After the conversation I had with my mother, I return home, where I leave Juan with the nanny, I take a shower and get dressed to go to work, I need to extravasate and forget the words of my mother who are hammering on my head. There’s no way she really thinks that way. Half an hour later, I’m parking my car in the parking space next to Filomena that today came with its own vehicle. I enter the institution, giving good morning to all the employees I meet along the way, until arriving at the office. As soon as I open the door, I come across the following scene: On one side of the room is Filomena biting his pen while watching X who is in the corner of my desk analyzing some papers.— Good morning. - I say loudly, calling the attention of both.Mr. X quickly gets up from his seat and walks towards me, helping me take off my coat under Filomena’s curious gaze. X’s fingers glide discreetly across my shoulders, making me shiver. I smile towards her as I whisper:—Thank you.— Welcome. - an
With less than a week to go to the opening the only thing I think is to make everything perfect, even with so many months of preparation , I still feel as if there is something more to be done or revised. I analyze once again the schedule of the inauguration and the list of guests who have already confirmed their presence , and then find the name of Carlos with a question mark and written plus one.He has not yet confirmed his presence and sincerely do not know if he will come to the most important moment of my life this year. Another thing that I find strange is the fact that my husband’s name is included plus One, that is, he and another guest. No doubt Filomena made a mistake , as he will go with me. Smiling satisfied as I walk through Villa Catalina, today, MAMA AFRICA. I feel a huge pride in the transformation I made in that place and how much that thirst renewed me. I run my hand through my long loose hair while I think I’m still not completely renewed.***— Oh my God, Dalia! Wh
Filomena stares at me, paralyzed, maybe I rushed into throwing all that information in her lap, but now it doesn’t matter anymore. I was already at the limit with everything I had been saving, all those feelings, I needed to go beyond, even my friend is not the best option. She opens her lips a few times, but can’t formulate anything to tell me.— Ladies, it’s time for the speech. - warn the ceremonialist.— We are going. - I reply, still facing Filomena, who is still in shock. Secure in his arm and the swing. — Filo, we must go.Filó moves my hand away and walks towards the improvised space for the speech, where is X who faces us smiling and then closes his face: he knows. I hasten my step and stop in front of her, but she refuses to look at me:— Filomena, please say nothing. - I ask.She passes by me and keeps walking until she reaches the stage, where she stops in front of the microphone, takes a slight look in my direction, and all I feel is that I’m lost.***As words come out o
I face Filomena without words, I can not remember when was the last time I was like this with her... It’s like I’m exhausted all my excuses, lies and my ways out of that situation. I sit on the bed without taking my friend’s eyes, I have nowhere to run to, or what else to say.—Answer me, Dalia. - orders Filomena to sit in bed next to me. — Is this where you came? Why didn’t you talk to me? I had the right to know what was going on between you… I’ve kept your secrets for years, even though I was against them, but I do. Now you fix me up more! Dalia, his wife is here, she came to party, meanwhile you were planning to play house in Switzerland.—Filomena...— You let me hit on him without knowing. Me, your best friend, at least that’s what I think we were friends... but apparently ... for you, I just another person in this crazy life you want to follow.—I ’m sorry. - I ask, bewildered. — I know I failed you, I should have told you at the restaurant, but I couldn’t.— The only thing I w
I open my wardrobe and start choosing the cold clothes I will take to Lausanne. I smile thinking about the happiness that X will have to see me at the airport and how these days will be wonderful. And if we follow what I have in mind, those days will be few. Therefore, I will have to go back ... and do it more often... who knows, even live there? Juan would love to have snow daily, I’m sure little Carlos would visit our son and when it was, would take Dunny the strap. Maybe in time I’ll start to accept in my life. A life where Carlos would no longer be present, but the X. Will he accept Juan willingly? Of course, the first thing that pops into my mind is: If he is the father, he will undoubtedly be willing to meet his son and raise him. I shake my head, disappearing with all those thoughts, one day at a time. I lie down to sleep, but my anxiety only allowed me to think of X.The next morning, I wake up Juan early and take him to my mother’s house, who makes sure to say that he is in t
