***I put a little more concealer on top of my dark circles. In no way, Filomena can know that I spent the night without sleep, and it was not because of Carlos. I keep my mirror in my bag and wait for Filomena to show up and go to work with me. In a few minutes, she appears and I hold my breath. The advantage of being friends for a long time is that I always know when she got what she wanted with men. I watch closely as I pray that she doesn’t run her hands through her hair... damn it... don’t look both ways with her smile loose... Damn it!... Do not come towards me and shrug your shoulders giving a light run while opening the door of my car with the face of who did it.... DAMN!— Friend!- says Filomena getting in the car. She turns to me with the biggest smile in the universe, waiting for me to ask about her night with X.— So, how was it? - I ask discouraged as I go out with the car.I have no interest in knowing how was the night of sex of the two. Yeah, sex, 'cause they’re two wi
Centimeters, centimeters separate my car from the car in front. I am still bewildered, not because of the fright, but because of the last words of Filo, who is now trying to speak to me. My car is just a few scratches too, and no one is injured, which is a good sign. Filomena looks at me as if I were a being from another planet:—Dalia, are you okay? - asks my frightened friend.— Why did you ask him that? - I ask, ignoring his question — What did he answer you?— Dalia, what difference does it make now?- asks Filó, staring at me. — You really need to go to the hospital.—No, I’m fine. - I react, serious. — I just need to know what the hell made you ask him that?— Since you want to know so much, it was because of the way you reacted to him yesterday. You’ve totally changed, Dalia. And that only made me conclude two things: The first is that he met Mr X and you are afraid that he will reveal his little secret. And the second is that he is X himself. Of course I discarded the second, b
At this time of year, these days are the busiest and most intense for all of us. The first thing I do after settling in my parents' house, me, my husband and my father go to the fair set up exclusively for the festivities. There we buy the natural pine that will be our Christmas tree. At that moment there is a certain dispute between my father and Carlos about the freshest, big , green and ideal for the room where last year’s was. Each year one of them is victorious in this senseless competition and so far the score is like this: Ramón three , Carlos 2. I must admit that the Christmas tree was irrelevant until the birth of Juan, even for Carlos, but with the arrival of our son, everything has a great meaning, we want Juan to have many good memories, even more this time of year. I believe that because of this, Carlos is running among the pines in search of the perfect tree and draw with my father. I am sitting waiting for the two to appear with the ideal pines, yes I am the judge who d
The guests keep coming and bringing some memories for this date. We do not exchange gifts at Christmas, only on January 6 , Day of Kings where Melquior, Gaspar and Baltazar , the wise men, bring gifts to everyone just as they did with the baby Jesus. I remember well that I wrote my letter to them asking for the gifts I would like to receive on the morning of January 6.On the night of January 5 occurs the Cavalcade of the Kings that fills the streets with joy. The Kings parade on horses, camels or on elaborate floats and throw small gifts and sweets to the children who line the streets to greet their Majestades. That night my family and I met to eat the desired "roscón de Reyes", a bagel with dried fruit that can be stuffed with cream and contains a hidden doll that symbolizes the baby Jesus. It is said that the little doll gives luck to the one who finds it and there is also the custom that the person who finds it is responsible for paying the treat. After eating the "roscón", my sis
Juan’s hand touches my face, beating lightly, then awake and I find his brown eyes watching me, caress his curls, admiring with all zeal the face of my son with an expression as if he was keeping a great secret. Then he lets out a beautiful laugh, turning towards Carlos, who turns around, finding us both awake. My husband smiles as he tickles Juan’s belly as he laughs, trying to take his father’s huge hands. I get on my knees in bed and pretend to be mad at my husband:— Release the brave Juan or suffer the consequences.— I prefer to suffer the consequences - declares my husband shaking the belly of Juan who just laughed.— So be it - I say going at my husband and tickling him. He lets go of Juan and tries to hold me laughing. Juan gets up on the bed and comes up to Carlos — Come on bravo Juan, let’s defeat Captain Carlos.— Ahahahahaha, I surrender, I surrender - declares Carlos, laughing.— We beat Juan - I celebrate with my son, who offers me a huge smile.— Take your prize. - my
— And like every year, after the Casino, we went back to our suite and spent the first morning of 2013 in great and crazy style. And when I say big... – I say maliciously, sitting in my desk at the foundation under Filomena’s curious gaze. — And then I took Carlos to the airport.— Naughty! - says Filomena 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. — I know it will sound strange, but I already miss him.— Ms. Penedo? - calls one of the collaborators at the door. In his hands, a huge bouquet of red roses. I nod and he approaches. — Delivery for the lady.I hold the surprise bouquet, it’s so beautiful, the roses so vivid and the wonderful perfume. In the middle of them, a red envelope with my name written on it.—Apparently you are not the only one who misses. - says Filomena.I open the envelope:May your day be just like you…Wonderful.X.My smile disappears
About a month later...Over time, the flirting between X and Filomena became the least of my problems, as he was now taking turns between Madrid and Barcelona. Besides, for some reason, we had difficulties in finding investors, participants in the inauguration and the projects were in plaster, forcing us to postpone the inauguration. However, it’s not just that. In my personal life, things also did not go as I would like...As promised, Carlos came home every weekend, at least his body was present, because the rest was totally in Lisbon. I could not care if he did not give me attention, because every time I confront him the excuse is the same: work accumulated because of the time he was here. Only he’s not paying the slightest attention to our son. And today is one of those days... I watch from the kitchen Juan hangs on the legs of my husband who is totally concentrated on his computer, totally ignoring his own son, that was the last straw. I finish fixing the counter and go in his an
I look at my wristwatch that already marks seven o'clock at night, we are on the eve of the big day. With the special schedule we had a lot of work to make a presentation to new investors, we put the new associates, we set up something totally new , with X guidelines that made sure to actively participate in everything, surprising me in a way, because at no point did he try to hit on me, showing himself helpful and excited about all that. Maybe he’s just trying to help and if that’s it, I don’t see any problems living with him... until the opening. I stretch in my chair , awakening the looks of Filomena and X who are at the other table defining the places of investors, my back is killing me, as well as my neck. X stands up from his place and comes towards me stopping behind me. His face approaches mine :— Relax - whispers.Her hands touch my neck, massaging slowly. His touch is relaxing, he comes down massaging my shoulders... back... his breath touches my neck... his hands explore m
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