Breathe Down My Neck
"And as every year, after the Casino, we return to our suite and kick off the first early morning of 2013 in grand and wild style. And when I say grand... " I say mischievously, sitting at my desk in the foundation under Filomena's curious gaze " And then I took Carlos to the airport.
" You naughty ones! " Filomena says, smiling. " Seriously, I don't know how your husband manages to win every year at the Casino. I've never met a guy as lucky as him...
" He's a lucky guy," I say, smiling. " It may sound strange, but I already miss him.
" Mrs. Dália? " one of the employees calls from the door. In his hands, a huge bouquet of red roses. I nod, and he approaches " Delivery for you.
I hold the surprise bouquet; it's so beautiful, the roses so vibrant, and the scent is wonderful. In the middle of them, there's a red envelope with my name written on it.
" Looks like you're not the only one feeling nostalgic " Filomena comments.
I open the envelope:
" May your day be just like you...
Wonderful.
X. "
My smile disappears as I read the dedication. He hasn't given up, and I still don't have a strategy to deal with him.
" Let me read it. " Filomena asks, trying to grab the card from my hand. " I love reading romantic cards."
" You wouldn't want to read this... Let's say it's very intimate. " I lie, making a lascivious expression.
" Alright. " Filomena says, returning to her place.
" Filó, do you know if he's back yet? " I ask, still looking at the card.
" He...? "
" The good in bed one. "
" No, he didn't tell me. " Filomena replies focused on her computer.
" I hope he doesn't come back. " I grumble.
" Why? " Filomena asks, showing that she heard what I said.
" Well, don't you feel pressured when he's here? The way he looks at me... I feel like a thief. As if I'm not doing anything right. " I lie.
" Dália, I understand your side, but also understand his side. He invested a lot of money in this place and left it in the hands of people he doesn't even know. If I were in his place, I'd be here breathing down everyone's necks too. Although he could breathe down my neck as much as he wants.
I smile awkwardly as I look back at the card. I'm sure he'll be back... and that he won't just want to breathe down my neck.
***
One week later...
I walk through the headquarters with some potential investors. Thanks to Richard promoting MAMA's shares, we always have some coming to the foundation to learn more about our project, and if they like it, they mark their presence for the big day. I present every square meter of the old mansion and observe their satisfied expressions; five more to be part of all this. I hope that after the inauguration day, we'll have so many investors that MAMA will be well-established, and we won't need a single cent from X anymore.
" Good morning, Dália " X greets, standing in front of the room reserved for the lectures. He turns towards me and lightly touches my arm " I'd like to talk to you in the office later.
" Alright. " I reply, with a slight irritation that doesn't seem to affect him.
" I look forward to it " X comments with a slight smile on his lips.
I continue the presentation very slowly; I'm not in the mood to talk to him. Why on earth is he here? After a week, I thought he had finally given up and was looking for another "Doce" (Sweet). After the whole presentation, all the investors assure me they will participate in the fundraising that will make MAMA AFRICA official. I shake hands with each one of them and return to my office, where only X is leaning against my desk, looking intensely at me. I feel my body burning as if my black dress might fly off at any moment. I stop in front of him at a safe distance and cross my arms, seriously.
" What do you want? "
" Well, I'm great, Doce... And my trip was great too. It's nice of you to ask politely " X teases with a smirk.
" What do you want? " I ask again.
" Do you want an honest answer or a polite one? " X asks, getting up and getting closer, forcing me to take another step back.
" If you have nothing to say to me, I have things to do, and I don't have time for this. " I say, pointing at him.
" Alright," X says, still standing in front of me.
" You could give me some room to sit at my desk, please? "
" There's enough space for you to pass, Doce " X says motionless. " Don't worry, I don't bite. Well, you know that, don't you? "
I pass by X, avoiding touching any part of his body as much as possible, but his scent fills my nostrils, reminding me of how good it was to touch him. I sit at my desk, watching X sit in front of me, one hand caressing his chin.
" What do you want? " I ask again.
" What did you think of the bouquet? "
" Do you want an honest answer or a polite one? "
" If I know you well... I'm sure the polite answer doesn't exist. So, I want the honest one. "
" Alright, then let's be honest. Red roses? Seriously, that's so cliché. If you knew me so well, you'd know that red roses are not my favorite. Do you believe that sending me red roses with a cliché card will make me sleep with you? Look, I expected more from you. "
" Are you challenging me? " X asks, curious.
" I'm just answering your question. " I reply, turning on my computer. " Anything else? "
" No. " X says, getting up seriously. " Not for now, at least. "
As soon as X closes the door, I smile satisfied. I wounded his ego, which will make him step back and give me some time without worrying. The problem is, now I know he'll play hard to get what he wants.
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