Page 63 of Until You Came Along

“I’ll bring it right away. Regarding the formality, you’re a very nice young woman and I appreciate you a lot, but I prefer to maintain the formal treatment because you’re my superior. I wouldn’t feel comfortable any other way,” she replied.

“You know it wouldn’t bother me.”

“I know, it’s not about you, it’s about me.”

“That’s fine, Julia, whatever makes you feel more comfortable,” I accepted, respecting her decision.

Julia was a 55-year-old woman, blonde with brown eyes and very pretty. She was tall and slim and always wore black suit jackets and skirts that made her look very elegant. Julia left the office, closing the door behind her, and I immediately picked up the card. I imagined the flowers were from Hermes, but I was uncertain about what the message might say.

“I hope you like them. I wanted to surprise you. Sorry I had to leave and couldn’t have breakfast with you. H.”

It was a short but affectionate message, especially coming from someone whom, until recently, I had considered arrogant and cold. Thinking about his passion made me blush—he was anything but cold, at least in bed. We would see if outside the bedroom he would start behaving more considerately and less bossy. At that moment, the story he had confessed about the betrayal he had experienced also came to mind, and I imagined his pain must have been immense. It wasn’t just the betrayal of the woman he loved and was going to marry, but also that of his best friend. Now I understood his behavior and way of thinking a little better, though I hoped he could open his heart and trust me. I picked up my phone to send him a message thanking him; I didn’t want to call because I remembered he would be in a meeting.

“Thank you for the roses, they’re very beautiful. You really surprised me”

I also took the opportunity to send a message to Baco. I wanted to meet with him and update him on the changes in my relationship with his brother.

“Good morning! I’m inviting you to lunch today. Can you make it?”

His response came quickly:

“I never turn down an invitation from a beautiful woman. What time and where?”

That was a typical response from him that made me smile. I replied:

“How about 1 PM at the Italian restaurant we went to the other day?”

His response:

“I’ll be there”

As I was turning on my computer, Julia came in with my coffee.

“Julia, I’m going out for lunch today. I’ll probably be gone for two hours, but you can call me if necessary, no problem.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. I left the report from accounting on your desk for your approval.”

“Thank you.”

Julia left and I started answering some work emails. Just then, I received a message from Hermes.

“I’m in a meeting so I can’t call. I’m glad you liked them”

I didn’t respond because I didn’t want to disturb him. I began working while drinking my coffee, first answering emails and then focusing on the spreadsheets I needed to review. When I checked the time, I was surprised to see it was already noon. The restaurant was only ten minutes away, so I could continue working a bit longer. The intercom buzzed and Julia informed me that one of our most important clients was calling. I took the call and spoke for twenty minutes. We discussed business, but he also extended an invitation to his company’s New Year’s Eve party that Friday. Since I would be representing my company, these were events I couldn’t miss. While I was talking with him, my cell phone rang a couple of times, but I couldn’t answer—both calls were from Hermes. When I finished my conversationwith the client, Julia informed me that Hermes Darwich had called and asked me to call him back as soon as possible.

“Oh my God! Doesn’t this man know how to handle anxiety?!” I asked myself out loud.

I checked the time and it was already twelve-thirty. I picked up the phone and called him.

“Hello,” he greeted.

“Hi, Hermes. My secretary told me you needed to talk to me.”

“Why are you going to lunch with Baco? He left the office because you invited him to lunch,” he complained.

“That’s true. I called him to invite him because I want to talk to him and tell him about us. Baco is my friend and I don’t want to hide anything from him. Besides, why couldn’t I?” I asked, both surprised and annoyed by his complaint.

“I was simply surprised that you invited him and not me,” he explained.