Seven Stories for a Summer Afternoon

by Jossy Loes

—Oh, Hayley! —reproached her the aforesaid mother—. You are outrageous, you should not scare your brother in that way.

  —I am not scaring him —she replied mockingly—, I warn him—she confessed cunningly. Their mother pulled out her fan to cope with the teasing.

  —Well, my dear brother, what stories will you tell me about those trips?

  —For the moment we will have a guest and I hope you will be friendly with him.

  —What do you mean? —asked Hayley—. I've always been friendly with your friends, even with those I can't stand. —Hubert laughed.

  —I was referring to mother. —The woman opened her eyes and groaned offended—. Do you remember my friend Ian?, he has returned to the city and I would not like him to rush out in terror due to your eventual hints regarding Hayley.

  —Oh, holy heavens! —exclaimed the girl—. I thought you wished to get rid of me quickly, before I turned into a huge burden. —Hubert roared with laughter.

  —Don't swear! —her mother scolded her, fanning herself to continue with her son, who was giving wings to her daughter—. Hubert, I thought that the stay abroad had made you more mature —she breathed soundly and continued—. What have I done to make my children have such a bad opinion about me? —she exclaimed with drama, making them both laugh again.

  The doorbell rang, and along with it came the surprise for Hayley and Ian, who did not know what to do upon seeing each other.

  He never imagined that the girl who attracted him was exactly the sister of one of his best friends and Hayley saw a noticeable change in this, now, well-known gentleman, he barely spoke to her or looked at her, which led to conclusion that his interest had been a mere innocent flirtation which ended on the day she left Candice's arm.

  To avoid disappointed was not easy, she wished that he was just a simple acquaintance and not a person close to her brother, what she felt made her stay reserved during the entire dinner.

  Ian, on his part, was uncomfortable, answered the questions and talked about his lands in Scotland. The mother of the young woman smiled imagining some happy story, and Hayley was biting her tongue to avoid explaining to her that this man was already committed and, when she wanted to say it, it was too late, her mother had invited him to dinner another day.

  Ian kept his composure, his heart feeling heavy, that night he had realized that he was trapped by her charms. When the young woman smiled, the urge to have her in his arms grew, making him regret the promise made on that same afternoon, he thought of taking the risk to ask to continue visiting her, but then concluded that he should be honest with his friend, the only problem was how to explain to him that the Lady who kept occupied his thoughts was actually his sister.

  Two weeks passed in which Ian wanted to see her again and Hayley wanted not to have known him. Ian dreamed every night about the lips of the young woman which made him realize that he would have only one chance to speak and it was that night, at the dance organized by his cousin, the duke of Atholl.

  Wearing a dark blue tuxedo with the lapel, white pants, and a simple black mask he went to the great ball given by his cousin; Hayley, on the contrary, chose a dress of silk pink along with a hairdo that resembled a head of the swan.

  Upon entering the mansion of the Atholls, she saw the majestic living room and in the distance could be heard the melody of the music. She knew that at any moment would meet Ian dancing with his fiancée, Candice Toole, just thinking about it filled her with sadness, because deep down she wanted to be the one who was in the arms of Ian and hated herself at the same time for raising hopes without foundation.

  Her brother asked for the first dance, as well as one of the many candidates who kept insisting, she agreed not to think about Ian, but at the end of the last piece decided to go for a glass of punch and stumbled over the dark eyes of the Scottish.

  Ian had watched her throughout the night with every man who asked her for a few minutes to contemplate her beauty, turning into the sea of jealousy, which he had never felt, it overwhelmed him and when he saw where she was headed, he approached her, regardless of who might see them.

  —Lady Hayley, would You grant me the next dance? —She observed him for a few seconds not knowing what to say.

  —Your partner could be offended —she replied to avoid any misunderstanding.

  Ian raised an eyebrow and knew that she was referring to Candice Toole, and regretted having fallen the victim of the intentions of Lady Atholl and the duke of Devonshire.

  —I only ask that You grant me a few minutes —he insisted. Hayley could not understand what she felt and let herself be guided by it, she accepted.

  Ian took her hand and together they moved towards the dance hall, where, at that moment, the musicians started playing a waltz.

  —I know that I owe an explanation —Ian started explaining.

  —You should not give me any, Milord—answered Hayley—. I understand Your interest in Candice, she is a very beautiful Lady. —Ian fixed his eyes on her and breathed in deeply.

  —I have to tell You that I do not have any type of relationship with Lady Toole, it was a family commitment, however, before knowing Your name, I had a conversation with Hubert and I made a small error.

  Hayley's heart jumped at the feeling that her hopes will be reborn, she had so many confused feelings that she did not know how to express herself.

  —If it is not too much to ask —indicated the young woman after a few seconds—. What agreement do You have with my brother, that You treated me as an unknown?

  To confess or not was a hard question for Ian, he could offend her and lose her forever.

  —If I tell him that I regret —he pointed out looking at her eyes.

  —I suppose that you two spoke about me.

  —No.

  —Then I do not understand what do You have to regret —she replied confused.

