by Mary Norton
- If she wants to go first class, it will come out of her pocket, if you do not want to pay goes from economic as any other employee of the company. - It says so quiet as a monk. - Now tell me about this city, Presidente Figueiredo, how about lunch Saturday?
I'm looking for him asked me if he wants my opinion or if you are asking for my blessing.
- Juli?
- It's a beautiful city, for sure you will like.
- So I can get you what time on Saturday?
- You want me to go with you? - Yes, only now that I understand.
Augusto throws her head back and laughs heartily.
Glad my momentary sluggishness amuses people.
- Juli, you are a really fun thing. - Said settling into his chair that cost a fortune. - Does this sort of thing often?
I shrug - Three or four times a day. Something like that. But seriously? You want me to go?
He crosses his hands on his stomach and takes me all the effort that my body has not, not to look where your hands are.
- Yes, I want to go with me. Since you have very little time, I decided to look for you and just say our plan for the weekend.
- If you do not involve anything dangerous and physical effort, we can do this.
- What kind of physical exertion you say?
- Everything that can make me tired, sweaty, in the initial state of physical and mental exhaustion.
- But you play volleyball. This is already an effort.
- Okay, but it's only once a week, no more than that. And this is my childhood passion.
He gives me a smile boor.
- There are other types of physical effort I'm sure you would like to practice every day.
- Renego! No chance of persuasion.
- I can make you change your mind.
- Thank you, I'll break the news to Katya.
Your look changes when I say what I have to do.
- I can even give this news to her. You can call her for me?
- I will not keep you from hearing me. Oh really. - I mean ever going to get the witch to meet the prince.
She lights all when I say that he wants to talk to her. I just want to see if the smile will continue when she finds out that the request be in the first class was renegade. So it is good because Augusto discovers just who is your subordinate.
Leo calls me to lunch with him and the boys. And I'm happy. I smile a lot when I see that your hands are stronger, and his right arm.
He realizes that I'm thinking too much and fills me with questions about the new boss.
- So far I have not had much to learn.
- I yes! - He says low.
The boys are in a conversation about football, leaving us both aside.
- I took a search.
- Oh really? And what do you, Sherlock, discovered?
Leo finishes eating your dessert.
- Youngest child and one man after three women. A graduate of University of Minas Gerais, MBA in Columbia. The youngest of the gang. And the most important. - Says playing the fork in your tray. - A long list of former girlfriends with broken hearts.
- Nothing I did not already know. - I say. - And I'll have to be the nanny of it. I very much hope not to have to deal with the plays girls for a corner when he get tired of them. In fact. - I think of something good. - He can pay me out to do this, it's a buck more.
Leo rolls his eyes.
- As if you needed money. Do not have a dick to give a drop of water, won a legal money per month, much of your expenses the company paid, I do not know why you need more money, Juli.
I approach him anymore.
- I need to gather money to pay for a night with Chris Evans. - I look sideways. - You know this is a matter of life or death, Leo.
- Juli, not even you selling your soul to the devil, you could.
- You just destroy the last drops of hope that remained in my heart. I hope you're happy, Leonardo.
- I hope you put some sense in your head so disconnected from the world.
- If neither my mother did it, how you do?
I say taking my tray and leading to the canopy. The cleaning lady, Mrs. Neide, hands me a waltz dream of chocolate. If I thanked her? With a big hug and a long kiss on her pale cheek.
Spend most of the afternoon authorizing meetings and outdoor work of managers. Send invitations to all of them on a dinner that the superintendence of the industrial center will offer. Confirmed the presence of all and my boss was keen to confirm my with a simple email.
- Joseph will get you an hour before dinner. I need you to be available to all of us that night in question.
The nice thing about all this is that I will most likely find some college friends and put the catch up. The other cool thing it is to have good food for free. The other most remarkable part of it is that I'll have double overtime this month.
I get to go to Atlanta to get an amazing night with my man. So yes, I can do it before he died.
- Juli, dear!
Nothing sounds more false than the person who does not like you, calling you darling. And worse, using such a high-pitched tone that any opera singer would envy.
- Yes?! - Answer still typing furiously on my computer.
- I have the permission of Guto.
- Who? - I turn to her that rolls her eyes as if I were delayed site.
- Guto, honey. Augusto, sorry, I know that you are required to call him sir.
- Authorization for what?
- To change to first class, baby. What more serious? You can switch to the morning? With dinner on Friday, I think I'd rather travel in the early hours of Sunday. - Said smiling. - Ah! And cancel my car Friday, I'm going with Guto for dinner.
- Whatever you say, anything else?
- No, Juli. But I know that if you need I can ask for your help, after all, you are the best, is not it? So it works for us.
- So says my paycheck every month end.
She seems happy with my answer and will finally leave.
- Yes, your cow. I am the best of it. And be glad I did not tear their hair out false.
