Chapter 55: The witch doctor
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When I returned to the room, Nathan was still there, his head leaning against the headboard, eyes closed as if in deep thought.
'I told you to leave," I said, walking to the closet to grab some fresh clothes.
'You didn't really think I would listen, did you?" he retorted, opening his eyes.
I glared at him. 'You seem to forget, Nathan. This is my house, and you have no right to be here."
'Oh yeah? Why don't you come push me out? Let's see how far you can get," he taunted.
My chest heaved with frustration. 'Fuck you!" I snapped.
'I wouldn't mind a second round," he replied, smirking.
I groaned and stormed into the bathroom. He always knew how to push my buttons. Annoying son of a bitch.
'So, I have been searching online for a witch doctor who might help, but most of the profiles look like scams. They don't exactly scream ‘holy man,'" he said as I walked back into the room.
'And you think witch doctors are supposed to look holy? How do you even think, Nathan?" I sighed.
'Well, they should look the part, at least. These guys don't have the witch-doctor vibe at all," he said, and I couldn't help but laugh.
'Now I know you have lost your mind. Anyway, to save you the trouble, I have searched the web a million times before. I even tried a witch doctor in Mexico City, and he couldn't help. There's no solution," I stated, picking up my phone from the nightstand.
'The internet updates every second, Scarlett. There could be new information."
'Fine, keep searching," I replied sarcastically, turning on some music on my phone and cranking up the volume.
'That's my favorite pop song," he smiled.
I immediately switched it to a loud, chaotic rock song. I wanted to annoy him, but he seemed fine with everything I did.
'I was listening to this in the shower this morning," he said.
'Ugh!" I groaned, clenching my fists. 'Nathan, leave now. I can't stand you anymore."
'That's exactly why I'm not going anywhere. You need to start getting used to me," he said with a wink, and my stomach did a small flip.
'I hate you."
'I love you too, babe."
I clenched my jaw, trying to hold back my frustration.
'Hey, look at this," he leaned closer, showing me his phone. 'This guy actually looks the part. He has good ratings too. I think we should try him."
For a brief moment, I felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe he could help me. But remembering the disappointment from the witch doctor in Mexico, I quickly dismissed it.
'It won't work," I said flatly.
'How do you know? You haven't even met him. Look at these reviews – he seems to be doing wonders."
'I'm not interested."
'You don't have to be. We will just go see him. I will book an appointment."
'Incessant son of a bitch" I muttered under my breath, and he chuckled.
The next day, Nathan picked me up, and we drove to see the witch doctor. His place was surprisingly nice – a bungalow with a yard and a swimming pool on the outskirts of the city. This was nothing like the witch doctor I visited in Mexico. That one's place was rundown, full of cobwebs and dead insects. I almost threw up when I saw him. His hair was tangled and greasy, his eyes dark pits. If Mrs. Bernard hadn't gone with me, I would have turned and run.
'Good day, sir," Nathan's greeting pulled me out of my thoughts. I looked up to see a young, handsome man, smiling warmly like some kind of angel.
'Nice to meet you in person, Mr. Nathan," the witch doctor said in a deep, calming voice. His gaze drifted to me, and I gasped, clutching my phone tighter. 'Is she the one?"
'Yes, she is," Nathan replied, pulling me close.
'Come on, let's go inside," the man said, leading the way.
'Relax, Scarlett. Why are you so tense?" Nathan whispered as we followed him inside.
'If anything goes wrong, I'm holding you responsible," I whispered back.
The witch doctor glanced back at us, and I stiffened. Finally, we entered his house and sat on a comfortable couch.
'How long have you been experiencing these... issues?" the witch doctor asked me.
'Um, over five years," I replied, gripping Nathan's hand tightly. I didn't know why I was so nervous, but this guy's intense gaze made my stomach churn. Nathan squeezed my hand in reassurance.
'That's quite a while. Are you prepared to do whatever it takes to free yourself from this curse?" he asked, locking eyes with me. I looked to Nathan, who nodded encouragingly.
'Yes, I'm ready," I answered.
The witch doctor lowered his gaze and murmured something under his breath, chanting softly.
I leaned toward Nathan. 'What's he doing?" I whispered.
'I have no idea. Doing his witchy stuff, I guess," he whispered back, and I pinched his arm. 'What?"
The witch doctor finally looked up, his eyes glinting strangely for a moment.
'There is only one solution," he announced, catching our attention.
'We will do anything, sir," Nathan said.
'Are you ready, Scarlett De Guzman?" he asked, making my stomach twist. I shot Nathan a look. He hadn't told the witch doctor my name. How did he know?
'I guess that's why they call him a witch doctor," a voice in my head reasoned.
'Tell us, sir. I will pay whatever it takes to be free," I said.
'Seven nights, Scarlett. Seven nights," he said, pausing. 'You must spend seven nights with me. Only sex with someone of my power can free you."
I just stared, then burst out laughing. But when I realized he wasn't joking, I stopped.
'You are serious?" I asked, tilting my head.
'I don't joke," he replied calmly.
'Oh," I said, chuckling uneasily as I stood up. 'Okay," I picked up my bag and headed for the door.
'Scarlett, wait!" Nathan grabbed my arm.
'Let go of me!" I yanked my hand from him and stormed out.
'What's wrong with you, Scarlett? This might be your only chance for freedom," Nathan said, catching up to me outside.
I turned to him, furious. 'I could strangle you, Nathan!" I yelled. 'What do you take me for? Some desperate dog? Seven nights with that man? Are you out of your mind?"
'I know it's a lot to ask, but I just want you to be free," he pleaded.
'If you think I would sleep with someone for seven nights straight, then you have got another thing coming. I don't blame you, Nathan. I blame myself for coming here. Now, take me home!" I spun around and marched to the car. He hesitated, then followed.
'You are overreacting, Scarlett."
'Don't talk to me, Nathan! Don't you fucking dare say another word!" I yelled as I buckled my seatbelt. He just sighed and started the car.
