Chapter 5 #2
“Baco, my heart isn’t closed to love, and although I’m not in love with your brother, he has made me feel things I’ve never felt before, and that already gives me an indication that if I continue with this, I’m going to end up getting hurt.”
“I understand, and your position is reasonable.”
“And why are you looking at me strangely? It seems like you want to tell me something else,” I asked.
“I have several things to say, but I don’t know if you want to hear them.”
“Spill it,” I said, using the word he had used a while ago.
Baco smiled, rested his elbows on the table, and looked at me as if evaluating me.
“I think both my brother and you are very confused about what you feel. To begin with, you told me things about Hermes that I never thought I’d hear.
I assure you he’s not the type to chase after women; rather, they’re the ones who pursue him, but it seems that in your case, he’s the pursuer.
On the other hand, I assure you he had never brought anyone to his home before; you were the first woman to set foot in his bedroom, except for his housekeeper, obviously. ”
“And what are you trying to tell me with all that?”
“That you're not like any of his other lovers, and that's also clear from the moment he accepted exclusivity. I'm sure he feels something stronger for you, in fact, I'd say very strong. Besides, I don't think he'll give up, I assure you he'll keep insisting.”
“You might be right about that because he implied that he always gets what he wants, but in that sense he won't have any luck with me because I'm quite stubborn too.”
“Are you sure? Because I also think you feel something for Hermes.”
“I already told you I'm not in love, I like him a lot and I enjoy being with him, nothing more.”
“If you say so...”
“Baco, that's how it is,” I affirmed, looking at him seriously.
“Very well, then I suppose that if my brother accepted your rejection, this story is over?” he asked, I nodded my head and he continued: “Well let me tell you that I don't think it's even begun, this story has plenty more chapters to go.”
“You say that because you think your brother will keep insisting?”
“I say it because you two want each other terribly and you'll end up accepting what the other demands. My brother will give in on something and so will you. This is just beginning.”
“I don't agree with what you're saying and... I ask you not to tell him anything.”
“I assure you I'll continue playing dumb with him, besides, from my position of ignorance, I can contribute my bit to help him stop being an idiot,” he affirmed.
“What do you mean?”
“You'll find out soon enough,” he said, enigmatically.
“You promised not to interfere.”
“You'd better not make me talk, you've been treating me like a fool since we met.”
“That's not true, I already explained why I didn't tell you anything.”
“That doesn't change the fact that I'm upset you didn't trust me.”
“Try to understand, it was about your brother. Sometimes I think life is very ironic, I meet you the day after I ran into him and then I find him in my apartment,” I said, smiling.
“It's like I tell you, it's destiny, beautiful, destiny.”
After midnight we decided to head back. On the way, Baco told me he had started painting a new picture and described his progress. When we arrived we said goodbye and I went straight to bed.
◆◆◆
The week passed peacefully. I met with Serafina a couple of times and also had dinner with Baco on two occasions. I heard nothing from Hermes, so I assumed he had accepted my decision. Although I knew it was for the best, deep down I felt sad because I would have loved for things to be different.
Friday dawned with torrential rain and electrical storms, which is why my group of friends proposed having a “home movie night,” as we called those gatherings where we spent the whole night watching movies at one of the group member's homes.
Since it had been a while since we'd met at my apartment, I suggested they come over.
When I got home from the office, I put on comfortable clothes and prepared everything to receive them.
At ten o'clock everyone arrived, including Serafina.
Including me, we were eleven people crammed into my apartment's living room.
First we ordered pizza and beer, and then we started arguing about which movie to watch first, as we generally watched two or three.
Once we chose the movie, which was in the horror genre, we settled on the couches and on cushions on the floor.
What we did least was watch it; we spent the time screaming, chatting, and laughing.
At three in the morning, seeing that the rain wasn't as torrential anymore, we decided it was time to end the movie night because many of us were falling asleep.
They helped me tidy up a bit and then left, except for Paul who asked to stay a little longer, because the friend he lived with had asked him not to come home before five since he would be with a girlfriend.
It was common for someone to stay over because sometimes they fell into such a deep sleep that there was no way to wake them up, or they drank so much that they passed out on one of the couches.
“You can sleep on the couch for as long as you want, but don't even think about waking me up if you leave before nine,” I clarified.
“I don't know if I'll be able to wake up before that time, but whatever time it is, I promise to make breakfast,” Paul commented.
“Perfect, I'll hold you to that. I'll go get you sheets and a blanket.”
“Thank you.”
I left everything for him and went to my bedroom because I was exhausted. As soon as I lay down, I fell into a deep sleep.
◆◆◆
I was awakened by a knocking on my bedroom door.
“Delfi, it's me,” my friend said.
I sat up in bed, rubbed my eyes a bit to shake off the drowsiness, and stretched my arms upward.
“Come in, Paul.”
“Sorry to wake you, but we have a problem because there's no coffee, and I know you're like me and don't function until you've had a cup of coffee.”
“Oh no, that's right! I forgot to buy some. I'll get up and go buy some.”
“Don't worry, I'll go out and buy it, plus it's still raining and I don't want you to get wet. It's the least I can do after commandeering your couch all night,” he affirmed.
“You don't mind?”
“Not at all, just tell me which coffee you buy.”
“Thank you, Paul. There's a store one block away that sells organic products, and the saleswoman already knows the blend of beans I get. Just tell her it's for Delfina and she'll prepare it for you.”
“Perfect, I'll go there,” he said, turning and leaving my bedroom.
“Thanks, Paul. I'll start preparing everything else. Take the keys with you.”
“Don't prepare anything because I'm also bringing something tasty to go with it. This rainy day has opened my appetite,” he shouted from the living room.
“You're an angel!”
I heard the door open and close, and I got up to take a quick shower and be ready before he returned.
I put on a summery dress with thin straps and went to prepare everything needed for breakfast with Paul.
Twenty minutes had passed when I heard the key in the door, but immediately a familiar deep voice left me paralyzed.
“Who are you and what are you doing coming in here?” Hermes's voice thundered.
“Are you talking to me?” Paul asked.
“Do you see anyone else I could be talking to?” he asked in a disdainful tone.
Paul was 28 years old, a tall and athletic guy who normally didn't let anyone intimidate him, and although I knew that Hermes Darwich was imposing with his presence, I didn't think Paul would feel intimidated by him.
“And you are?” Paul asked.
“I'm the one asking the questions here,” he responded with his typical arrogance.
“Look, I don't know who you are, but I don't see any reason why I should explain myself to you,” he replied.
At that moment I heard another familiar voice.
“Hermes, you got the wrong apartment again. Mine is this one,” Baco shouted, laughing.
Despite the nervousness I felt about Hermes's attitude, I smiled at my friend's comment because I imagined that, now that he knew what had happened between us, he must be thoroughly enjoying this.
“Your boyfriend is calling you,” Paul said, and I heard the door close.
I had to hold back a laugh because I imagined Hermes's face when he heard that. Paul came into the kitchen and looked at me, and seeing me laugh, he couldn't help but join in.
“You have some peculiar neighbors,” he said, while taking out the coffee and starting to prepare it. “Did you hear how that guy spoke to me?”
“I could hear it. Don't worry, he talks like that to everyone,” I replied, still smiling.
“Someone should knock him off the pedestal he thinks he's on. But anyway, let's forget about the couple next door and have breakfast because I'm starving,” he said, while taking out the packages he had bought.
I burst out laughing again and Paul looked at me strangely, but he laughed too. After breakfast, Paul left right away. I started cleaning the apartment before going to the gym for a while. When I was making my bed, I heard a message come in. I picked up the phone and saw it was a message from Baco:
“Hermes is like a caged lion. Soon he'll be walking on the walls from the fury he's feeling”
My response:
“Because someone took him down a peg”
Next message from Baco:
“It's jealousy, beautiful! It's killing him! But I see you've already found a replacement...”
My response:
“Paul is just a friend, I assure you. For now I don't want anything to do with romantic relationships, a few days with your brother were enough!”
Next message from Baco:
“We'll talk later, but I assure you I've never seen him like this. I think if I hadn't grabbed him, he would have broken down your door or jumped from the balcony. I like that he's feeling jealous, I hope it helps him come to his senses. It's just as I said...”
My response:
“You're such a dreamer, that's why you're an artist. Kisssss”
Message from Baco: