Chapter 28
It's Friday, and Violeta sits in the middle of a department-wide meeting. Hernán presents upcoming projects and discusses who should handle each one. He occasionally shoots questioning glances at Violeta, who hasn't given him an answer yet, making him a bit nervous. But she doesn't even notice, completely lost in her thoughts.
"Violeta, focus," Teresa whispers after giving her an elbow nudge.
She looks at her friend for a moment, but not even her reprimand can redirect her attention. Violeta feels a strange sensation in her chest that grows heavier and more uncomfortable each day. She had hoped her boss's tempting offer would rekindle the enthusiasm she felt when she first joined the company, but as days pass, Violeta feels the same as before she left for Huesca - empty when it comes to work. None of the projects Hernán mentioned motivate her, and her only theory is that the offer came too late, when she's so burned out that it's impossible to recover anything from the ashes.
Thinking about the company depresses her, and the only way she can ease this mood is by thinking about the bakery, remembering its sweet scents and warm air, the chats with customers, and the tranquility of the place.
Today she woke up excited because she's leaving for the village in the afternoon, and the mere thought of hugging Olga again makes her shiver every time it crosses her mind. She misses her in an almost sickening way, and their daily hour-long phone calls at night don't seem enough to fulfill her need for her.
"You could supervise all the projects, Violeta," Hernán says, addressing her directly.
Violeta doesn't know what he's talking about and doesn't try to hide it. She simply remains silent, facing an increasingly bewildered boss who keeps talking to maintain the meeting's flow.
"What's wrong with you? You're so spaced out," Teresa hisses, leaning close to her.
"I just don't know what I'm doing here."
Violeta shakes her head and sighs with distress. The anxiety will be the end of her. She knows she can't keep dragging this out and needs to give Hernán an answer as soon as possible. Her boss has gone from being a real jerk to the most patient man in all of Madrid.
"To be honest, I don't know what you're doing either."
They look at each other and laugh. Violeta rubs her eyes with her fingers and takes another deep breath, feeling it's getting harder each time.
Hernán finally ends the meeting, and everyone stands up. She feels relief on one hand and more stress on the other. She knows she can leave now, with her small duffel bag loaded in the car. She just needs to get in and drive, and by tonight she'll be sleeping with Olga. But something's holding her back, something that, if left unresolved, will turn her weekend with Olga into sheer agony. Now she knows, she's finally understood, and at last, a satisfied smile appears on her face.
"Go ahead, I'll be right there," she tells Teresa.
Her friend nods, surprised by the change in her expression, and follows the rest of their colleagues.
"Hernán," Violeta intercepts him as he's about to leave. "Can we talk?"
He looks at her very seriously.
"Sure, let's go to my office."
"No need, I'll be brief."