2010

With the promotion of Carlos, we decided to buy our ideal apartment. We went all over Barcelona after him, but there was always something that displeased me, or him.

— This apartment is a bit more expensive, but it’s worth it. I assure you. - says the broker, opening the door to another apartment. — Welcome to the future home of the couple Penedo Salazar.

As soon as the door opened, Carlos' chin went to the floor with the huge white room that emerged.

— Two rooms, dining room, kitchen, pantry, service area, room for employees, three bedrooms, one suite, two washrooms, one guest toilet and two garages. If I may say so, it’s the best apartment you’ll find in Barcelona.

I walk all over the space analyzing everything, under the eyes of the broker I’m sure must think I’m the bitch of real estate. The first room is very good, the second room found the space poorly used. After looking at the two rooms is to open the balcony. Nearby I already had the kitchen I did not like, it is not airy enough. In my view, the apartment was very poorly distributed.

—So? - asks the broker, impatient.

I look at her, but I don’t say anything. I hate to be rushed, I still have to see the rooms. Carlos accompanies me without saying anything, as well as the broker. In each of the rooms, I could imagine the decoration for the guests and for our son that we have not yet managed to have.

When I finally get to the suite, my eyes are amazed by the magnificence of the room. I can already imagine me and Carlos in that room. Then our kids jumping into our bed and waking us up, or sleeping in the middle of the two of us. I go to the bathroom, and it’s really how I wanted it.

— What did you think? - asks Carlos, hugging me.

—Let’s go back to class. – I say, pulling my husband.

As soon as we return to the main room, I look again at the whole space, admiring the fireplace. The Broker breathes strongly, drawing my attention.

—What did you think? - asks the broker.
—Good, I liked this room, the bedrooms... but the balcony, the second room and the kitchen… I hated it. Besides, this floor is all white… left this apartment apathetic.

—Well, I assume then you will not stay with him…- says the broker, scratching the apartment on his record. Then she grumbles. — One more…

— Who said that? - I ask, irritated. — We are going to keep the apartment, but he will have to suffer a discount, because I intend to reform it.

— What do you want to do in it? - asks Carlos, curious.

—You will see. - I answer, thoughtful. 

The only thing I know is that I have a lot to do.

***

—There’s nothing more motivating to me than listening to those walls being destroyed. My idea is to transform that space of the living room, balcony and kitchen, into a large open kitchen. Imagine how beautiful it will be.- I’ll explain on the phone.

—You’ve always been good at decorating, Doce. - praises Mr. X.

Yes, X is still present in my life, only some things between us have changed. Only some things between me and Mr. X have changed. The jokes continued, just not in the same frequency as we had before. But when they happened they were perfect, indecent, and intense, to the point that I say that he is my virtual soul mate at all times. I really feel it… we have something unique.

Despite the double work, I always found time to talk to myself. And I decided that there was no point in arguing about my feelings with him, as they would never be reciprocated. He is still in the phase of moving his post to another before definitely going to Switzerland. While this still does not happen, we remain having as much contact as possible.

I no longer feel guilty for getting involved with him and put to me that I am not cheating on Carlos, it is passion and not love. The truth is that I am living the best of both worlds: My husband loved me and Mr. X is always there to help me in whatever it takes, giving the support I would like everyone to give me.
Sometimes I was sure that everything would be like this forever...

***

Four months later ...

Finally, the works were over, and the apartment became the personal paradise of me and Carlos. I must admit that everything was impeccable, just confirming me that my passion is decoration and not the law course that I still push with my belly. We were so happy with our home that any occasion was reason to call friends and family to dinner with us.

— I really am in love with your home. - praises Filomena drinking some wine while admiring the decor of the dining room. — I can’t believe you did this all by yourself.

— Thank you, Fi. - I say, flattered.—I loved making my home my way. I had also decorated the other apartment. I don’t know, maybe my real talent is decoration.

— But first, put that dedication you had to decorate your home, to be the best lawyer in Barcelona. - says my father across the table. I knew he would start playing that key — So, what’s the occasion?

— Ramón. - reprimands my mother who smiles at our friends, embarrassed.

— Love, would you like to answer? - asks Carlos, pointing his cup in my direction. He turns to the guests. — Everyone knows she’s better at telling things than I am.