I delivered my ticket for boarding, took the plane and then finally arrived in Switzerland. Then I found X in a restaurant with his wife and standing in front of both of them, I tell all the truths stuck in my throat all that time. I see the expression of amazement taking place in the couple’s faces. If X thought his marriage was complicated, it’s because he didn’t know who Dalia Penedo was.That’s what my heart was begging me to do, but for some reason my feet took me in the opposite direction to the boarding gate. I make all the way back to my home. When I arrive at my home, I am welcomed by emptiness and silence. I walk towards my room, pulling my suitcase as if it were weighing tons. I open my wardrobe and put everything exactly in its place, and then sit watching my clothes. That was it, that was it.I take a deep breath and go back to the living room, where I sit on the sofa and let the beautiful morning become dusk... Until I hear the front door open, a bunch of keys placed in
Yeah, I still remember what it was like to be left by X at the airport. As far as I knew, he liked me. However, I could not live eternally at that moment, it was necessary to start. Or rather, to start again. So the second decision I made was to leave MAMA AFRICA. It made no sense to remain in a place that would only bring me bitter memories and the terrible possibility of finding him again. However, as soon as I arrived at the NGO, I knew that Filomena had also asked for his resignation and that I needed to stay a little longer until someone for our seats was found. I myself was responsible for selecting the next "Dalia” and made sure to choose someone totally different in terms of appearance. Maybe it was a way to become unforgettable for that place…I will not lie, it was hard to work at MAMA without finding Filomena. Incidentally, I called her several times, but I never returned. I even went to her house, but coincidentally she had gone on vacation. The message to me was more than
I returned home without Carlos and was less sure about the future of my marriage. I know Carlos very well to know that the more he thinks, the more chance there is to conclude that our marriage is over. He’s rational, while I’m passionate. He’s the head and I’m the heart. So I knew, in the end, I’d be more of a solo mom. That’s all that came into my head while I was fixing Juan to sleep. During this time I was alone, I started to put my son to sleep with me because it was the way I found to be able to sleep without missing the presence of Carlos.Another way I found to deal with Carlos' absence was to focus on work. As I said, after I left the NGO, I started working as a realtor. However, it was not just any real estate network, but a real estate agency that sells only the most expensive, huge, and exclusive houses in the noblest areas of Barcelona. Houses are valued at astronomical prices of more than millions.However, thanks to my success with Villa Catalina that today I am here su
BRAZIL, MARCH 31, 2015.I'm engrossed in my phone, just a few lines away from finishing the book I'm reading, which, as incredible as it may seem, resonates with many aspects of my marriage. I'm so engrossed in the plot that I disconnect from everything else:"Dália!" my husband calls, drawing my attention. I look towards the wooden door from which he emerges with his charming smile. "Come see."I put down my phone and walk to the door, stepping outside where my husband stands on the sidewalk, looking at the facade. I join him and also start to admire the bold letters:Carlos's Delicacies"It's perfect!" I compliment, admiring the front of our restaurant.Yes, a lot has changed in my life... in our lives. After flying to Paris, we made some decisions. The first was Carlos quitting his job. He insisted on throwing his phone from the top of the Eiffel Tower when he finished his call with Rubens. I did the same with the real estate agency. However, I didn't throw my phone because we need
"Passengers of flight 357 to Lisbon, boarding will take place at gate C... Attention, passengers of flight 357, bound for Lisbon, boarding will take place at gate C..."This was what the announcement was saying when I arrived at the airport just a few minutes before my husband's flight was due to depart. Unlike what you see in movies, buying a ticket to enter the departure area isn't as difficult as it seems, because there wasn't a huge line in front of me, to begin with for buying a ticket."Good morning, ma'am, how can I assist you?""I need a ticket for any international flight departing right now.""Right now? Ah, well..." the young man starts, opening his screen.However, the clerk who attended to me wasn't very fast."Young man, I need to enter the departure area in thirty minutes," I say, looking at the departure and arrival display screen.Knowing my husband, it was unlikely he bought a first-class ticket or even a VIP one. As he always used to argue: at the moment of death, t
After leaving my children with the nanny and taking a shower, I head to the address of the summons, which happens to be Elson's office address. I press the elevator button that takes me to the penultimate floor in a matter of seconds. The panoramic view of the city welcomes me, and then I approach the receptionist:"Good morning, I'm Dália Penedo Salazar and I received a summons for today.""Good morning, Mrs. Salazar. Just a moment to inform Dr. Elson that you're here" says the receptionist.She smiles in my direction, raises her index finger, and then turns to speak on the phone. The receptionist exchanges a few words amid fake giggles and hair tosses, then turns to me, saying:"Dr. Elson is waiting for you in the conference room. Please follow me."She stands up from her seat, adjusting her tight but elegant purple dress, making me question my choice of wearing wide-legged pants and a white shirt. The receptionist says a few things, but I don't retain anything in my mind because al
