Friends
-Coffee, one hundred percent machine. It was either this or travel to Colombia. Laura's voice rises along with the cardboard cups.
-What are they doing here?
-We have not seen you for days and you said in the messages that you have not eaten. If Mohammed does not move we will take the mountain to India.
-I don't think so," I say, entering the large meeting room. I need to get these reports settled by tomorrow.
-On Saturday?
-Yes, a consultant needs to study the reports and give me his approval.
-I sit down and Laura follows me as Karina closes the door.
-It is. I'm pretty nervous. It's my first presentation and Blake expects a lot from me. I'm afraid I won't be up to it.
-Blake is going to leave you alone with that big shot?
-No," I replied to Karina before taking the first sip of real hot dirty water. He will be with me. He never leaves me alone. He accompanies me to every meeting.
-Of course.
Both hide their faces behind opaque white glasses.
-What's wrong?
-We hope you count.
-I don't have much to tell -this time it is my face that is hidden behind the smoldering smoke.
-Hell, yeah! -. Laura freezes for a moment. Is it around here?
-Where is it going to be? Under the table? -Karina, although she seems confident in her answer, stretches out her legs, peeking distractedly.
-I haven't seen him today. He's been gone all day.
-Perfect. Speak.
-I have nothing to say. It happened and that's it.
Both scream like crazy fans.
-Count!
-It happened and that's it.
-So you two are dating?
-I think so.
-I think?
-Well, yes, we are," again the fervent cries. I have asked that no one here knows. I don't want the employees to talk.
Laura bends down to pick up a paper bag from inside her purse and rests it on the table. She opens it and the scent of chocolate cinnamon fills the room.
-Count," he says, holding one of my favorite buns up to my face.
I take a crocodile bite. I've been so involved in the presentation that I forgot to eat. Blake has been preparing me for this meeting for so many days that he has managed to make me nervous.
-What do you want me to tell you?
They both look at me as if they were in front of an alien.
-All of it!
I take another bite of the gods' delicacy. Both are eager.
-I like it very much," I confess sincerely.
-And he's dying for you. We already know that. We want the good gossip.
-I've been on cloud nine for a week. I love it and I can't believe it. Happy?
-One week! I won't forgive you for this one," Karina pretends to be angry.
-I do," says Laura. Now count, big or small?
-You are disgusting. The amusement slips through my teeth.
-And that's why we are friends. Tell us that we have seen you fight in worse places.
-What feminine girls.
-Karina steals a bun from the package.
-It was good. What else can I say.
-All! How many per night? Affectionate or wild? Upstairs or downstairs?
-Let's not forget, big or small?
Both follow each other in an endless stream of unrepeatable nonsense. hip, the closer it gets, the more disgusting it becomes.
-With the eyes with which he looks at her, I'm sure they haven't slept all week.
No answer.
-Nooooo! -They both grab my shoulders and my neck. I feel like I'm in a mobster movie.
-I want a lawyer! -I shout in a choked voice under Karina's tackle.
-Afternoon. Emancipator or romantic?!
-Let go!
-Not at all.
-I can't breathe!
I lie dead laughing as I feel Laura's fingers playing on my waist. They both press their noses to mine. Laura pretends to choke me as the door opens wide.
-Everything all right? -The girls let go of me as I wipe away tears. Blake looks from one to the other before returning his gaze to me.
-Yes, it was silly. He doesn't believe me. He continues attacking them with his eyes. They are visiting. With the distraction of work, I forgot to give signs of life. They were worried.
The words are trodden out trying to explain myself to a Blake who quirks an eyebrow.
-It's our fault-Karina picks up the plastic cups to throw them in the wastebasket. But in our favor we must say that we checked that there was no one left in the agency, otherwise we would never have dared to enter.
-He hasn't eaten all day and we wanted to bring him something substantial. Laura speaks as she picks up the napkins.
Blake looks at me. Now he's really angry. With a firm hand he stops them from putting the buns away. All three of us are intrigued. He reaches over to the head of the oval table and presses a button.
-Rocio, please order some starters, savory and sweet, along with a pitcher of tea and a pitcher of fresh orange juice.
-Right away, sir.
-When you have everything, you bring it to us in the meeting room," he said before releasing the button.
-Is he one of the bosses? -Laura asks in my ear.
-Yes.
They both open their eyes in complete astonishment.
-Can you tell me why you haven't eaten?
His hand comes up to fix my misaligned hair. I accept the gesture with the smile of a fool in love. These details are becoming addictive.
-It slipped my mind. Tomorrow's meeting is too important.
-The most important thing is you," he says, caressing my cheek.
-We want to bother.
-Yes, we'd better go," says Karina.
They both pick up their bags.
-Not at all. I know Rocío well enough to know she'll bring enough starters for a regiment. Give me a few minutes. I'll be right back.
It was a seen and unseen moment. Before leaving he lifted my chin for a quick, fleeting kiss that left me frozen, staring at the door. Awakening from my astonishment I turn to see my two unhinged friends covering each other's mouths. Their cheeks are puffed out and about to explode.
-You're idiots," I say before watching them spit in the air after the intense, restrained laughter.