Barcelona, 31 December 2005.Of all the beginnings I thought, this is my favorite: my first new year in Barcelona after two years in England. Two years of cold people, cold climate and much study. Until I convinced my parents that it was in Barcelona that I should finish my high school, my home. So that year-end was the embodiment of my happiness. The only thing I needed was Edward, my English boyfriend.To all who have not yet spent the new year in Barcelona, take some time and come, do not know what they are missing. The streets are all decorated, besides the human warmth that I did not find anywhere. But returning to that wonderful night...I remember being in my room playing entertained that I do not even notice my younger sister, Valeria, entering the room. I get a fright when she touches my arm ,drawing my attention. She says something, but I’m on the phone and I don’t understand what she’s talking about, so I take off my headphones and stare at her. I bet she wanted to use the
Having Carlos' number at the same time is a bonus, is also a burden. What excuse would I used to talk to him? No doubt Carlos was going to ask how I got his number... After many days of thinking, the only plan that seemed workable could only happen after the return of classes. So I spent another fifteen days with the phone in my hands while I realized the idea. Carlos seems to be the man who helps damsels in distress, and that’s what I’ll be about to conquer him, even though I don’t enjoy being a helpless little girl.Then on a beautiful, hot afternoon, I sit with my cell phone in my hands. It’s time to put my plan into practice. I dial Carlos’s number and with every touch, my heart races. It passes a thousand things in my mind, from listening to your voice to the fact that it forwards the call to the message box. Then the touches cease, and that space between the end of the touch and the expectation of hearing your voice makes me nervous. I take a deep breath with my eyes closed.—He
About a month later...Those one month was worse than I’ve had in years... My pride didn’t allow me to call Carlos, and he didn’t seem to care how I was. So I focused on my studies and the game, leaving my phone far away from me. I was so distracted that I didn’t even notice my sister coming near the desk. Valerie touches my shoulder, almost making me jump.—Oh what a fright, Valeria! - I say, putting my hand on my chest, scared. —What is it?—Her phone is ringing. – replies Valeria, serious. She extends the phone towards me and on the display the name of Carlos appeared. My heart races, I feel my legs trembling like a green stick, I’m afraid to meet, and he destroys my expectations. I know I clarified that I was supposed to call him when he was single. My sister shakes my phone, impatient. — will answer it or not?— Yes, I will. – I answer by pulling the phone out of my sister’s hands. Take a deep breath and answer. —Hello?— Dalia... Do you want to go out with me?- asks Carlos, nerv
Although Carlos agreed to date me, deep down, I knew it was only to not be alone since he spent so much time dating the other. Although he says he loves my company and I always make him in a good mood. We had lunch together almost every day, left school and waited for him at his home. But as the title of the chapter says, I had only won the battle.His ex-mother-in-law was very attached and even though she knew he was dating, she had the audacity to go clean his house and change the sheets. I thought in time it would stop, but...We already had two months of dating, when one day we were making out on the couch, after lunch, when I hear someone open the door. Carlos practically jumped from the couch towards the door. I hear the voice of a woman talking to Carlos and get up, going towards the kitchen.— Carlito, I hope you like the snacks, I made especially for you. - says the woman who was old enough to be the mother of my Carlos. And what was the story of calling him Carlitos.— Now I’
If my father thought I was going to give up on getting married, it’s because he doesn’t know the daughter he has.— Congratulations on the grades. – says my father, analyzing my report card. — Now all that’s left is college…— Here it is. - I say, delivering my letter of approval at the University of Barcelona for the Law course. He opens , showing all the satisfaction in reading my letter. — Now you can give the blessing for my marriage.— Yes, Dalia. - says my father taking off his reading glasses.I wanted to jump for joy, but I notice that my parents have a disappointed expression, which makes me confused, since I did exactly what he wanted. My father looks at me and says:—Dalia knows in these months that have passed I always thought I would give up this madness and change my mind.— Then you know me, little Dad.–I say, leaning against the table. —I will never give up on Carlos…***After my father gave the blessing, I had to run with the preparations for my engagement. After all
It was a little over a week before the engagement and I was almost freaking out in my apartment, the only place I wasn’t suffocated with questions and pressure.— Hi, love. - says Carlos entering the apartment. He lifts me off the couch and gives me a kiss that takes me off the air for a few moments, calming me down. I realize he’s in a great mood. Carlos smiles and says: — I’m on vacation!— Yay! At least one good news today. – I say trying to avoid my irritation.—And it’s not the only one. – says Carlos, holding my hand. He kneels and asks: — Dalia Penedo, will you spend seven days with me in San Sebastian?That is the most indecent proposal I had ever received from Carlos, for two reasons: We are in the summer, an unbearable heat even with the air conditioning in the last is impossible to sleep, so going to a seaside town is a temptation. Just imagining the icy seawater gives me the creeps. Seven days alone with Carlos, without the intrusion of my parents and with our desire high,
In our engagement were all forty people invited. The house of Julio had become a luxury, the way I imagined. I stop at the entrance, watching the scenery, where I saw Carlos for the first time. It was really amazing how in a few months they changed our lives. It doesn’t take long and Carlos comes up smiling at me. He comes towards me and kisses my hand.—You look beautiful. - praises admiring the beautiful lace pink-tea dress that I chose for the evening.—Thank you. - kissing your lips.—It’s time for dinner. - my mother says, interrupting.We sit at the table, side by side, when he gets up, giving another kiss in my hand and holding it.— Thank you all for coming to the happiest night of my life. - says Carlos. Then he puts the beautiful diamond ring on my finger, surprising me. I had no idea that he had bought an engagement ring for me. He turns to everyone and goes on. - I must admit that I never thought I would be together with her, but she was very insistent. She said she would
My wish is to wake you. I spent ten long months waiting for that moment when it would be all his, and I don’t think it’s fair that he makes me go without my wedding night. I sit next to him and touch his forehead. He’s feverish, and it makes me give up on my plans. I put Carlos in bed and cover him, go back to the bathroom and take off the lingerie. I lie next to him, turning off the lights. As soon as I get ready in bed, the fatigue takes over me and I end up sleeping.In the middle of the night, I feel someone touching my breasts, which makes me jump into bed, since I’m used to sleeping alone all my life and had forgotten that I was now married. Carlos pulls me back and, smiling, tells me:— Shhhhh... I’m just feeling my wife. I want to see and feel everything I’ve been denied all these long months.He lays me down on the bed and turns on the lamp, admiring me as if it was the first time he had seen me naked. Carlos rips off his clothes, almost desperate, and lies down again, begins
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