Page 8 of Until You Came Along
“Well, it must be very, very deep down,” I joked.
“Speaking of the ogre, I have an invitation for you.”
“An invitation that has to do with your brother? I’m telling you right now that I don’t accept.”
Baco laughed heartily again.
“I see my brother didn’t make a good impression on you, which surprises me because women usually fall at his feet. Anyway, the invitation does have to do with him because that’s what he came to tell me. Next Friday is my mother’s birthday, and they’re celebrating it in grand style at her house. I’d like you to come with me. What do you say?”
I looked at him while thinking about what he had proposed. I couldn’t imagine myself at a family dinner. Although I liked Baco very much, his brother was irritating.
“I appreciate the invitation, but I don’t think it’s appropriate for me to go to a dinner with your family.”
“It’s not just a simple dinner, it’s a gala party, and besides, there’s nothing wrong with it. Didn’t you say you’re my friend? Friends accompany each other—friendship has to be good for something,” he said, winking at me.
“When your brother sees me, he’ll ‘throw me out on the street,’” I said, smiling and repeating the phrase that man had said to me.
“Let him try! Besides, he always invites one of his girlfriends. Please, do me this favor so the party isn’t so boring for me. I beg you,” he said, clasping his hands as if praying.
“Let me think about it.”
“Alright, but remember that I just gave you a gift,” he stated, with that conquering smile.
“This is emotional blackmail!”
“Is it working?”
“You might get lucky and I’ll accompany you.”
“I’m dying to see Hermes’ face when he sees us arrive.”
“Are you taking me just to annoy him?”
“Not at all, it’s an honor and a pleasure to have you accompany me. Besides, no matter how surprised he might be to see me arrive with a girl, I doubt he’ll pay us the slightest bit of attention afterward. He always dedicates himself to socializing with other businessmen.”
“Do you get along that badly?” I asked, surprised.
“We don’t get along badly, we just approach life differently. Hermes hasn’t had an easy life; all the responsibility for the family, businesses included, fell on his shoulders. I assure youthat’s not something I’d wish on anyone. I don’t know if it was because of that or because of the issue with... I don’t know, but he became a person who’s too serious and not very sociable. I’m different, which is why we don’t understand each other much, but I know clearly that my brother loves me, in his own way, but he loves me, and I also know that I can count on him. The same goes for me toward him.”
“That’s good,” I said, and for the second time it seemed like he was about to say something about his brother’s life, but he changed his mind and preferred not to mention it.
“What about the coffee you were preparing?” he asked, changing the subject.
“It’s ready. Let’s drink it, and... thank you for the painting. I’ll find a special place for it where everyone can admire it.”
We drank coffee while talking about all the paintings he had created and how long he had been painting. I noticed he had dropped his carefree boy pose and was focused on the conversation. He told me that his dream was to exhibit his work and, above all, to be able to dedicate himself completely to it and not just when he had some spare time, as was usually the case. Baco left around two in the morning. When I went to bed, I felt grateful to have met such a kind and pleasant person. I had the feeling that we were going to be great friends. As I fell into a deep sleep, I dreamed of green eyes looking at me with longing and desire, and they weren’t precisely Baco’s.
???
The next day I went to lunch with Serafina, and then we decided to go shopping because she needed a dress for a party organized by her workplace. I took the opportunity to try on a few because I had already decided to accompany Baco to hismother’s birthday. After several trips to the fitting room, my friend decided on a red evening dress, and I chose a black one. Serafina was very excited about my friendship with Baco and eager to meet him, although I got tired of repeating that I had no romantic or sexual interest in him. She didn’t pay attention to what I was saying and dismissed the little she wanted to hear, convinced that we would end up being more than friends. I don’t know what led me not to do it, but I didn’t mention his brother to her at all.
Baco and I didn’t see each other again until Tuesday night when he stopped by my place to ask about my decision regarding his invitation.
“Do you have an answer for me yet, beautiful?”
“I’ll accompany you,” I responded with a smile.
“Perfect! Now I’m actually looking forward to Friday. I should warn you that it’s a formal gala.”
