It was Saturday, the day to organize the apartment. If I didn't do it, no one would. Helena took advantage of the day to stay with Daniel and Samantha to hibernate until the night. I washed my clothes, swept and mopped the floor and organized everything that was out of place. I ended up not even seeing the beautiful sunny day that was on the street. When I finished it was late afternoon and Helena was already back, getting ready to go out again.
- We'll go to the bar on the corner. - she said. - We will?
- I am tired. I think I'll read a book and then sleep.
- Ari, did you know that there is life out there? = she asked me.
- Besides, I haven't talked to Therry.
- Therry is not at home.
- How do you know?
- No movement there.
- I don't think it's okay for me to go out without him... Maybe he'll be upset. He always invites to go with him and I always make an excuse...
- Just like you do with me when I invite you.
- Helen, I...
- I don't take no for an answer. We'll leave at 8 pm and you should be ready and looking pretty.
I sighed softly and went to my room. Samantha was waking up.
- Will sleep? she asked when I lay down.
- No... Just get some rest.
- I'm going to eat something and get ready because today is Saturday. - She said, humming with the bath towel in hand.
I really didn't like going out to bars, but Helena was right. I almost never went out, I just stayed at home. Maybe it would be nice to change it up a bit and have fun. She and Daniel were cheerful and maybe it would be nice to do something different on Saturday night and not just wait for the fun on Sunday, when there was a meeting and barbecue by the pool.
Around 8 pm I put on a pair of jeans and a white lurex t-shirt , with a slight sheen. High heels with comfortable heels and a gloss to enhance my lips. I looked at myself in the mirror. I was a little thin, perhaps because of excessive worries about work and the country's financial situation as well as the future. After I cut my brown hair to shoulder length, I never let it grow again, due to practicality. I rarely attached or did anything different to them. They didn't even have ink. They weren't completely straight or curly, but they had a certain volume. My eyes were brown, but some people insisted they were green. I had full lips, one of the few things I liked about myself, and straight, clear teeth without ever having to wear braces. My skin was well cared for and didn't have any marks or wrinkles. The dark skin contributed to this, I believe. I didn't consider myself ugly, but compared to my friends, I wasn't attractive at all. I didn't much like flashy makeup or tight, low-cut clothes. The one in the mirror was me: simple, comfortable and content.
When I left Helena was ready.
- Wow ! - I praised. There was no way not to say anything to her.
During the week Helena dressed very discreetly, usually wearing pants, a shirt and flat shoes. But during the parties at night she used and abused her elegance and sensuality. She had rounded shapes, full breasts and a pert butt. The eyes were dark and well almond-shaped and the mouth was large, due to its Latin origin. Most of her family members lived in Mexico. She was born in Brazil. She had a caring and concerned family. Her parents were very charismatic and she always had parties and good food at her house. I think her mother called her every day. I looked at the black skirt and the transparent white blouse, which fit her very well.
- Was I okay? – she asked, turning around.
- Perfect.
- You too. - she said.
I laughed. I was nothing like her, but each with their own style.
- Is Samantha going too?
- Of course not. It must have already left. She said that since Jonathan was there yesterday he certainly won't go today.
- Where she went?
- Must be behind him. - she laughed. “Little does she know he's going to the bar again today.
- Are you sure you didn't tell? - I criticized.
- Let me have self-love for her.
The two left. The apartment lights were off. Apparently no one was home that Saturday night. I realized that I was the only one who used to stay at home on weekends at night.
When we got to the bar, Daniel was sitting at a table with Jonathan. I followed Helena, but I was a little afraid of just the four of us staying there the whole night. Surely I would come up with an excuse to leave soon. I thought it was wrong for Helena not to have told Samantha that Jonathan would be there. I wondered where she was at that hour, looking for him.
I sat down and greeted everyone. Daniel and Helena shared a long passionate kiss. Jonathan looked at me and I looked down at once, feeling a strange sensation. He was wearing jeans and a white V-neck T-shirt. And yet he looked gorgeous, there was no denying it. Sometimes I even understood Samantha's regrets over losing him. Maybe if one day I had a beautiful man like that with me and then I lost it, I would also try to make up for lost time.
The music was loud and Jonathan said very loudly:
- Were you able to convince her to leave the cocoon?
- Yea. - I said. - But I'm staying a little while.
- Serious? You arrived... Five minutes ago and you already want to leave? – he said laughing.
I didn't hear him very well and when I saw him he changed places and sat next to me. Not sure why I cringed a little, in order not to touch him in any way.
- Dance? he asked.
- No way. - I replied.
- Do you drink anything?
- Water. - I said almost laughing. He must be thinking I'm not of this world.
He left and then came back with a beer and water for me.
- Thank you... I didn't have to. - I said.
He did not say anything. Helena and Daniel were talking as if we weren't even there. I was a little mad that Helena had taken me to that place. I thought the situation couldn't get any worse, but she and Daniel went dancing. So I stayed there, alone with Jonathan.
- Are you okay? - he asked.
- Yes, why?
- You look awful.
I sighed. It really should be.
- My face is like that. - I said trying to smile.
He looked into my eyes and asked:
- What you have against me?
I could lie or make up anything, but I preferred to tell the truth:
- You betrayed my friend... Should I have something in my favor?
He was quiet. I don't know if I was digesting my sentence or what. But I was waiting for an answer that didn't come, unfortunately. Apparently he had no way to defend himself. After a long time, almost a beer, which he drank without even looking at me, he said:
- I don't usually do what I did for Samantha.
- You want me to believe this? - I asked.
- If you're to be honest, yes.
I kept quiet. I thought about Helena's comment about him looking at me a few times and after that sentence I was a little confused. I looked at him again, he was looking at me without looking away. What did that man want from me or me? I was not his type of woman. Maybe he wanted a different little toy to pass the time. Or maybe he didn't even want anything to do with me and I was going crazy. I averted my gaze. Of course I wasn't able to face him side by side.
- Can you get me a drink, please? - I asked.
- Sure. What you want? he asked getting up.
When he got up he ended up pouring the water in the glass over me. The water literally froze my breasts and my belly. I started to laugh.
He didn't laugh. He immediately grabbed a handful of napkins and began to rub her mid-breasts and belly. Maybe he didn't notice, but I shivered at his touch and felt a butterflies in my stomach that I hadn't felt in I don't know how many years… Maybe I last felt it in my teens. That feeling made me uncomfortable, but at the same time alive. I can't remember the last time I felt desire at a man's touch.
I removed his hands and said:
- Everything is fine. It was nothing.
- I'm very clumsy. Excuse me.
- I was really dying to leave. - I confessed.
- No way. I'll get your drink now. If you leave without drinking I will be very bad, believe me.
- Jonathan, it's okay. We are just minutes from home.
- You change clothes and come back then?
- Sure.
- Then I'll wait for you with your drink. What you want?
- Could be... A martini.
I left quickly and giving thanks for the accident. Obviously I wouldn't go back. In minutes I got home , took off my clothes, put on my pajamas and went to bed. To sleep? I knew there was no way I could. I don't know if I could sleep again in my entire life. Feeling butterflies in your stomach at the touch of your best friend's ex-boyfriend is not something that happens every day.