Chapter 10 #4
“I don’t like him much either,” said Orson, “but I must point out that I think Devon has strong feelings for him. I haven’t seen her this upset in a long time.
And I warn you that as soon as we sit down in the nightclub, you’re going to tell me the details of that encounter,” he clarified, looking at me and pointing his finger at me.
“I’m not going to tell you the details,” I said.
“I think you will.”
“And so do I,” said Sylvia, supporting Orson.
I knew that when those two plotted to get information out of me, they always got what they wanted. That’s what had happened every time I didn’t want to talk about my problems with Lino, but they managed to make me end up telling them everything.
When we got to the nightclub, we sat on some couches a bit away from the dance floor so we could talk more easily.
I detailed our first meeting at the clinic and then his appearance at my apartment.
Orson had all the details about the encounter at the party, so as I was relating it to Sylvia, he also gave his point of view.
When I got to the last encounter, both were so focused on the story that I think they had tuned out even the music and the noise of the place.
“My goodness! You’d been through all that and I knew nothing. How could you not tell me?” Sylvia complained.
“You didn’t tell me about the encounter at your house either, traitor. And I was with you that night and witnessed his approach at the party,” Orson reproached.
“I apologize for not telling you, but I’m still not sure what to do about him. Before seeing him at the restaurant, I was convinced about embarking on the adventure he proposed, but now I’m certain I shouldn’t do it.”
“Why?” asked Orson, while Sylvia looked at me with great attention.
“Because I was naive and thought the adventure he was proposing implied fidelity, but today I realized there will be other people involved and I don’t like that.”
“You say that because you just saw him with another woman?” asked Sylvia.
“Exactly. It’s evident that I misunderstood and I’ll just be one more of his many lovers, and that really doesn’t make me feel good.
I didn’t even like the idea of being lovers much because it seemed to imply a certain secrecy about our relationship, but since I don’t want a formal relationship either, I ended up convinced that I could enjoy sex without commitments.
But from that to continuing to see other people is a huge difference, and I don’t like the latter. ”
“I agree,” said Sylvia. “You can go out with whoever you want, you don’t need to date a guy who, no matter how handsome he is, doesn’t offer you fidelity.”
“I have a question,” said Orson. “Did he tell you or at any point give you the impression that while you were together, you wouldn’t see other people?”
“No, we never talked about that topic, I simply assumed it. I’m aware that he didn’t lie to me, but rather I misunderstood,” I affirmed, because it was clear that I had gotten everything wrong.
“I don’t know him, but from the little I’ve seen, he seems like one of those guys who likes to be with many women and not commit to anyone,” suggested Orson.
“Like you,” said Sylvia, “that’s why you spotted it right away.”
“Could be,” responded Orson, very naturally.
“It’s obvious the guy has a lot of sex appeal, but that doesn’t mean Devon has to be part of his group of lovers,” assured Sylvia.
“And although it may seem strange because I usually behave that way, when it comes to you,” he said, looking at me, “I agree with Sylvia. I’m also aware that I encouraged you to sleep with him, but I was referring to a night of good sex, not a prolonged relationship of lovers without fidelity.
If he wants a relationship with you, then he should offer you something better, he should value the woman you are, otherwise he can go to hell! ”
“Well, it seems we all agree that this man is not good for you,” said Sylvia. “So let’s have fun and forget about this Cavaller guy. That’s his name, right?”
I nodded and Orson stood up.
“First things first. I’ll go get some drinks to cheer us up a bit,” he informed.
“And I’m going to the bathroom,” said Sylvia, also standing up.
“And I’ll stay here waiting for you,” I said.
While waiting, I watched people dancing and having fun, but my mind was determined to remember William with that woman. I shook my head, there was no use in continuing to think about him. But…
“You didn’t call me.”
His voice was so strong that it echoed in my ears. I didn’t need to turn around to know he was behind me and that I would have to face him. Very slowly, I turned and found myself facing him. He was standing next to me, and his posture was defiant and challenging.
“Good evening, Mr. Cavaller.”
“Mr. Cavaller? I see we’re back to last names,” he said, looking at me as if I were slow-witted.
“That’s your name, isn’t it?” I said, in response to his dismissive gesture.
