A Week's Rush to Face the Unknown
**It was a rush, the week flew by before my eyes, and when I realized it was already Friday.** I managed to race against time, leaving only the organization of the party to sort out the external part, which they assured me would begin on Saturday, but that was X's concern, and he didn't mind spending the day alone. The only thing that caught his attention was the fact that I never took my eyes off my phone for a single moment.
"Is everything alright?" X asks, curious.
"Yes, it's just that today is the day Carlos is supposed to pick up the kids, and I want to be home when that happens. Actually, I don't know if I want to be... Anyway, I don't know what to think."
"Relax," X asks, holding my hand and offering me a reassuring smile. "Everything will be fine."
"Thank you," I reply while glancing at the screen. Time isn't passing.
"Doce..." X speaks, drawing my attention. "Tonight is probably going to be very difficult for you, so I would like to invite you to dinner. You know, to take your mind off things."
"I think it's better not to, X," I hesitate with apprehension. I remember quite well where dinner with X can lead me. "I'll be fine."
"Trust me, you won't be. Being without our kids for the first time is suffocating," X assures. "Have I been wrong so far?"
"No," I whisper, biting my lip.
"A dinner between friends. Just for you to distract yourself. I promise," X speaks, looking into my eyes.
"Alright. Carlos said he'll be here by 6:00 PM, according to his totally cold message, so I should be free by 6:30..."
"I'll pick you up at 6:30," X confirms, looking at his watch.
"Why don't we meet at the restaurant?" I propose, nervously. "It's better, less intimate..."
"Dalia, it's just dinner," X repeats with a faint smile. "I don't bite."
"I'm well aware of that," I retort, narrowing my eyes and then stepping away from him.
"Can I pick you up?" X asks, watching my steps.
"You can," I finish as I ascend the stairs.
***
I adjust the braid I've made in my ponytail for the thousandth time. I'm a bundle of nerves because of the dinner, but mainly because it's the first time I'll meet Carlos in person. So much so that the choice of my dress took both of them into account: No transparency for X and not at all modest to provoke Carlos. Hence, my royal blue satin dress with thin straps and a deep neckline down to the beginning of my stomach, and short enough to make my husband uncomfortable. Juan watches me, admiring myself in the mirror, laughing at my poses.
"You look beautiful, Mom," Juan says, bringing a smile to my face. "The most beautiful in the world."
"Thank you," I express my gratitude.
Then I hear the living room door open, and my heart races: he's arrived. I pick up Juan and walk toward the door, where I put Juan down. Adjusting my dress, I then walk to the hall, where I find Valeria and my mother looking at me, shocked.
"What the heck are you guys doing here?" I ask, irritated.
"Carlos asked us to pick up the kids," Valeria replies, passing by me, but not without looking me up and down. "Wow, you look stunning."
"Thank you," I say. I turn to my mother, who approaches me, seriously. "What's up?"
"Let's go to your dining room. Carlos asked me to give you something," my mother begins, rummaging through her bag. She takes out a folded white paper and hands it to me. "This is the summons for you to appear at Elson's office on Monday to discuss your divorce."
"Coward," I exclaim as I hold the paper in my hands. "Why didn't he come and give this to me?"
"He thinks you don't want to see him..."
"After this childish behavior, I certainly don't want to," I speak, irritated, as I toss the paper away.
"Dalia, you should have fixed this, my daughter. Talked to him, as we agreed."
"Well, Mom, I followed your advice and had to listen to my husband's mistress on the line," I retort, angry.
"Sis, the doorman called, saying there's someone downstairs waiting for you," my sister says, serious.
"Excuse me, I have a dinner to attend," I say, getting up from the table.
"Don't tell me you're going out with that man?" my mother questions. "I thought I made it clear that you should end this."
"No, you can't judge me for the choices I've made. Besides, the choices Carlos made when he chose her. Good night, Mom. And before you ask: I won't be sleeping at home tonight," I conclude before leaving.
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