The one who says ten.
-Finally you show up. I've been looking for you all afternoon.
I prefer not to answer him. It's been no more than an hour since I left him in his office to go to the design department.
-I think this is almost done.
-What are you talking about?
-I've been at this all afternoon.
-Looking at the computer? I imagine bosses do that.
Blake pushes my back until I'm sitting in the chair. I'm not going to turn him down. I've been walking sideways all day on too-new heels.
-Listen.
We are alone. I confirm that the door is closed before putting my ear forward. It's my first day at work and I don't want to feed the gossip. I plan to prove that I deserve the trust he has placed in me and help him fulfill his mother's will, even if he doesn't yet know what it is.
-I don't hear anything.
-Listen again.
-Is it an airplane?
-At least three. Do you know what he means?
-What do you want to go on vacation?
-Sofia! It's the radio recording. Can't you see? The school is near the airport.
-What?
-How many boarding schools do you think there are in Madrid and near the airport?
-Very few. Very few, I would say. I keep thinking.
-And if there are so few of them, you could visit them and...
-Find out where that girl is studying. You're a genius!
-I know.
I can't stop jumping. But carefully so as not to kill myself.
-I have to go look for her.
-We have. -Remember? We're in this together.
I don't finish speaking when her eyes meet mine head-on. I think this is the first time, and not because I am short but because heels shorten distances.
-Thank you. Thank you," I say, restraining myself from giving him one of those kisses that initiate things.
-Sofia...
-You don't know how much I appreciate it.
-I would like to be more than just your thank you.
I'm still in his arms. Or in her hands. They both hold me by the hips. I love this sensation. And I don't say it because of their caress, that too, but because of the complicity that begins to exist between us. I feel that we are the two sides of the same river that separated by circumstances have found each other again. Yes, I know it's crazy, soul mates don't exist, so why do I feel that our feelings are sparks recovered from somewhere far away?
-Blake, I...
The door opens with such enthusiasm that it almost sticks to the wall like wallpaper.
-Sorry, I thought you were alone. Who are you?
-Dana, this is Miss Reyes. She works with us.
-I don't remember seeing your contract.
I, however, remember you perfectly well. You're the long-legged one who likes to sit on other people's laps.
-Sofia is a hire made directly by me.
-Nice to meet you." He didn't answer me.
She looks me up and down with a lemony face before leaning back on the desk a little beyond scrupulously correct and leaving her cleavage fully at Blake's disposal.
-You should have warned me. I'm the lawyer and the one responsible for all the contracts for a reason. But since I am very good, I will give you the opportunity to make up for such a mistake over a glass of red wine in a beautiful terrace in Madrid.
The woman sat down, crossing her legs. The garter belt in plain view proved to be no problem for her modesty.
-Sandra, you can go home. The raised hand seems to scare away a fly. I think I am his fly.
-My name is Sofia. I am in a rage that moves mountains. I pick up my folder to leave when the thick voice stops me.
-Sofia, get your things, we're going to the airport," she says without looking at me, and Dana, whatever you have to tell me, it will have to wait. And, by the way, it will be in the office.
-Airport? -The beet's head rises. Are you going on a trip?
-See you tomorrow Dana.
Blake ducks his head to pick up the laptop and close the discussion. I move to the side to clear a path for the crushed tomato hair. His vinegar face promises revenge. Here I wait for you pretty. I'm an orphan and a public school student. I learned to nail fight before you learned to talk.
I caress the leather of the seat, gawking at the touch. Never before I met Blake had I sat in such an expensive car. And when I say never, it's never. I don't recognize the brand. My knowledge is limited to bikes and public transportation buses.
-This car is awesome.
-Thank you.
I look out the window so as not to throw my cell phone at his head. We have been touring schools since five o'clock in the afternoon with no result. Night begins to fall and its harshness becomes unbearable.
