Running Away to London

by Geiza Stefany de Oliveira

  I already had got plans to change my car. My birthday was coming and I was going to give a garland with my best friends. Things were perfect, even that delicious ice cream... I heard a knock on my door and let out a grunt immediately.

  I saved the ice cream and went there. The man dark-haired, gym-addicted, short-haired and dressed in overalls emerged. Those intense brown eyes were all mine.

  “What do you want, man?”

  I asked impatiently. I crossed my arms instantly ex freaking air.

  “I need to see the damage boys have got done there."

  I opened the door even more impatiently, and he ran his hand through his hair for damage. Fernando remained silent. He did not even look at me anymore.

  I had to answer when he could move my apartment with his retirement workers, and then my peace was over. They were extremely messy and noisy. They stained my new pillows, scratched my floor, ruined my peace indoors.

  I had got to go to my parents' apartment several times before probably freaking out. The apartment of them still was not the same when I was born. It was in Vila da Serra, on one of the largest floors. My father was an excellent lawyer and worked much harder than my mother.

  They loved it when I came back, albeit in a bad mood — just in the beginning. After the work on my house was done, the most annoying neighbor of all came to my apartment with a gift: new pillows. They were yellow and highlighted my couch more. Fernando was an architect, and in his spare time working as a photographer. I invited him to sit down and have a drink with me for the first time.

  “Can I tell you something? But you have to promise not to freak out as usual.”

  I took a deep breath. We had got a small talk for a long time that Sunday afternoon about our neighbors and our work. Things could end well, but he wanted to ruin everything. For the first time, I saw him with good eyes; He had got a beautiful body and was fascinated by cats.

  “Say it, Conrado.”

  I loved to call him by his last name because he always scowled in disgust after hearing me. It was no different at that time. I smiled.

  “I always wanted to photograph you. Every time I saw you arrive from a taxi, in high heels and finding yourself the Audrey Hepburn blonde.”

  I smiled at him differently.

  “Shoot, wow. I will love it.”

  So our first date was at the studio he booked for us. I never let go so much in front of a camera... the closer he got the closer I wanted to kiss him. I was falling in love with the 30-year-old man who behaved like an uncle of 45.

  We stayed that night, in a way I did not believe. That was the beginning of our year-and-a-half date... we had seen each other all the time. He took me to meet his widowed mother and we became friends. I’ve never had a mother-in-law as nice as her.

  Fernando is the sort of man who is always around when you need him. He is affectionate, playful and seductive. He who in a boring fight suddenly shuts his mouth with an intense kiss and says he is still getting married to you soon, as a way to stop it.

  I wanted him more than anything. But overnight my parents divorced. Ironically, when I found an engagement ring hidden in my boyfriend's wardrobe. My mother called me crying and I did not even say goodbye to Fernando.

  When I arrived at my parents' apartment things were broken. My mother was unsteady saying that my father had got cheated on her with a girl twenty years younger than her. My mother kept saying that it was better to die than to go through that humiliation.

  It was the beginning of the end, of my peace, of my sanity. My parents' fight took my balance away. I could not even be the same with Fernando. The first time I saw my father — hours after I arrived to help my mother — I did not give him any chance to explain himself, it was just cursing that never happened in our family.

  He tried to get close to me everywhere, called every day... I could not take it anymore in the middle of that fight of my parents. My mother wanted the apartment and everything. She was making no effort to screw my father, and I helped her, along with everyone else in the family.

  My paternal grandparents were the only ones who did not go against my father, they said it was all my mother's big ruse. I never spoke to my grandparents again. My family was destroyed and I could no longer look at Fernando with the same eyes.

  He just wanted to comfort me, but I saw my father in him. Several times we fought and I accused him that if we ever got married he would do the same as my father did. I have never seen Fernando so disappointed in me and angry at the same time.

  “You know, Luiza, I love you so much, but sometimes you behave like a futile and arrogant girl.”

  He said, making me hate him a second time.

  “How do you dare?”

  I shouted, about to slap him.

  “It's the truth and you're just like your mother! Unbelievable that you haven't heard your father to this day...”

  “I can't believe you're doubting the word of a woman who was butchered by her husband, dammit!”

  He shook his head looking at me like I was a spoiled teenager.

  “Believe what you want, including that I'm just like your father. You know, I really must be.”

  He turned his back on me and my last words were decisive so that he would never look at me the same way again. Losing Fernando was the worst thing that happened after all that separation. I did not know what to do with my life anymore, I was bad at work and my dad was still trying to see me...

  I gathered my things in one, asked my friends to get buyers. I needed new things to focus on. My mother had gotten her rights in court and was already starting her life over. I had to find a way to make the best of my own life too.

  I bought tickets feeling the biggest of all failures. I rented a small flat in London and tried to forget Fernando with a lot of fun, idiotic flirting, ballad nights. Fernando did not come after me, he let me go, he rejected me. I hated men. I hated my father. I still hate, to be honest.

  Chapter 13

  It is been 4 days and I can not stand being without work anymore. I do not want to go back to work for Elliott, but now I know he was not to blame for our accident which makes me feel bad. It was my mother who made me watch the newspaper video with the exact recording.

