Chapter 6 - Your Other World - mduno
I was thoughtful, making faces at him to get him to accept my proposal. It wasn’t the first time he pretended to be my boyfriend.
“What time?” I smiled at him.
“Is that a yes?” I almost started jumping like a little girl.
“But under those conditions. I want to be the first to submit the thesis.” He pointed a finger at me.
“Okay.” I clapped, and several of my classmates smiled at my childish act.
“Lorena wants to go out on Saturday.” I crossed my arms.
“You never say no to her, but with me, you think about it?” He shook his head, hiding a half-smile.
“Neither one nor the other, Vero.”
I looked away, started tapping my foot with my hand on my hip, definitely throwing a jealous tantrum. He laughed, messing up my ponytail.
“You know you’re the first. You didn’t have to beg me. If you ask Lorena, she even cried to me because she’s bringing a friend and doesn’t want to leave you alone at home. I’ll be your date.”
“It’s already a habit for us.”
We laughed, and the teacher clapped twice, signaling us to start dancing. We resumed practice and finished around five in the afternoon. Raúl took me to my apartment on his motorcycle. He didn’t stay long, planning to stay up late tonight to make time to accompany me tomorrow.
“Should I pick you up?” I thought about it.
“No, as I said, so you can get more done, we’ll meet at seven-thirty at this address.” I wrote down the address and handed it to him. He raised an eyebrow.
“Nice neighborhood. Do I know this friend?”
“It’s where my ex lives.”
“Your ex is rich?” I nodded. “The one who cheated on you in the first semester of college?”
“Yes, the same one.”
I studied high school with Juan. We drifted apart when he started college, each of us taking different paths, and his friends were different from mine back then.
“Well, I don’t remember the details. What’s this about?” He put the paper in his jeans pocket.
“I don’t know. I just want to go.”
I shrugged. I had no idea why I wanted to see Juan’s family again. I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea.
“Alright, see you at the entrance. How should I dress?”
“Casual, and you’ll look great.”
“Can I check out prospects?” I looked at him. I’ve never been embarrassed by his orientation. “I know, and thanks for loving me as I am.”
“You’re welcome.”
I got up. I had a language class, and today was the final Mandarin exam. I had studied a lot. It wasn’t easy, but I passed both the oral and written presentations. My teachers congratulated me. Oriental languages fascinate me. I will probably start the next one, and Korean will be next.
When I got home, it was three in the afternoon. I ate a hot dog. I looked at the clock; I had just enough time. I took longer than usual to find the right outfit. I was going to a high-end house. Damn, why did I agree? I threw a tantrum in front of the mirror, finally deciding on jeans. Frustrated on the bed, I grabbed my phone and called Lorena.
“Hi, Vero!” I heard her smile.
“Fine, I guess,” I replied grumpily.
“Are you getting ready already?” I’m so predictable. I need to work on that.
"Yes, that's why I'm calling you. Can you lend me one of your blouses?"
"You don't need to ask for permission, but..." I stood up. "In the bottom drawer of my closet, I have your birthday gift." I smiled like an idiot.
"There are still several days left."
"Yes, I know. When I saw it, I imagined you in it. Put it on, and then I'll see what else I can give you. That way, you won't feel uncomfortable because it's borrowed clothes."
"Wow, you really know me."
I laughed, entered her room, and took my gift, a lovely pink silk camisole.
"It's perfect!"
"I knew it." I heard her laugh; the garment was exquisite. "Did Raúl manage to come with you?"
"Yes, sometimes you seem like my mom."
She sighed, and I imagined her trying to hide her sadness.
"No, Vero, you're the only good thing by my side. You're that good little sister, the version of what I would have liked to be in another life."
"Are you high?"
She wasn't an addict, but when her client got high, she had to do the same.
"I'm just a bit melancholic. We'll see each other tomorrow."
"Lorena... take care of yourself," something wasn't right, and she didn't want to tell me. "Lore, you know I love you very much, always remember that you're important to me."
"I know, Vero, if God exists, he must."
I laughed; she never used to talk about him, now look at her, accepting it, even coming to mass with me on Sundays.
"If he put you in my life, it's because he must love me a little, at least. Thank you for accepting me as I am."
"I love you, crazy girl. Scratch the itch. See you tomorrow." I blew her a kiss over the phone.
"Yes!" she shouted. "We have a club night."
She said before hanging up. I shook my head in silence. She must have gotten high; that was her reaction when she did. I put on the birthday gift, and when I looked in the mirror, I liked it. The blouse was beautiful. I slipped into my light pink heels, which matched the gift perfectly. I grabbed my purse, checked my documents, and smiled at the time. Despite the delay, I was on time. I arrived fifteen minutes before the scheduled time with Raúl and waited in the parking lot for him to arrive.
"Verónica?"
My heart raced at a thousand miles per hour just hearing his voice again. I turned around, and there he was, with his main bodyguard and two more in the car. This was too much of a coincidence.
"Do you remember my name?"
He arched his left eyebrow, letting out a superior huff, even managing to make that look charming.
"I have a good memory," he responded dryly.
"Or maybe you remember me."
I smiled. I don't know why I flirted with him. Wait, Verónica! Are you flirting with the country's top boss? I changed my thoughts. I looked at him; he was dressed casually. He looked like a model. He rolled up his sleeves, and Jesus, how could he be so manly? It was exquisite to see.
"Do you have a client in the complex?" I opened my eyes wide.
"Are you interested in me?"
My words made him change his attitude. He let out a laugh, his gaze... poor fool.
"Good joke, girl."
