Page 26

“Where are you going?” Bia asks, almost scaring me to death as I walk down the hall.

“I was going to borrow your car. Mine is out of gas, and I want to buy ice cream.”

“Too excited?”

I nod my head.

“You can take it, but first listen to what I have to say. I just spoke to my detective friend and . . .”

“I thought you said he was an ex-boyfriend.”

“If I tell you what I really call him, you won’t like it. I’m afraid you’ll faint.”

Despite all the craziness that’s been going on these last few days, I start to laugh because Bia’s mouth is as foul as a sailor’s, even though she looks like a Victorian-era lady. “Speak. I think I’ve already given a lot of evidence that I’m a big girl. I can take a swearword or two.”

“Fuck buddy.”

“Oh Jesus!”

“I warned you.”

“And what would that be?”

“The relationship is strong enough for me to consider him a friend but not strong enough for me to want him as a boyfriend. He is a good guy. I like men who break the rules.”

“Is an outlaw your dream?”

“Who knows? I’ve never tried one. But I’m not going to lie and pretend it doesn’t turn me on having wilder sex.”

“Too much information, miss,” I say, covering my ears. “Now tell me about what your friend said.” I still haven’t said anything to her about my meeting with Christos tomorrow. I’m going to need some courage before I make any confessions.

“He said that by tomorrow, he’ll be able to access what we need and that it’s common for very wealthy people to make a confidential agreement on the amount of the compensation when involved in civil lawsuits. But it doesn’t make much sense to demand such a clause if the amount is insignificant, as Ernestine told you. Besides, he did a cursory search and found no criminal charges against Lykaios. Usually, in such cases, both run together.”

“I don’t know if I understand.”

“Which part?”

“The one about the amount he paid.”

“He explained that, usually, when confidentiality is required in a legal deal, the amount is astronomical.”

“It’s not possible, Bia. I was a kid, but I was well-aware that there were essential things missing in that house. When my birth mother was still alive, we weren’t even close to rich, but there were fruit and cookies for me. At Ernestine’s house, it was borderline poverty. She controlled every spoonful of rice we ate.”

“What if she spent the money?”

“But you said it would have been an astronomical amount.”

“Yes, but even high amounts, if mismanaged, can go away. There are many cases of people who win the lottery and then end up in poverty.”

“That’s true. I even watched a documentary once about the ex-rich.”

“Well, it’s all speculation for now, but we’ll find out, . I promise.”

I approach and hug her. “You are the best friend I could wish for.”

“I’m more of a mother, aren’t I? Because of my age. ”

“Well, I’m going to pray that I’ll look as beautiful as you do at forty-five.”

She smiles awkwardly. Like me, she doesn’t know how to handle compliments very well. “Did you mention going for ice cream?” She suddenly changes the subject.

“Yes, I will allow myself that luxury. After everything that happened today, I can go off the diet.”

I starve, literally, to keep myself within the measures of the contracts I sign, but every now and then I allow myself to cheat, even though I know that tomorrow I’ll probably have to run ten kilometers to make up for it.

“Do you think you’ll be able to stay in this life for a long time? I mean, currently, your modeling career is very promising, and you can model and photograph until you are almost my age. The fashion industry has finally understood that the modern woman has the money to pay her own bills by her thirties, not at the age of twelve.”

“I don’t think I can. It was never what I wanted for myself. I intended to stay for a couple of years, just to fulfill the promise I made to Pauline.”

“And you did it right because, with the contract you’ve just signed with Lykaios, you’ve just become the fifth best-paid top model. Not to belittle you, but he didn’t have to offer so much. It should take you at least another three years to reach that status. This man has feelings for you, .”

“I want to be wrong so bad about Pauline, Bia. When I saw him today, it was like we had never been apart.”

“I want you to be, too, but please take it easy. I’ll always be cheering for your happiness, but this time, you could stand to slow down a little. Your rendezvous in the past, from what you told me, was explosive.”

I look at her, not knowing how to answer. Of course, I think she’s right, but slowing down is a fool’s dream if you consider what happens when Christos and I are close.

“We’ll get this story about your friend’s accident straightened out. I have faith in God, but now tell me, what flavor of ice cream are you going to buy?”

“Don’t you want to come with me? ”

“Forgive me, but no. I’m tired, but I’d like an ice cream,” she says, winking.

“Lazy. Lucky for you, I like you enough to share my goodies.”

It takes me longer than I intended at the supermarket because apparently, everyone decided to go shopping at eleven o’clock at night.

If it were in another neighborhood, I wouldn’t leave the house alone at this hour, but it’s pretty quiet here. Besides, dressed as a boy, as Bia calls my sweatpants three sizes too big, baggy coat, and hair hidden by the hood and sneakers, no one would believe it was me.

Oh, and following my mother’s recommendation, I decided to come wearing a mask. I felt ridiculous when I left the house. But to my surprise, when I arrived at the supermarket, the clerk was not only wearing one but also explaining to me that the governor would make it mandatory starting next Saturday. Then, as I went down the aisles, I saw several people were masked, too.

That’s insane! I need to read more carefully about this virus. My life is so busy that I’m usually exhausted when I have time off. People think modeling is super easy, but no one has any idea what it’s like to stand for ten or twelve hours to shoot a commercial in the freezing cold wearing a tiny bikini.

I pass a refrigerator and smile when I see my reflection in it.

In my profession, I can never neglect my appearance because paparazzi may appear at any time. But Bia told me that I was right to go undercover because it would help hide my bruised face.

So, as I scour the fridges for the flavor I want—strawberry with chocolate chips—I feel like a secret agent.

Of course, there’s only one tub of my favorite flavor, and the lid is halfway open.

Ew.

Damn, I’ll have to choose another one. God knows if some crazy person did something to the ice cream and made it filthy. There is no way I have the guts to eat something without it being sealed.

“May I help you?” an employee asks.

I don’t look at him, afraid he’ll recognize me, but then I start laughing behind the mask. How could he?

“I wanted the strawberry one with chocolate chips, but the only tub here is open.”

“Oh, the kids around here! They’ve been coming here to do that lately. But if you’re not in a hurry, I can go inside and check if I can find more.”

“Would you do that for me?”

“Certainly. Strawberry with chocolate chips is the best flavor.”

“Isn’t it? And I’ve been wanting to eat it for over a month now.”

“Wait a minute, sweetheart; I’ll see if I can find any.”