7- Back on top... Is it?

I woke up with a strong hangover from the entire bottle of wine I drank. "Oh, heavens! Why did I drink so much?" I opened my eyes with difficulty and saw that it wasn't sunny, but rather a light rain. "Just what I needed to lift my spirits, the day is just like my heart," I thought.

I woke up feeling somewhat confused about where I was, what day it was, and had to make an effort to remember that it was Sunday. I looked around. "Phew! I'm in my apartment, that's reassuring." I realized it was already past noon and checked the calendar. "Ugh, darn it! I have an exam tomorrow! I need to study."

— I'll have to cure this hangover forcefully! - I said, slowly getting out of bed and heading towards the bathroom. - I need a shower and then a good cup of coffee!

Twenty minutes later, I was already in the kitchen preparing my coffee with toast and ricotta cream. "Ahh, today I'm feeling so 'fit'," I said with a smile.

I enjoyed the delicious coffee with milk, grabbed my books, and started studying. Two hours later, I had studied everything I needed to and decided not to dwell on what had happened the day before because he would never be mine anyway. What happened in his life was not my problem. I decided to watch a romantic comedy film. Yes, I needed that to lift my spirits.

After the end of the movie, I decided to make something savory to eat because I hadn't had lunch, and there was leftover pasta from the previous night, a snack for someone who wasn't in the mood to cook.

As I was setting up the small table on the balcony to eat, I heard knocks on the door, but I thought it was just my imagination and ignored it. I went to the bedroom, grabbed my blanket, arranged the balcony, and started eating while watching the sunset. I heard the knocking on the door again and decided to check if there was someone lost in the hallway. I was shocked by who I found in the hallway.

— Hello, we need to talk! - Dante said, passing by me and storming into the apartment.

— Oh yes, we need to tear up the contract. - I closed the door and went to the balcony to eat, completely ignoring his presence.

— What do you mean? Because of yesterday? I can explain.

— I don't need your explanations. I'm not your girlfriend, actually, I'm nothing to you. In that case, just end it and fully commit to Lola in your life, that would make it easier for both sides.

— But that's not what I want! - Dante said anxiously.

— Come on, really? Why do you make everything so difficult? - I said, looking at him with a furrowed brow. - Why involve me in your problems?

— Involve you? You're helping me with Lola.

— I saw that. - I said sarcastically.

— Come on, Kyra? Aren't you even going to let me explain?

— Why should I? - I said, starting to eat the pasta, which, by the way, was very good.

Dante started pacing back and forth in the living room and suddenly stopped, looking at me with a strange sparkle in his eyes. He approached me with a chair from the table and sat in front of me, his knees touching mine.

— You're going to listen to me whether you like it or not! - He said determined.

I choked on the pasta, but after a few coughs and a glass of water, I recovered.

— Are you okay? - He said, alarmed.

— Yes, it was just the shock of your determination to make me listen to something I don't want to.

— I had a "MEETING" at the company with the partners to announce Lola's dismissal, then I called you to emphasize our relationship in front of her while she signed the documents. I went out for some fresh air as you advised me, and I ended up running into one of the partners who invited me to his birthday party, and I couldn't say no. I didn't know she would be there. He told me he didn't invite her, but she still came. In the end, she took my phone when you called, precisely to cause confusion in our "relationship," which actually happened.

— Even if that's true, why didn't you call to let me know you wouldn't be coming? - I asked with a lump in my throat, looking at the gray sky that was gradually changing color and darkening.

— Kyra, you waited for me? - He looked at me astonished.

— Unfortunately, yes. When I make plans, I follow through, you know.

— I'm sorry, I really didn't think it would make you so angry.

— Whatever, I just don't want to continue with this.

— I really don't know what to do to convince you not to give up on this "idiot" here.

— Give me time to sort things out in my head. I have a busy week ahead, and I need peace, which you never give me.

— But if I leave you alone, I'm sure you'll give up.

— And if I do give up? I'm not interested in being caught between two people who have feelings for each other. That's not my thing, and it seems like I'm ruining your relationship.

— That's absurd! Surprisingly, when I'm with you, I don't miss Lola, and I don't even think about her.

— And when you're not?

Dante remained silent for a moment, and I deduced that his silence meant a "yes" and that he was thinking about her, and I was just a refuge for him. Damn it! I thought.

— I'll take your silence as a yes.

— But it's not exactly that. - He replied, sounding confused.

