Chapter 3 The Visit

By Ramiro I

was coming down the last two steps when we heard the doorbell ring.

A maid hurried to answer it, but my nephews ran up to the door shouting and clapping. “Auntie

!

” Matías shouted happily, and Tomy repeated the word—I’m pretty sure he doesn’t know who she is; he’s just following his brother.

When the door opened, a blonde woman walked in—I didn’t get a good look at her because she immediately crouched down to pick up my two nephews.

She picked them both up at the same time.

She showers them with kisses and sweet words.

A few minutes later, she sits up, and my sister-in-law comes over to greet her.

I’m thinking that this display of affection seems a bit over the top when my brother appears from behind his wife and also gives her a warm hug.

I still haven’t seen her face. “Where have you been

? We missed you,”

says Facundo.

Apparently, she’d been away on a trip or something like that. “Let me introduce

you to my brother—this is Ramiro; this is Karen.”

I was speechless when I realized that this woman was the beautiful blonde I’d spent the afternoon with.

A smile spread across my face, and the rest of the world faded away.

She looked at me in amazement. “Hi

, we’ve met before,

” I say, when I realize it’s time to speak and not just devour her with my eyes.

Everyone looks at me in amazement, even Karen.

She immediately smiles at me.

“Apparently, that’s right.” “We

met this afternoon at the beach.

Let me explain.” “You turned down

my invitation, but we ended up having dinner together anyway.” She blushes.

“I told you

I had plans.”

“I’m so glad… about those plans and about seeing you again.”

Facundo looks at me, studying my every gesture and word.

I’m not usually the gallant type with women—at least not in front of my family—but I feel like I’ve fallen head over heels for this beautiful blonde. “I

loved this surprise.”

I leaned in and kissed her on the cheek, dying to kiss her on the lips.

As soon as I got close, everything inside me was throbbing.

She seemed flustered, too.

I sat down next to her at the table; I just wanted to brush against her and slowly draw closer, until I was pressed against her body.

I tried to calm down.

I had to control myself, but I swear everyone else ceased to exist.

Matías, my nephew, spoke to me several times, and when I didn’t respond, he lost his patience and got angry because he didn’t know what I was thinking about.

I was truly smitten with Rocío.

At one point, my sister-in-law said she wanted to show me something—or ask me a question; I don’t know what—but in private, so they went up to Karen’s bedroom. As they were climbing the stairs, I couldn’t take my eyes off Rocío’s butt; I swear I had to adjust myself down there.

My brother’s laughter startled me. “Damn

, she really got to you!” “You have

no idea how much,

” I replied honestly. “She’s

beautiful, yeah.”

He said, almost indifferently. “She’s

more than just beautiful—I lost my mind today when I saw her at the beach.”

“I see.” “I

swear, no woman has ever made such an impression on me before. She’s a great conversationalist; you can tell she’s well-educated, and…” “Didn’t

she tell you what she does for a living?

” he asked, surprised. “Is

she a model?

” Facundo’s laughter rang out loud.—

No, she isn’t. I agree she could be—she’s pretty and striking—but I assure you, nothing could be further from the truth.

She didn’t tell me her profession, though, and I don’t really care much about it anyway. Besides, I’ll find out soon enough, because I plan to see her again—that woman captivated me just by looking at her.

What’s more, I’m not going to let her out of my sight until I return to my country, because if I used to think I’d get bored after two or three dates, now I don’t think that’ll happen for a long time.

As the girls were coming down the stairs, I approached Rocío and held out my hand to help her down the last two steps, but I didn’t move from my spot, and we ended up standing very close together.

I held myself back from kissing her right then.

Facundo was looking at me with even more astonishment than before—I’ve never been very affectionate, but for Rocío’s sake, I went out of my way to be attentive to her all night.

The girls were chatting about mutual friends, and I, listening intently to them, couldn’t keep up a coherent conversation with my brother. “How

long are you staying?