—All right. Today’s occasion is that Carlos managed to close another partnership. This time with the Germans! - I say enthusiastically.

— That’s great, Carlos.- says my mother, smiling at my husband.

— Congratulations! - says Filomena. — It deserves a toast.

— Congratulations, Carlos. - says Filomena’s husband.

— Congratulations, partner. – says Elson to Carlos. — Although this is no longer news to me.

—Congratulations. – says Elson’s wife.

— That’s right, brother-in-law. – says my happy sister.

My father narrows his eyes staring at us in the face of few friends. Then drink a sip of wine slowly, totally ignoring my words, leaving an unpleasant mood.

—Dad, aren’t you happy about Carlos' conquest? - I ask, holding my husband’s hand.— An admirable achievement, isn’t it?

— If that’s what you think... – my father says with little case. He faces my mother who squeezes his arm lightly scolding him. — What is it, woman? The truth is that nobody here has the courage to say that they expected the news to be that she was pregnant. FINALLY, pregnant. Or that it is preparing for the examination of the Order, but as it is only one more novelty … that nothing against Carlos, but we always came here expecting a formidable news, not that the agreement is not, only that it is always about you closing deals. That in my view is just the obligation you do for the company. You are a partner and that is your obligation. So I don’t see why we always celebrate for the same thing.

As much as I hated my father’s words, the faces at the table showed that they thought exactly like him, they just didn’t have the courage to say it. I settle in the chair, preparing to give the answer my father deserves and knows he will have. Everyone knows that there was a storm coming…

— Don’t worry, Mr. Penedo, we’re making sure that when Dalia gets pregnant, the football team we want is here. - says Carlos, kissing my cheek. — Then you will complain that we have many birthdays and family events to celebrate.

Everyone at the table laughs, except my father, who only shakes his head towards my husband. I look at him, amazed at how he managed to get around the situation, and how much I am honored to have him in my life.

— Thank you. - I whisper in my husband’s ear.

— I only avoided one disaster. - replies Carlos, kissing my hand.

Someone changes the subject to movies, and the words spoken by my father disappear as time goes on for everyone but me. They hammer in my mind. I always thought that when I was married I would have my children, but we were already four years old and no sign. I don’t take medicines, nor do we use condoms, and that situation is already worrying me. What if I can’t have children?

— Thank you for dinner. - thanks, my mother holding my arm. I know that gesture means she wants to talk to me, so we walk very slowly, letting my father and Valeria go ahead. As soon as we stop at the door, she turns and speaks. — Daughter, I’m sorry for what her father said at dinner. Don’t take him seriously, he’s just worried that you don’t have a child yet. After all, I had you a few months after getting married…

— Mom, don’t worry. - I say, convincing. — We’re dealing with it, quiet. We’re trying, but no pressure…

—Very good to know. - says my mother, who faces me. — But if they can not, they could do some tests to see if everything is okay.

—Don’t worry, Mom. We know how to take care of ourselves. - I say, walking to the door. —See you later, Mom.

—See you later, my daughter. - says my mother leaving.

I close the door and go to help my husband with the table. I keep watching Carlos and wondering what’s going on in his head. I put the dishes in the washing machine and sit with him on the couch, looking at the game that was playing on our television.

— What was it? - asks Carlos.

— I’m thinking about what my father said. - I answer as I watch my husband’s expression change.

—Don’t think about it, you know how unpleasant your father can be.

— But you know he’s right. - I mean. I get on the couch staring at my husband and ask.— Don’t you worry, we don’t have our son yet?

— Yes. - replies Carlos. — But maybe that’s why we’re not doing things right.
 — What do you mean? - I ask, confused. I don’t know what else to do but have sex every day and every time.

— I think we need to take it more seriously. Follow some guidelines, research and plan.

—Carlos, we are trying to have a child and not create a project. - I say irritated.

—Yes, but so far nothing has happened. Let’s change strategy. - explains Carlos turning off the television. — Trust me, if we follow what I’m thinking, next month you’ll be pregnant.

—All right. - I say unbuttoning his shirt. — When do we start?

— Now. - says Carlos kissing me. He takes my hand off his shirt and stands up giving his hand to me.— Let’s do more research on the subject and create a plan. Project Son will be a success.