— Like I said, you don't need to explain. I'm just expressing how I feel about all of this.

— Are you jealous of Lola?

I even dropped my fork on the floor. That caught me by surprise; I hadn't even thought about it.

— What? - I said shocked. - Where did you get that idea? Why would I be jealous of Lola? Sure, she's beautiful, dresses well, already has a degree, has influence in the corporate world, and I'm just a simple girl, but it wouldn't be to that extent. - I said sarcastically.

— It wouldn't be for those reasons, but because you might be liking me. - He said, with a dimple forming on the left corner of his mouth.

— You must be crazy! Why would I be interested in a man who doesn't see me, who likes another woman, and who avoids serious relationships?

— Bingo! - You're hiding something, and I'm going to find out! Oh, speaking of which, I'm hungry. Can you grab a plate and utensils? I noticed you dropped yours and will have to get another. - He said, smiling.

— Ugh, I deserve this! - I said, grabbing the fork and getting up to fetch the utensils and plate.

When I walked past him, he grabbed my arm and pulled me closer until our faces were inches apart. I was paralyzed, not knowing what to do, a mix of confusion. I could feel his breath on my face, and unfortunately, my heart was beating so fast it felt like it could jump out of my mouth at any moment. He smiled and leaned in close to my ear, brushing his lips against it and whispered, "I love making you feel uncomfortable!" A shiver ran through my entire body, and I regained my composure and pushed him away.

— You really enjoy playing with me, don't you? But you won't get what you want! I said, stepping away from the balcony and going to the kitchen cabinet, but I could still hear him say, "We'll see."

I grabbed what I needed, served him some pasta, poured a glass of water, and returned to the table. I completely ignored his previous comment and his ungentlemanly actions.

— Your pasta is delicious! He said, smiling at me.

— Yesterday's was better. Today I just seasoned it to eat again.

— Was this our dinner? He asked, furrowing his brow.

— What's the matter? Why all the surprise?

— No one has ever cooked for me before.

— Not even your mother?

— No, my mother was always away, and my father was traveling. Let's just say my sister and I were raised by our nanny at the time, who takes better care of us than our parents.

— Wow! I said, wide-eyed, shocked by the situation.

— And you? Why don't you live with your family?

— Well, let's just say I never met my mother, and my father remarried. I spend my Christmases here; it's so lovely to look out from the balcony, I said, smiling.

— Really? My parents weren't very present either, but we always spent Christmas together.

— It happens. The thing is: eat and go away because I need to study for tomorrow's test.

— Wow, such politeness! What's the subject? He asked, somewhat interested in the subject. At least it seemed that way.

— FMO (Financial Management and Budgeting).

— Oh, I understand that. How are you doing in that subject?

— Hehehe, well, I'm managing to maintain an average, but there are things I don't really understand because I've never done a company's balance sheet.

— Bring me your notebook; I'll try to explain it to you in a summarized way.

— Alright.

An hour later, I knew everything, even how to calculate expenses, revenues, and prepare an income statement. I was thrilled with the result.

— It was easier to understand with you explaining it to me. Thank you so much for your help! I said, smiling at him for the first time that day.

— Well, you see, now you have to consider the benefits of our partnership.

— I knew you would use that against me.

— It's not against you; it's our partnership! Come on, say you need me.

— Not even in a hundred years!

— You really are proud, aren't you? But I accept the challenge, he said, smiling.

Dante looked at the clock and was startled by the time. He got up, grabbed his coat (I hadn't even noticed that he had taken off his coat), and was getting ready to leave.

— Kyra, it's getting late, and tomorrow we both need to wake up early. I'll respect your wish and "go away," he said, heading towards the door.

— It's really late, but it was productive. Thank you for your help, I said, accompanying him.

— Oh, I forgot something, he said, getting closer to me.

I looked confused, not understanding what he had forgotten, and then he pulled me towards him and hesitantly kissed my cheek.

— Goodnight, Kyra, he whispered in my ear again, but for some reason, he hadn't let go of me yet.

— Goodnight, I responded, trying to move away, but he held onto me.

— What are you afraid of? he asked, confused.

— Getting hurt, and I know that will happen if I let myself get carried away by you.

Having said that, he let go of me and left the apartment without saying a word. It was then that I leaned against the door and slid down until I sat, feeling relieved that he had left. Congratulations, Kyra, you managed to resist the handsome man who was in your living room, I said to myself.