Chapter 5

Roman's acting even stranger now, he gets dressed quickly, trembling uncontrollably and seems to be pushing me out of the apartment. I get dressed quickly too, I watch him doubtfully and remain motionless.

"I'll call you a taxi, wait downstairs," he orders, turning off his laptop.

Roman's eyes look stranger than before, it seems like his hair is growing and his lips are getting dry.

He almost shoves me out and slams the door.

I can't believe it, I don't understand anything, but the guilt stirs my soul and shakes every fiber of my being. I shouldn't have accepted such a proposal. I'm a really calm and very sane person, I've no idea what I was thinking.

Five minutes pass, which for me feel like an eternity; there's the taxi.

The way back is depressing, a severe headache overwhelms me, and an inexplicable shame consumes me.

I lie down on the bed as soon as I arrive and every unanswered question sticks to my mind like glue.

As the minutes tick by, my sleepy, stressed eyes slowly close. A barely perceptible smile graces my face as I recall his last words.

Morning arrives quickly, very punctually, I try to blur the memories of the night and I go to get dressed.

This time I don't want to wear my usual skirts and blouses. I've a very high skirt under the green dress and a very fine blouse with black flowers. The skirt is somewhat short, quite daring, but I don't mind. Luckily, my hair holds up after being straightened, so I'll wear it loose. A little bold makeup and blood-red lips. I don't want to impress anyone, but I don't want Roman to think I'm stupid.

The arrival is quick, luckily when I enter there's his desk, deserted, I've never seen such a non-compliant boss.

A few minutes later the door opens, My pulse quickens, and a persistent nervousness takes hold of me.

"Good morning Elara!"

Ignore it.

"Ahem... Elara, hello."

I pretend to be deaf, I don't even look up and I continue typing.

Seeing his failed attempt at forgiveness, she gets tired and sits down to work.

I don't want to speak to him, but I'm not in a position to start this war with my boss.

"Elara!... Send me yesterday's sales figures," he orders me without even looking at me, reaching his arm over his computer.

I get up feeling very confident, take the documents and bring them to him. When I look at him, his eyes are so lost in me that it seems like the world no longer turns. He's that spicy and deep look that shakes my world when I remember what happened last night.

"You look beautiful today!" he blurts out without thinking, in a relaxed tone.

"Thank you, sir."

When I take my seat I don't understand what's happening, the screen is flashing and a short, vague sound starts to scare me.

"Roman... Roman... Help me!"

Roman comes out as if in a race, settles very close to me, and with a single click everything returns to its place.

"You should have removed the cable, Elara," he says, rolling his eyes.

Even though the problem was solved, Roman doesn't leave, his delicious strawberry breath blows in my ear, he emanates that perfume aroma mixed with his natural scent and his chest is almost on my shoulder.

My eyes meet his, a devastating attraction of worlds corrupts my life, I lose my sanity and senses, everything disappears around me.

Slowly her soft, fleshy lips brush against mine, her playful tongue makes its way into my mouth and kisses me.

His kiss tastes of infinity, of chocolates, of cloudy skies that the sun dispels with its light, of glory and eternal life.

I'm somewhat dismayed, but I don't reject it, I let myself be carried away by that wonderful sensation, his soft and slippery hand caresses my thigh while he kisses me, it goes up gradually very subtly, it's almost reaching my underwear when some loud knocks hit the door.

Mr. Blackwood!... Mr. Blackwood

Vanessa Reed is as reckless and undesirable as ever.

Roman retreats quickly, like an arrow, sits down at his desk and runs his hands through his hair.

"Come in!" he shouts, adjusting his tie.

When Vanessa Reed enters, time stops. Her cruel and cold gaze lashes out at San. She doesn't hesitate to turn toward me and do the same. She's evil and ruthless, full of envy.

It's incredible, I completely forgot that just this morning I decided to change my lipstick, to make matters worse it wasn't matte, but an old creamy crayon lipstick that spreads everywhere like drops of water.

Roman's mouth is all smeared, it looks like he ate strawberries, and what will become of me?

"The meeting in Ohio... Is for today, sir," Vanessa Reed orders, arms crossed.

"What... Can't be?"

"We've to leave in an hour... I've already reserved our seats."

"Three...-he shouts, looking up."

"How?" he asks, trying to ignore Roman's face.

"There are three of us, Vanessa Reed!... Elara must go... It's essential."