Page 41 of Until You Came Along

“Delfina, don’t you dare grab that phone. Come eat something and then you can check who called you,” she demanded, adding: “although you don’t need to be a genius to figure it out.”

“You’re right, I’ll look at it later. Thank you for everything you prepared.”

“Better sit down and eat.”

While we ate, she told me that nothing had happened with Nicolás because, even though she had found him physically attractive, they hadn’t connected, so she decided to go home early. She also told me that after I let her know I was leaving, Gaspar went over to talk to Nicolás, and it seemed like he had also left the place.

“Well, now that you’ve eaten, you can go get your phone.”

“I’m surrounded by bossy people.”

“Don’t compare me to them. In my case, I do it because I care about you,” she said, looking at me seriously.

When I picked up the phone, I couldn’t believe all the missed calls I had. Hermes had been calling me all day; I had fifteen missed calls and a couple of messages from him.

Messages:

“Why did you leave? Did you get home safely?”

A little while later:

“I’m worried, tell me if you’re okay”

“Delfi, call him, he really seems worried,” my friend suggested.

“Yes, I think it would be better if I...”

At that moment, the phone rang again. It was Hermes once more.

“That won’t be necessary,” my friend said. “Go talk in my bedroom so you can have some privacy.”

“Hello,” I answered, while heading to the bedroom.

“Are you okay? Where are you?” he asked in a worried tone.

“I’m fine, why do you ask?”

“You left in the middle of the night and alone! Since you weren’t answering your phone, I went to your apartment. You weren’t there, and neither was your car, which really worried me a lot. Why weren’t you answering your phone?” he demanded, his voice rising as he spoke.

“I’m at a friend’s house.”

“Why weren’t you answering?” he repeated, but more calmly.

“Because I fell asleep. I’ve been sleeping since ten this morning.”

“Are you feeling well?” he sounded worried again.

“I was just tired.”

“Do you have an answer for me?”

“Let’s talk tomorrow, okay?” I responded, with heaviness in my voice.

“Have you already decided?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Okay, I’ll wait for your call.”