Balancing Acts: Juggling Priorities in the Foundation
A month later...
The following days became increasingly strange... Besides the fact that X brings me coffee every day now, he has become more present within the Foundation. He even got a part of Filomena's desk just for himself, where he makes calls in search of entrepreneurs, institutions, and new beneficiaries. It's not difficult to accept a proposal from him; his method is quite simple: If it's a man, he acts as if they're best friends, with a genuine smile, laughing at silly jokes, asks for a response, and hangs up the phone with a small gesture of victory. If it's a woman, he starts with a discreet compliment, interrupted breathing, more compliments, speaks of the proposal in a pretentious manner, puts on a slightly awkward smile on his face, undoubtedly flirting, bites his lips, makes a playful remark, and then smiles, says goodbye, and hangs up, running his hand through his hair, deep in thought. Then his eyes meet mine, and I quickly look away, pretending to be focused on my computer, but I realize that X got up and came towards me, and the only thing I can think of is: Damn!
"Here's the list with the new investors," X says, placing the sheet in front of me with all the numbers and names he called.
"Potential investors, you mean," I correct, taking the sheet from his hand, but he holds it firmly, forcing me to look at him. "You can let go now."
"They assured me they'll be part of it," X explains, releasing the sheet slowly. He walks to my side of the table, adjusting himself to look at my computer screen. "I've already scheduled meetings with some of them, including a lecture to get to know the Foundation, for Friday. If you can confirm this possibility."
"Highly unlikely that we'll have time for a date that close," I grumble, checking the busy schedule of lectures. How dare X schedule things without even checking availability? He approaches calmly, looking for any space on Friday, while his body brushes against my arm, his scent wafting and enchanting me... No, this can't happen. I adjust myself in the chair, irritated. "See, we have no slots available."
"Well, then why don't we create a time slot?" X suggests, pointing to the end of the schedule. "We can schedule a nighttime slot, especially since they can't come during the Foundation's usual hours."
"Filomena and I can't," I reply, annoyed. "Besides the Foundation, we have a life outside of here and responsibilities. We have a family that also needs us, unlike you... Anyway, we can't."
"Unlike me, what?" X questions, looking at me seriously. I know I hit a nerve, and it's too late to back down. "Do you think I don't have responsibilities, that I don't have a family? Just like you, I'm committed to this cause and willing to stay late to see the Foundation gain recognition. We're all sacrificing something here."
"Okay... There's no need to get worked up," Filomena says, calming the situation. "Dear, could you kindly check who could stay later on Friday?"
"Fine," X replies, still staring at me. He steps away and leaves the room, both of us watching him go.
"What's your problem?" Filomena asks, angrily.
"What did I do? I just spoke the truth."
"Dália, you just pick on everything he does or doesn't do. He's only trying to help us, and you always find a way to step on him. What's wrong? Hidden desire?"
"What? No, of course not," I reply, serious. "The problem is that I don't think it's right for him to meddle in our schedule, creating times without even consulting us. Thanks to him, our inauguration has been delayed once again. And you know how difficult it was for me to find a babysitter for my son; I can't afford to lose her by always forcing her to stay beyond her hours."
"But it'll only be this once," Filomena argues.
"Will it? Are you sure?"
"Is that your only problem?" my friend asks.
"You also know that the Foundation can't rely solely on him. We need to make it independent of him, but he keeps bringing in his friends here, so we're not detaching from him; instead, we're becoming more dependent."
"If you want, Dália, I and he can stay later on Friday, and you can leave to be with Juan," Filomena suggests.
"No, there's no need. It's as he said... Sacrifices need to be made by all," I say, seriously.
"Carlos won't come this weekend, will he?" Filomena asks. I take a deep breath and nod, once again promises have been broken.
But it's not just my husband who broke the promise; I also couldn't go to Lisbon to visit him because of the Foundation. The most we managed was to talk on the phone quickly about trivial things. We didn't pressure each other about the weekend, but deep down, this distance has been bothering me a lot.
"Tell him we'll have the evening lecture," I reply, creating a special time slot in the schedule.
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