Episode 18

Maximo

I walk into the kitchen and see her with a notebook. I read the names without her noticing, and to my surprise, they are several of my employees. A sum of money on one side and the words yes or no. I don't understand anything, but she's not okay. I hug her tightly, not letting her escape, and she cries uncontrollably. I ask her to go to the room and talk. I make us both some tea, hand her hers, and wait for her to be ready.

She begins her story, telling me about her mother and her outings, that she had friends in the company. It's what everyone does, nothing strange.

She continues talking, and I pay attention to every gesture, sigh, and to her voice that sometimes sounds weaker or filled with hatred.

When she gets to the moment when her boyfriend left her, it angers me. He kissed her for the first time and had the privilege of being the first in her intimacy, while I search for an opportunity to kiss her for two seconds.

When she told me that her first time was awful and that she didn't see him again for a month, and the idiot had the audacity to hit her, it infuriated me. Even though she tells me it wasn't him, the beast who attacked her when I took her from her job at the restaurant.

I'm furious because this girl suffered at the hands of a miserable man who not only took away her dreams but also her trust in herself and others. He tormented her to the point where she thinks sex is disgusting. And the fact that all this happened because of her mother's stupidity, who was supposed to protect her, only makes it worse.

I wish I had met her before all this happened and knew if she was as cold and closed off as she is now, if she at least smiled occasionally. But it's not possible anymore, that girl is gone, and I fear it's forever.

Her face remains cold, but her eyes tell me how angry she is, and when she sees me, I know she's upset, very upset, and I understand. I practically forced her to tell me this, and we've known each other for such a short time. Her words confirm it, although what she says at the end confuses me. Does she feel disgust towards intimacy?

I ponder on that, recalling what she told me. Did the pain of her first time last for only five minutes, or did the idiot who was with her from beginning to end last that long? I dare to think that the second option is correct. I wouldn't take just five minutes to caress her; I would take all my time to make love to her as it should be.

I get lost in my thoughts and only snap out of it when she touches my shoulder.

"What's wrong with you now?"

"Sorry, I was just lost in thought. I'm sorry, what were you saying?"

"I don't want you to ask me about this again or pressure me. Do you think it's nice to have to tell you this?"

"I'm sorry, truly, if I had known it was something so personal, I wouldn't have insisted."

"As if I believe you right now."

I watch her leave the room, slamming the door, and I sigh. I've bothered her more than I should have. She has a beauty that I can't describe with words, and her coldness makes her seem so confident, which catches my attention. But today I realized that she's not like that. She only protects herself in that way.

I lie down and check the time; it's very late, and I have a meeting first thing in the morning. I'm sure a terrible day awaits me, the usual of every morning.

I get up, and it's already late; I have twenty minutes to get to the office. I dress and fix my hair on the way because I truly can't do anything better.

"Sir, didn't you sleep?" My driver has known me for so many years and his irony implies he thinks my sleeplessness has a name and surname, and that's right, although not for the reason he thinks.

"I told you that when we're alone, you should address me informally."

"I know, Maximo, but it's a habit. How's your marriage?"

"My marriage? I barely kissed her on our honeymoon and for the pictures, so don't insinuate nonsense."

"Well well, a woman resists the great Maximo."

"I won't pressure her into anything, I have to take care of her. If you knew why she hates many of my employees, you would be the first to understand, but I won't tell you; it's something personal to her."

"Will she attend the party?"

"I suggested it, but not as my wife for now. When she's ready, we'll announce it. She would have to go as a good friend, but with a lot of security because I don't want any surprises."

I arrive and must go into the first meeting, followed by two more, and I haven't had breakfast.

I survive the morning on just a strong cup of coffee, needing to go back home and take a painkiller. I arrive and see a lunch that doesn't really appeal to me, and Lisa looking at the plates with disgust.

"Hello love, I missed you," I said as I reached her side and gave her a kiss on the lips. She looks at me confused, but she can see the staff watching us, so she reluctantly plays along. We eat and go to the master bedroom, where I take a headache pill.

***This work has been signed with NovelToon, and piracy such as reprinting without permission is strictly prohibited.***

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***