Page 29 of Until You Came Along

“Where to?” asked “Mr. Congeniality,” leaving us all looking at him in disbelief.

“Excuse me?” Baco inquired.

I watched them and all I wanted was to get out of there as soon as possible. I noticed that Catalina was observing her older son with surprise, but she also seemed pleased.

What's going on here?, I wondered.

“I asked where are you going? Because if you’re leaving because I arrived, you can stay and I’ll be the one to leave. I’m probably the one who’s unwelcome at this table.”

“Hermes!” his mother shouted.

“Look, brother, I don’t know what’s been going on with you lately, but we have nothing to do with it. No one is unwelcome here and we’re not leaving because you arrived. We’re leavingbecause Delfina and I have to get up early tomorrow,” Baco explained.

Whaaaat? Has he lost his mind? Why did he say that?

“Have to? Do you sleep together?” he asked cynically, looking at me as if he wanted to murder me.

“Hermes! That’s enough!” his mother exclaimed.

By this point we were all standing around the table, so Baco, without answering his brother’s question, approached his mother and said goodbye with a kiss on her cheek. Then he came to my side and took my hand.

“Shall we go?” he asked, and began to pull me along.

“Wait, I need to say goodbye to your mother.”

“I’ll wait outside,” he said, and before leaving added, “Goodbye, Hermes.”

I approached Catalina and said goodbye with a kiss, while feeling Hermes’ gaze following my every move.

“Thank you for everything, the dinner was exquisite.”

“I apologize for this moment, I don’t know what’s wrong with my eldest son,” she whispered in my ear.

“Don’t worry, it’s not a problem,” I whispered back.

“I hope to see you soon,” Catalina said warmly, and I nodded.

“Good night,” I said, looking at him seriously before walking toward the exit.

“I’ll accompany you,” he stated, surprising both Catalina and me.

In one stride he was by my side, but I had no intention of giving him even a single glance. As soon as we crossed thedoorway of the room and were out of his mother’s sight, he grabbed my arm and made me turn to look him in the eyes.

“What game are you playing? You told me you and Baco were just friends. You’re a vile liar! I should have known, you’re all the same. You were probably investigating our bank accounts and analyzing which brother would be more beneficial…”

The slap echoed throughout the house and I assumed his mother must have heard it too, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t going to let that man disrespect me. I had never hit anyone before and it didn’t make me feel good, but I couldn’t contain myself.

“Don’t disrespect me! I don’t know what kind of women you usually associate with, but I don’t lie or play games with people. You are a complete imbecile!”

Hermes stared at me wide-eyed, rubbing the cheek where my hand had made impact. Without saying anything else, I turned and continued walking toward the exit. I had to get out of there because the air had become unbreathable. Once in the garden, I realized my legs were shaking so badly they might give out at any moment. I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself. I grabbed the stair railing and began to descend the steps very slowly. Baco was already in the car watching me. I opened the door and collapsed into the seat. My hand was burning, but I was glad to know his perfect face must be feeling worse.

“Everything okay?” he asked.

“I won’t deny the situation was a bit uncomfortable, but it’s over now,” I confessed.

“I apologize for that. My brother has less tact than an orangutan, but today he broke his own record. I don’t know what’s wrong with him,” he commented while starting the car.

“It’s fine. With everything you’ve told me about him, I can’t say I’m surprised.”