  —Without asking for it, on the day we were introduced, formally began Your courtship.

  Hayley stopped, Ian took her arm again to continue the dance and to avoid any scandal, but she wanted him to repeat what he just had announced.

  —You barely know me to make a decision like that —she noticed with a sinking heart.

  —It is not necessary to know a person to realize that she is adequate to share the rest of the life with her.

  Again, Hayley was speechless and when she realized, the waltz finished.

  —I will understand if you don't want it, but if there is a chance, I will be waiting for You at the midnight in front of the fountain.

  The dance ended and Ian was the first to break contact, pulling Hayley out of her self-absorption. She had always wanted to be kissed in front of that fountain, and he was the man who was in her dreams.

  She bowed her head to say goodbye, realizing that she was returning with her mother, who looked at her smiling, she could only make a clunky bow as a farewell, bewildered at the improper request that she had just received.

  Although, from the first moment when their eyes met she felt attracted to him, she never thought that the earl of Buchanan would put his eyes on her and, to say the truth, her hopes were becoming reality.

  If she goes to this meeting, her reputation would go to waste, she would be committed to a forced marriage and did not want that, but she recalled that Ian had occupied part of her heart. She bit her lip on the inside, and her attention fell on the gossip that was always a substantial part of the balls as iconic as that one.

  Ian knew that it was risky what he had suggested, Hubert would challenge him to a duel if Hayley accepted his proposal, he lamented that the recklessness blinded his reasoning, but upon seeing several men prowling around the woman who occupied his dreams, he realized that he wanted her in his life.

  He was aware that his hopes were captivated in the first few minutes after the first bell, the guests would be greeting the dukes and listening to their words, while he dreamed that he would start a new life with Hayley.

  Midnight came when the first bell rang
, Hayley's heart was in her throat, she was about to give a great anger to her parents and she would have to give quite a lot explanations to her brother before he claims a duel.

  Ian heard the first bell, staying, waiting, clinging to the only dream he had, if she would not come, he'd understand that propriety had been the most important to her in taking the decision and he would be forever just a friend of the family.

  Every step was a continuous doubt for Hayley; the coldness of the night was an impediment to everything that she had opted for and when she saw the figure from behind, stopped.

  Ian was an imposing and elegant man; she imagined for a moment her life with him, and she felt a peace that had never been manifested in her mind, she thought about his face and knew that she needed her lips to be kissed by him, it was their first kiss and maybe the last before he would die, she opened her eyes and came to him with a single idea in the head.

  —I guess, Milord, that in the moment when it will be known that we are together I will keep the image in my memory of your lips on mine. —Ian turned immediately and, without hesitation, took three steps to be in front of Hayley.

  —Do you have any doubts about this? —she asked him with a smile on her lips, imitated by her alter ego full of shyness—. I am wanting to do this since the first time I saw you.

  —And what shall we do when they will discover us?

  —I will handle that... —murmured Ian—. Now I will carry out your wish...

  Rocking her face to crash his lips in hers, giving her warmth and tenderness with a certain intensity.

  Hayley knew that it was a risky kiss, a kiss on the place that she had always dreamed of, a kiss full of all the promises that will be fulfilled later.

  To Gran Canaria with a Surprise Included

  That chest sweat has given a result...

  5

  5th of December

  "My dearest Emma, a little bird has told me that you have decided to stay for Christmas in London again, and I was thinking that finally you'd come on the island and had already bought the ingredients for a trout of angel hair and sweet potatoes... Could it be that the surfer and supposed attorney of a bad influence keeps you kidnapped and you don't want tell about it to your family?

  I'm very disappointed, because you'll regret it, I'm sure about it.

  Sarito".

  —Why did my sister taught our aunt Sarito to send emails? —moaned Emma. Borja laughed at that crazy email. Sarito knew how to tempt her and it always worked.

  —I said that we should be for Christmas on the Canary islands, half of the year you're saying that we would go there.

  —Oh, but I can't! I have to leave everything organized and one tape is about to be recorded.

  —You will grow a nose like Pinocchio —he replied ironically—. Let me know what's happening, I hope that you're not tempted to accept the position of CEO and me to be the last to find it out.

  Emma looked at him askance and preferred to keep silent, sat on the bed and huffed with tiredness. She has been only for three years in her thirties. She had believed that her aunt would let her be in peace, and that bitch had bet they would last just for a year and a half. She didn't understand why she had prophesied such a calamity, but this time she was wrong.

  Borja pulled her to himself and settled her in his lap.

  —We still have time to go —he told her in a reconciliation tone.

  —I don't know, we're tight of money, Borja. In addition, for some days I have been feeling half-rare, I think that I will get a flu again.

  —You make up too many excuses when you've done something bad. Anyway, with a little dip at El Confital, you will remove all the evils —he replied stroking her back.

  —Sometimes you seem to be more Canary Islander than Basque, luckily the accent gives you away. —Borja roared with laughter and kissed her head.

  —What if we'd surprise her? I will buy the plane tickets tomorrow.

