Chapter 35 - What a Shame - mduno
"I wasn't going to let myself be ordered around. You must understand that I'm not an object you can place anywhere."
"I won't go anywhere with you."
In two strides he reached the door and slammed it so hard, I thought it would become a revolving door. I heard him slam the apartment door again. My legs gave out, and I collapsed onto the bed. I couldn't hold back the tears any longer and began to cry and tremble with fear.
He could have killed me in that state, with the reputation he had, but he didn't. He chose to walk away instead. What did he mean by, "What part of my life is hard for you to understand?" I know nothing about him or his life. How does he expect me to know him when we've only been dating for a few days?
I started to mumble, wanting to go home. Minutes passed, and the apartment felt so cold. I didn't hear him come back; I realized he was there when he was at the foot of the bed.
"I hate seeing you cry, Veronica. I'm sorry. I never thought she would throw herself at me and kiss me. I thought it was you who pulled me."
"She kissed you for a reason," I whispered while wiping my nose for the umpteenth time with the towel. He knelt down, his hands resting on my thighs. "If it had been the other way around..." He clenched his fists. "If Juan had kissed me..."
"That's why I'm here and didn't leave. If any man had kissed you, I'd be killing him." I looked at him. "You've taught me to put myself in your shoes." I furrowed my brow. "In Santa Marta, I learn quickly. Just don't throw this away at the first sign of trouble. Give me the benefit of the doubt. I didn't kiss her. Before you, I hadn't kissed another woman. Believe me. I don't like being seen as a liar, not to you. I don't care about the rest of the people, but not you."
"You're not telling me the truth."
"That's not being a liar; it's hiding things. And I'll say it again. Have a little patience with me. It's not been easy for me to share certain things with anyone other than Simon, who's my best friend, Onion, and the rest of the guys I trust. Besides, there are things you don't share with friends."
He wiped my tears in a way that seemed like a mirage, as if he was afraid of hurting me.
"It's important that you know something. Please, we have an hour to get ready."
"I'm not leaving, but don't even think about kissing me." I don't know how to describe his look.
"What?" He stepped back, and I took advantage of the distance to get up.
"You heard me."
I took the dress he had suggested for tonight. I went into the bathroom. My hair was beyond fixing, so I braided it to one side. It didn't look bad with the pink dress. I used a bit of makeup to hide my red eyes. When I came out of the bathroom, Roland was looking out the balcony, sadness in his eyes.
"You look beautiful."
He kissed my forehead and made a face. That gesture distracted me, his breathing became agitated, and his hands slid down my thighs. I knew I shouldn't let him, but my body had a voice and a vote. His hand reached my crotch, and I heard his gasp as he felt me wet.
"You're so soft, Veronica." My mind screamed to stop him. "No! Let him relax you a little," my body screamed. "You're the only one." He began to lean towards my lips.
"Maybe," I said. "But your lips have another woman's saliva."
I pulled away, leaving him wanting. His arousal was obvious, and our breathing was ragged. He looked at me coldly. After a long sigh, he went to the bathroom with a change of clothes. Twenty minutes later, he came out dressed in black with a shirt and dress pants. He was so sensual, so exquisite. He offered me his hand, and we intertwined our fingers.
We got into a black Audi. I recognized it by the four rings on the front. How many cars does he have? We didn't talk during the ride, and he didn't let go of my hand. We arrived at a private club. The elegance was striking, and as expected, everyone knew Engineer Roland Sandoval or Architect Sandoval.
He introduced me as his girlfriend. The guests congratulated him on his achievement. It was uncomfortable being the girlfriend of a man who was being congratulated, and you didn't know why or why they said, "You have a great man," or "What he's doing is admirable," "You must be proud of him," and so on.
I didn't know the reason for so many congratulations. They offered me a glass of wine, which I took. As I brought the glass to my lips, Roland was watching me seriously out of the corner of his eye. "I didn't need his permission to have a drink." But his expression wasn't about my glass; it was about who was approaching, Beatriz, Juan, and Mr. Andres.
"My dear partner."
Juan's father spoke. He shook Roland's hand and hugged him. When he recognized me, he greeted me warmly. He was surprised to realize I was Roland's girlfriend and smiled kindly at him. They appreciated and respected each other. Meanwhile, Beatriz tried not to look at me, but I still noticed her anger.
"I'm very glad you came to receive this award."
"It's for both of us."
Roland replied with his typical cold attitude. Something was making him uncomfortable. Was it her?
"It's your merit, no doubt about it."
