Page 113 of Until You Came Along
"He wrote to me for Christmas, but I didn't respond."
"Respond to him. Tell him you miss him, that you couldn't forget him. Open your heart and tell him the truth. Your case is different from mine—Connor never doubted you. It was you who made him believe you didn't love him and left him."
"I don't know, Delfi. I'm afraid."
"What are you afraid of?" I asked, taking his hands.
"Of being emotionally dependent on someone. My happiness is in his hands—it's terrifying."
"That's what love does, little brother. It's felt with overwhelming intensity. You're happy in a way you never thought possible, but it can also make you feel the greatest sadness of your life. Go after that happiness—you deserve it more than anyone."
A while later my brother went to rest, but I wasn't sleepy. I looked at the suitcase that was still in the living room and decided to open it. The clothes had been thrown in carelessly and all wrinkled—whoever had put them there was furious and had taken out their anger on my garments. Among the clothes was a box that I recognized immediately; it was the gift I had given him for Christmas. There were also the keys to my apartment because Hermes had a set, and my car keys, so I assumed the car was in the garage. Instinctively, I raised my hand to the heart-shaped pendant that Hermes had given me, hanging from my neck on a beautiful chain. I had to return it—it wasn't right for me to keep such an expensive gift that meant so much. I lifted my hands and unfastened it; it felt like I was removing my own heart. I left it on the table and observed it for a few minutes, remembering Hermes's beautiful smile when I asked him to help me put it on. I shook my head in denial—there was no point in remembering those things anymore. I left all my things in the suitcase and took it to my bedroom. Tom was sleeping peacefully. I looked at him and remembered his love story; it caused me great anguish that he had to give up Connor to save me, and it also made me feel guilty. I was going to insist until he was exhausted that he should fight for that love, and I would help him in any way I could.
I was in the living room watching something on television, or at least trying to watch because my mind was elsewhere. Icouldn't stop thinking about what Hermes might be doing and how he might be feeling. My phone rang and my secretary's name appeared on the screen. I had communicated with her a while earlier to tell her that I was fine and that, thanks to my brother, my father had not been able to carry out his plan. That news had made her very happy. I had also informed her that I was taking my leave early and instead of working until December 28th, I wasn't planning to go to the office anymore, but when she had told me to rest and enjoy my vacation with Hermes, I had to explain that I was no longer in a relationship, and that had saddened her.
"Hello, Julia. Is something wrong?"
"I'm sorry to bother you, but I need to ask you a favor."
"Of course, tell me how I can help you."
"I would need you to come sign some documents that were left without your signature and need to be sent to Switzerland today."
“Are you sure I didn't sign them?” I asked, because I had the impression that I had done so.
“You only signed one, but there are three that need your signature.”
“I'm sorry, Julia, with all the craziness the other day I must have forgotten.”
“If you prefer, to avoid bothering you, I can have the courier bring them to your home and you can sign them there,” she suggested.
“I'd rather go to the office. Those documents are very important and they wouldn't forgive me if they got lost or something happened to them.”
“Yes, you're right. You don't need to come right now, as long as we send them before five in the afternoon, that's fine,” she informed me.
“I'll be there shortly. Thank you, Julia.”
“I'll be waiting for you.”
I changed my clothes because I was wearing shorts at the time, and put on black pants and a white tank top. To avoid waking Tom, I left him a note letting him know that I had to go to the office for a while and that he should wait for me for dinner.
I went down to the garage and, sure enough, my car was there. It had been quite a while since I'd used it because we always traveled in Hermes' car. I got in and started it up.
When I arrived at the office, Julia greeted me with a big smile. She got up from her chair and approached me to wrap her arms around me and give me a warm hug. She wasn't normally this effusive, but I assumed she felt sorry for me after hearing everything my father had said to me. I hugged her for a few minutes, needing to feel that comfort. Her embrace reminded me of my friend Serafina, and I made a mental note to visit her before leaving for Miami.
“How are you?” she asked, and I could tell her concern was very genuine.
“I'm doing pretty well, thank you for asking,” I replied.
“I left the documents on your desk. I'm so sorry you had to come here while you're on leave.”
“Don't worry about it, Julia. I wasn't doing anything important. I just need to pack my bags, but I'm not taking that much with me. I'd like to ask you a favor,” I said, as I took a package from my purse.
“Of course, whatever you need.”
“I need this package delivered to the person and address written there.”
“We'll have it delivered, don't worry.”
