Page 93 of Until You Came Along
“I saw you, Delfina. I saw you and I knew. I saw you with my eyes and my heart. When I spotted you among the crowd at that exhibition, you were the only one before my eyes. You looked beautiful, standing in front of a painting, observing it carefully. I saw you become emotional, I saw the tears you shed looking at that painting, and it was as if everyone else disappeared from my sight. There was only you, with sadness reflected in your beautiful eyes and an emotion that squeezed my heart. Seeing your tears, I only felt the need to run to your side and embrace you, to tell you that I loved you and that I would always take care of you. In that moment I knew I loved you, in that moment I understood that I would give anything to have you always by my side. In that moment...” —he paused, sighed, and continued— “I understood that the love I felt for you was the deepest feeling I had ever experienced in my life and that it couldn't be compared to what I had felt for Valeria. What I feel for you isso immense that, watching you and seeing you so sad, I began to cry. I hadn't shed tears since my father's death, because I didn't even cry when I discovered the betrayal, but seeing you, the woman I loved, moved to tears and consumed by sadness, I couldn't bear it. Before I knew it, my eyes were clouded with tears. I never want to see that sadness again, because I knew it was also a product of my behavior and I felt miserable. I want to see you happy and I pray that I can be the one who brings you that happiness.”
I moved closer to his lips and kissed them sweetly. Once again tears were flowing freely, but this time it was because of the emotion his confession provoked in me.
“I love you, Hermes. It's true, that day I was sad because I thought I had lost you. The emotion that the painting produced in me was real, but it was an excuse to release the sadness I felt at that moment, the sadness of feeling that I could no longer be with you because you didn't love me, because I love you with all my heart and soul.”
Now it was Hermes who moved closer to kiss my lips tenderly.
“Stay with me, my love.”
“I am with you.”
“Let's live together.”
“Do you know what living together implies? It's almost like being married,” I commented, to make him notice the big step we would be taking if I accepted his proposal.
“Yes, I understand that clearly, just as I clearly understand that I want to share all the time we can. Sleep together, wake up and have you be the first thing I see, spend...”
“I accept,” I said, interrupting him.
Hermes looked at me surprised, but a big smile illuminated his face.
“You make me very happy.”
“But I have to tell you something,” I said, and he looked at me cautiously. “During these days when I thought we had separated, I made plans to travel and spend the holidays with my brother. I can talk to him, tell him about us, and say that I'll only go for New Year's so we can spend Christmas together. That's why it might be better to leave the move until January.”
“How long are you planning to go for?” he asked, and I noticed when he swallowed, which made me assume my revelation wasn't to his liking.
“I'm not sure, but I suppose for a week.”
“A week without seeing each other...” he said, thoughtfully.
“It goes by quickly, and besides, when I get back we would move in together. Speaking of which, where are we going to live?”
“Would here be okay with you?” he asked, though I noticed he was still tense about my trip.
“I think so, your house is bigger and we'll be more comfortable. Regarding the trip...”
“Can I travel with you?” he asked, interrupting me.
I looked at him, narrowing my eyes, because once again I questioned the reasons why he didn't want me to travel alone. It was evident that this change in him was very recent, and he still believed that everything I did was because he was distrustful, although I had to acknowledge that his asking was a big step, because I had no doubt that before he would have imposed it without any remorse.
“Why do you want to do that? Tell me the truth, are you doing it because you don't trust me?”
“I'm doing it because I don't want to be apart from you. A week is too long to be away from each other, I would miss you too much.”
“Can you leave the company for a week?”
“It's been years since I've taken a few days off, I suppose I can do it. Baco can stay in my place. I'll talk to him. Besides, I'd like to meet your brother.”
“Then, I'd love for us to travel together.”
“Maybe we could even take a few more days and visit another city. Would it be a problem at your work if you take a few more days off?”
“I don't think so, it's been ages since I've taken leave,” I replied.
“I think it's better if we talk about this tomorrow because it's clear you're very tired, your eyes are closing.”
“I am.”