A presenter was testing the sound on the stage. Once he confirmed it was good, he greeted the audience.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen."
My boyfriend's hand wrapped around my waist, Beatriz turned red, and I felt a chill. How ironic. When we were kids, she was happy to see me; who would have thought things would change? Roland is my man, and I don't want to lose him, not even to myself.
"We are gathered here to award RSM Construction and Associates for their contributions to the underprivileged communities on the Atlantic coast."
I looked at Roland, and he was already looking at me, raising one of his eyebrows. The presenter continued talking, and I didn't pay attention until a bad comment caught our attention.
"Beatriz, my daughter, will present the award." I tried not to show my displeasure.
"As long as she doesn't kiss me without my consent again, everything will be fine, Andrés."
What did Roland just say? I was stunned. He kept talking while the girl stared at her feet. Juan was also listening, bewildered. Mr. Andrés turned red from the embarrassment caused by his daughter.
"I have a serious problem with my girlfriend right now because of her lack of boundaries, and it's cost me the ability to kiss her, knowing how much I enjoy it."
I felt my face flush; the heat of embarrassment enveloped me completely. I didn't know who was redder, Beatriz, her father, or me. Meanwhile, Roland looked at Mr. Andrés with authority.
"Sorry, Andrés, but Verónica doesn't believe that I didn't expect what happened and..."
"Buddy, it'll take a lot of work to get her to kiss you, Vero," Juan intervened.
"Don't rub their relationship in my face."
"Sorry." My ex-boyfriend raised his hands. "It was over three years; I know her. If you want advice, do whatever it takes to win her back."
"I haven't lost her." They exchanged looks, and Juan turned and walked away.
"I'm sorry," Beatriz said. "I..."
I didn't know whether to leave or stay. I wanted to buy hiding places with pesos. God, swallow me whole! The situation was so awkward; I started to feel sorry for her. Roland looked at her like she was a cockroach.
"I wanted to clear things up with my girlfriend. I don't care about your feelings. You saw me arrive with her, introduce her as my girlfriend, and you still kissed me. It was malicious on your part, and I just want Verónica to know the truth. I didn't kiss you."
"Roland!" I said.
That was enough. He looked at me, and I signaled him to stop the torture of embarrassment for that poor girl. We were never friends; she was always away at schools outside Colombia, and I only saw her during vacations. Besides, we were teenagers. However, she looked indignant, and that was for a reason. I believe they never kissed, but it was evident that she didn't get her hopes up alone; there were signs...
They called Roland to the stage. We walked hand in hand, and he caressed the back of my hand before letting go, then he went up. Everyone in the audience applauded him. I smiled, seeing that in Barranquilla, the image he projected was different. They appreciated and admired him.
They didn't fear him like in Bogotá. How did he manage two such different personalities? And yet, neither seemed to be him entirely. It was like he was several people in one. He wanted something different; something didn't fit in his two personalities, but without a doubt, I liked this version more.
"Thank you."
The black suit made his beautiful cat-like eyes stand out even more, a dangerous, mysterious, and multifaceted green.
"It's a great joy to receive such recognition for doing my job. Thank you."
They handed him a statuette; it was a crystal building. It wasn't Beatriz but an older woman who gave him the trophy, perhaps the wife of another associate. My boyfriend smiled at her. He gave her a hug and then a kiss on the cheek. The woman took the microphone and began to read what I assume was written at the base of the statuette.
"Recognition for the good heart and collaboration with those in need." She looked at him. "Thank you for making the dream come true for over a hundred families, who now have a warm roof over their heads."
My heart ached. It was incredible that this was Roland. The boss. Who was my boyfriend really? I couldn't help it; tears welled up. As he descended the stairs, he approached me and pressed his forehead against mine.
"I hate to see you cry, Verónica."
He spoke so softly while wiping my tears with his free hand.
"They're tears of joy and admiration." I held back the urge to kiss him.
"Am I forgiven?"
"If you weren't, I wouldn't be here with you, and still, you won't kiss me because..."
"I just need to wash my mouth out with bleach," he said in a frustrated tone.
"Why did she kiss you?" He raised his hands.
"I don't know," he emphasized each word. I sighed.
"I don't believe you," I replied, wanting to hear the truth from his lips. "No one kisses anyone without being given a reason, except for loose women, and Beatriz seems far from that. She's a girl from a good family; I've known her for some years."
"Shall we dance?" I sighed.
"Keep in mind, Roland, I'm not like the countless women you know." No matter what he does, I won't kiss him.