I waited patiently for Damien to make a statement to the woman in front of us, but he resigned himself to pressing me against his body and turning away without a word. I noticed that his face was suddenly tense and his eyes narrowed as he led us into the room.- Is everything all right? - I should have stopped asking him that, but I couldn't help it.- It is, Darling. - He assured me, but didn't look at me.Before I could insist again, we left the building and I was faced with a large green field and a kind of sophisticated wide veranda that housed a small group of people.- Damien! - Another man approached us. But this one was thin and slender with wavy brown hair. - I thought you were going to give us another cake.Damien let out a not very genuine laugh.- And miss the chance to see him beaten by me for the fifth time in a row in a different country?The man grimaced, but smiled. Suddenly, he noticed me.- Who's your beautiful friend?-This is Ellen and she's decided to give me the
She laughed debauchedly and looked at me with contempt. I felt his muscles tighten around me and mine tensed too. - The businessman known for his designer girls is now buying things at the bazaar? - She stopped in front of us. - She's very unsuitable for you, darling. I felt my muscles tense up even more and took a deep breath to find my self-control. - Come on, Ellen. - He moved away and picked up his belongings from the floor. Then his hand rested on my waist again. - Damien, please. You can't throw away everything we had because of a silly disagreement. I was cheated on. - She took him by the arm. - What's wrong with you? - The words jumped out of my mouth. Crystle stared at me and then let out a laugh. - So she has a tongue? What a luxury. Is it wearing well on you, Damien? The way you like it? Like I used to? I felt my face burn with irritation at the provocation and I couldn't hold back any longer. - I don't know what else you do with your inappropriate and vulgar tongue,
I dropped my bag on the dusty, friendly sofa in my living room. My feet were a bit sore and I needed a shower. However, before I could walk to the bathroom, one of my phones vibrated inside my bag. I dropped down onto the upholstery as I opened it to look for my cell phone. It was him. At exactly the time I'd promised.- Damien? - I held the phone between my shoulder and my ear, suddenly aware of the masculine smell of his jacket on my shoulders.- Are you home?- Yes. I told you I'd be fine by cab. - I repeated.- I don't like your refusals very much. Tom might as well take you home. - his voice sounded resentful.- When do we have our next appointment? - I changed the subject to avoid another argument.- Next Friday. Ulysses invited us to a table on Broadway, after the exhibition in his gallery.- Art and then live music? - I took off my sandals. At least I knew what to expect from the restaurant frequented by a large part of Rio's elite. It was a constant reference point for refine
- You what?I saw her eyes go wide and then almost pop out of their sockets, right after she screamed.Over the next few minutes I emptied myself. I told her about all my conversations with Damien, how the proposal came about and how I accepted it.- He dared to tell you all this? What a bastard! Ellen and you accepted anyway? Even after he'd humiliated you? - Arianna's eyes were dark with irritation.- Keep your voice down. The houses are glued together here! - I pleaded. - I know it was wrong, but I had to save David and that treatment would take every penny out of my aunt and uncle. - I lowered my shoulders in resignation.- Even so! Ell, the things he said to you... - Arianna looked angry. - Ellen, you didn't have to. We could have done it together!- No! We couldn't and I didn't want to drag you all down with me into this problem. Damien offered me a small fortune in this deal and I realized that it could be the solution to all problems.- You should have trusted me! Your family!
David looked at the doctor and shook my hand. He was clearly nervous about starting treatment.- There's no need to be afraid, boy. We'll just do a few blood transfusions. - The balding doctor with a warm smile announced.- Is that how it will be?- Yes, ma'am. - He smiled at me. - David will start with blood transfusions and supplemented doses of iron. We'll see how he reacts to this and we'll know what step to take. If he responds well, you'll soon be able to go home and the treatment will become home treatment.David looked at me and smiled excitedly.- I'll be able to watch Supernatural! - He celebrated.- Yes, you can. - Nurse Elizabeth, a mature woman with a gentle smile, encouraged my brother by stroking his hair.- So let's get started! - David proposed, suddenly free of fear.- Of course. But first, give him his medicine, Elizabeth. - The doctor told the nurse. - And we'll be back soon to start the first transfusion.Elizabeth offered David some pills and a glass of water. He
- And the glass? - I shouted euphorically, lifting my shot of tequila.- The glass is still in my hand. - Arianna and Jenny answered in unison and we all started laughing.- I love that song. - Arianna said after taking another swallow.- So do I. - I agreed, leaning my head on her shoulder. I suddenly felt light. - I'm watching it all go round.Jenny laughed next to me, as if I was telling a very funny joke.- I think... I think we need to start dancing instead of just listening. - Jenny wiggled her shoulders like a Spanish dancer.- No... I'm not going to dance. - I held up my index finger in warning.- That's because you know you'd lose to me. None of you can dance like me. - Arianna stared at us defiantly.- What's it like? - Jenny tapped the table in annoyance. - I won a talent show in sixth grade.- So what? Ellen and I won one too and we sang really badly. - Arianna said and then laughed.- But the point is that I danced. Still to Shakira's song. - Jenny defended herself and su
It felt like something was squeezing my head and making my veins throb painfully. I let out an anguished groan and tried to open my eyes, but the brightness made the pain increase. I closed them once more and breathed slowly, trying to concentrate on something other than the throbbing discomfort.What had I done yesterday? A few shots of tequila with Jenny and Arianna.Laughter, loud music and then the dance floor. Then the images seemed like blurs in my mind, a kind of hallucinatory dream.I tried to open my eyes and this time I managed it, ignoring the pain. I spotted my Top Gun poster and sighed with relief. My room. Nothing so serious should have happened. I'd just abused alcohol and Arianna had brought me home.I rolled over in bed, realizing that I was lying on my stomach and that I was still wearing the dress I'd worn to the party. There was a sheet wrapped around my waist and my heels were on the floor next to me.Regretting having gotten carried away with the Tequila, I pulle
When we left my house, I realized to my relief that there weren't many people in the street yet. Damien indicated the driver's seat to Tom and he opened the door for me himself. I got in and he followed soon after.- Where to, Mr. Mason?- Give Tom the coordinates, Darling. - Damien smiled nonchalantly.- To the school two blocks down the road, Tom, please. - I asked.- As you wish, miss. - Tom replied. He could never call me by my name.The car pulled away and I raised my wrist to look at the clock. It was almost nine. That would give me time to get to school.- Do you remember our appointment today? - Damien said and I stared at him. He was also looking at his watch.- The gallery. - I remembered. - What time are we leaving?- The exhibition starts at seven and we'll be on Broadway at nine. - He gave me his attention. - You can go with me to my house and you can stay there if you like. When I arrive, we'll leave quickly.I opened my mouth to challenge him, but then I realized that f