"Doctor Carter, I know what I'm talking about, so I urge you to be careful." I frowned as I listened to him. "most of the people who attended the event are corrupt. All this time I kept close just to protect myself, after all, the saying "keep your friends close, and your enemies even closer" is totally true. "I nodded slowly. The strange phone calls I had been receiving hit me hard, and I began to connect the dots. I needed to fix this before it got any worse. "Don't worry, Mr. Feldman. I will be cautious. I want you to focus on the day of the party and write down everything you can remember, every detail of every individual. What they did, what they said, everything. I'll be back in two weeks to collect the receipts and your notes, okay?""Okay. Thank you very much." we get up and shake hands."Let's go get whoever did this," I said firmly. "See you later, Mr. Feldman.""See you. " he replied and I gave a brief nod, passing the guards and walking out the door of the house. I ran
I got out of the car and decided not to go into the house. I went straight to the garden, the only place I could calm myself down. I grabbed a pack of cigarettes, took one out of it and lit it. I took a long drag as I walked among the plants, and the scene I saw when I reached my destination was almost like a rush, if it wasn't for the presence of my dog. Just as a few days ago, Helena was sitting on the bench. This time, she was hugging her legs that were curled up close to her body and her head rested on her knees. She didn't look well. I approached, drawing the attention of Benedict, who raised his head to look at me. The girl followed the gaze of the dog beside her and stopped at me, her vacant expression staring at me for a few seconds as I approached, then quickly looked forward again. Bento got down from the bench and lay there on the floor, leaving the place next to Helena empty. I sat there and she didn't even move.Silence.I took another drag on my cigarette, releasing
Friday, what a wonderful day. Even more wonderful was the fact that I would not have to go to work tomorrow, as it would be my day off since Mr. Jordan, the owner of the store, would be testing the new assistant he had hired to help me with my chores. I was more sleep-dead than usual and I knew exactly why: I had stayed up late talking to John the night before. Talking to him as if we were good friends surprised me, I never would have imagined that conversation would flow so naturally when talking to someone, especially when that someone is always so closed off. During the whole day I felt idiotically happy and I abhorred myself for it, I abhorred these feelings that never completely go away.As soon as I entered the house, I saw that my mother was folding some clothes and putting them into a small suitcase."Mom, what's all this for?" I asked, seeing some blouses on top of the couch."I'm going on a trip with Miss Kyara, daughter. We'll be leaving soon," she answered, placing the la
"First, check for me if he is warm" I did as I was asked and gently placed my free hand on his forehead."No, Doctor. He's breaking out in a cold sweat, only.""Okay. Now, close the curtain. Keep it dark, all right?" I hurried around the room, closing the curtain that covered the huge window in John's room. I looked at him, who still had his hands on his head and his eyes closed.He grunted again, turning over in his bed, and I felt my heart squeeze."There. Now what?" I questioned, sitting up in the vacant space on the bed, not taking my eyes off the man in front of me. "Take a bag of water or a cloth and soak it in the cold water. Once that's done, put it on his forehead. I'm on my way.""Okay. Thank you, Doctor" I spoke, already walking down the stairs, almost tripping over my own feet.I ended the call and, without the patience to look for the water bag, grabbed a clean cloth from a drawer and soaked it in the cold water. I returned to the room like a hurricane, sat down next to
Well, I should call someone close to John.The problem was that I didn't have anyone's phone number.Did Sophie know Cassie's number? Surely it would be more appropriate if she stayed with him.I picked up my cell phone and dialed my friend's number. A few "tu's" later, she answered."Hi, sweetie!" she said in her typical excited tone."Hi, mi amor! What's up?" "Everything great! And you, how are you? Missing me already?" she asked smugly, and I laughed."Yeah, I need to hear your voice to brighten up my Saturday." Sophie laughed and I continued, "Actually, what I really need to know is if you have Cassie's phone number."Hello? What do you want her phone number for?""John had an extremely bad migraine attack and everyone traveled. I called the condo doctor, who attended to him, but I'm not the best person to be here, you see. I wanted to warn Cassie.""Geez, Lena! But is everything okay?""Yes, it is now.""Unfortunately I don't have her phone number, sorry," her voice sounded ruef
John's POV"What's up?" greeted Bryan, making room for him to enter."Holy shit, you look awful. Are you sure you've improved?" he said, analyzing me in an exaggerated way."Fuck you" I laughed and sat down on the couch, paying attention to some game playing on the TV, and my friend unceremoniously plopped himself down in the chair in front of me, interlacing his hands behind his head in his usual nonchalant manner."Seriously, tell me straight what's gotten into you.""I don't even know. I woke up feeling a little sick and it got worse as I packed my things for the trip.""And how did you handle the meeting your dad told you to go to? Bryan asked and I ran my hands over my face in exhaustion, already anticipating the reaction Mister Henrico would have when he found out I didn't go on the trip."Dude, I sent a lawyer from my office to go in my place.""Being the boss's son has several advantages, my friend," he joked and I nodded with a certain disgust. The truth is that I hated this