  A driver missed driving his parcel delivery car and crashed into Ferrari... I felt so ashamed when I saw that scene. Things happened so fast! Elliott tried to protect me with his arm and I can only think about that.

  The first time I leave the house is chaotic too, but I face everything with my mother on my side. I feel absurd stress, it seems that at any moment a car will hit me. Sometimes I feel nauseous, the headache has softened enough for me to concentrate for a long time.

  The biggest scare is over and I have an appointment to see if everything is fine with my head. What bothers me most now is the fact that I yelled at my boss and said truths, but truths that can get him to sue me.

  I thought he had put me in that hospital. I thought the worst things about him and hated him, but I do not hate him anymore. I tried to be benevolent with Elliott, but I ended up saying that his father was ashamed of him... the shame I feel is noticeable from miles away.

  He should shout at me, but he ignored me. I do not understand why he did that. Maybe I do not know my boss... maybe I will go into his office and find a girl younger than me working in my place. At least, I will apologize to him.

  Thus, I will end this strange cycle. Anyway, I am not going to swallow stress anymore because of my boss. If I do not find any girl in my place then I will be a real assistant, who helps and not serves as a doormat. As for my work, Elliott is always professional except for the Milan hotel.

  But since we came back, he hardly looks at me. He continues in his perfect world, full of money and beautiful women around him, but with hard work. I bet he already has got another girlfriend, maybe she is not a model. What matters is that I will do the right thing for myself.

  Today I dressed the best I could, even put a poncho over my clothes. I p
ut on a black boot, and underneath I am completely minimalist. My hair has a bun, my makeup is flawless. I enter the building like the queen's daughter!

  Everyone looks at me. I do not care, but everyone stares at me because of the damn accident! They follow me with their eyes until I stop at the entrance to Elliott's office. Inside is crowded and Hisashi's side has a supposed new assistant.

  -“Liz, thank God! I need my agenda, you have no idea.”

  I hand over the agenda feeling angry. For a moment I thought he was happy to see me alive.

  “Thank you for your understanding, Hisashi.

  He smiles at me. The supposed new assistant is by his side, looking at his computer.

  “How about you?”

  She looks at me smiling. Who would say? Now we have a naive girl here!

  “I'm Francesca, nice to meet you!”

  She reaches out to me after speaking with a French accent... God, I am going to kill Elliott!

  “My pleasure, I'm Liz.”

  I turn my back on them who keep looking at me. I know they do. I enter my boss's office as if I were the most important person in this building and everyone stares at me. The buzz continues, but everyone realizes who I am.

  From among them comes my boss, my incredibly seductive boss. Oh! I want to have a normal workday. I can still see the blue suit he wears without a belt, but with a t-shirt of some cool brand. He wears Adidas today, his hair goes back.

  Elliott looks at me with a tablet in hand and everything about me reacts. He is more attractive. He is more charming. He is more interesting... Oh yeah! He tried to protect me at Ferrari.

  “Everyone out for a 5-minute break, thanks.”

  That is what it says and everyone moves out instantly. I also turn around knowing that this is my end in this company...

  “You don't, Liz.”

  I recompose myself. I need to act so stupid when I am around him. I enter the room as everyone enters.

  “Should I close the door?”

  He leaves the tablet on the table and then stares at me.

  “It is alright. Sit down.”

  Once again, Elliott holds out my hand. I sit in the chair at his desk and he sits on the edge of it right beside me. His gaze on me is concerned and mine suspicious.

  “I owe you an apology for speaking as I said.”

  “Let's put a rock on that, Liz. I want to know if you're alright, for real.”

  “I've never been better, sir.”

  He smiles, and I do not understand why.

  “So have you hired another assistant to replace me?”

  I remember the woman outside with Hisashi. Elliott stands, stopping to stare at me. I feel threatened, this time extremely angry with him and it must be percept.

  “I hired.”

  He sits in his chair, staring hard at me. I want to leave at once. Damn, this is my end...

  “I have been trying to hire several people in the last 4 days, people who make a good team with me and speak my language here. As for you, I am unable to put you in danger again.”

  I take a deep breath. I stiffen in my chair, disappointed.

  “What the hell are you talking about?”

  He arches an eyebrow, not understanding me for a moment.

  “You know, Luiza.”

  Suddenly a sadness invades my heart. And what did I expect after cursing him like that at the hospital?

  “As you wish, sir. However, you're missing the best employee you ever had.”

  He smiles at me, baring his teeth like never before. Looks like I'm pleasing him...

  “You're good, Liz. The reason for dispensing you from my office is the fact that almost lost your life, and it will make me sleep at night. It's been 4 days since I slept very worried about you. It won't be possible for me to put you in my car again.”

  It is impossible for me not to faint at what I am hearing from the man who has disturbed me, made me hate him and finally admire him.

  "You should go to a psychologist then, for what happened was not your fault and will never be repeated”

  Yes, I am afraid too, a lot. I can not stand walking alone on the street and need my mom to go with me, but I will get over it and ask God to protect me. I try not to cry in front of my boss, but this situation hurts me. Everything was fine and now my boss... my former boss wants to protect me.

