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
I drive quickly towards my home, although the path seems to take longer than usual. In my mind, images of what happened still little in front of the hotel. I still feel his hands going into my blouse, mine tearing off his suit as we kissed wildly. Flashes … eyes… her lips down my neck, my hands finding once again her pectoral… flashes. I shake my head trying to concentrate on the direction, but the touch of his hand on my leg, going up until I find myself excited… I don’t know where I got the strength to walk away, take your hands away from me, see your confused gaze. But I did, I fixed my clothes and without facing him said:— Good night, X.He came down without understanding anything and I go off in flames. I finally get home, open the door, turn on the light and go towards Juan’s room where I find my son and the nanny sleeping peacefully. I wake up the nanny and say that if she wants, she can sleep at my house , since it’s late. She thanks me, and then I go to my room, where I can
— Dalia, this is Dunyasha Lebedinski, the other group's project manager. - introduces Carlos. — This is Dalia Penedo and Salazar, my wife.— Pleased to finally meet her. - says the blonde who to complete is Russian, as shows her accent. She holds firmly my hand. — Carlos won’t stop talking about you.— It’s a shame I can’t say the same. - I reply cynically while getting a scolding look from my husband.— Love, wouldn’t you like to wear something more… appropriate?- my husband asks, looking at my lingerie.— No, I’m just fine. - I answer as I face the other. — By the way, what is she really doing here?— She just came to get my reports. - explains Carlos passing me. — Dunny, just wait a minute, and I’ll be right back.— Dunny? - I ask, shocked by the intimacy.— It doesn’t start, Dalia. - says Carlos, seriously.The Russian woman decides to sit on the couch without at least being asked to do such a thing, or maybe she already has that freedom to do whatever she wants around here. I sit
We got off the taxi and stopped in front of the glamorous Sheraton Hotel and already regret not having considered bringing a suitable dress for such a situation. The most I could get was a straight-cut black dress and a loose bun. Carlos holds my arm and leads me inside the hotel. We entered the elevator and my husband squeezes into the top floor, where the restaurant Panorama is located. We exited the elevator and faced the panoramic view of the city. And what a splendid view he has, I try to remember the last time I entered a restaurant that impressed me like that, but I did not remember any. To the right, a transparent piano delimits the bar area, where there is a sign indicating that smoking is allowed. To the left, after the wooden counter, the dining room. Luxury and good taste reign throughout the place.— They are there. - Carlos says, holding lightly on my arm. Then I turn around and find Dunny waving his arm towards us, which makes me take a deep breath, drawing attention to
I open the door and find only darkness and emptiness. I close the door slowly as I release my hair, take off my shoes, and then walk to my room, where I finally take off the dress. I walk into my bathroom, wash my face and lean on the sink as I watch my face. In the corner of my eyes appear slight wrinkles, I have dark circles, look lost, wrinkles of worry on the forehead... fatigue... that woman in the mirror does not even look like me, or like I was before. I’m at least ten years older than I am. Where is Dalia? That girl so determined, who always knew what she wanted ... Where did it go? Dalia, eight or eighty... Who did not allow herself to suffer... to fall in love... to love someone other than herself... Where are you? Where am I?I take a quick shower and lie in my bed looking at the hours slowly passing by my bedside clock... I see the night become day slowly... I hear my cell phone ring in the distance, but my body chose to stay in bed, my eyes watch the hours pass and my min
The hotel, where Mr. X is staying, looks brighter than usual. I take a deep breath and walk towards the restaurant, where I ask for the reservation on behalf of X. The young blonde promptly lets out a smile, showing no doubt to he another admirer of him. She walks towards me to the table, where he is sitting enjoying the pianist playing something melancholy, then X turns his face in our direction, unable to disguise the smile to see me in front of him. He rises, approaches me, and holds my hand, leading her to his lips.— It is a pleasure to be in your company, Dalia Penedo. - flirt X.— Let’s sit down. - I reply, trying my best to keep control.He walks away and then pulls the chair, so I could sit. As soon as I get settled, he lightly passes his hand behind my back and then goes to the spot in front of me. The waiter comes up with the hotel’s wine and beverage list, handing me one I thank with a whisper:— Thank you.I open my letter to choose something, although I do not feel like
The door to X’s room is opened wide open by our bodies, his lips take my full desire... I try to remember when we started kissing... maybe waiting for the elevator, no, he was just talking about banal things from Switzerland as I waved my head lightly… in the elevator, no, he just touched my lumbar, sliding lightly as he left me flushed... after the elevator… , yes, he pushed me towards the wall and I couldn’t resist… His hands touch my wearing, undressing my shoulders, as he touches them lightly. I take off his suit and throw him on the floor. He turns me around and explores my back looking for the zipper of my dress, letting it slide down my half-naked body. X carries me into the room , placing my body lightly on her bed, admiring every inch.— Room service. - warns a female voice knocking lightly on the door.He presses his lips against mine and then walks away, putting his index finger over my mouth, asking for silence. I smile and throw myself on the bed, as he fixes his belt and
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