Ω
I patiently waited for Mr. Jose to pick me up. I liked the compliment he gave me when he saw me. The trip to the ballroom was quick, a light rain begins to fall. Your Jose helped me with the umbrella.
- If you need a ride to face, let me know, Juli.
- Do not worry, I get one.
- So have a good night.
I wave goodbye to him and then enter the room. I hope my long green dress is good enough. I grab a glass of wine looking around to see if anyone arrived. The boring of all this is that I will not have anyone with whom I can talk really.
I stay at the small bar in the far corner of the tables. I see three of my managers are here, I lack only two. Beberico the remaining wine. Talk to some of the known and some fellow students, with some gossip that take me internal laughter.
I may be crazy most of the day, but I know when my civilized side should prevail. But after two glasses of wine wonder why I have to be here. I am not at all important in this type of meeting, but I remember that I'm babysitting them most of the time. As I got to know the whole agenda of each one, I need to know if they need toilet paper to wipe his ass them daily.
- If I may say so, you're gorgeous, Juliane.
Per second and the help of my demon guardian, I can hold the cup.
- Thanks. - I mean without me around. And he should have been looking at the counter.
If the guy is eatable in a profile photo, live in a dark suit designed just for him, is an attack on my control not to become a serial abuser just it.
- You're very smart.
I know he did not like that I called him sir, but I can not change that.
- I asked you not to call me that. Call me by my first name, we have not much age difference.
Only eight.
- It's all right.
- I think both displaced people are here, huh? - He leans on the elegantly counter. - This here i
s still very new to me.
- You'll soon get used to it. - I turn to face him. - Even I born here when I got back, it was as if he had never set foot in the city.
- Grew up in another city? - Question interested.
- My father is a great doctor, he was working inside of Mato Grosso, I left the family to college, I returned to the little land and only come back on holiday to kill the longing for those I love.
- They should be very proud of you.
- I guess so. I'm not being presumptuous, but I'm proud of myself and my parents are always saying they are happy for me, so I'm sure it is. Is that you? What can you tell me beyond what I've read in your document company.
Augusto shrugs and thanks to you handing you your drink.
- Nothing so adventurous, you came out of the wings of their parents with what? Eighteen years? You sure are more adventurous than I, when I only thirty-four I plucked up courage to go out under the wings of my parents.
- This is not true. - I say the contrary. - Do you live alone since twenty years and already has a great career in so little time.
- You know what I mean, Juli ...
- There you are. - The witch appears intertwining her arm to him. - I want to introduce you to some people.
Says dragging it.
Good thing she did not go to me. I would end my night, as much over.
Dinner is served, but I do not want to eat anything. I'm just feeling bad about that night. His Duarte just waved at me when he saw me glance. I knew none of them would talk to me. I'm just here to have the papers to be delivered. The red folder in my hand says that my work is over.
But no, life wants to throw in my face that she has not fucked my night.
I no longer feel bad when I meet Eduardo in these types of events. Only this time there is something different about it all. Once he hits his eyes on me, I have not received your greeting smile. It comes to me. He puts his wife and comes to me as if I could get away from him.
He still beautiful. Which is? I have a glasses on my face, I can see that my ex is still tasty. Many times I wondered how I managed to go out with this guy for three years. I'm not the prototype of the beautiful and irresistible woman. I limit myself to one ton, one and sixty-five high. With a beautiful collection of comic books from all publishers superheroes that exist.
Eduardo was always sweet to me, but after we finished, I realized that it was nothing more than the brain to him as we graduated. I never asked him if I was the only faithful in our relationship, I am afraid the answer today.
- Jules. - He looks very surprised to see me.
For a moment, he returned to be the guy who seemed to be in love with me. I loved the way he looked at me when he could be stranger than usual when he was solving a mathematical problem that the group was asking me for help. Eduardo could not have loved me as I wished him to do, but he had some kind of proud of me. And it made me have a little appreciation to his person. But it was just that.
- Eduard!
- Does ... - he clears his throat. - Long time I did not see you. Long without your news, I think I'm missing you.
- No sense to think so. You are important now, it is promoter, has more important things to pay attention. I certainly do not deserve the time to recall.
- Bullshit Stop. You know that's not true. - Said even embarrassed. - I ... Jules, I know I was an idiot at that time with you and have every right not to talk to me. I wish I could have the chance to apologize really.
I wanted this conversation five years ago, but this is a subject already filed. I learned many things in my relationship with Eduardo and so I'm going to take forever.
- No sense apologize. Has passed, we're good with the choices we make, that's what matters, is not it?
Eduardo open your beautiful smile.
He walks over and kisses my face.
- I always knew the good heart you have. That's why I loved you.
I do not answer him, because there's nothing that could answer.
- We are coming up there, Jules.
I nod yes to him. Hoping that does not happen. Not because it all ended well that we should not pursue a happy life as if he'd never hurt my heart.
I take a deep breath and go to the bar to get some water. Dinner continues at its best, but I just want to sleep even. I give goodbye to my boss and he does nothing more than a nod yes. I look at a table in question and see Katya very close to Augustus. She certainly wants to know what color underwear he's wearing tonight.
