CHAPTER 7: An Unexpected Turn
The inebriated pair stumbled out of the bar, each trying to outboast the other in hopes of playing down the sexual tension. Their jovial mood dropped as soon as they him, Oswald was leaning on his cane - glaring at the duo with disgust.
"Going somewhere?" He pursed his lips together, a signature of his waning patience. This girl was becoming more trouble than he was willing to contend with. Harvey rolled his eyes, unwilling to give Oswald's threatening demeanor any acknowledgment. She tried to diffuse the situation - "Oswald, is this really necessary?" Harvey heard guns cock behind them, he knew Oswald wasn't going to let her go. His obsessive grip on the young girl kicked Harvey's knight complex into overdrive, but he knew he couldn't maneuver out of the situation with force.
Oswald's gaze intensified as he replied "As long as I allow you to live under my roof, you will abide by my rules." Her back straightened as she gave him a look of contempt. Harvey knew what was coming; he had a penchant for saying the wrong thing to women, but he found it almost enjoyable to experience the scenario from a spectator's view. "Allow?" she enunciated each syllable in an attempt to give Oswald an opportunity to correct himself.
He was perplexed by her response, having anticipated a quick submission to his will. He struggled to regain authority over the situation, choosing to dismiss her question. "I demand that you come home at once" his definitive tone sent her over the edge. Harvey couldn't help letting out a pained groan - Oswald had just hammered the final nail in his own coffin. It was easier to take a bullet than suffer the sharp tongue lashing of a scorned woman. "DEMAND?!" she erupted much to Oswald's surprise "How dare you try to pull this shit with me again?" Harvey pondered on her charge of a repeat offense, but was resolved to stay out of the explosive exchange. Oswald faltered in his confidence, he was starting to lose face in front of his men who were sharing amused glances at the girl's bold rebellion.
"I-" Oswald was at his wit's end, he was desperately searching for a way to crush her spirit. "I'll kill you" it came out as more of a question than an actual threat. The last few months had tested her patience, she was growing indifferent to Oswald's attempt to control her. If he wanted her dead, he would have done it a long time ago. She shrugged at the peril, she had nothing left to lose - "So what?" Oswald swallowed hard, blinking at her in disbelief. "I'll kill him!" he motioned at Harvey, frantically expending his arsenal of intimidation tactics. Harvey didn't flinch, but mirrored the girl's apathetic tone - "So what?" Harvey could feel the atmosphere shift in their favor as he heard Oswald's men snicker under their breath. He wondered if she had planned this all along, or if she was merely fed up with Oswald's childish antics.
In that moment she had finally realized that a civil relationship with Oswald would be impossible. He would always try to extend a domineering force over her, never satisfied until he got exactly what he wanted. He was unwilling to compromise, and she knew it was a moot point. There was nothing more to say. Her heels clicked with defiance as she stormed off, leaving the men behind. Oswald felt paralyzed as he watched the last reigns of control slip from his grasp.
It had been painfully uncomfortable to watch the exchange, but Harvey was impressed with her bold courage. He knew she could handle herself, but shuddered to imagine what it felt like to experience the full force of her wrath. Oswald stared at the ground, dumbstruck by the turn of events. Harvey added insult to injury with his brusque ridicule: "Nice...you have a real way with women." Oswald knew he couldn't harm the Detective without suffering severe repercussions from Jim. His blood boiled to a feverish pitch as he watched Harvey saunter down the street unscathed.
Oswald pulled one of his men aside. He shook his head, heaving a forlorn sigh: "Well...that certainly was unexpected." His henchman readily agreed, adding with a harsh laugh - "Women, right?" Oswald leaned in closer, his sudden calm putting the other two guards on edge. His lips curled, showing his teeth, a sardonic smile stretching his features in a malicious display: "Women!" he shrugged his shoulders as he reached for his pen knife.
His anger would not subside until he had finished gouging out the young man's eyes.