Page 18 of Stronger Than Fate

“Mr. Woollardy was here asking for you,” she said, and quickly glanced at the other receptionist with a silly little smile. With that gesture alone, I imagined the man had dazzled them with his beauty. “We informed him you weren't in the hotel, but he didn't seem to believe us because he kept insisting. He waited in the lobby sofas for quite a while, but he left about fifteen minutes ago. He didn't ask us to let you know he needed to speak with you.”

Wouldn't that man leave me in peace? I had arrived so calm and relaxed, and he had already managed to rattle my nerves again!

“Thank you, Anne,” I responded, trying not to appear surprised.

The girl looked at me and nodded, but I could tell they were looking at me with something close to envy, probably thinking I had some kind of relationship with that sexy, arrogant man who had evidently left them drooling.

I arrived at the suite hungry, but the day was so lovely that I decided to change clothes and go out for lunch. I put on jeans, a white tank top, and sandals. I grabbed my purse and left. I felt like walking along the promenade. After walking for quite a while, I entered a restaurant and sat in a prime spot with views of Montevideo's spectacular promenade. I was waiting for my meal when my phone rang. It was Henry again, though I hadn't saved his number, it was the same one that had called me in the morning.

I should save it as "Do Not Answer,"I thought.

“What now?” I asked as soon as I answered the call.

“I see you at least know who I am now.”

“I see you're determined to keep bothering me.”

“Where are you? This is the second time today I've come to your hotel to talk to you and can't find you. Could it be that you're avoiding me?”

“Don't think you're that important. I'm not at the hotel,” I replied.

“Where are you?”

“That's none of your business, and besides, why do you think you have the right to ask?”

“Are you with someone?”

“What do you want, Henry?”

“I'm picking you up at eight tonight and we're going to dinner,” he stated, with his characteristic commanding tone as if his word was an indisputable order.

“Impossible, I already have plans.”

“Cancel them.”

“Goodbye, Henry. And stop calling me because you're going to force me to block your number.”

“Eight o'clock tonight,” he stated again, and hung up.

I stared at the phone in disbelief at what I'd just heard. Did this man even listen when people talked to him? And although I didn't want to admit it, the worst part was that every time I spoke with him, an irrational happiness invaded me. God help me!

Later, Niky created a WhatsApp group that she named “The 3 Musketeers” in which, obviously, the members were her, Sol, and me. I laughed when I received the notification.

First message from Niky to the group:

“Tonight we're going to light up the dance floor at 'Hot Dance' Club”

»

Sol:

“And don't forget this:»

Me:

“I'll be there. What time?”

Niky: