Blake
-You seem distracted. Quite distracted.
Anthony waited for the secretary to come out of my office to speak.
-And I owe it all to you.
-What happened?
-Thank you very much for turning her against me.
Anthony furrows his brow. I don't care if he gets hit by a train.
-I imagined he would. He was always a smooth talker. When we were kids...
-I don't give a damn when you were kids! -I stand up, putting my hands on the desk so I don't land on his face. I've had enough of your stories. Yes, you've been with her longer, and you may know her better than I do, but you're just her friend. Her friend! Did you hear that right or should I draw you a picture? I want her for myself. Shall I be direct or shall we clear it up outside?
-She doesn't need to see us argue.
I drop into the chair. My hands hold my head tightly. Once again the bastard asshole is totally right.
-Is it serious?
-I'm not sure," I confess with grief rising in my throat.
-If he hasn't kicked you out of his house, then you are still participating.
-She is all I want.
-Then stop screwing up with past stories and start offering her reassurance.
The disgruntled smile sprouts on my face with mischief.
-I thought that you would not be the one to judge me for past actions.
Anthony's shoulders tense under the top-brand shirt. He's furious and I'm enjoying it. I've had a hell of a night and an even worse morning. I need to infect the world around me with my rage.
-You're a daddy's boy with an expensive car and a collector of headless girls. Your bullshit you worked it out for yourself.
-You don't know anything to..." We were both glaring at each other when the office door opened. My God.
Anthony, who up to that point was rolling up his sleeves, turned around trying to learn the cause of my distraction.
-Cari, what a change! With a threatening look he sealed our discussion before approaching Sofia to give her two too-sounding kisses.
I accept the change of subject. For his sake and mine. With the situation as it is between us seeing me argue with his best friend would make my sorry position even worse.
-I bought it on Saturday with 's sister. She says it's office wear, although I'm not quite sure. At the entrance the security guards stared at me.
I plan to fire all of them.
-You look great.
You are stiff. You surround yourself in your own embrace. The black dress fits you like a glove on a doll. The hip to waist ratio is perfect for my hands to wrap around and claim you. You usually wear jeans and sneakers. On weekends you swap your pants for short skirts in colorful prints. This morning, however, you've decided to step into some killer heels. My heart attack. My throat goes dry imagining the myriad ways I could pry them off your feet. The change is terribly magnificent.
I know you. You are not convinced by your friend's words. You demand my opinion. If you knew you had me in your hands. What the hell! You are mine. All mine. I won't let you separate us.
-You look beautiful." I reach over, holding you by the elbow as I face the shitpicker-Anthony, you should go to whatever it is you do at this agency.
I plan to devour you as soon as he walks through the door.
-As you command. I forgot that you are supreme chief.
-How?
I look at Anthony clenching my fists at my sides. In these moments the knuckles demand revenge.
-Didn't you know, honey? Apparently our friend is more than just an envoy from Baltimore. He's a major shareholder. He's in charge of deciding the fate of this agency. Rumors flood the corridors.
-No, I didn't know...
-I just found out this morning.
-What's your problem? -If you're looking for punches, mine have your first and last name on them.
-Even if you can't see it, I'm helping you," Anthony wished me luck and walked away, leaving sorrow in his body and the desire to hang him in mine.
-I'd better go.
You bow your head. I feel like a piece of garbage that no matter how well intentioned, everything I do smells like manure.
-Please don't. I'm barely able to hold you by the elbow.
-I can't stay. It's clear that I didn't get the job because of my abilities. I'm not reproaching you, I'm sure your intentions were good, but please understand me, I can't look at everyone knowing I don't deserve the job.
-That's not true. I told you about the shares and my mother's will.
-A few shares are not the majority of shares," you say angrily. What kind of shareholder are you?
-Of the important ones," I can't lie again. And that's why I need someone like you.
-I don't understand. I don't understand anything! First you were a director, then a small shareholder and now a majority shareholder fighting for power.
You sit in the chair. If I could I would kick my ass to send me to hell myself. You deserve so much more than I can count. Half-truths choke me.
-This agency is my mother's project. I am fulfilling her will.
You move your hands absentmindedly out of the corner of your eye so I don't notice how you wipe away a stray tear. I would wipe them all away with my lips. I want to scream that this is all for you. For you!
-And his will was that you should lie to me?
-I did not lie!
-Don't yell at me!
-I'm sorry. I'm sorry. My uncle-I think carefully about every word before I speak-I told you about him. He wants to take over the agency. I can't let him. My mother begged me before...
-What have I got to do with it?
Everything. Hell, everything!
-I would like you to help me. I don't trust your management. I need you by my side. It is vitally important to have you by my side.
-Why doesn't your uncle leave you alone?
-I need to fulfill my mother's will and know that she did what was... right. It was my mother.
The sound of your silent thoughts travels from your gaze to your head and from your head to your hands. You take eternal minutes stretching the wrinkles in your skirt before you speak again.
-You trust my abilities too much. I still don't understand how I can help you.
-You do. I trust you more than I trust myself.
You seem calmer. You look at your fingers nervously.
My truths were half-truths and I'm sorry, but I didn't want this to happen. Sofia, you are here because you deserve it. This company is as much yours as it is mine.
I squat down to be at your height.
-Don't ever lie to me again.
-I have not.
No half-truths.
-I will try. But the legal situation is much more complex than you imagine.
You bring your hands close to mine and I restrain myself from making love to you on the desk.
-I accept, but on three conditions," you smile and my head clears of shadows. The first: no one will know that between you and me... you know.
-My lips are sealed," you smile and melt me.
-Second, I will not be treated favorably. If I make a mistake, you will correct me like any other employee.
-Fair enough. The amused silence invades your face. I would die to see you always like this. And the third?
-A whole night, you and me. Alone. Your pupils dilate. Mine faint with desire. I don't want to feel as bad as I did last night.
-I'm sure I can think of a way to fix it. I have so much throat clearing in my voice that I'm surprised myself. I hug you with desire.
-So we have a deal, Mr. Blakmon? -You extend your arm to shake my hand. I accept it by bringing it to my lips. We have a deal, Miss Reyes. From today this will be your agency.
You smile without knowing that my words hide the basis of our solution.