His air of superiority managed to intimidate me. I lowered my head, something I rarely do. Then, because of the silence, I met his gaze again. He analyzed me with disdain, making me feel insignificant.
"I knew you had a price."
He walked away laughing, and I felt the heat rise to my face. What was that? First, he flirted with me, then he mistook me for a hooker again. However, his laughter was the most unpleasant thing for my female ego.
I'm not the most beautiful woman on the planet, but I'm not unpleasant either. The mirror tells me that every day. Maybe I'm not voluptuous, but I have curves, all natural. Who does that guy think he is? Besides, he was a jerk! I sighed a little. This was the last straw! I argued with myself. I wanted to leave, luckily I wouldn't see him again.
I paced back and forth. The more time passed, the more tangled my mind became. Not only that, my ego was wounded. His laugh was so despotic and a bit insulting. No, not a bit. Very insulting! It made me feel like I was worth nothing, like a foolish dreamer. In part, I agreed with him. What was that about: "Maybe he remembers me?" And why did I get so scared when I heard him? I looked at the clock. "Raúl is taking too long. If he doesn't show up in ten minutes, I'm leaving." Finally, my friend appeared before me. He chose his outfit well: a red plaid shirt that highlighted his skin tone, khaki pants, loafers, and a sweater in his hand.
"How do I look?" I smiled.
He was a frustrated cover model, not ugly, not handsome, but he had an elegance in dressing.
"Incredible. I need another favor." He half-smiled.
"Another one?" He approached to give me a kiss on the forehead.
"Pretend to be my boyfriend, okay?"
He grabbed my arms, making me look at him.
"We agreed on that. Do you want to make your ex-boyfriend jealous?"
I hadn't thought of it that way. That wasn't my intention. It was my plan B in case I ran into that idiot again. I wouldn't let him make me feel insignificant.
"More or less."
I didn't need to give Raúl details. Well, I would give him details tomorrow with Lorena.
"If I see a hottie at the party, can I flirt with him?"
"No, yes. You know."
"Alright, Vero, anything for you."
He raised his hands, pulling me in to kiss the top of my head. I hugged him around the waist; he smelled incredible.
"Thanks."
He laughed out loud. As we turned around, we bumped into a guy whose face seemed familiar. I couldn't remember where I'd seen him. He was taller, over six feet. The collision was between the two men.
"Excuse me," Raúl said, continuing to walk beside me. "He smells good." I sighed to the heavens; you can't win with him.
"I've seen him somewhere."
With the dim light of the parking lot, I could only see he had black hair and fair skin. We arrived at Juan's house. He was checking the time from the balcony. When he saw me, he smiled, but it didn't last long. He went inside while we climbed the stairs, then came out to greet us.
It was clear he didn't expect me to arrive with a man, and I didn't expect his companion. My heart raced. I squeezed Raúl's hand; he understood it was because of my ex-boyfriend.
"You haven't changed when it comes to punctuality," I smiled.
"No, it's one of my qualities, and I hope to keep it."
I glanced at Roland, who couldn't take his eyes off me. It was so insistent, like he was screaming inside my head, so I decided to face him. His jaw was clenched, and he kept his hands behind his back. His attitude was threatening.
"Vero, let me introduce you to a great friend and my dad's business partner."
I smiled. His bodyguard looked like a certified serial killer, so I preferred to pretend not to know him.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Verónica Vázquez."
Both men's shoulders relaxed, and so did I. These guys were undoubtedly very bad, even killers.
"A pleasure, Roland Sandoval." I gestured to introduce my friend.
"Are you Vero's boyfriend?" Juan offered a hypocritical smile.
"You said it," Raúl replied.
"Vero!" Mrs. Gisela shouted. I hadn't seen her in years. She came over to us. "I shouldn't even talk to you! Was I that bad of a mother-in-law?"
I realized Roland knew nothing about my history with the family. I appreciated Juan's discretion.
"You never came back. I regret it so much..." She looked at her son with a murderous glare. "My son's idiocy."
"He still reminds me of it," Juan commented with a sigh.
"Son, you're standing before the most beautiful girl in the world."
Such praise made me blush. Mrs. Gisela resembled my mom in that aspect; she knew how to make me blush. Roland raised an eyebrow, as if to say, "I disagree with your comment," which felt worse.
"You haven't changed, always flattering," I commented.
"No. You're too kind."
"I agree with what she says," Raúl added. Mrs. Gisela pointed at him, accusingly.
"You better, young man, because the effect of Vero's absence is bitterness for months—enough."
"Come," she said to Raúl. "Excuse me, son, I'll steal your girlfriend for a moment."
"And Beatriz?" I asked.
"In Barranquilla." She exchanged a fleeting look of complicity with Roland. "This was one of those situations where I realize how small the world is." "I'm sorry, son." Was Beatriz his partner?
"Don't worry. Besides, the party is to celebrate the contract we won," he replied.
"Yes, that makes me very happy," she commented. "Now then," she resumed the conversation with me. "Why didn't you come back?"
"I had a lot of work." Why is everyone staring at me?
"I imagine you're busy."
Juan looked at his companion. For the first time, his tone showed some irritation. He didn't look away, scrutinizing me without knowing why. Raúl noticed, his look asking for an explanation.
"We'll be right back." Thankfully, Mrs. Gisela came to the rescue.
"I'll keep an eye on him."
Juan gave Raúl a somewhat strong pat on the back. We went inside, and Mrs. Gisela led me to the back. I had forgotten how beautiful her house was. We reached the kitchen.
"Is Beatriz the partner of your husband's associate?"