Veil of Truth and Desire

My eyes search X's face for any trace of falsehood. His jaw is relaxed, and his eyes are serene... He turns towards the table where he tossed the envelope and retrieves it. Then he turns towards me, holding it up in my direction.



“Open it, so you can confirm what I'm telling you,” he says.



I take the envelope while taking a deep breath. My trembling hands struggle to tear the paper... or some greater force didn't want me to discover the truth. I press harder, and finally, it gives way, allowing me to see the report that I unfold calmly. There it is: according to the examination conducted using Carlos's blood, Juan was his son. I breathe a sigh of relief, but then the feeling of regret hits me. I could have avoided the dinner with Carlos if I had opened that damned envelope.



“So? Am I right or not?” X asks.



“You are,” I whisper as I let my body slide into one of the chairs. I stare at X and then ask what came to my mind. “How is that possible?”



“I was born with a lack of reproductive ducts. There's no way my sperm could reach you or any other woman...”



“But your wife got pregnant twice...” I recall, thoughtfully. “Surrogate mother... In vitro fertilization?”



“Pandora never knew about my condition. Well, until our separation, she wanted to believe that they were my biological children, and I accepted that they were,” X reveals carefully.



“Are you saying then that...?”



“At least now I don't need to hide this anymore...”



“How did you feel when she told you she was pregnant, and you knew they weren't yours?”



“Dália, what does it matter? I wasn't a saint... I never was...” X says, kneeling in front of me. “So, it was fair for her to have the family she wanted to build with me, and I believed that by doing so, I could redeem myself in her eyes.”



“That's crazy, X. The way you lived...”



“Dália, my marriage was... complicated. I always made sure to tell you that, and I know you didn't take my words seriously. I had accepted my life with Pandora. I was resigned to my fate, and I built barriers to avoid getting emotionally involved... until you appeared,” X says, forcing me to raise my eyebrows in surprise. He takes my hands and continues. “Yes, you... With your audacious manner and that mischievous gaze, always showing what you want. I tried to fight against this passion.”



“By getting involved with others... Nice approach,” I remark curtly.



“I never lied about that; you always knew. Anyway, that's how I realized how hard it was to fight against these feelings for you. It was impossible to forget your scent, your skin, the way you looked at me... I could only remember us making love. Still, I tried to maintain my marriage for the sake of everything involved... I was a coward to leave it to Pandora, but I believed that if she did it, it would bring less pain to my wife. Anyway, all that's in the past now. The only thing I'm sure of is that now I don't want to miss the opportunity for us to be together.”



“X, I didn't come here for us to get back together,” I say.



“Dália, I know you no longer hold any feelings for me, but for tonight... just for tonight, pretend you still feel something that I believe. Pretend that I'm still everything you ever wanted... Just one night and nothing more, and I promise I'll leave you alone. One night to forget about you...” X requests, taking my lips. “Let me be the man who makes love to you tonight.”



He pulls me from the chair against his body and lifts me in his arms. His lips passionately explore mine, sliding down my neck...



His desire is evident in his hands that grip my back, in his lips...



“X...” I whisper.



“Don't say anything... Leave it all to me...”



He carries me towards the stairs, descending slowly as if I were glass. Within seconds, we're already in his room, where he gently lays me down. X removes his clothes at a pace undoubtedly meant to increase my desire for his body. He returns to the bed, lying over me... His voracious mouth captures mine, while his hands explore my legs, moving up my thighs, and lifting my dress... He pulls away, sliding my panties down over my feet, which he kisses passionately, his lips moving down my legs until he reaches between my thighs. His lips suck me with desire... Sucking me to the point where my hands clench the sheet, unraveling the bed. My moans grow louder in the room, even stronger when he pulls down my neckline and starts massaging my nipples... My body is then taken over by ecstasy...



“Always sweet,” X says before kissing my thigh again.



His hands pull my dress, forcing it to leave my body altogether. Then X positions himself between my legs and enters me.



The rhythm is slow, calm, and completely different from any other time... it has a touch of farewell, but at the same time, it's not the end. His eyes lock onto mine, and his expression shows that he's savoring every moment. His hand caresses my face, alternating with his passionate kisses.



“You have no idea how much I need you... I need you... I want you,” X says, taking my lips. “You don't have to choose...”



“What... are... you... talking about?” I struggle to ask.



“I accept whatever you have to offer me,” X responds. “Dália, I'm only happy when I'm in the warmth of your embrace... I... I... love you.”



I gaze into X's eyes and notice the corners of his eyes are teary. He suffered because he loved me. I kiss his face and whisper to him:



“I'm here... for you,” I hold his face between my hands. “With you.”



He kisses me, increasing the pace slowly. Our bodies touch, sweaty... our moans call for each other. It's us... as it should be... right?



***



I wake up abruptly due to the flash of light coming from the window. I run my hand through my hair as I observe the beautiful Monday morning. Monday... I look to the side of the bed, and X is sleeping peacefully in a way I hadn't witnessed before. I observe every line on his face, his graying hair that I refrain from touching, and his body that's still the same as the first time... This last thought comes with sadness.



I get out of bed and walk toward the mahogany desk I chose for him. I sit down, pick up his pen, a sheet of paper, and start writing. It takes a few minutes, but I finish my note to X. I stand with the paper in my hands and then place it on the table, propped against his bedside lamp.



I look at X one more time and then leave his room.