Page 89 of Until You Came Along

“I’m fine, thank you.”

“You look very pale,” he insisted.

“It’s just very hot in here and the air is a bit stuffy, don’t you think?” I said, trying to hide how distressed I was.

“I agree. Would you like to go outside for some fresh air? This hotel has spectacular gardens and I’m sure there must be benches where we can sit for a while.”

“Don’t you mind stopping dancing?” I asked, because it had been obvious that he was very eager to dance.

“I much prefer the idea of talking with you,” he stated, looking at me seriously, and that put my senses on alert, as the last thing I wanted was to give him the impression I was flirting with him.

“Don’t worry, I’ll just go sit at the table for a while and have something cool to drink. You stay and dance, there’s no reason for you to stop having fun.”

Mino looked at me and smiled.

“I don’t feel like dancing alone. I’ll join you.”

We started walking toward the table, and I was grateful that Hermes was no longer there, but as I was approaching, I bumped into a hard chest that blocked my path. I looked up and found his wonderful green eyes staring at me intently.

“Excuse me,” was all I could say, and I tried to go around him to keep walking, but his hand gripped my arm, preventing me from doing so.

“I don’t excuse you,” he stated.

I looked at him with a mixture of fury and anguish and pulled my arm to free myself from his grip.

“That’s your problem,” I said, and continued walking.

When I reached the table, I tried to calm myself down, but I realized my whole body was trembling and I felt a tightness in my chest. The night was becoming more difficult to bear with each passing second. I couldn’t stay in that condition; I couldn’t remain there knowing he was with another woman and, moreover, he seemed intent on torturing me. That man was diabolical.

“I’m going to leave because I’m really very tired and I’ve started to get a terrible headache. It was nice seeing you all,” I said, as I approached everyone to say goodbye.

They tried to convince me to stay a little longer, but with the best smile I could fake, I stood firm and left there as quickly as my legs would allow. While waiting for them to bring my car, my body trembled uncontrollably. It was a warm night, but I was trembling with rage, trembling with indignation, and from the effort it took to hold back my tears. When they parked my car in front of me, I walked around it and got in right away, but just as I was about to start the engine, the passenger door opened andHermes sat down next to me. This couldn’t be happening; that man was determined to make my life a living hell.

Chapter 8

“Forgiveness says you have another chance to begin again”

—Desmond Tutu

—Get out of my car right now!” I shouted, looking at him with all the rage I felt.

“I’m not leaving, we need to talk,” he said, turning, leaning his back against the door and looking at me seriously.

“We have nothing to talk about! Go talk to your little girlfriend and leave me alone! Get out of my car,” I demanded.

“I already told you I won’t do it. If you want, start the car and let’s go, but I’m going to talk to you even if it’s the last thing I do,” he affirmed.

“Fine! Stay in the car!” I exclaimed, and opened the door to get out, but his arms wrapped around me and pulled me back to sit in the driver’s seat.

“Delfina, I’m just asking for a few minutes, just that. Let’s go somewhere else, we’re giving a free show here,” he said, looking outside where the parking attendants were watching us without trying to hide it.

“You don’t deserve even a second of my time, so my answer is no,” I stated, furiously.

“You’re right, I don’t deserve it, but I’m asking you, I’m begging you to give me a few minutes. It’s important that I tell you something, and if after hearing it you don’t want to see me anymore, I promise I’ll never bother you again. Please,” he pleaded.

I observed him carefully and noticed a change. Something had changed in his face; he wasn’t the Hermes I had known. This one didn’t seem like the person who bulldozed through life; it seemed like life had bulldozed through him.

“It’s important for whom? Nothing you have to say is important to me. I don’t want to talk to you, I don’t want to see you, I want you out of my world once and for all. All you’ve done is mock me, you’ve hurt me, you’re cruel, you’re...” and I couldn’t continue because the tears I had been holding back since I saw him burst forth with all their force, and I began to cry uncontrollably.