Chapter 15
Maria
I’m frustrated. My attempts to find out where that stupid Annie is have been useless. Everyone in the family has turned their backs on me. I feel like a pariah everyone avoids. But if I can’t find out anything about that little woman, then I just have to move forward in my relationship with Liam
“Good morning, love” I open his bedroom door. I know he left for work early this morning, but it’s time for him to get up.
“Maria? What are you doing here? What time is it? He’s disoriented, so I lean in to give him a kiss and tell him the time.
“It’s four in the afternoon. As I understand it, if you left for work in the morning, you have revisions in the afternoon, am I wrong?” Liam shakes his head. He les back down without saying anything “Come on, don’t be lazy. Get up. I brought food. We can keep each other company and chat” He nods but makes no attempt to get up, so I go to the edge of the bed and lie down on top of him, taking advantage of the fact that he’s on his back. We start kissing, but his lips lack the fire they used to have. It’s like fim kissing a mannequin. I get up and pretend to be sad. “Don’t you like my kisses anymore?” This gets a reaction out of him, so he sits up in bed and takes my arm to pull me towards him.
“How can you say that? You know I love them, but I’m just waking up. Come here” I settle on his chest, sitting on his legs. He’s only wearing pajama bottoms, his torso bare. He’s a very handsome man. And since he has to stay in shape, he goes to the gym, so his muscles are hard. He’s a walking templation. “What are you thinking, you
get out of his arms and run to the living room. A sight laugh escapes him, echoing in the room. He’s
mine: And those months he spent with that stupid girl didn’t affect the influence I have over him, of that I’m sure
While he takes a shower, I serve the food I brought. He doesn’t take long to come out and sits on the other side of the table. He doesn’t look at me, but I look at him. He’s hungry because he quickly devours what’s on his plate. When I see that he’s about to finish, I decide to speak..
“Honey, I think it’s time everyone knew about us. Well, they must already know, but we have to do it formally, don’t you think?” I see that he gets a little flustered and doesn’t look up. I know it’s not a topic he likes to talk about, but it’s time we did.
“I I
think so. It’s time. When do you want to do it?” he asks, and I start to think
“Hmm. How about Arnie’s birthday? Surely there will be a dinner at Uncle Steven and Aunt Tanya’s house that day, and then something for the young people at the bar. What do you think ?*
He scratches his head, as if thinking about the scenario we are going to face. But I’m sure he’s going to support my idea
“Okay, we’ll do it then. Well arrive at the party together on Saturday” I smile slightly, but inside, I’m jumping for joy
“Thank you honey. Come on, finish your dessert.” He takes the small piece of cake I brought and starts eating. Despite everything, he still does what i say, even though his kisses are getting colder and colder.
While he gets ready, I start clearing the table. I want him to see that I will be the best housewife. A triumphant smile appears on my face. You lost. stupid butterfly.
As I’m getting dressed for work, I keep thinking about what happened earlier. While I was asleep, I could have sworn I heard Annie’s voice in the room in my dreams. Her usual way of greeting me when she arrived took me by surprise. I almost called her by name, and that would have been a terrible mistake. But what worries me the most is the joy my heartfelt.
But when I realized reality, that joy suddenly evaporated. I think the time Maria and I were apart affected me more than I thought. I sit on the edge of the bed for a moment, but immediately get up. As if drawn by something, I walk to the closet to look for the things Annie brought to stay here. To my surprise, there’s nothing. Although I would have sworn saw them when I moved after the attempted wedding. I go to the bathroom and realize that her toiletries are gone too. Those were here too. Everything has disappeared. If it had been the cleaning lady, she would have told me. The only option left is that it was Maria, the time she told me she was staying
I think she was also affected by the separation. Although I don’t want her to be jealous, I have unintentionally provoked her
“Annie, how are you? You must hate me right now.” Although I don’t want to admit it, I miss her a lot. Every day that passes, I long for her presence.
I push those thoughts out of my head and leave the room to meet my girlfriend. I arrive in the living room and see her very entertained by her cell phone
IF YOU
doing?” I ask casually
“Oh, nothing important, just looking at my social media. This video is funny, look” She shows me, but I don’t really find it funny. I’m not really y into
1/2
Chapter 15
those apps that only distract people
Right, yeah it’s very funny” She continues to be entertained while I gather my things. “Shall we go?” She nods and gets up to grab her purse. We go down to the parking lot and get in my car.
“Should I drop you off at home?” She shakes her head.
“No, I want to go to the club for a while. I’m meeting some friends. We’re going to the spa and then to look at shops. I want to find a nice dress for Saturday” I don’t say anything, so I just drive. When we arrive, she’s about to get out, but I suddenly ask her, “Mania, did you drop out of the institute you were studying an?” She nods. I can tell she’s uncomfortable with my question. What are you going to do now? You didn’t like anything you tried here either.” I see the annoyance on her face at my interrogation
1 don’t know yet. Why? Does it bother you to be with an ignoramus? That Annie was a doctor and you weren’t interested. If I don’t study something. won’t you marry me?” She’s on the defensive and it surprises me.
1 didn’t say it to upset you, I just wanted to know. But it’s okay, you do what you want. And no, it doesn’t matter to me if you study or not. You’re going to be my wife anyway” I see her anger gradually subsiding. She turns to me and gives me a quick kiss.
I’m not upset. In fact, I’d already forgotten about it. But I don’t like you questioning me. I’ll do whatever I want with my life. And now I’m going.” She opens the door and gets out.
I’m left alone with my thoughts. A slight smile appears on my face. That was the stupidest fight we could have had. I start the car and head straight for the hospital 1 keep thinking about what just happened. I can’t help but make comparisons. It bothers me a lot to do it, but it’s impossible to avoid.
Annie is a rich heiress. A millionaire, considering what she’s going to inhent when her parents pass away, or maybe even before. However, she was one of the best in her class. I always saw her studying tirelessly and then she graduated with honors. She didn’t need to try so hard. Yet she did.
Maria, on the other hand, is a girl with a very troubled family. She has lived off of what my parents give her, and she lives a very good life. My parents wanted to give her the best education, but she rejects it because someday we will get married. What are her goals in life? Just to be a wife and mother? To attend every social event she can?
Now I wonder if I haven’t spoiled her too much. Will frustrate her aspirations, which she has never told me about?
My head starts to pound. I don’t think I should rush into anything with her. She’s a very young girl, while I’m an adult. I have to find out what she thinks about her future.
And with that in mind, I start my new workday. For a moment, as I’m in the elevator, I look at the number of the floor where Annie used to work and decide to take a walk around there.
When I arrive, all her former colleagues look at me curiously. One of them approaches me and speaks to me flirtatiously
“Doctor, it’s good to see you here. The doctor is no longer with us, but if there’s anything you need, don’t hesitate to ask words and walk away
What kind of colleagues she have? How did Annie survive here for so long?
just nod at the woman’s
2/2
