Page 27 of Until You Came Along

“…”

Since he had started talking, I had been making all kinds of gestures for him not to say what I’d just heard. At that point I gave up and just silently threatened him by making a slicing motion across my neck to indicate I was going to slit his throat.

“Delfina is making gestures that she’s going to murder me because she didn’t want me to ask you. She thinks she shouldn’t come with me because it’s a family matter, that’s why I called you to clear things up.”

“…”

“Perfect, Mom, see you tomorrow. Goodbye.”

“…”

He ended the call and I was shooting daggers with my eyes. The Darwich brothers had been destroying my good mood these past few days.

“How could you ask your mother that and tell her I was here?! It’s obvious that out of politeness she couldn’t say no!” I exclaimed.

“My mother doesn’t beat around the bush. If she thought it wasn’t appropriate for you to come, she would have told me. In fact, she was delighted about your visit. I assure you she really liked you.”

“I’m going to kill you!”

“Yes, you made that clear, but now you can’t refuse because my mother is expecting you.”

“You’re such a cheater!”

“I don’t think so. I’m charming. Tomorrow I’ll pick you up at seven thirty because I agreed to arrive around eight, and we’re staying for dinner,” he clarified, without any remorse whatsoever.

“And how should I dress?” I asked, desperate, because I started thinking his family might be the type that dresses formally just to sit down for dinner in their own home.

“However you want,” he replied, shrugging his shoulders carelessly.

“That doesn’t help me at all. What are you going to wear? At least give me that information,” I asked, so we wouldn’t clash.

“I suppose I’ll wear pants and a shirt.”

“Okay, that’s helpful.”

“Perfect. Cheers!” he said, raising his wine glass.

“Cheers! I’ll drink because the wine is delicious, but I feel like throwing it in your face,” I stated.

Baco let out a hearty laugh as he always did when something amused him.

We said goodbye after midnight. After he left, I went to the bathroom and then straight to bed.

???

At seven thirty I was ready to go to dinner at Catalina’s house. I had decided on a light-colored dress with embroidered flowers and a pencil silhouette, sleeveless with a length above the knees. It was an elegant but modern dress with a sensual silhouette that made me look slender and refined. I paired it with red high-heeled sandals, left my hair straight and loose, and applied natural makeup that highlighted my eyes.

At the appointed time, Baco was knocking at my door.

“You look beautiful!” he exclaimed.

“Thank you so much! You look very elegant yourself.”

My friend was wearing black dress pants and a white shirt. He looked attractive and elegant. When I saw him, I was grateful for having chosen that outfit because with the explanations he had given me, I could have worn jeans. While we were on our way to Catalina’s house, Baco talked carelessly, showing that the conversation he was going to have with his mother didn’t affect him at all, whereas I was a bundle of nerves. Baco had told me that only his mother would be there, which gave me some peace of mind, but I still felt like I was getting involved in something that wasn’t my business. We arrived at the house, which was located in a residential neighborhood. It was a modern and elegant house, though not as large as his older brother’s. Baco rang the bell without getting out of the car, and the gates began to open. As soon as we entered the property, I spotted hismother standing at the door. She was elegantly dressed in a dark blue short-sleeved dress that hugged her figure. That day she wore her hair loose and straight, falling just above her shoulders.

“My dears, how wonderful to see you again,” she greeted us as she approached.

“Hello, Mom,” Baco greeted, giving her a kiss on the cheek.