Chapter 42: A Mafioso's Reaction

Santiago

Fuck! I had barely fallen asleep after struggling to balance the accounts when this chick kicked me out of bed!

"What the hell is the matter?!" I shouted, still on the floor, after she had turned on the bedside lamp.

"And you, what the hell are you doing here in my bed?" she exclaims.

"There is only one bedroom, and since you were sleeping like a log, I took the liberty of settling in."

What is wrong with that? You dared to sit next to a sleeping woman and you think that's normal?

"So, you dared to sleep next to a sleeping woman and you think that's normal?"

"It is not like we were not close enough not to share the same bed. We have slept together twice, I remind you."

"Except you nearly gave me a heart attack, especially after that nightmare."

"Did you have a bad dream?" I questioned, watching her closely.

Indeed, she is pale, her face all white as if she is just been through a terrifying moment. I sit on the bed, shirtless, wearing only my pyjama bottoms. She stares at me with displeasure and sighs.

"I think it is perfectly normal after what I have been through."

"You have nothing to fear, they won't hurt you anymore." I try to reassure her.

She stares at me somewhat with an unconvinced expression, which I can understand given what she has been through. For me, already part of this world since birth, nothing surprises me anymore. I navigate through this realm filled with violence and abnormality, which feels completely natural to me. But for Orely, as gentle and refined as she is, it must be particularly frightening and disorienting.

"Are you going to stand there staring at me forever? Go away!" She orders me tensely.

"You won't let me spend the night here? Then you won't feel so lonely after that nightmare."

"No, that is not necessary. I don't want you near me, and if I find you there again, I guarantee you won't want to come back" she retorts, raising her fist in a threatening gesture.

Ah, this little piece of woman made me laugh, but I remained neutral in front of her.

"And you are trying to intimidate me? What are you going to do? Hit me? I am not sure to feel anything," I tease, simulating blows with my fists.

"Get out of here!" she yells.

So I head for the living room, expelled from the bedroom, and settle on the sofa despite the fact that I'm dying to be with her. I have to admit, teasing this woman is kind of fun. She gets carried away immediately and counterattacks, which makes me grin like a moron as I stare at the ceiling. Her explosive temperament is enough to make me want to annoy her even more.

I am surprised at myself because I usually avoid any interaction with women, unless it is in a context of seduction to appease my sexual urges. The rest of the time, their company exasperates me. They are like magpies, chattering incessantly and demanding attention, insisting to be treated with more kindness. And if this is not done, the reproaches fly non-stop, which isn't my thing. But with Orely, it's different, even if sometimes she manages to irritate me with disconcerting ease and put me off my game.

Admittedly, I too have a volcanic temper that I don't show her, yet she's sometimes entertaining and I put up with her quite well. I even find it pleasant to be in her company, although at the moment she'd like to see me in hell, which I could understand.

So, surprisingly, I discovered an attachment to her. It is neither friendship nor love, feelings that are completely foreign to me. I can't say for sure what it is, or exactly what it is. Is it the attraction of novelty? Affinity? Sympathy? No matter how I turn the question over in my head, I can't put a name to this relationship. I find Orely beautiful to look at, cute even when she's grumpy. Despite her difficult character, she seems to hide a fragility that makes me want to protect her.

In a way, it was better that she aroused this feeling of acerbity in me, otherwise she would probably end up tortured to death, in which case I wouldn't lift a finger. It is almost five in the morning and I can't get back to sleep. I decided to reopen my laptop to continue the pending work. I spend a lot of my time working or settling scores, which I don't let go by the way.

I hear the door open and Orely appears. Seeing his slightly sleepy face, I have to make an effort not to throw jokes at her.

"Aren't you asleep?" she asks.

"No, I am not sleepy anymore, are you?"

"Same here, I can't get back to sleep. Would you like some coffee?"

"Yes, I would like to, thank you."

She goes to make us some and brings me a steaming cup, which she places on the coffee table next to my computer. She sits next to me on the sofa and watches me silently, taking small sips of her coffee.

"What are you up to?" she finally asks.

"Are you interested in what I am doing now? Didn't you tell me you wanted nothing more to do with me?"

"I am just asking you to break this heavy silence." she grumbles.

I smile discreetly as she reacts with impulse, falling for my provocations.

"What I am doing is not anything exciting, it is just numbers running across the screen, checking the company's accounts, the various charges, whether the turnover is good and so on. So, basically, it is all about bookkeeping."

"Hmm that must be boring." she concludes.

"Indeed, it is not the fun part of my job, but I am getting used to it and it is essential. I have studied to become a chartered accountant, money does not grow on trees, but it is crucial and my duty is to maximize profits."

"Hmm, can I ask you a question without you getting carried away?”