Clara was surprised when Father Antônio appeared to collect the rent the moment he looked into her eyes she understood that the matter went beyond a simple charge there was tension in the air he even asked for photos and suggested other things that made her uneasy This whole situation began on a freezing Tuesday afternoon when he appeared for the first time in the kitchen Clara was preparing the kettle And enjoying the Sil, interrupted only by the boiling water, suddenly she heard loud knocks on the door, unusual and hurried as if time was short. open up came across the priest in his impeccably black cassock he said he was there to talk about the rent but there was something different in his behavior Clara caught the strangeness before she even understood what was happening he greeted her with a voice that was too soft for someone who represented the sobriety of the church she tried to respond politely but her discomfort was evident he made a gesture that everything was in order but his look revealed other intentions the feeling was that time had slowed down with an exaggerated calm he commented that the rent was late and who understood the difficulties, however, also highlighted that the parish needed that contribution Clara made an effort to maintain her composure. After all, that man symbolized morality and ethics, however, his long fingers seemed restless, almost seeking something beyond a routine conversation, she took him to the living room Trying not to show her fear, she looked for the rental papers but couldn't get Liv out of the feeling that she was being closely analyzed.
The priest spoke again, reminding her of her constant delays and suggesting that they find a solution. When Clara tried to argue, he remained silent. for a few seconds staring as if trying to Invade His mind that visit that was supposed to deal only with financial matters turned into something much more intense Clara felt that danger had settled there in Father Antônio's gaze and gestures and even if she tried she couldn't ignore the weight of that disturbing presence, he was the priest, the one who symbolized the Divine presence, morality and ethics, however his thin and long fingers moved restlessly as if they were looking for something beyond a simple conversation, she took him to up to the room trying hard to contain his discomfort, he went to the table to get the rental documents, feeling his gaze run over his skin in a clear chilling way, he broke the silence, you're a good tenant, but paying the rent has been a frequent problem, I understand.
Father, but maybe we can find a solution, don't you think, replied Clara, avoiding looking at him directly while going through the papers, I'll get the amount, I just need a few more days, I'm already organizing everything, he didn't respond immediately, instead Clara felt the intensity of his gaze increase. As if he wanted to penetrate your thoughts then he slowly got up and went to the window looking at Rua Deserta he spoke in a softer voice I know you've been trying hard Clara But life isn't just about money there are other ways to compensate if you know what I mean I can be more flexible as long as you understand what I'm suggesting Clara froze at first. His words didn't make sense but when she turned around she saw an expression on his face that she would never expect from a priest, the softness from before had been replaced by a disturbing intensity.
I watched her, waiting for some reaction that indicated that she understood the suggestion her heart raced and her breathing became ragged What do you mean by that Father whispered Clara feeling vulnerable he took a while to respond he took a step towards her and Clara felt suffocated by the feeling of being trapped At that moment with no possible way out, sometimes Clara, he continued with a dark tone in his voice, a simple gesture of generosity can be worth more than all the money in the world, I have the power, Clara, I can help you in many ways as long as you help me too the environment seemed suffocating Clara felt like to run away but her body didn't respond His words resonated in her mind and she understood that he would take another step forward at any moment No, Father, she managed to say in a trembling voice, I don't want that, don't appear here again. He remained where he was, but something in his expression suddenly changed, as if he were analyzing Clara's every word and every movement, the serenity he seemed to be falling apart, giving way to an almost cold smile. imperceptible but enough to make her shiver what a shame Clara he murmured in an almost indifferent tone But as I said life is made of choices and not all of them are easy he turned and walked to the door without adding more nothing when he opened it stopped for a moment and AF looked over his shoulder I'll be back Clara can be sure of that with a careless gesture he disappeared down the street from that moment onwards Clara was no longer able to breathe calmly any knock on the door made her freeze and everything the shadow that passed in front of the window made her imagine that it was him.
On the prowl she felt watched at every moment as if her life had gone out of her control since the day he arrived, she was sure that he would return and with him the threat of something that I could never accept but that hovered over She was like an omen Clara was encased in the web that he had woven and she knew that with each visit and each offer of payment he would advance a little further he would not give a break until she gave in but Clara would not give in she kept her gaze steady Father Antônio made her shudder as if he were evaluating her from head to toe. A few days passed when he sent a message commenting that her status photo was very beautiful and then asked for more. Clara owed the rent and couldn't just be rude or denouncing him he waited for a response but she didn't return anything so he stated that he was just joking although Clara knew it wasn't true that night lying in bed she couldn't erase from her memory the image of the priest, the cold and calculating look, the words that reverberated in her mind like a mark impossible to remove I'll be back Clara could count on that what he wanted from her how he discovered that there was something in her that could be manipulated she didn't want to admit it but something inside her stirred whenever she remembered his proposals and the sensation of power he emanated the power of seeing her control her shape her Clara knew he wasn't just talking about the rent he wanted something more something that made her tremble and at the same time intrigued her in a dark way and he came back it was One Friday, it was already past 5 pm when the knocking on the door echoed again, she didn't feel the same fear as before but she still hesitated, something inside her impelled her not to back down from what he wanted this time, as it would put her to the test.
