Chapter 3 #3
“I assure you I don't. As I told you, we've never talked about it. Whenever my mother was present when Hermes and I argued about it, she limited herself to supporting my brother without even showing interest in seeing my paintings. I suppose she always thought it was just a hobby,” he concluded, shrugging his shoulders.
“I want to believe that after seeing your artwork, she'll support your dream. She can't not do it,” I affirmed.
“I still have a major obstacle—my brother. Who, by the way, isn't in his best mood because lately he's been more bad-tempered than ever.”
When he mentioned him, my stomach did a flip, but I tried to hide it by taking a sip of wine.
“But if your mother supports you, why do you have to do what he says?”
“In my family, whatever Hermes says or proposes is sacred.”
“I can't believe it! Your little brother really tests my patience!”
Baco laughed and then looked at me like something had just occurred to him.
“Would you come with me to the meeting with my mother?”
“I don't think that would be appropriate. It's a private conversation between mother and son.”
“I need you as an ally,” he pleaded, pressing his palms together as if praying.
“Baco, I can't get involved. Who am I to interfere in your family matters? Impossible.”
“Let’s clear this up,” he said, and I watched as he took out his phone, pressed it and then held it to his ear.
“What are you doing?!” I asked, looking at him in horror, because I feared what eventually ended up happening.
“Hello, Mom.”
“…”
“Very well. I’m currently having dinner with Delfina, who is asking me to send you her regards.”
“…”
“I’ll pass them along. I wanted to ask you something about our meeting tomorrow.”
“…”
“Of course I’m coming, I’m not calling to cancel. I want to ask if you mind if I bring Delfina with me.”
“…”
Since he had started talking, I had been making all kinds of gestures for him not to say what I’d just heard. At that point I gave up and just silently threatened him by making a slicing motion across my neck to indicate I was going to slit his throat.
“Delfina is making gestures that she’s going to murder me because she didn’t want me to ask you. She thinks she shouldn’t come with me because it’s a family matter, that’s why I called you to clear things up.”
“…”
“Perfect, Mom, see you tomorrow. Goodbye.”
“…”
He ended the call and I was shooting daggers with my eyes. The Darwich brothers had been destroying my good mood these past few days.
“How could you ask your mother that and tell her I was here?! It’s obvious that out of politeness she couldn’t say no!” I exclaimed.
“My mother doesn’t beat around the bush. If she thought it wasn’t appropriate for you to come, she would have told me. In fact, she was delighted about your visit. I assure you she really liked you.”
“I’m going to kill you!”
“Yes, you made that clear, but now you can’t refuse because my mother is expecting you.”
“You’re such a cheater!”
“I don’t think so. I’m charming. Tomorrow I’ll pick you up at seven thirty because I agreed to arrive around eight, and we’re staying for dinner,” he clarified, without any remorse whatsoever.
“And how should I dress?” I asked, desperate, because I started thinking his family might be the type that dresses formally just to sit down for dinner in their own home.
“However you want,” he replied, shrugging his shoulders carelessly.
“That doesn’t help me at all. What are you going to wear? At least give me that information,” I asked, so we wouldn’t clash.
“I suppose I’ll wear pants and a shirt.”
“Okay, that’s helpful.”
“Perfect. Cheers!” he said, raising his wine glass.
“Cheers! I’ll drink because the wine is delicious, but I feel like throwing it in your face,” I stated.
Baco let out a hearty laugh as he always did when something amused him.
We said goodbye after midnight. After he left, I went to the bathroom and then straight to bed.
◆◆◆
At seven thirty I was ready to go to dinner at Catalina’s house.
I had decided on a light-colored dress with embroidered flowers and a pencil silhouette, sleeveless with a length above the knees.
It was an elegant but modern dress with a sensual silhouette that made me look slender and refined.
I paired it with red high-heeled sandals, left my hair straight and loose, and applied natural makeup that highlighted my eyes.
At the appointed time, Baco was knocking at my door.
“You look beautiful!” he exclaimed.
“Thank you so much! You look very elegant yourself.”
My friend was wearing black dress pants and a white shirt.
He looked attractive and elegant. When I saw him, I was grateful for having chosen that outfit because with the explanations he had given me, I could have worn jeans.
