Chapter Four
CAMILA
“I think we should have sex,” he said, after who knows how long we had been getting drunk together.
“I won't sleep with you, we’ve just met,” I replied, showing that, at that point, I still had some semblance of lucidity and judgment in me.
“How long does it take to get you into bed, then? Do we have to get married first?”
“Let’s not get dramatic. But I’d at least need a serious relationship.”
“We can get engaged then.”
“We don't even have rings.”
“We can work that out.” It was then that he pulled me over to the bead stand.
“No, no, no,” I repeated, in panic.
It couldn't be true. I should definitely be banned from drinking.
Had I really traded my virginity for a crappy ring?
I dropped the broken glass right there and ran back to my room. I grabbed my cell phone from my bag and called the only person I felt comfortable telling all this madness to.
Evelyn, my childhood best friend, answered on the third ring.
“How is the new chief architect at Turner Architecture doing?”
The new chief architect must be doing very well. Without a doubt, much better than I was at that moment.
Not that it would be difficult.
I told her the reason for my call in one breath, “I lost my virginity.”
Evelyn began to cough, showing that she had choked, probably on something she drank.
“Wow... Calm down... good morning. You don't give news like that this wat, I'm still having my breakfast.”
As she seemed to have recovered from the choking, I repeated:
“I lost my virginity.”
“Okay, explain. Yesterday you said you were going to a company party. What was this sudden change of plans?”
“There was no change at all. I actually went to the party.”
“Isn't it that company where everyone is either too old, too boring, or both at the same time?”
“It wasn't with an old man.” I could add that he wasn't boring either, but I didn't have enough memories of the night to say that.
“Oh my God, girl... Explain. You've kept your virginity for so long that this achievement deserves a celebration. Let's go out for a drink!”
My stomach turned at the thought of having another drop of alcohol.
“There's nothing to celebrate, Evy. It was nothing special.”
“Oh, girl... actually, the first time is usually nothing like what romance novels paint it to be. It's normal for it to hurt and be a little uncomfortable and strange, but after the second time, things start to get really good, believe me.”
I don't know if it had hurt or if it had been uncomfortable, the truth is that I didn't feel anything different in my body at all.
At least nothing but my stomach churning and my head doing triple somersaults over and over again.
“The problem, Evy, is that I don't remember anything. I was drunk.”
Her tone of voice changed, taking on an air of concern.
“How can you not remember? My God, Cami ... Did some bastard abuse you while you were drunk?”
“We might consider it that way if he were sober. But he was as drunk as I was.”
“Wait... So, you and some random guy got drunk and had sex, is that it?”
“It's a little worse than that. It wasn't just any guy. It was my boss.”
“What?” Her question was practically a scream.
“And apparently... Before we had sex, we got engaged.”
“Engaged? What do you mean engaged? Did he give you a ring?”
“Actually, it was a beaded ring.”
She remained silent, seeming to go over the whole story in her mind. Until finally, she declared:
“Are you at home?”
“I am.”
“Is your grandmother there with you?”
“No, she’s already gone to the bookstore.”
“Perfect. Then stay right where you are.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Get into my car and go over there, take you out for a drink.”
“Evy, I don't think I really need a drink right now.”
“But I do. I'll be there in fifteen minutes.”