Kennedy contemplated her as he was completely immersed in his thoughts. Alice sensed the anger in his gaze, however, and suddenly felt especially nervous and worried that she herself had gone too far and made him angry. Alice tugged his sleeve very carefully, and asked quietly, -What’s the matter with you?
Kennedy came to his senses and saw her watching him nervously and fearfully. This pretty little face dispelled all the misgivings that had pervaded his heart. For him, the great satisfaction was to have her by his side.
He said to himself inwardly, -It is impossible for her not to love me. Her looks, her kisses, her touches… all are loving, enough to prove that she really loves me. She can’t be pretending. Then what do I care about her past? But… Who is the father of this baby in her womb?
From this doubt he derived even more jealousy, which made him on the verge of going crazy. Suddenly, he felt a soft, warm hand covering his face, and he looked closely at the person who was touching him. It was Alice. As she stroked his face, she was looking at him with concern.
She asked him, -What’s wrong with you? You seem very distracted, did my words shock you?
Kennedy shook his head and told her not to think too much. Alice bit her lips, as she asked him, -Do you think I’ve been thinking too much? I see you’ve been in a bad mood lately, is it because of me?
Alice thought, “Maybe I’ve been too happy in front of him, if I had known he didn’t like it, I would have held back.”
At that moment, Kennedy touched the tip of her nose, replying, -Nonsense! I haven’t been in a bad mood. It’s just that I’m very sorry to see you suffer so much.
His words sounded very convincing, so Alice felt a great relief. Then she hugged him very affectionately to make Kennedy feel a little better.
A while later, they heard “Come on, let’s get ready for home!” coming from Kennedy’s mouth. He took her by the hand and the two of them headed to the bedroom to get their things.
By that time, Rachel was already waiting for them on the floor, knowing that Alice was going to be discharged, so she wanted to cook very nourishing food to welcome Alice.
Alice and Kennedy got into the car to return home. Suddenly she felt a pang of nostalgia as she remembered that tonight was New Year’s Eve, an important time for the whole family to be together. While Kennedy was anesthetized, there was no way for her to bring her Jack to spend New Year’s Eve together. Luckily, she had kept a picture of Jack in the drawer of the previous apartment.
She thought, “If I bring the photo to the apartment I live in now, could it be that the family is renegade in some sense?”
With such an idea, she plucked up the courage to ask Kennedy, -I want to go back to my previous apartment, is that okay?
Even though he had moved out of there to live with Kennedy, he was still paying rent because there were still some things in there that he hadn’t had time to move.
Kennedy nodded. Then he changed course to the car and headed for the rental apartment. Fifteen minutes later, they arrived at the destination.
When Alice got out of the car, Kennedy wanted to follow her upstairs, but Alice refused. Alice told her, -I’ll be just a few minutes, because I’m not doing anything but picking up a few little things. Wait for me in the car, I’ll be right back.
Actually, she wanted to go upstairs and pick up that picture of Jack without Kennedy knowing about it.
Kennedy noticed her and asked, “You really don’t need me to come with you?
Alice shook her head negatively and replied, -No, I’ll be back soon, don’t worry. I’ll just bring a few small things, they don’t weigh much, so I can take care of that without any problem. Stay here, I’ll see you now.
Kennedy didn’t insist any more, nodding his head, but he didn’t stop warning her, -Anything, call me from the hallway.
Alice gave him a kiss and left him to go upstairs. As she was looking for the key to open the door, her neighbor came out with a garbage bag in her hand. She was surprised to see Alice, and asked, -What’s the reason for your return?
Alice was also surprised, and immediately the memory came to her mind that this harpy next to her had spouted so much sarcasm at herself. That took away her desire to talk to her. Therefore, he decided to ignore her and concentrate on finding his keys.
Not obsatente, Alice’s silence provoked the taunts of that neighbor who didn’t want to leave. That woman started to let out her stinging words, saying, -That rich man has abandoned you? After moving out, you still have this rented apartment, is that to have an extra outlet? You’re worried that man will leave you, aren’t you? With a rented apartment, you can have a place to stay if he kicks you out, right? One more question, how much money does that man pay you? I’ve seen that he has a luxury car, he must be very rich?
Finally, the keys appeared. Alice was able to save herself from those unbearable words of her neighbor. After opening the door, she turned her head and threw a look full of contempt at the evil neighbor.
The neighbor was startled by such a look and stammered, -I…. Everything I’ve said is right. I see it didn’t take you even a month to find a permanent client, a young, handsome one, with money too. I’m sure you’re an old hand at harvesting the rich.
Alice replied with a scornful look, “You don’t give a shit!
The neighbor who did not know what to say to refute her, decided to criticize Alice of the swear words.
At that point, Alice had had enough of putting up with it. She approached that neighbor, saying in a contemptuous tone, -Compared to your fancy words, it’s true that my speech was vulgar. I should record what you said to listen to it at home, so you’ll know how nice it is. You have the ability to insult without saying a swear word, I really admire you!
These words served as bombshells, which left the neighbor feeling very embarrassed. Still, the neighbor did not give up, and argued, -What I have said are facts.
-Facts? Have you seen it with your own eyes? It’s not the first time you’ve thrown shit at me. You love to shit on me, don’t you? You’re jealous that I’m with rich people? Then why don’t you dare to seduce a rich man? Let’s see if you are able to conquer a rich man who will take you out of this slum.
These words managed to provoke the neighbor’s fury. She began to curse like a madwoman, -Whore! What are you talking about? Do you want me to be a whore like you? Do you even feel proud of your debauchery?
-Don’t take others as whores just because of your jealousy. You’re so stubborn to criticize me, isn’t it because you’re mad with envy? That’s why you bark like a rabid dog every time you see me, isn’t it?” said Alice very firmly.
At such powerful words, the neighbor felt unable to reply, and could only look at her with hatred.
Alice added, “No more retorts now? You’ve picked on me so many times, I thought you were so strong in arguments, do you really have no more criticism of me? Then leave me alone, or I’ll let you live in hell forever.
This place was not so miserable to become a slum, but the woman called it that because she was disgusted with the low class. She longed to have a cottage with a rich man, and seeing Alice hanging around with the rich Kennedy, she became quite jealous. Making complaints about her boyfriend being poor and useless gradually formed a part of her routine. Actually, she wished she could be like Alice and capture a beau with wealth instead of wasting her youth here with a poor man.
She spent every day discontented. She blamed her misery on an unfair fate, looked for trouble from her boyfriend all the time, and this way she could let off steam.
Tonight, she had just had an argument with her boyfriend, who then left her alone to go out drinking. Seeing that Alice had returned, the neighbor took the opportunity to get her in trouble as a way of venting her anger.