Clara had the action of having been studied as if it were prey observed by a Predator when opening the door there he was without smiles or caresses just that penetrating look that once again brought the dark promise Good afternoon Clara said directly I came to resolve our situation the stomach She turned around and knew perfectly well what he expected to hear But some part of her was no longer willing to run away, she already felt entangled in the web he had built and at that moment Clara no longer knew what to think or feel, what before seemed like just a delay rental price grew to the point of becoming something uncontrollable for Clara, Father Antônio's words still echoed in her mind accompanied by an overwhelming fear, at the same time a curiosity worried her and gave her no respite, he remained in front of her and Clara did not find any way of escape with slow and calculatedly he led her to the room the sound of his shoes reverberated through the silent walls giving the feeling that something inevitable was about to happen with every movement the tension seemed to come to life when he finally reached the room the priest stopped and He gave her an intense look that did not at all resemble the serenity of a religious man but rather the dominance of someone who exercised a strange power over her. Words were not necessary. The silence between the two said it all.
Clara, still confused, sat down on the sofa. only noticing that his feet were cold, not knowing what to do with his hands or what to say, he wanted to run but his legs were shaking and his mind was sinking into an increasingly dense fog, he pronounced her name in a whisper full of authority, affirming that she didn't needed more if distress with the rent Clara looked at him but didn't make a sound he came closer and the pressure of that look made the air become heavy as if he was waiting for her to understand something unsaid something that Clara couldn't decipher then the priest commented that the late payment it was nothing more than a detail that understood Clara's difficulties in keeping her bills up to date, his voice sounded so serene that it paradoxically intensified the feeling of a trap involving Clara in a growing tension without her knowing how to free herself, life is not simple, you know of this, but you already realize that Sometimes there are easier ways to deal with our problems as long as we know how to act. He approached slowly as if each gesture was meticulously calculated and the scent of his cologne took over the room, making his presence almost unbearable.
Clara remained motionless, unable to protest or react. then he lightly extended his hand to her arm, the sensation was similar to an electric shock and Clara flinched but didn't move her arm away, it seemed as if something inside her was preventing her from reacting completely while the anxiety spread throughout her body, leaving her with the impression of being trapped in a labyrinth with no way out I can be your solution Clara he murmured, his voice taking on a firmer tone although still filled with a softness that increased action I have the power to solve everything I can free you from all these worries so that you no longer need to torment yourself all you need is trust me Clara felt the air drain from her lungs she looked at Father Antônio, trying hard to understand what he really wanted to say, but his words were consuming her little by little like a hypnotic substance, her body reacted strangely to that proximity, as if something inside her was giving in even if she didn't want to admit it, Father, I don't know what you want from me, Clara whispered, her voice trembling, I don't know what I can do, I don't know what else to do, he AF looked with an expression that mixed patience and something dark, as if he had already foreseen the moment when she couldn't bear it anymore, she didn't say anything immediately, she just stared at her intensely, waiting for the silence between them to seem suffocating and Clara realized that her heart was beating faster while her hands became cold and trembling, she wanted to resist but something Inside himself he said there was no way to back down he moved forward again making his presence almost unbearable Clara noticed the heat emanating from his body and the aroma that mixed with the heavy air of the room he touched her face carefully sliding his fingers slowly a wave of confusion and fear took over her it was as if she was Losing Control and this sensation scared her deeply there is no need to understand everything now Clara he said in a voice Soft but full of authority what you need to know is that what I am offering cannot be found in place some I can solve all your problems there is no more need to fight a tear fell down Clara's face without her understanding where it was coming from she wanted to speak shout for help but she couldn't utter any words she seemed hypnotized by something bigger than herself immersed in feeling of being swallowed by an abyss, all you need to do, he continued, bringing a promise that sounded both like an invitation and a demand, is to trust me, I am the solution you are looking for, I am the answer to all of this, Clara swallowed, feeling the Breathing hitched as if an invisible hand was squeezing her throat, she knew she was being manipulated, that he was playing on her fears and insecurities, but at the same time she felt that there was some truth in that, he could in fact solve everything, and once again she didn't know how to deny it. He got even closer to the point where Clara felt the heat of his body and the intensity of his presence, a shadow that surrounded her in an almost palpable way.
His fingers brushed Clara's hand, and she didn't move it away, as if something inside her had given in. He felt an unexpected warmth rise in his chest. mixture of fear and something that she refused to recognize, so Father Antônio gently pulled her towards him Clara couldn't resist, she couldn't reach something inside her anymore.
She seemed to have broken and fear combined with curiosity occupied all her thoughts.
