“How are you?” I greeted, also giving her a kiss.
“Please, don’t be so formal with me,” she scolded me with a smile. “I’m very happy that you came, and I’m very glad that my son has you.”
“Baco is a great friend and he can always count on me,” I commented, because I didn’t want her to get the wrong idea about our relationship.
“That's wonderful. Let's go in, the table is already set,” she said, taking my arm as we entered the house.
The living room was sophisticated and elegant, decorated with dark colors that gave it a cozy feel. The table could seat twelve people, and the chairs were classic style with beige velvet upholstery. I was pleased to see that Baco's painting was displayed in this room and stood out above all the others. I noticed that he looked surprised when he saw it. Catalina sat at the head of the table and we each took a seat on either side of her, with Baco and I facing each other.
Dinner consisted of meat and vegetables and was exquisite. Dessert was Tiramisu. While we ate, we talked a lot about me because Catalina was very interested in my life, and gradually I began to relax. Baco's mom was a very pleasant and sociable lady who, with her warmth, immediately made me feel welcome and included. She also told me many anecdotes about her sons when they were young, and I couldn't help but hear many things about Hermes that made him seem more human than I'd thought.After dessert, we had coffee and the topic that had brought us there began.
“Well, Baco, let me tell you that your painting impressed me. And I must apologize to you because I always took that passion of yours as a hobby and never thought you truly took art to that dimension. Your painting is a work of art. These days I've been thinking a lot about everything you've said over the years and the little or no support I've given you, and I'm ashamed, but I want you to know that from now on you have my full support, and if you continue with the idea of dedicating yourself to this, I will support you.”
Baco looked at her completely surprised and I think emotional, which made my heart flutter and I ended up with teary eyes as well.
“Despite what Hermes might think and say?” he asked.
His mother took his hands across the table.
“Despite what your brother thinks. If it's what you want, I'll talk to Hermes tomorrow.”
“What is it you need to talk to me about?” asked the man in question, his voice echoing through the room.
We all looked in his direction and I almost hid under the table. He was so handsome it took my breath away. At that moment he was wearing a dark gray suit, white shirt, and a gray and blue tie. When our eyes met, I could see the surprise reflected in his face, and it took him several seconds to look away from mine. My face flushed with color and I had to lower my hands to my lap because they started trembling. He advanced to the table and, when we were all about to stand up to greet him, he asked us not to and began greeting each of us by approachingus. First, he approached his mother and greeted her with a kiss on the cheek, then he continued to Baco and they hugged, when he turned to approach me, I had to make an effort to stand up because my legs were shaking.
“A pleasure to see you again, Miss...”
“Delfina Darner,” I said.
The jerk was acting as if he didn't remember me!
“Hermes, you remember Delfina, don't you? She was at my birthday party,” his mother remarked, surprised.
“Yes, I remember her,” was all he said, gave me a kiss, and went to sit next to his brother.
“I didn't know you were planning to come today,” his mother commented, who at that moment seemed somewhat uncomfortable to me, and I assumed it was because of the conversation they should have about Baco.
“I never tell you when I'm coming, but if my presence bothers you because you have visitors, I can come back another time,” he said coldly.
“Hermes, how can you say that?! We're family, for God's sake, young man!” she scolded him.
Baco and I looked at each other, and I noticed he was making an effort not to smile. It was clear that his brother's behavior and his mother's reprimand amused him, but it made me feel uncomfortable because I felt like “a fish out of water.”
“Family? Is there something I should know about?” he asked, shifting his gaze from Baco to me.
“No, not yet,” Baco said, and added: “but perhaps very soon you'll have some news.”
The look Hermes gave me could have made any mortal shiver with fear; it was a furious look, but so cold it frozemy blood. It was clear that his question was aimed at my relationship with Baco, but I assumed my friend had responded thinking about the upcoming conversation they would have about his paintings and, therefore, about working at the company, or Baco had gone crazy and was implying we were more than friends.
“If you have something to inform me, do it now,” he said, deadly serious.
“Hermes, drop the seriousness, please. We'll talk calmly tomorrow. It's something we were discussing when you arrived, but now I'd like to enjoy your company and leave the conversation for another time.”
“And I'd like to find out as soon as possible,” he stated.
“What's wrong with you, darling?” his mother asked him, looking at him with concern.
“Mom, don't worry. It's getting very late and we need to go,” Baco asserted.
