many times that she now believed it. Regardless, for a moment, Valencia didn't care. For a moment, Valencia imagined Magdalena's bruised face caused by her own fists. Then, just as quickly, she was reminded why she had never attempted to hurt the woman, and guilt began to slither its way back in. Equally annoyed and angry, Valencia turned her head.

"How stupid and heartless must you be to believe that Magdalena? Here I thought you were an intelligent enough woman to know the difference between consent and rape. Whether it be a man or woman, or maybe, you don't want to admit that you raped Roman because if you did, then you'd be admitting that he doesn't love you at all. If you did, then you'd be admitting to being a heartless, selfish, and shitty person. We both know damn well that Roman would have never gotten you pregnant on purpose." Valencia spat.