Chapter 37 The Beach
By Valeria
I had thought about traveling to Miami to see my sister and parents, but I reconsidered and signed up for three intensive courses at the university, which are held in February.
At the university, they made a mistake and enrolled me in four courses.
I barely have time to breathe.
Emi is taking three courses to become a certified public accountant.
We’re pursuing the same career, although she had considered studying law, which is another field that interests me and shares some courses with the business administration degree. For now, I’ve put that on hold.
Emi did the same.
The first weekend of February, we wanted to go to the beach, but it was going to rain all weekend, so we stayed in Buenos Aires. I called Susana to meet up, and she suggested that Emi and I go to Mariana’s house.
On Sunday, like many others, I found myself having lunch at that house, without Alejandro, but with Emi.
Mariana was delighted with Emi.
Alejandro’s aunt doesn’t look like she has the fortune she does; she’s extremely down-to-earth.
They asked me how my relationship with Alejandro was going.
I got nervous and blushed.
“I get along well with him.”
That’s all I said.
Emi looked at me and shook her head.
I glared at her.
“You’re practically the first secretary he’s had. The others just passed through, and he got tired of them quickly.”
I thought it wouldn’t be long before he asked for a change of department or fired me.
I couldn’t say that either.
In the end, I lasted longer than the others, but I fell into his trap, much more than that, I tightened the trap, tied a strong knot, and sank myself by adding extra weight so I couldn’t even float.
I give everything for his love, yet I know it’s not enough.
I’m the most foolish of his secretaries.
Luckily, they changed the subject and moved on to the specifics of temporary shelters.
They asked about our studies and about my parents and sister. I told them I was about to visit but decided to fully commit to my studies instead.
“If you keep this up, you’ll graduate as an accountant in a year and a half.”
“Yes, that’s what I hope for. I just hope that when Alejandro returns, he lets me continue attending classes during the last week of February.”
“If he bothers you or doesn’t give you time off, let me know,” Susana said.
“Thank you.”
“You’re both very young; you should go out more, have fun, have a boyfriend…”
Emi and I looked at each other.
A sigh must have given me away, but no one commented.
“If next weekend is sunny and nice, we’ll go to the coast.”
“I love the idea, you should have fun.”
We stayed until after 6 PM.
Mariana is very pleasant, and so was Susana, despite what everyone in the building said about the HR manager being almost a witch.
She was demanding, it’s true, but incredibly humane and, when you got to know her, funny and entertaining.
Neither Susana nor Mariana had children, which is why they adored Alejandro, and I feel they appreciate me a lot too, and I reciprocated that.
The second week went by, and Alejandro didn’t call me once. Of course, we were both on vacation, but that made it clear that to him, I was just an employee.
It hurt, a lot, but it was a reality, my reality.
“Cheer up, Valeria, look at yourself in the mirror, you’re beautiful.”
“It doesn’t mean much to be beautiful to be by Alejandro’s side… he has thousands of beautiful women, every day, in his arms.”
“He’s not the only man.”
“I know.”
“Never forget your worth. Luckily, I don’t see Omar often, or I’d be as lost as you.”
“They’re powerful, multimillionaires, and attractive, and to them, we’re just insects.”
“That’s why you can’t be in love with him.”
It’s not easy.
He’s so blatant when he looks at me and scans my body that I feel a whirlwind of passion in my belly, and my heart feels like it’s going to burst out of my chest.
I understand what I mean to him and what women mean to him.
The third week went by, and he still didn’t contact me.
I miss him more each day. My plan was to spend the weekend in bed, listening to music, but Emi forced me to join her at the coast again; the days were spectacular.
Despite being very fair-skinned, I managed to get a tan that made my blonde hair stand out, which had lightened a bit more from the sun, and my eyes seemed brighter.
On Monday, I was going back to work.
I had terrible anxiety.
I hoped Alejandro would send his driver to take me to his apartment.
That didn't happen.
I showed up for work, but Alejandro wasn't there.
I wasn't planning on calling him.
I called Susana, and she told me they had a problem with the plane and would be back on Wednesday.
I completed my shifts on Monday and Tuesday and attended my classes. I only had the last class of two subjects left, and the final exams were next week.
On Wednesday, he didn't call either, but after noon, he showed up at the office.
When I heard the elevator, my heart was pounding so hard I thought everyone in the building could hear it.
I stood up and saw him step out of the elevator with that confident, arrogant, smug air...
I felt his gaze on me, and once again, I had that sensation of being enveloped in fire.
He stood in front of me.
I didn't know whether to jump into his arms or stay still.
He approached slowly, as if savoring the moment.
"Hi, Vale."
He said, hugging me tightly. I was about to kiss his cheek.
"Did you forget about me?"
He said, kissing me on the lips.
I had to hold myself back from wrapping my legs around his waist.
He kissed me with limitless passion for a long time.
We barely stopped to breathe.
I was trembling, and it seemed like he was too, but it must have been my imagination.
I also don't understand why I welcome him like this, knowing he must have been with two dozen women, if not more.
There must be something wrong with me.
We separated, and he didn't stop caressing my back.
I forgot the world existed.
I die for his kisses, even if they're not just mine.
I lost all dignity.
"You're beautiful, I missed you."
I could only smile sadly; his words sounded so obligatory, but they were better than indifference.
And his kisses... God, I missed them.
Everything else fades away when I'm with him, when he's in front of me.
I look at him, mesmerized.
As if he were a deity, he is to me.
"Come to my office with two coffees and catch me up on what's been happening."
So I did.
From Alejandro's perspective
I'm not in love.
I went on vacation, as always, planning to relax and have fun.
Sometimes friends would join for a few days; this time, Gonzalo and Omar came along.
When I'm boarding the plane, I feel like I'd love to be boarding with Vale and spend a few days alone somewhere where no one can interrupt us.
I definitely need to have her a few more times to get over what I'm feeling.
I'll get my fill and then she'll just go back to being my secretary. I don't plan on replacing her.
For this flight, we had hired extra flight attendants, intending to start the fun once we were in the air.
That's what we did, but what I felt didn't compare to the sensations I had with Valeria.
So much so that in the last hours, I decided to sleep, but instead of sleeping, I could only taste her in my senses.
I finally managed to sleep for a few hours and woke up looking for her image, realizing I was on the plane, heading to my vacation.
I was in a bad mood.
"What the hell is wrong with you?"
"Don't bother me."
I said to Gonzalo.
"You sound like a little girl."
Omar said.
Gonzalo looked at us, and Omar, the loudmouth, wouldn't stop detailing what was going on with Valeria.
I know he does it because Gonzalo is part of our inseparable trio.
"The worst part is he didn't use protection and he's so calm about it."
"Are you an idiot?"
"I wouldn't mind having a child with her. In fact, that way, I'd have her for myself forever."
I said without thinking.
"We think Valeria fell in love with him, and I'm telling you, she's not the only one in love."
"I'm not in love. What the hell is wrong with you?"
No, it's impossible for me to be in love.
That's not my thing. I just need to make love to her a few more times, and the attraction will pass.
"I'm not in love. It would be absurd. You'll see I won't call her at all during the vacation."
"Why would you call her?"
I had no answer for that question.