"Have they worked it out?""No.""Did you tell her you were bad?" "Neither did I. Fuck you, man. What relevance does that have? Honestly, I don't see much of a future for both of us," I replied tiredly. "Are you going to break up with her?" he questioned startled. "I don't know. Staying in this war is exhausting, I'm tired of arguing. The problem is all this shit, everything to her is a reason to fight.""Good luck with that, my dear. You'll need it. Well, I'll drop by the party Suzi's cat is at, after all, the work won't start by itself." my friend gave a dirty smile and I laughed, nodding."Go on, man. Thanks for coming" I greeted him with a half hug."Relax. Do I say anything to Cassie in case I run into her?""No, leave it alone.""Okay. See you, big John." he said his last goodbye and left. I continued leaning on the balcony, enjoying the balmy evening and trying not to think of any problems - and there were many. I looked to the side and caught sight of the house at the bac
"I'm drying a floor, not running a marathon." Helena frowned in outrage at my response. "I don't think it's appropriate for you to do that.""May I know why?" I questioned critically, already imagining what would come next. "Because... You don't do these things." she explained awkwardly, gesturing toward the cloths and the floor. I frowned, almost offended by her statement."As far as I know, I have hands and all the limbs that enable me to perform any kind of task, Helena. I don't understand your point." I acidly rebutted. She sighed and touched her temples for a few seconds, then looked at me again. "You understood what I meant.""No, I don't. Why don't I do 'those things'? "I insisted. Helena huffed impatiently. "Do you really want me to clarify? I thought just the place you live in already made it implied." She retorted, tipping her head slightly to the side with a smile at the corners of her lips.I remained with a displeased and closed expression."Did you assume a character
I took his drawing out of my bag and the tears that I had held back throughout the day fell stubbornly down my face. I didn't make a point of holding them back. They flowed uninterruptedly with my full permission, as if the fact that I had omitted them worsened the intensity of the silent weeping.I analyzed the illustration, remembering his proud face as he finished his art. Benedict sprang up in front of me and I gave a start, bringing my attention to the German Shepherd sitting with his tail wagging frantically. I saw that the sash was no longer on his paw and smiled at him."Good boy, you have recovered nicely! "I stroked behind his arched ears.An extremely familiar scent invaded my sense of smell and I looked up only to confirm the veracity of such a characteristic aroma. John stopped in front of me and I quickly tried to wipe the traces of weeping from my face that surely gave away my tears. He moved closer and I cut off eye contact, focus
"Hold on, I'll get Trish! "He got up quickly and ran to the woman, who had been pulled by the hands to where I was standing. He spoke excitedly, pointing to the two freshly painted cards."Wow, I think we have a great artist here! Tell us about them. "Trish asked kindly."The first one is a dragon and a knight! " He explained, pointing to each stroke made.I noticed heavy lines and a few other details that caught my attention. I studied it and recognized emotional indicators throughout the figure."The second one I made for her! "He pointed at me and I smiled, surprised by his gesture. "It's a boat on the sea with a sailboat and a bunch of flowers! And it has a rainbow! " He demonstrated excitedly."Thank you so much, Archie! I love the present, I'll keep it in a very special place in my room. "I announced with a warm heart, and the little guy's face lit up." You swear?!""I swear! It's beautiful," I said, t
"Welcome again, Helena. How was your first experience here? We didn't get to talk last week, I'm sorry. I had a meeting and it messed up my schedule. "Magnolia, the director of the shelter, explained, sitting down on the chair behind the desk in her simple living room."I can imagine, don't worry, I loved it, the kids are great! "I said enthusiastically."I'm glad. They have left the class and are finishing their lunch, then they have a play activity*. Trish, our instructor, will tell you more about the whole process. You met her on your first day, didn't you? Any questions?"" No, it's all cleared up. Thank you for your willingness, Magnolia. "I stood up and shook her hand in greeting."Anything you need, you can come to me. "The woman smiled and I reciprocated.I excused myself and left the room, walking to the patio, paying attention to all the rustic details of the orphanage. I spotted a group of children running around in the
