Page 17 of Until You Came Along

“I don’t agree with that. Why do you say so?” I asked, surprised by his comment.

“I know him, and I assure you it was like that. What I’m not clear about are his motives.”

“If it was as you say, it was probably due to the discomfort he felt seeing you with me. I don’t think he likes us being friends.”

“I agree with that, but I think for different reasons than you imagine. Anyway… we’ll see. See you tomorrow, beautiful.”

“See you tomorrow, Baco.”

I closed the door and the first thing I did was take off my sandals and dress. In the bathroom, I removed my makeup, brushed my teeth, and put on a light nightgown. When I got to the bedroom, I collapsed on the bed, truly exhausted. Sleep overcame me immediately, but hypnotic green eyes accompanied me from my dreams throughout the night.

I was awakened by the sound of my phone. I was so deeply asleep that, at first, I couldn’t tell if it was the phone, the doorbell, or someone making noise. When it stopped ringing,I was grateful and decided to sleep a bit longer, but at that moment the torture of the ringtone began again.

“Hello,” I answered, and was conscious of my voice from beyond the grave.

“Delfi, you have to tell me how it went last night!” Serafina shouted.

“Seri, I swear right now I can’t even remember my own name. Let me sleep a little more and I’ll call you in the afternoon or we can meet up,” I suggested, still with my eyes closed.

“Alright, bad friend! You leave me in suspense and you know how anxious I am.”

“Goodbye, Seri,” I said goodbye and ended the call.

I put the phone back on the nightstand and rested my head on the pillow, convinced I was going to try to sleep a couple more hours. The phone’s ringtone began drilling into my ears again, and I was sure it would continue until I answered because I was certain it was Serafina.

I’m going to murder my friend, slowly and painfully!, I told myself.

“We agreed I’d call you in the afternoon! For the love of God, let me sleep a little longer!” I exclaimed as soon as I answered.

My friend was silent for a few seconds, and I thought my reaction had truly offended her. Just as I was about to apologize, a serious and authoritative voice that was already familiar to me completely woke me up.

“I don’t recall us agreeing to that.”

“Who is this?” I asked, to make sure my ears weren’t deceiving me, and I sat up in bed as if propelled by a spring.

“Hermes Darwich,” was his curt response.

It took me a few minutes to calm down enough to be able to speak again.

“Mr. Darwich, what can I do for you?”

“I need you to answer something for me.”

“And I need you to tell me how you got my number.”

“I stated my need before you did, so you should answer first.”

“I'm listening,” I said, shaking my head, this man drove me crazy.

“Why don't you enjoy my company?” he asked, without abandoning his authoritative tone.

“What?” I asked, surprised by the question.

“Is that the only thing you know how to answer when someone asks you a question?”

“Mr. Darwich, I don't understand your question and…”

“Yesterday you said you enjoyed the company of almost all members of my family, and since there are only three of us and it's obvious you get along very well with two of them, I must conclude that it's my presence that bothers or bores you.”