Page 48 of Until You Came Along

I was awakened by a knocking on my bedroom door.

“Delfi, it's me,” my friend said.

I sat up in bed, rubbed my eyes a bit to shake off the drowsiness, and stretched my arms upward.

“Come in, Paul.”

“Sorry to wake you, but we have a problem because there's no coffee, and I know you're like me and don't function until you've had a cup of coffee.”

“Oh no, that's right! I forgot to buy some. I'll get up and go buy some.”

“Don't worry, I'll go out and buy it, plus it's still raining and I don't want you to get wet. It's the least I can do after commandeering your couch all night,” he affirmed.

“You don't mind?”

“Not at all, just tell me which coffee you buy.”

“Thank you, Paul. There's a store one block away that sells organic products, and the saleswoman already knows the blend of beans I get. Just tell her it's for Delfina and she'll prepare it for you.”

“Perfect, I'll go there,” he said, turning and leaving my bedroom.

“Thanks, Paul. I'll start preparing everything else. Take the keys with you.”

“Don't prepare anything because I'm also bringing something tasty to go with it. This rainy day has opened my appetite,” he shouted from the living room.

“You're an angel!”

I heard the door open and close, and I got up to take a quick shower and be ready before he returned. I put on a summery dress with thin straps and went to prepare everything needed for breakfast with Paul. Twenty minutes had passed when I heard the key in the door, but immediately a familiar deep voice left me paralyzed.

“Who are you and what are you doing coming in here?” Hermes's voice thundered.

“Are you talking to me?” Paul asked.

“Do you see anyone else I could be talking to?” he asked in a disdainful tone.

Paul was 28 years old, a tall and athletic guy who normally didn't let anyone intimidate him, and although I knew that Hermes Darwich was imposing with his presence, I didn't think Paul would feel intimidated by him.

“And you are?” Paul asked.

“I'm the one asking the questions here,” he responded with his typical arrogance.

“Look, I don't know who you are, but I don't see any reason why I should explain myself to you,” he replied.

At that moment I heard another familiar voice.

“Hermes, you got the wrong apartment again. Mine is this one,” Baco shouted, laughing.

Despite the nervousness I felt about Hermes's attitude, I smiled at my friend's comment because I imagined that, now that he knew what had happened between us, he must be thoroughly enjoying this.

“Your boyfriend is calling you,” Paul said, and I heard the door close.

I had to hold back a laugh because I imagined Hermes's face when he heard that. Paul came into the kitchen and looked at me, and seeing me laugh, he couldn't help but join in.

“You have some peculiar neighbors,” he said, while taking out the coffee and starting to prepare it. “Did you hear how that guy spoke to me?”

“I could hear it. Don't worry, he talks like that to everyone,” I replied, still smiling.

“Someone should knock him off the pedestal he thinks he's on. But anyway, let's forget about the couple next door and have breakfast because I'm starving,” he said, while taking out the packages he had bought.