  “You're right.”

  He laughs, looking at me. I want to take his tea and pour it in his perfect blue suit!

  “I still need a personal assistant. I will change your schedule, starting today you will find me elsewhere.”

  My countenance change at once. I want to smile, but I try to keep myself casual. He was torturing me here... what a son of a bitch! Elliott is terrible.

  “What do you want from me, sir?”

  “Well, for starters, I want you to call me Elliott.”

  I jot down my schedule just in case.

  “I need you to be at a restaurant at 7 pm today, in formal attire. That is all.”

  He gets up and so do I.

  “Thank you, Elliott. I feel honored to work by your side.”

  He smiles.

  “You lasted longer than I thought you would, so enjoy it.”

  I smile, now I understand what he means very well.

  Chapter 14

  Oh, my anxious heart! I feel happy and sad at the same time. I walk back to my house like this, reflecting on what I just had with my boss. I will keep getting in cars, but now late at night. Maybe I will not get in his car tonight?

  The excuse Elliott used to dismiss me from his office was lame. I try to believe it, but it makes no sense if his goal is to make me not get in cars. I do not know, but I urgently need to meet Elliott. Something tells me we can be good friends.

  I find my mom on the phone with her boyfriend. She buzzes with the news I bring home, and it will be alright after the horrible week I had. My mother helps me to choose the best clothes that I could use today for the night. She makes me dress like my grandma's icon: Twiggy.

  With striking eyes, under a dress with sleeves a little puffy and half black pants, I wear a fake fur coat. My hair is still stuck, and I can barely wait to go and find my boss.

  I search Google and soon discover the Italian restaurant my boss tells me to go, uh! It's Signor Sassi. The night will be with Spaghetti... I arrive at 7 o'clock sharp, and my boss is also very well dressed in a huge mustard shirt under his tight dark jeans and boot. He looks at me as steady as ever. His eyes rarely change and express much.

  As usual, we walk side by side in silence. After the line, he just says his surname Pollentier, and then we're in. A beautiful restaurant with white and yellow colors. We see our table reserved for three seats. So I imagine we will find someone important here.

  We sat next to the window, where I can see the many pictures on the wall with photographs. Elliott is fast, with posture and good taste, he already asks for input. His troubled look at the restaurant entrance is why the guest is late and that does not happen. I just wanted to hear who we will meet here.

  “Oh, it was time for him to arrive.”

  Elliott checks the time on his Montblanc wristwatch. It’s ten past seven, the waiter serves us and I do not see the guest until the waiter leaves. I completely disappear... God, how is this possible?

  “Conrado, good to see you.”

  I get up after my boss, not knowing what to do. It is my ex-boyfriend in front of us still with that beard and Fred Mercury's mustache scowling at my boss...

  “Fernando!”

  I say incredulously, attracting his longing look. Fernando does not reach me and does not approach me. He just stares at me under his suit without a tie.

  “Liz.”

  That is all and then turns to my boss who stares at me madly. I look away instantly.

  “Please, translate the conversation.”

  He says still angry with me, too close in my ear.

  “Thank you for opening a gap in your schedule tonight.�
�

  Elliott says in English, facing Fernando. I get so melancholy from moment to moment that it will be very difficult.

  “He thanks you for opening a gap in your...”

  “I know, I get it. So, how are you?”

  I look at Elliott waiting for the answer. Looks like I am between the cross and the sword.

  “I've never been so good in my life.”

  He smiles at me and then looks at Elliott.

  “What bad luck! You hired a big liar.”

  Elliott stares at me in astonishment. He knows what's going on here... God, I can not get fired now.

  “He feels lucky and honored.”

  My boss smiles modestly at Fernando after hearing me. They forget about me.

  “Ask him how his work is in Bedfordshire.”

  Elliott rules.

  “I think you're fine.”

  “Yes, I am. After you were gone I started living my life, stepping up my studies and my business. Tell him that Lana and I are already finishing the works.”

  I look at Elliott wanting to cry but quickly disguise. Who the hell is Lana?

  “She said if I did not interview you I would be making a terrible mistake. I saw it through my own eyes and realized she was right.”

  Elliott answers.

  “So who is Lana?”

  Fernando laughs at my boss, but at me.

  “She's a spectacular woman. By far the best customer I've ever had.”

  I get up at the same moment. I just need a minute to compose myself.

  “Excuse me.”

  I tell Elliott and then go to the ladies' room. I look at myself in the mirror and say.

  “Enough! Don't be such a jealous idiot. What you had is over, forever. Forget it once and be the strong woman you are.”

  From now on the real conversation begins. I see Fernando as Elliott's assistant and nothing more. He, however, has fun with my jealousy. The conversation lasts for a long time, but Elliott acts so robotically here that I thank God when our dinner is over.

  “I can't wait for the interview tomorrow at Pollentier.”

  Fernando says finally. He and Elliott greet each other and once again my ex-boyfriend ignores me. I walk back with my boss, I do not even know why. He simply begins to walk in the opposite direction to Fernando and thus begins another silent walk...