" He said, "I'm fucking with his head! " I exclaimed falteringly. The sentence in question was making my mind go round and round endlessly towards nowhere."Wow... "" And there's more! We almost... Well, we made out today. "I said, trying to sound as unassuming as possible, but ended up sounding stammering."My friend practically screamed, and again I had to hold the cell phone away from my ear with a grimace on my face. " Everything we talk about becomes ambiguous, it's like we can't stay close to each other without a weird vibe arising, you know?"" I usually call it sexual tension." Sophie deduced and I laughed, finding the term very fitting to the circumstance."Whatever it is, it's driving us crazy. We only didn't go all the way because, guess what? Bryan showed up. " I said, allowing boredom to take over my sentence."I can't believe it! What was that asshole doing there?"" He went to get something, I didn't qu
"He really knows how to give a welcome. " I commented, laughing at Benedict's indecision as he looked at John and me, not knowing who to play with. " His paw is fine now."" Yes. I'm taking him to the vet before he rips the band off by himself."" I'm surprised that hasn't happened yet. " I said laughing."I'm glad he's spending some of his energy on you. " She spoke with the serene smile that remained after her succession of giggles."And I always end up on the floor. John stood up and took my hands, helping me up. We stared at each other for a few seconds and I decided it was time to go home. "Thanks again for yesterday," I smiled crookedly and he denied it with his head."Not at all. "I stroked Benedict's fur one last time and nodded, seeing the dog and his owner standing side by side looking at me.I turned my back and hurried out of the garage, running through a thunderstorm that did not cease for a moment.The
It was all so unbelievable, I had never even considered the possibility that one day I would be in the situation I was in: confused about getting involved with John beyond what could be considered normal, if you keep in mind the fact that he had always seemed unattainable to me. I didn't know whether to enjoy the moment, or rationalize about the problems that this unusual involvement would bring. I hardly knew if I could risk calling...this involvement.As much as it hurt to admit, Bryan was right. John had just gotten out of a long relationship, and although I did not know what had occurred for the breakup to take place, I knew that getting rid of the fragments of a relationship was not usually that easy. A few minutes later, John reappeared in the room with damp hair, and the unmistakable scent of his perfume wafted into the room before he had even finished coming down the stairs as he shook out his newly wet hair. He raised his eyes and found me staring like a perfect
"I think you'd better... " I began, bewildered." É. I'll get that. "He added visibly stunned, releasing my thighs and helping me down from his lap.The feeling of incompleteness hit me full force and I was thankful that John was still supporting me, for my wobbly legs were not enough to support my trembling body, which was extremely vulnerable to the touch of the man, who was staring at me seriously. I withdrew my hands from the back of his neck and he turned away, walking to the door.I ran my trembling hands over my face with my heart racing to the point that I forced myself to breathe in and out several times in order to calm him at least a little, not believing what was happening. What was about to happen. John pulled the knob and ruffled his hair, greeting the person in front of him and I immediately closed my eyes and wished I didn't hear what I heard at that minute.It couldn't be true.Bryan's voice resonated a
"And what would that context be, John?" I asked, forcing naivety.He finished his cigarette and left it in an ashtray nearby, all in the utmost tranquility. He turned his shameless eyes to my cynically innocent figure and ran them through mine to the point of sparking. A strong gust of wind hit us, and I cringed, though I felt warm inside. John stood up without saying a word and nodded for me to follow him; I did so. He gave me room to pass first, and then walked into the room, closing the window. I was already feeling like a complete jerk for playing his game, but when his presence was felt just behind me, a warning bell sounded that this was not going to be left out in the open like the situations between John and me used to be."I'm not sure I'm good at explaining. "The deep voice sounded too close. His warm breath bumped against my ear and I shuddered. I turned and faced him, who was watching me precisely."I'm good at understan
"Good afternoon. "I replied, totally dull, standing there like a mummy."Are you feeling well?" he asked.I wrinkled my nose and moved uncomfortably, nodding even though I was certain that my face revealed my deplorable state. As I expected, John made an expression of not believing a word I said."You're greener than this plant, Helena. You're greener than that plant, Helena," he said, referring to the fern located near the barbecue grill.He stood up, and I stopped myself from biting my lip at seeing it all revealed like that, just after waking up. His pants were just a few fingers below his waist, leaving the bar of his black underwear showing as if it were an underwear commercial or one of those mindless advertisements for imported perfumes, in which the beautiful people only play the role of embellishing the scene, which, to my mind, made no sense at all."I'm fine," I remembered saying when I saw him a few ste