He sat down beside me and continued looking at me seriously.
“Setting aside your way of addressing me, because I think we’ve moved beyond the need for formal treatment, I’ll focus on what really interests me: why didn’t you call me?
” he demanded, in that direct and authoritative way he always used to intimidate, but which didn’t work with me, or at least not at that moment because I was angry.
“I haven’t been able to.”
“You haven’t been able to,” he repeated, “but I see you do have time to go out with other people.”
“And so do you,” I stated, though I regretted it as soon as I said it because it revealed my displeasure.
At that moment Sylvia arrived and stood looking at us, not knowing what to do or say. Cavaller looked at her as if my friend were interrupting an important meeting.
“Good thing you’re back, Sylvia, because I was just about to go look for you.”
“I can come back later,” she said, uncertainly.
“No, not at all. Mr. Cavaller was just leaving,” I said, without even introducing them and knowing I was being rude, but I didn’t care because I was upset.
Cavaller stood up and looked at me with a furrowed brow and that typical haughty look he gave me whenever something wasn’t to his liking.
“Good night,” he said, looking only at Sylvia, and left.
As soon as he turned, I exhaled the air I had been holding and deflated. Sylvia sat down in the place he had been occupying seconds before and looked at me, waiting for an explanation.
“He came to ask me why I hadn’t called him.”
“But that man was with another woman,” she said, putting into words what I myself was thinking.
“Exactly, that’s precisely why I wasn’t very nice to him.
What right does he have to demand that from me when he’s at the same place we are and with someone else?
I don’t know how he has the nerve, he’s such an imbecile,” I said, because I was tired of his attitude, or rather I was so jealous that I couldn’t contain my bad mood.
“I agree with you on that.”
Orson arrived with the drinks and must have noticed the tense atmosphere because he looked at us seriously.
“Who died?” he joked.
“Orson!” I exclaimed.
“What? Your faces look like you’re at a funeral.”
“Devon’s friend was here, the one we saw at the restaurant,” Sylvia informed him.
“He had the nerve to come here? Did he come with the woman he was having dinner with?”
“No, he came alone, but I imagine his companion must be waiting for him. The shameless man wanted to know why I hadn’t called him. Can you believe it?”
“And why are you so upset?” Orson asked.
“What do you think? I’m outraged!”
Orson and Sylvia looked at each other but didn’t say anything.
“I’m going to tell you something, but don’t get upset,” said Sylvia, warning me that what she was about to say wouldn’t please me. “I think you have feelings for this man because I haven’t seen you this upset in a long time and...”
“Don’t talk nonsense!” I interrupted.
“I didn’t finish saying what I want you to hear,” she said, and added, “up close he’s even more imposing, I can understand why you’re dazzled because the man exudes sensuality from every pore, but I get the feeling there’s something more between you two.
He was also looking at you in a strange way, he seemed mesmerized and.
.. possessive. I don’t think even that stupid ex of yours ever looked at you like that. ”
“You’re still talking nonsense.”
“You won’t convince her, Sylvia,” said Orson. “I told her something similar because the night of the gala there were sparks flying between them, they nearly burst into flames, but our dear Devon doesn’t want to admit it.”
“If you keep talking about him, I’m going to get up and leave,” I threatened.
“I told you,” Orson pointed out, looking at our friend.
“I see,” was her only comment.
“Give me that drink,” I said, stretching out my arm to take the glass Orson had brought.
After that tense moment, we danced all night and I didn’t see Cavaller again, nor did my friends mention him, although I couldn’t get him out of my head, especially because I imagined him spending the night with the woman who was accompanying him, and that caused me a discomfort I couldn’t control.
Nevertheless, I made an effort for my friends because we saw each other rarely and I didn’t want to ruin our get-together.
The night was fun, but to erase him from my mind, I drank more than I was used to, ending up with significant dizziness.
“I don’t think I can drive, I drank too much,” I said.
“I’m the same,” said Orson.
“Let’s leave the cars in the parking lot and take a taxi because I can’t drive either. We’ll come back for them tomorrow, this parking lot is secure. Next time we should come without cars,” Sylvia pointed out.
“I agree,” said Orson, and I nodded.