CHAPTER 8

Leonel began to feel sick.

Sitting in his assigned chair at the celebration, he felt trapped inside himself, as if he were a very heavy, archaic, out-of-sea diving suit. He couldn't focus on anything, nor could he hear with precision the words of the hosts who were joining the stage, who were explaining the functions of that building.

He could not take his eyes off Sofia, from whom he moved away thanks to the protocol, now having her on his left, quite a few seats away, sitting there, among the people, looking at him as well.

He averted her eyes when he felt a sudden dizziness; he had to inhale and exhale, take deep breaths in an attempt to calm the array of things he felt. He had never imagined seeing her again, never thought would meet her in the United States, let alone that the surprise would sting.

She seemed to be smiling and that was worse. «What are you doing here? Since when are you in the country? What are you doing here?!» he reiterated to himself, breathing harder, try