Chapter 4

They talked animatedly for another hour, telling stories about work, life, childhood (which was particularly hard for Rodrigo who had all his shameful memories exposed). The most diverse subjects, from games to the stock exchange or silly things as if mosquitoes are more irritating than flies.

"Yeah, guys, the conversation is very good, but I'll be going" Spoken Luciene taking her bag and Nala pulled her into a quick hug, with a 'good night and rest'.

“But already Lu? Will you not even wait for the nightcap? ”

"If I'm going to wait for you to stop drinking, Temí, I'll just go straight to work on Monday" she was getting up with a smile and a wink, and already getting her credit card to pay her part of the night.

"That hurt Lu" said Themistocles holding the heart as if he were stabbed

“You don't have to pay Lu, today is on us. And I don't want to hear a complaint! ” Juan spoke in a tone that wasn't open to negotiations.

“Bossy as always, isn't you Juan? But thanks." It was kind of embarrassed to leave like that, even more knowing that she wouldn't pay her share ... Her sense of responsibility was strong even in this type of situation. But even so, she knew that it wouldn't be much use to debate with Juan, and if she insisted on paying, it would end up getting a bad atmosphere. And she doesn't have the energy to look for the best arguments in a debate “I'm going ahead,” he said, waving.

Everyone said goodbye, congratulating her again, and wishing her a good rest.

"Do you want me to go with you, Lu?" Victor prepared to get up, but Luciene held his shoulder with a grateful smile.

“No, Vic, I live nearby. You can enjoy it here with them”

“I don't even offer myself. When she's angry, she even drops a bear. ” Rodrigo joked with laughter

"Forgive me if I have more skill than you, Mr. Ares"

"Tush, you…!" Rodrigo leaned on the table to get up, but Lu hurried toward the exit, almost hopping

"I’m leaving" The others were laughing at their reaction. It was not to be expected less of them

She continued to pass the tables and people who peacefully enjoyed their meals. Even though it was late, as it was Friday, people didn't seem in a hurry to go home. Their table was certainly the loudest, but since the other customers didn't seem to mind, no one had come to complain.

She followed the hallway that connected the table area to the reception, which was more external, still at a fast pace, but when he turned at the end of the way, she ran into one of the receptionists carrying an empty glass jar towards the kitchen to fill it. It was so unexpected that the impact caused the two to fall to the floor, along with the jar that shattered across the floor.

Because it was so quick, the immediate reaction of Lu was to get up to help the receptionist, but after feeling a thin twinge, she fell again holding her burning and bleeding hand. Screaming in surprise, she saw that she ended up supporting himself with his left hand on a shard of glass, making a deep cut, which was still stuck in the palm.

While some of the customers who were nearby approached, two of the employees stepped forward to help the two who were still on the floor, and make their way through the glass trying to concentrate the pieces in a corner to prevent further accidents.

One of them helped Lu to get up, he was a little scared because of the blood, but, being careful not to do anything that would harm her hand, he raised her and went to a side room.

The young man who helped her, after asking her to sit and wait for a while, spoke quickly to the girl who had entered the room as well and left shortly thereafter to help collect the broken glass. Only Lu and the receptionist remained in the room.

Despite being still a little stunned, the receptionist came out of shock and went to a closet that was to the right of the door, talking with his back to Lucine while picking up the first aid kit. “Please don't move and stay calm. I will remove the glass and treat the wound. ” But when she turned around she was startled to see the other person hold the glass to pull it out.

She tried to shout "Wait, miss..."

With a quick movement, the shard of about 5 centimeters was removed in one movement, increasing the flow of blood, which started to run down his arm and drip on the floor.

"Ouch! ouch! ouch! I didn't think it would hurt so much ... How long has it been since I cut myself? ... ”The girl approached quickly, somewhat shocked by the client's reaction, and placed a cloth on the wound and pressed, trying to stop the bleeding.

“That's why I said to be calm. Before an object is removed from a perforation, it needs to assess whether it has reached any artery, vein or tendon, whether there will be a large increase in blood flow, having to be careful to stop it properly and avoid sequelae. ”

"Ah, sorry" Luciene replied awkwardly. She also didn't understand why she did it.

After almost 1 minute, the sharp pain started to disappear amid the numbness of the compression, but the small towel, previously white, was completely red with blood, having only its extremities indicating its original color.

Sometime later, the woman removed the towel and took it to the corner of the room, where she put her hand in a sink that was there, to wash it under running water and check how the cut was.

“It was a little bit deep, but it doesn't need a point. I will make a compression dressing to close the cut and then bandage. Keep your elbow on the sink while I pick up the materials in the kit. ” When she returned, the girl worked quickly and skillfully, doing her best so that Luciene didn't feel so much pain in the process.

"You are a nurse?" Luciene asked curiously as the receptionist finished tying the ribbon.

“I finished the course last year. I plan to start college next year, ”she replied, still focused.

"I see, you are very good at that kind of thing" she said looking at her hand when it was over. She moved it to see how far she was going without feeling much pain, but just moving a little the fingers already felt the sting in the palm.

"Thank you. But it turned out to be my fault ... forgive me for the incident. ”She bowed her head, ashamed of what had happened and worried about the situation. If were a complicated client, she could even be fired and prosecuted later.

"Don't worry. I was walking fast and didn't pay attention. And it was nothing serious, was it?” She said smiling at the young woman who looked up with a confident look as she spoke.

"No. Although it was relatively deep, it did not reach any area of concern, so, despite the inconvenience, it should be closed in 3 or 4 days. But you must be careful not to open it, as it will take longer to heal ”

"All right, then" Her gentle smile made the young woman calm down a little.

“The staff must have informed the manager. He should already be on his way ”

“You don't have to, don't have to. You already treated the wound, so we can leave it like this” she waved her right hand as she left the room and headed towards the exit of the establishment. She just wanted to get home soon and sleep.

“Do you want me to contact someone? Is there anyone who can take you home? ” The young woman ran following her step, still worried.

"It's not necessary. I live nearby. You can rest easy about it ”A hot bath, little cold pajamas, a soft bed ...

"Are you really sure you don't need anything else?"

“Absolutely! Thank you for your care. Good night.” She nodded before walking out the door. Ahhh. Today was a very long day. I want to sleep!! She looked up at the sky and took a deep breath in the cold city air. Autumn had already arrived, so the cold would be oppressive into the night.

She turned towards her house. The walk wasn't very long, but it's not a good thing to take chances today. As the violence is, she thought it was incredible that she never suffered an assault, even walking so much on foot.

She continued walking along the sidewalk, imagining her warm bed at home.