Page 71 of Until You Came Along

“You’re very funny. Let’s have breakfast, I’m starving.”

He pulled me toward the corridor where he had appeared from and we ended up entering a large American-style kitchen. Inside was a woman in her sixties who was arranging everything on the table set for breakfast.

“Good morning,” I greeted as soon as I saw her.

Felicia looked up at me and a big, genuine smile appeared on her face.

“Good morning, miss.”

“Felicia, this is Delfina Darner, my girlfriend,” Hermes said, and I nearly tripped and ended up on top of poor Felicia.

Did I hear correctly? Did he introduce me as his girlfriend?I questioned myself, surprised.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, miss. I’m delighted to make your acquaintance.”

“Thank you, Felicia, the pleasure is mine.”

Hermes pulled out a chair for me to sit down and then sat down himself. Felicia immediately approached me.

“What can I get you? There’s coffee, milk, tea.”

“Coffee with a splash of milk is fine, thank you.”

“Just coffee for me, thank you,” said Hermes.

Felicia served us and then withdrew.

“Today I have a meeting at seven in the evening so I suppose it’s better if I go straight to your apartment,” he commented, while spreading jam on a piece of toast.

I looked at him while drinking from my cup. I was flattered that he wanted to spend time with me, but I had arranged to have dinner with Serafina and I didn’t want to neglect my friends. Besides, everything was moving too fast and Hermes was too demanding. I wasn’t complaining because being with him was wonderful, but I wasn’t sure if we were doing the right thing by seeing each other every day. I had never experienced anything like this and I was confused.

“Hermes, I made plans with Serafina today, we’re having dinner together,” I informed him.

He looked up and stared at me seriously.

“I’ll pick you up after dinner with your friend,” he stated, and bit into his toast.

“I don’t know what time we’ll finish because when we get together we catch up on each other’s lives, and many times we end up sleeping over at one of our places.”

“But now that you’re in a relationship, that has to change,” he stated with certainty.

“And why should it change? Serafina is like a sister to me and we share many things, plus I also have other friends whom I see regularly and I’m not going to stop doing that.”

“Like that Paul guy, who slept in your apartment.”

“Exactly.”

“That won’t happen anymore,” he stated, biting into his toast forcefully, as if he wanted to take his frustration out on it.

“I can understand that you don’t want my friends staying over, but I don’t agree with not meeting up with them. I told you I would try to be understanding, but with Serafina it’s different. We grew up together, she’s like family to me, she’s always by my side.”

“Delfina, I told you this is complicated for me. Please don’t make it harder. Let’s take these issues slowly. I have no problem with you going out with your friend, but when you decide your get-together is over, let me know and I’ll pick you up.”

I sighed. This wasn’t going to be easy. I wanted to understand him, to put myself in his shoes, but it was difficult. I tried not to argue and, for this time, I accepted defeat, but I was convinced I would keep fighting. I might have lost this battle, but I intended to win the war.

“Fine, Hermes. I’ll let you know when we’re done, but there’s no need for you to pick me up. I have my car.”

“I’ll pick you up,” he decided, once again giving me no other option.