Action

I drive quickly towards my house, even though the route seems longer than usual. Images of what happened just a little while ago in front of the hotel are still fresh in my mind. I still feel his hands slipping into my blouse, mine tearing off his jacket as we kissed passionately. Flashes... eyes... his lips trailing down my neck, my hands finding his chest once again... Flashes. I shake my head, trying to focus on the road, but the touch of his hand on my leg, moving up to find me aroused... I don't know where I found the strength to push him away, to remove his hands from me, to see the confusion in his eyes. But I did it, adjusted my clothes, and without looking at him, I said, "Goodnight, X."

He got out of the car without understanding anything, and I rushed away. Finally, I arrive home, open the door, turn on the light, and head to Juan's room, where I find my son and the babysitter sleeping peacefully. I wake up the babysitter and tell her she can sleep at my place since it's so late. She thanks me, and then I go to my room, where I can finally break down. I go to my bathroom and remove the remaining makeup, as my lipstick is smeared everywhere except on my lips. I take off my clothes and take a cold shower. My eyes burn, and finally, tears fall as I feel confused, lost, not knowing what to do and why all this is happening to me. Is it a sign? Should I stay with X after all? What should I do? Am I back to that dilemma: loving my husband but being in love with X?

I turn off the shower, run my hand through my hair, then my face, and leave it on my lips as I close my eyes; his kiss is imprinted on me. The only thing I'm sure of is that I must end this soon. I put on my robe and lie down on my bed; I need to make a definitive decision because I can't take it anymore, I can't take it anymore.

***

"Passengers traveling to Lisbon, please proceed to gate 4," announces the airport staff.

I look at Juan in my mother's arms, who agreed to take care of him this weekend, even though it was last minute. I know she only accepted because she believes I'm doing my wife's duty; otherwise, I'd be getting a long lecture for leaving my son with them. I kiss my son and then my mother.

"I'll be back on Monday morning. If you need anything, just call me," I explain, worried.

"We'll be fine," my mother says. "Take care, Dalia."

"Don't worry," I say.

Then I pick up my suitcase and walk towards the boarding gate. I'm not sure if this is the best decision, showing up unexpectedly to find my husband. Usually, those who make surprises end up surprising themselves. But I need to see Carlos, to feel that everything is okay, that we are okay, and that the rest is just in my head.

I settle into my seat on the plane and take out some notes with tourist spots I researched in Lisbon that I plan to visit with Carlos, to have an incredible weekend.

"We are fine, and the rest is just in my head," I repeat to myself.

***

Two hours later, we're landing in Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, and currently the city where my husband prefers to stay rather than visit his family. I pick up my suitcase and head to the taxi stand. I could take the subway, which goes through Parque das Nações, where my husband is currently staying, but I'm terrible with directions, and I'd likely get lost. By taxi, according to Carlos, it will cost only 15 euros to get to the park.

During the ride on a wide avenue, I observe the city, which has nothing of interest until we reach Parque das Nações. The first thing I see is white iron intertwined until an imposing train station appears, its iron structure incredibly designed as if it were a spider web, with unbelievable lightness.

"Gare do Oriente," the driver informs, surely encouraged by my look of admiration. "It was designed by architect Santiago Calatrava in 1995. It houses all the trains to the main cities in Portugal. Considered the largest intermodal station in the country."

As we enter the park, everything changes – new buildings overlooking the Tagus River, hidden gardens between condominiums, playgrounds for children, well-equipped exercise areas, and, of course, lots of greenery and artificial lakes. Seeing all this up close makes me consider spending some time here with Carlos and Juan, at least until my husband finishes his project. Maybe that's the solution I've been looking for.

"We've arrived," the driver announces, stopping in front of two skyscrapers that stand out from the rest. "These are the Towers of Gabriel and Rafael. The São Gabriel is that one. Have a pleasant stay."

"Thank you," I say, holding my suitcase while I observe the size of the towers.

I enter the tower indicated by the driver and approach the information desk, where the receptionist looks at me suspiciously.

"Good morning," I say in English. "Could you inform me if Carlos Salazar is here?"

"Who's asking?" the guy asks.

"His wife, Dália Salazar. He told me he's staying here, and I came to visit him."

"Wait a moment, please," the receptionist requests, calling the company's rented apartment. After some time, with no answer, he continues, "He's not here at the moment."

"Can I wait for him upstairs then?" I ask.

"Yes, I just need some identification from you to register your entry," the guy informs.

I hand over my ID, and soon after, I'm cleared to explore the place where my husband is residing. As soon as I enter the apartment, I'm mesmerized by the magnificent view of the park stretching from one side of the Tagus River to the other. All of this is visible from just the main living room, furnished with dark blue sofas, wooden floors, and huge vases with plants matching the sofa color. Near the balcony, there's a beautiful mahogany wood table with white-covered chairs.

I walk towards the rest of the rooms, starting with the kitchen, which is also fully equipped with a large marble countertop housing the sink, stove, washer, and refrigerator – all in white, with black stools. Smaller than our kitchen, but with many more utensils.

The apartment also has a guest bathroom with marble tiles. I continue down the hall until I find one of the rooms with two simple single beds, perfectly made, indicating that no one else sleeps in the apartment except Carlos. Then I reach the end of the hallway, where there's one last door.

I carefully open the door, letting the light in; it's the master suite of the apartment, with a beautiful view of the Tagus River. I lie down on the bed, smelling the pillows – no scent, neither Carlos's nor anyone else's, which makes me relieved. I go back to the living room, pick up my suitcase, and return to the suite, where I open it. I need to find something ideal to surprise my husband, so I choose a black corset and garter

belt set that I bought for our wedding anniversary and put on the light, transparent nightgown of the same color. I'm putting on my stiletto heels when I hear the door open. I rush back to the living room and find my husband entering with a smile, which makes me smile too, and I pose in my best seductive manner... until behind him, a tall, blonde woman with a bob haircut and a broad smile emerges.

Carlos looks at me, surprised. The receptionist didn't inform him that I was there, which I find perfect, as it allows me to discover the reason he never came back home.

"Dália," Carlos says. "What are you doing here?"

"Me? I came to visit my husband," I reply sharply. "Now, I want to know what this woman is doing here."