Blake, I think there's a one-meter mouth around here, so if you want, I'll get off and you can get some fresh air. You're tired and I don't want you to feel obligated to...
-Don't even think about taking off your seat belt.
That's all I need. Pissed off? Him with me? I'm the one who puts up with the blood hair putting her tits on the desk and he's the offended one? This is the world upside down.
-I don't know what or why you're angry, but I don't feel like arguing.
-I'm not upset.
-All right, I believe you, don't look at me. No!
-I didn't. He answers looking at my side again in a reckless attitude.
-Look ahead!
-I do. I don't know why you get angry.
-Hold the wheel! This is Madrid. You know what that means? Lots of cars in rush hour.
Blake's laughter gets on my nerves. The road is to be respected. We are not cats to risk so many lives.
-I didn't make you that scary.
-Cautious is the right word.
-Precautious? -You?
-Of course. Here, where you see me, I'm a bag of caution.
-You?
-You're going to piss me off in the end.
-Nothing could be further from my intentions.
I keep quiet because I don't want to fight. I don't even want to ride the subway. On these heels I wouldn't make it ten steps before killing myself on the stairs.
-Don't get angry. It was just a joke.
-Not mine. If you want, I'll go downstairs and come back alone.
-You promised not to get rid of me.
-Blake, what's wrong? I've put up with the beet head lying on the desk, and it almost made you eat your tits, without a peep. I don't understand you.
-I remind you that the idea of not telling about us was all yours.
I sigh, deflating.
-That doesn't mean it didn't bother me.
-You have no reason.
-Why are you angry with me?
-I'm not. It's just that...
-What?
-Leave it, it's nothing. Just tension.
He looks at me and the smile makes me forget the anger and tensions. To be honest, only the bad moods, because the tensions are still too present. Let's say they are cut with a feather.
-You look beautiful.
-And you are very handsome.
He looks at me and runs me up and down. I let him because we are at a traffic light and because I am doing the same with him.
-Please open the navigator and type," he says, changing lanes.
I listen to him. I don't want him to be distracted. The road is packed.
-Nearest hotel. A hostel or a wasteland also works for me. Any place where we can be alone.
-Blake!
We both laugh with tension. Humor has transformed into unresolved sexual desire.
-You're very quiet," he says, glancing in the right mirror before turning onto the highway.
-I was thinking about Alba. I was hoping to meet her today. Maybe that boarding school is hell.
-Did you go to a public school?
-Oh yes, my grandmother wouldn't have put me in a boarding school.... Sorry, I didn't mean to say that all boarding schools are horrible, I mean, I understand that you and your sister had to go to one... I meant that sometimes... I better bite my tongue and swallow it.
-And deprive me of such sweet pleasure? -The heat of imagining a hundred situations of my tongue playing with Blake runs up my neck. My desires are too obvious. Help me find a place. Open field beats hotel.
-Shall I point it out or can I speak? I say that because I would have to use my pleasant tongue.
-If you go on like this, the car will be the winner.
-Careful, I'm trembling.
-It's over. I brake right here.
-Blake, now really, why were you so angry?
-Honey, it's not anger.
-Then what is it?
-I no longer hold back. I want to bury myself in you and get lost in those corners you keep hidden. I would do it again and again until we faint wrapped in the sweat of our kisses. I wish I could make love to your heart and hear it say that it will never leave me.
His gaze is fixed on the glass in front of me. The traffic light is as red as my confusion. I can't believe it. I've never received such a statement. I'm stunned until the traffic starts up again. Two deep breaths and some movement help me come to my senses. It's time to answer or shut up and waste my best chance. I decide.
-If you take the ring road, it says we'll be home in fifteen minutes. That's eight minutes less than the previous route.
He turns his head to look me in the eye. I don't squeal. The fears are gone. I may not be able to express what I feel in words so I allow my impish face to go through the motions for me.
A swerve throws my head back. I never imagined that fifteen minutes would turn into five so unexpectedly.