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Mr.X Desperate Decision
I feel my body being violently pulled out of the water, forcing me to cough uncontrollably. I feel slaps on my face, and then I turn and find Carlos looking at me in desperation, touching my face."Dália, are you okay?" my husband asks desperately."Yes..." I say, a bit weak. I push my wet hair away from my face and then ask, "What happened?""Love, you fell asleep while bathing in the tub," Carlos says. He dries me slowly and then wraps a towel around me, saying, "Come on, let's go to bed."We lie down on the bed, but I can't sleep. I hear Carlos's breathing becoming stronger and deeper, indicating that my husband has fallen asleep. I turn towards my window and watch the night slowly turning into day. I close my eyes for a few moments and then feel Carlos's hand touch my breast, massaging gently. I place my hand on top of his, forcing him to stop."Good morning, Mom," my husband says, kissing my cheek before getting out of bed.I hear him getting ready in the bathroom, but I have no
Mr.X Desperate Measures: A Five-Day Reprieve
All those in the hallway stared at me, surprised by the scene. I compose myself and walk towards the bathroom. Gripping the sink, I take a deep breath with my eyes closed. I know I've crossed all limits, but I'm desperate. Then an idea comes to my mind. I check all the restroom doors and enter one, closing the door behind me.Sitting on the toilet, my trembling hands open my purse again, and I take out the medical certificate and my pen. I smile when I see that he only filled in the number of days off, making it easier for me. I prop my phone up and carefully turn that number 1 into a five. Holding up the certificate, I inspect it to see if anyone would notice anything different.I put everything back into my bag, flush the toilet to disguise my actions, and then walk towards the sink, washing my hands. In a few minutes, I'm already entering the waiting room where my husband and children are anxiously waiting for me. I take the certificate and hand it to Carlos, saying, "Five days.""
Mr.X Facing the Abyss
We arrived at our loft, and I set the kids to play in the living room before looking at my husband and crossing my arms."We need to talk," I said firmly.My husband nodded and grabbed a notebook and our bills. We sat at the dining table, and Carlos opened the notebook, revealing several negative balances."What's this?" I asked, running my fingers over the lines, feeling nervous. "Since when have we been in the red?""Two months after I got laid off," Carlos replied, taking a deep breath. "I didn't want to worry you or burden you with it, so... I started trying to find a way to... pay the bills with what we had. But it became a snowball effect... I'm so sorry, Dália," he finished, attempting to hold my hand, but I pulled away from his touch.I picked up the bills he had also brought, and most of them were stamped in red, indicating they were overdue, including the mortgage on our other apartment. We weren't just losing the new apartment; we were also losing the other one. Despair was
Mr.X A Plea for Help and a Lesson Learned
I arrive at my parents' house and find my mother and Valéria getting out of the car with shopping bags in their hands. They look at me, not understanding why I am there with the children. I take my kids out of the car and approach them, feeling nervous."Is Dad home?" I ask."He must be in his office," my mother says as I hand Marisol and Juan to her. "What's going on, daughter?"I enter, opening all the doors until I reach my father's office, where he looks at me, surprised. He even stops talking to his visitor, who turns around, and, of course, as expected, it's X. I approach the two and stare at X and then at my father, serious and straightforward."What is he doing here?""Hello, my daughter. I'm fine, and you?" my father demands good manners from me."Does this man live here now?" I ask, pointing at X."Not for lack of invitation," my father looks at X. "I've told him that the doors of our house are open for him, but...""Ramón, thank you, but the hotel has been serving me well u
Mr.X The offer
I get up from the table, furious with my father. Deep down, I knew I shouldn't have come here and begged him. He should have remained the last person on my list. I take a few steps and then turn to my father, saying:"Know that this is the last time you'll see me asking anything from you... And it's also the last time I come to your house.""Dália, it's not that serious... After all, you said you didn't need me," my father says."You're right, I really don't need you," I say before leaving and closing the door.I walk down the hallway, unable to believe that my own father refused to help me, to help my family. However, nothing surprised me more than when I entered the TV room and found Juan playing with X under the watchful eyes of my mother and my sister. My son smiled at him and then pointed the toy towards X, saying:"Here you go, Daddy. Play with me...""Juan!" I shout from the doorway automatically upon hearing him say that to X."Mamá, you're here!" Juan says, getting up and com
Mr.X A Desperate Deal
I arrive home with the children and find Carlos sitting on the sofa, his head resting on one arm and a glass in the other hand, which surprises me since my husband has many habits, but drinking during the day has never been one of them. He looks at me, and I can tell the interview didn't go as well as it should have. I approach and give him a light kiss on the lips before leaving the children to play on the carpet and sit beside him."I have another one tomorrow," Carlos says before taking another sip. "If it's not canceled at the last minute. How was it at the bank?""If we want a roof over our heads, we need three million euros, and we have four days to do it," I say, taking the glass from my husband's hand and taking a sip. I grimace and then hand it back to him. "Wow, what's in there?""Brandy and a little desperation," Carlos says, looking at the glass. He then turns to me sadly and takes my hand. "I'm sorry for putting us in this situation.""It's not just you. If I hadn't press
Mr.X Farewell to Love
I fold the clothes and carefully place each piece in Carlos' suitcase, which is now in the bathroom. It was a strange feeling to adjust his things in that suitcase as if it were the last time I would do it. I go to his drawer, pick up some more accessories for him, his favorite cologne, choose the shoes to put in the other suitcase, and then go to his closet drawer where he keeps his watches. I find a picture of us from our honeymoon at the top of the Eiffel Tower. I smile and pick it up along with the watch I chose for him. I return to the bedroom, finding my husband standing near the suitcase with a towel wrapped around his waist. I approach him and kiss him, sliding my hand across his chest, and simultaneously biting his lips. I gaze at my husband with my hand on the towel knot, filled with desire:"And the kids?" Carlos whispers, looking at me."Sleeping," I reply. "I want to say goodbye to you in the best way.""You make it sound like I won't be coming back..." Carlos comments, a
Mr.X The Price of Desire
I stare at Suarez for a long time. My urge was to tell him to fire me and that he could stick the house and the two million in that place. However, I held back because it was the only place where I could still get two million with just one call. Well, several calls, as it was very difficult to find someone willing to pay for a million-dollar house, but not impossible. I take a deep breath and then leave Suarez's office straight for my desk. The girls look at me, concerned. Alba approaches my desk and asks: "Dália, are you okay? Do you need anything?""I need to sell a twenty-million house by three o'clock, or I'll lose my apartment," I reply without hesitation. This was no longer the time to hide anything."You just sold a house at that price, crazy," Rúbia comments, pointing to Suarez's office."Suarez sold the house. He told me I won't receive the commission.""What a jerk," Rúbia exclaims, outraged. She looks at the other girls and then says, "Well, let's get to work. Dália, send y
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Mr.X From Now On...
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
Mr.X FINAL
"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
Mr.X Love's Unwavering Pursuit
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
Mr.X Eternal Echoes of X
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
Mr.X Veil of Truth and Desire
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
Mr.X Unraveling Hearts: Tears, Truths, and Choices
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
Mr.X When Secrets Unfold
“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
Mr.X Confessions Beneath the Barcelona Night
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,
Mr.X Unveiling Truths and Facing Deceptions
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