While we were on our way to Catalina’s house, Baco talked carelessly, showing that the conversation he was going to have with his mother didn’t affect him at all, whereas I was a bundle of nerves.
Baco had told me that only his mother would be there, which gave me some peace of mind, but I still felt like I was getting involved in something that wasn’t my business.
We arrived at the house, which was located in a residential neighborhood.
It was a modern and elegant house, though not as large as his older brother’s.
Baco rang the bell without getting out of the car, and the gates began to open.
As soon as we entered the property, I spotted his mother standing at the door.
She was elegantly dressed in a dark blue short-sleeved dress that hugged her figure.
That day she wore her hair loose and straight, falling just above her shoulders.
“My dears, how wonderful to see you again,” she greeted us as she approached.
“Hello, Mom,” Baco greeted, giving her a kiss on the cheek.
“How are you?” I greeted, also giving her a kiss.
“Please, don’t be so formal with me,” she scolded me with a smile. “I’m very happy that you came, and I’m very glad that my son has you.”
“Baco is a great friend and he can always count on me,” I commented, because I didn’t want her to get the wrong idea about our relationship.
“That's wonderful. Let's go in, the table is already set,” she said, taking my arm as we entered the house.
The living room was sophisticated and elegant, decorated with dark colors that gave it a cozy feel.
The table could seat twelve people, and the chairs were classic style with beige velvet upholstery.
I was pleased to see that Baco's painting was displayed in this room and stood out above all the others.
I noticed that he looked surprised when he saw it.
Catalina sat at the head of the table and we each took a seat on either side of her, with Baco and I facing each other.
Dinner consisted of meat and vegetables and was exquisite.
Dessert was Tiramisu. While we ate, we talked a lot about me because Catalina was very interested in my life, and gradually I began to relax.
Baco's mom was a very pleasant and sociable lady who, with her warmth, immediately made me feel welcome and included.
She also told me many anecdotes about her sons when they were young, and I couldn't help but hear many things about Hermes that made him seem more human than I'd thought.
After dessert, we had coffee and the topic that had brought us there began.
“Well, Baco, let me tell you that your painting impressed me.
And I must apologize to you because I always took that passion of yours as a hobby and never thought you truly took art to that dimension.
Your painting is a work of art. These days I've been thinking a lot about everything you've said over the years and the little or no support I've given you, and I'm ashamed, but I want you to know that from now on you have my full support, and if you continue with the idea of dedicating yourself to this, I will support you.”
Baco looked at her completely surprised and I think emotional, which made my heart flutter and I ended up with teary eyes as well.
“Despite what Hermes might think and say?” he asked.
His mother took his hands across the table.
“Despite what your brother thinks. If it's what you want, I'll talk to Hermes tomorrow.”
“What is it you need to talk to me about?” asked the man in question, his voice echoing through the room.
We all looked in his direction and I almost hid under the table.
He was so handsome it took my breath away.
At that moment he was wearing a dark gray suit, white shirt, and a gray and blue tie.
When our eyes met, I could see the surprise reflected in his face, and it took him several seconds to look away from mine.
My face flushed with color and I had to lower my hands to my lap because they started trembling.
He advanced to the table and, when we were all about to stand up to greet him, he asked us not to and began greeting each of us by approaching us.
First, he approached his mother and greeted her with a kiss on the cheek, then he continued to Baco and they hugged, when he turned to approach me, I had to make an effort to stand up because my legs were shaking.
“A pleasure to see you again, Miss...”
“Delfina Darner,” I said.
The jerk was acting as if he didn't remember me!
“Hermes, you remember Delfina, don't you? She was at my birthday party,” his mother remarked, surprised.
“Yes, I remember her,” was all he said, gave me a kiss, and went to sit next to his brother.
“I didn't know you were planning to come today,” his mother commented, who at that moment seemed somewhat uncomfortable to me, and I assumed it was because of the conversation they should have about Baco.
“I never tell you when I'm coming, but if my presence bothers you because you have visitors, I can come back another time,” he said coldly.
“Hermes, how can you say that?! We're family, for God's sake, young man!” she scolded him.