Indifferent Encounter
Mr. X returns to the table, and we all refocus on lunch. Even Filo is more composed, listening to the stories X has to tell. I know most of them as if I were reliving all our MSN moments. I remained mostly silent during the meal, only responding to some trivial and unimportant questions. I'm grateful that we didn't delve into the subject of my family, but I am curious to know about his. Filomena touches on the subject, but his response is just one word: Complicated. It makes me wonder about the state of his marriage.
After finishing lunch, we headed toward the headquarters. I'm driving, and Filomena reluctantly agrees to sit in the front seat, while X, a true gentleman, sits in the back. He adjusts his beige suit and positions himself so that he always remains in my field of vision through the rearview mirror, a real jerk. When we arrive at the Villa, X's admiring gaze at the house gives me great satisfaction, reminding me that he is the one financing all of this. I turned to him, inviting him to take a tour of the NGO.
"Come, I want you to see everything," Filomena says, holding X's hand and pulling him inside. I take a deep breath, but my blood boils at the sight.
"If you don't mind, I'd prefer it to be Dália, as Richard told me she's the one in charge of the project," X says, stopping in his tracks and turning towards me. "Do you mind showing me around?"
"No, of course not," I replied, walking towards them.
As we move through the rooms, I explain the renovations, the investments made, and the functions of each area. X pays full attention while Filomena focuses on him. We were headed towards the office when some collaborators call Filomena to check the schedule, as apparently, she had scheduled a seminar and two lectures for the same time.
"Excuse me," Filomena says. "I'll just go solve this problem and meet you both in the office."
We walk side by side, saying nothing, but the tension is palpable, and this is my chance to get answers to the questions swirling in my mind. We reach the office, and I make sure we're alone, then I practically push him inside and lock the door. It's time to let out everything that's been stuck in my throat.
"I can't believe you did that! You can't be the financier of my project. You abandoned me two years ago, remember? You left a ridiculous letter telling me to try to be happy in my marriage, that I deserved someone more complicated. And now you show up here? You have no idea the mess you made in my life. I don't want anything from you, and I'm not for sale. You can't erase what you did with your money. And another thing, I can find a thousand better investors than you. So take your tainted money and never come back."
I walked past him and headed towards the door, opening it again. Then X forcefully closes it, trapping me between his body and the door. I breathe heavily; he's too close, his face, his lips...
"You need to listen to me before letting everything you've built go down the drain. I tried to warn you; I sent several emails, and you didn't even bother to read them. The last one even begged you to please read it, but your hatred for me got the better of you. I know I made a mistake, but it was for the best for both of us. You're happy, right? From what I saw, you have a beautiful family, and you're finally doing what you love. Don't throw it all away because of me. I just want to help the NGO. Richard and I kept in touch after Senegal. I liked his idea and decided to invest. Honestly, I didn't know he would invite you, but I liked the idea of you two working together. You deserve to do something that makes you feel fulfilled. I'm just offering some help. Don't give up everything. I promise to keep my distance, or at least try, because you look more beautiful than before. Motherhood really suits you. But I will respect whatever decision you make."
I'm paralyzed by everything I hear. He's serious, then I compose myself and say, "Keep your distance; you're just an investor, so stay in your place. I won't give up because of your presence, but let it be clear that we'll never have anything, no compliments or indecent glances, pretend that I don't exist. I did what you asked; I moved on with my life, and I'm happy. You mean nothing to me anymore."
"Are you sure?" X asks, getting close to my face, and caressing gently. I resisted and kept a serious gaze. Then he moves away, heading to the table and sitting at the end, picking up one of the transparent decorated balls. "I accept your conditions, but you have to keep me close. I'm your only investor, and it's my image that's circulating out there. And at the inauguration, everyone will know who I am and who you are. Besides, I need you to know that I'll be in Barcelona until the day of the inauguration, so even if you don't want to, we'll have to spend time together, and you need to pretend that you don't hate me."
"Hate you? To hate you, I'd have to feel something... I don't hate you, I'm just indifferent," I replied, coldly opening the door again. I emphasize, "Just stay away."
I wait for Filomena outside, and when she arrives, I suggest we leave. It's getting late, and I need to be with Juan. She doesn't seem to care much about my lame excuse and gets in, calling X, who promptly comes out. To my surprise, Filomena jumps out of the car and closes the door, leaning against it, then smiles at me and says, "Now it's my turn to show the best of Barcelona to him."
She moves away from the car without giving me a chance to argue with her. X offers his arm to her while staring at me, waiting for some reaction from me, something that shows I still feel something for him. I start the car and drive away slowly, telling myself that I'm indifferent to him... completely indifferent...
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