” Karen asked her beautiful friend.

“I’m staying two or three more weeks.” “I’m going to squeeze every last drop out of you

, girl,

” my sister-in-law said, while I was thinking about extending my vacation and that the one who was going to squeeze every last drop out of Rocío was going to be me, not Karen. “Yeah

, but don’t forget that I’m also staying to take care of my dad.”

“I know, friend, and I’m really sorry.” “Thanks

. I think I’ll stay until I start college. I don’t have a problem with my job—it’s my boss…” “Your

boss is in love with you; I’ve been telling you that.” “I

don’t know. In any case, he’s a friend.” “Ro

, your boss is crazy about you; we all know that.” “Possibly

.”

She finally admits it, and I didn’t like knowing that there’s a man with power—at least power over her—who apparently has a crush on her and might do something to win her over.

It’s strange that he’s giving her so many weeks of vacation.—I told him

not to pay me for the extra weeks I take off.—

Gabriel’s going to pay you for them anyway—don’t doubt it.—

But it’s not right.—

You work overtime every day.—He pays me for them as a bonus,

” Rocío replies, and I discovered a new virtue in her: she doesn’t take advantage of the man who’s in love with her.

Once again, it bothered me to think that someone is smitten with her, even though when I look at her, it’s obvious she must have plenty of suitors—she’s beautiful, delicate, grounded, cultured, sensual—very sensual.

Finally, she talks a little about her father and seems tormented.

I didn’t want to tell her that I was a doctor and that she could consult me, because apparently her father is in pretty bad shape and I don’t want to give her false hope.

She knows all the details about this man’s illness; I can tell she talks about it as if she’s very familiar with the subject—she must be the one who talks to the doctors and has memorized all the names. “Before

I forget, take your medicine.”

My brother said. “Tell

me how much it is.” “Are

you crazy? How could I charge you?” “It’s

not fair to you.” “It doesn’t

feel right to charge you—to Karen, you’re a sister.”

“Okay, you two are really close friends; it’s strange that I’ve never seen her at my brother’s house.” “Thanks

.” “I just

hope that…”

Facundo began. “That

his quality of life improves during his final months.”

said the beautiful blonde, her voice breaking.

The silence that followed meant she wasn’t wrong.—Well

, guys, I’m leaving; I have to get up early tomorrow.—I’ll walk you

home.

I said hurriedly.

“Don’t worry, it’s only six blocks away, and it’s a quiet area.”

“Did you walk here?

” Karen asked, while my brother discreetly winked at me. “Yeah

, you know I love walking around the neighborhood.” “I was

thinking of giving you a ride, but if you want, we can walk.”

I said, thinking she wasn’t going to get away from me that easily.—Okay

, let’s take the car. It’s gotten a little chilly, and even though I like the sea breeze, I don’t want to catch a cold and pass it on to my dad.

I like how she looks out for her family.

I love everything about this woman.

They said goodbye to Karen as if they were parting for months.

My sister-in-law is such a drama queen.

We got into my Mercedes SUV—it’s not the biggest model, but it is the latest one.

I didn’t mean to impress her; besides, she doesn’t strike me as the type to be impressed by a car, no matter how modern or new it is.

Rocío told me where to turn.

We arrived in three minutes; I parked and turned off the engine—not to get out with her, but because I didn’t plan on letting her go so quickly. “Don’t

forget we have a date.” “I’ll see you

at the beach,

” she replied. “Yes

, and we also agreed to have dinner together tomorrow night.”

She smiled broadly.

I suggested a fairly well-known restaurant. “I think

you should make a reservation, because I don’t know if there’s room this time of year.”

She thought for a moment and then laughed out loud.

“The owner is a friend of Facu’s.” “That’s

why I can get a last-minute reservation,

” I confessed.

Then I grew more serious. “I

really like you,

” I said, almost awkwardly.

Without further hesitation, I leaned in toward her lips and finally tasted her.