Augusto looks up and sees me staring at them. Katya still babbling like he was paying attention. A wind goes by where I am and makes me shudder. But I do not lose the look of it. The way faces makes me have very common thought.
Typical discretion erotic book. "He stares at me with intensity and it makes me shudder. My legs are wobbly and I just want him to eat me here and now! "
Only that's not what happens here. This only works in the books.
I give a bye-bye to him and walk away.
There is not a living soul at the gateway to the avenue. I hope a taxi but nothing. A colder wind still makes me shudder. I think about calling Mr. Joseph, but it's too late and I know how annoying it is when they wake me.
- Hi, kitty. - A voice scares me drunk and fall against the sidewalk. - See how you're poppet and so gostosinha.
Before I can think what is happening, the drunk is on me.
- HELP! HELP ME!
The drunk pulls my hair hard and it hurts.
- So no, kitten.
I try to get rid of it down and I can hit your chest, desiquilibrando. I can get up, but he holds my leg making me fall. Hit his forehead on the edge of the sidewalk. Before I delete, I hear my name in the distance.
I have no chance!
I think before passing out.
3
I feel that I have a high electricity bill this month. But I do not remember leaving the air conditioning that low. But okay, I can do it.
- Juliane?
No! Stop this. Let me sleep! I turn to the side and it makes my head throb. Much!
Something holds the sheet and it does hurt even more. Gemo pain and I open my eyes. Knowing that I am in my room I walk into despair. Levanto so quickly that almost fall from the high bed.
- Juliane!
The voice calling me now scolds me. My view is too blurry. One hand holds my left shoulder and the other is at the end of my back taking me to bed. Just then I remember what happened yesterday.
- NO! LET ME GO!
Hands automatically leave me.
- Juliane ...
Almost fall by as much dizziness. My head hurts so much. I try to stay awake, but I can not. My eyes are too heavy, my brain seems to be frying in my head. I want to know what's going on, but my body does not leave.
Ω
Someone picking on my forehead scares me. I can take the hand of the person wanting to hurt me.
- It's okay, Juliane, I'm just changing your dressing. - I can just open my right eye, as a lady is pressing against the left side of my forehead. - You're in the hospital and I'm changing the bandage his head.
I can not handle. I start to cry with relief size that takes care of me. Before deleting the second time I think I asked a lot that nothing bad happened to me. Tears fall down my face and close my eyes to avoid that hinders the work of the nurse.
- It's all right, girl. - Said holding my hand. - You were very brave.
I can not say anything. I leave it to do its work, but I can only think of what happened, I instinctively feel the touch of that filthy in my arms and breast. In my head.
- I need to go to the bathroom.
You give me a smile saying understands.
I feel so much pain, but I can not know if there ... and I wonder if ... A painful sob out of me.
- No darling. - It helps me. - You are right, he has not done anything to you.
But that does not send the fear away. I can get to the bathroom without falling. I turn on the tap and
clean care my face. I try to convince myself that I'm sure. My dress is dirty mud, my hair is horrible and my face is deformed in some way I know not explain.
When I fell before deleting the first time, I remember hitting my head on the sidewalk. That must have made a cut, as even with the dressing, I can see a little line coming out of it. Within seconds my stupid, thank you for not having to shave part of my hair.
- Juliane!
It is the same voice that I heard before coming here. Walking slowly, I go back to the room. Meeting Augusto in the same way I saw him the last time. I do not, but I feel relieved to be with someone you know. Even if it is a known seven days.
It comes to me and I let him hold me. I grab his shirt and crying over him. His hands are in the middle of my back. I cry sending fear go away, crying for not happened anything bad. And I cry for being stupid enough to go after a taxi late at night.
- You are right now.
Augusto repeats this over and over again, trying to make me believe that this is true. But it will bother me for a long time, I know that. As the accident in which Leonardo was last year.
I turn away from him and not want to know what he thinks right now.
- I, I ... - take a deep breath. - What happened? - I try, but my voice is weak.
He takes me to bed. He kneels in front of me. Augusto shudders when looking at the bandage on my face. Relaxo when he gently touches the wound site. And it does not hurt like I thought it would.
- I was going to you. Would offer a ride home. - He looks angry. - I saw when the son of a bitch was going to you. - He looks away. - Your cry ... I felt my heart rip when I heard. - There is a thrill in his voice that makes me cry again. - I shouted to them to call the police and went to you. I arrived in time to see you fall and hurt his head.
I shudder just to hear and remember again.
- I wanted to go to you, but the animal was going to you again. - I see him clenching. - I left him unconscious and with the police, as he came with you to the hospital. You was bleeding and unconscious.
He stops talking and I do not want to say anything too. I think we will be silent until he says.
- I never felt so scared in my life like yesterday.
- Me too. - My voice is weak. - I'll never be able to thank you enough.