X...As always, the night with you was wonderful and unforgettable. Your touch, your scent, your kiss, and the way you make love to me will always be etched in my mind. As well as your words...You were very important in my life. I tried to fight the desire I felt for you all these years, and lost the battle several times. You are a part of me; my life didn't make much sense until you appeared, and I'm grateful to you for being my friend, confidant, my lover...It's undeniable that we are perfect for each other, that we have harmony and chemistry... in bed.Our relationship boils down to the bed, to sex, and it has always been that way...A few years ago, I would have given anything to live this relationship beyond the bedroom door, but today I understand that it's not possible, and I know you will understand that too.When you said that you wanted me and couldn't live without me... I didn't feel what I wanted to feel when I heard those words. I know the first thing that came to your
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 d
Carlos wipes away his tears as he looks at the paternity test. His hands smooth the paper before he places it back on the table, taking a deep breath. His brown eyes lock onto mine, and then he says:“I don't want to know.”“Carlos, please,” I whisper.“Juan will always be my son, and no piece of paper will say otherwise,” Carlos says, pressing his index finger against the paper repeatedly. He hands me back the envelope, wiping his face. “He has been my son for four years, and he always will be. Juan Carlos is my son, he is a Salazar, and he always will be.”“Whatever you say,” I agree, putting the envelope away once again.“Does he know?” Carlos asks, looking at me seriously. His gaze is a sea of disappointment that I can't bear to meet.“No,” I reply, wiping my face. “He has no idea.”“If I were in his shoes, I'd want to know if I have a child out there,” Carlos claims.“Carlos, please...”“He has the right to know, Dália,” Carlos argues. “Tell him.”“Alright, I'll do that,” I affir
“What? How? When?”The sommelier approaches with our waters, pouring them into our glasses while pretending not to notice my tear-streaked face and the tense atmosphere. How did my husband know everything? How? I couldn't comprehend...“Africa,” Carlos reveals, withdrawing his hand from mine and then sliding his fingers through the cutlery without looking at me. “You always had the terrible habit of leaving your things open. When you traveled, I decided to use the home computer for work... I saw it all. Your conversations, your emails, you're asking him to call you...”“Why didn't you...?”“Why didn't I tell you? Or why didn't I leave you when I found out?” Carlos questions, thoughtful. “Simple, I loved you, Dália. When I read everything, I felt guilty. I threw you into his arms, but I wasn't ready to lose you... Give up on you. I was sincere when I showed up in Africa. I really wanted to be the husband you deserved, because if I could manage that, I knew I'd forget that man once and
La Barca looked as beautiful as that day when we came for the first time; that's what I was thinking as the concierge led me to the reserved table on the terrace. He pulls out a chair for me, and I sit down promptly. He steps away, and I find myself admiring the nighttime view of Barcelona while my mind wandered, considering the possibilities. There were chances Carlos might not come or might come with someone else. Even the possibility of being followed, and X showing up there. Regardless, I tried to convince myself to see it through. I place my hands in front of my face, repeating to myself: I needed to put an end to this, I needed to...“Dália?” Carlos calls, standing in front of me. “Is everything okay?”“Hi, Carlos,” I say, adjusting my hands on the table. “Yes, it is.”“Would you like something to drink before choosing your dishes?” the sommelier asks.“Just water, please,” I say, nervously unable to look at the young man.“Wow...”“What?” I ask quickly.“For you to order water,
I spun the envelope in my hands. I had buried that desire to know who Juan's father was many years ago, even now with everything that's happening. However, as they say, the truth always comes out. My fingers would glide over the edges in a simple gesture, and everything would be revealed. All it would take is my fingers coming together and tearing open the edge, and that's it. Simple... easy... Yet, I didn't feel like I was the one who should open the envelope. I didn't feel entitled to do so. I take a deep breath and then place it on my coffee table. Furthermore, I stand up and walk to the hallway, where I grab my purse, open it, and take out my cell phone. I scroll through my call list until I reach a specific number—the number of the person I believe has the right to know. After a few rings, the line is answered.“Hello?”“Hi, Carlos,” I say calmly.“Is something wrong?” Carlos asks, concerned.“We need to talk...”“Dália, if it's about the summons, know that it's for the best this