  —Yes, of course! Then we will stay in a hotel until Christmas Eve and at midnight we'll appear saying: Jo, Jo, Jo, and dressed in red!

  —Don't deny it, sweetheart, it's a perfect plan! Mama Noela and Santa Claus.

  —It seems to me that you are struck by the flu —she said—. Do you seriously intend to buy tickets in the most expensive month of the year? —Borja laughed again—. I don't like your surprises at all, I still remember Jimmy's wedding.

  —Confess that you like them at most —she told him, climbing on top of him.

  —Maybe I don't like just this one.

  —You liar!—she said biting gently his neck. Emma breathed out, closing her eyes due to his caressing—. Before sleeping I would like to find out more about mama Noela.

  He took off her pajamas trousers and at the same time Emma pulled quickly his T-shirt.

  Three and a half months before

  —We're going to be late, Emma, and as always it's your fault.

  —What a mania do you have to blame me!

  —You like to provoke me —he replied while approaching, opening her zipper.

  —Borja! —She pushed him laughing—. I'm still convalescing, that damn flu destroyed me —she indicated quickly putting on the shoes and they left to Jimmy's wedding.

  —I'm sure of that, it's the first time that I see you with so much nasal discharge.

  —You're a moron! —she said feeling ashamed.

  The previous week he was dependent on her. She had begun to feel ill to such an extent that she had to return home, and there came the first sneeze, the subsequent fever and a quite strong flu.

  The same situation she had experienced two weeks before her wedding, she was so stressed out that she had a major letdown of defenses, which brought to an attack of the flu. Borja took pity on her and he was taking care of her all the time, another detail of how much he loved her that she could not forget.

  Definitely she hated weddings. No matter if it was hers or not, she ended up crazy and ill. She had to finalize the final details before the campaign starts and at the same time to meet for sketches of upcoming spots with the sole purpose of being able to attend the event of the year.

  She was happy for Jimmy, finally he will marry Mary. The diabolical Mike Morris had refused to give her divorce unless will be fulfilled the conditions that he had listed, so that she understood it would be a fight with obstacles. She was an example of unconditional love, she has been for fifteen years struggling against her feelings until finally fate brought them together again, agreeing to marry the man of her life on the day she turned thirty.

  It had been so romantic that she did not hesitate to say yes, and what for her was one of her biggest dreams became a nightmare, or, better said, the curse of her poor wedding.

  It was a disaster that nearly brought her a heart attack. As much as they tried to explain to Maricarmen and Conchi that they wanted a simple wedding, it wasn't true.

  The matriarchs turned to soap opera drama mode until they got their's way, making them both to schedule their vacation for the day of the wedding, and as for Emma October was her favorite month, she chose her birthday without any change possible. Those were stressful months that brought their relationship up to the limits.

  They came to an agreement that every Sunday they would connect via Skype to talk about the wedding. During the first call Borja couldn't stop laughing, they had to decide which city would be the wedding. They wanted it to be there in London, being busy with their work it would be difficult to go to another country, but once more their mothers had the last word in a totally unorthodox form. Heads or tails.

  After a year, she continued not believing that her wedding had been organized by a five cents coin. Heads or tails to choose it to be in Gran Canaria, heads or tails for the two places that the matriarchs had selected, heads or tails for decoration, heads or tails for the two catering companies that they recommended, or if they would have or not a courtship, for the flowers, for the orchestra, even heads or tails to know if the souvenirs of the wedding cou
ld carry the emblem of the Sports Union of Las Palmas.

  This latter led to a great discussion, Conchi preferred that it was Athletic Bilbao's, and the worst thing was not that, the worst were the manipulations that they suffered during the week.

  At least she had been able to choose her dress, though it was difficult to negotiate. As the date was coming closer, the stress and the continuous ranting of the matriarchs put on test their relationship. Finally, on the wedding day happened what they were fearing.

  The flowers were not combined much with the decor, and the selected place was the open air so that day it rained cats and dogs. She was grateful they were allowed to choose where to go for the honeymoon and decided to go to Punta Cana, the only way to disconnect themselves from their maddening mothers.

  After this, all turned normal and she enjoyed what it was like to live as a couple. To get used to the tricks and surprises that Borja used to prepare, finding moments to escape back to their island and enjoy the climate, despite the fact that his mother will take care of always serving him fresh potatoes.

  She did that completely ignoring their requests to cook a good old dish at home.

  She looked at her husband sideways, feeling happy, her love had always been strong in spite of the years, and a few emotional tears dropped as she heard "yes, I do" said by her friend and boss. Their wedding had been a disaster as everything unusual that happened after, but also it was one of the best moments of her life.

  After the ceremony they went to the tent with guests that was located next to the mansion where the wedding was celebrated. She greeted a few colleagues, then sat down immediately. The first plates appeared, and she was relaxed, having fun with Borja and the rest of the guests, until he invited her to dance.

  —Have I told you that you're beautiful?

  —What do you want, Borja?

  —You.

  —How straight! —she said with a sideways smile.

  —To tell you the truth, for some time we haven't been taking certain risks.

  —We're not on the Canary Islands nor in London —she warned him.