JULIET
"Do you really think I'm fine like this?"
I only wore this blouse once in my life and I think it has gone out of style for a while because although I bought it less than a year ago, it was already from a discount store of a brand that I only usually see in shop windows on the streets Because of course buying one like this totally new and in season is extremely expensive.
I have also put on a cream-colored skirt that is useful to use as a joker in a formal event. I have not worn this one many times, but enough so that they have already gone through their first visit to the dry cleaner.
"What do you say?" I ask Thammy as she finishes giving Ali a bath. She turns to look at me and gives me an unfriendly face, although her face immediately lights up and warns. Oh! Do you know something? Check my closet, I have outfits that will be very useful for you."
"What's in there?"
"You can choose between a jacket that will make a good combination or simply change to any other skirt."
"Are you trying to tell me that my clothes are ugly?"
"No, for heaven's sake, don't think that."
"It is," I chuckled. "I admit it, I was always lousy for fashion and reluctant to wear seasonal clothes."
"Take whatever you like, I'm not going to say no if you admit it yourself" she giggles and Ali also starts laughing as she plays with the hot water from the baby tub. I move closer to him and caress one of his chubby cheeks.
"My love, you're a hottie," I tell him as I caress him. "Too bad your father is a real psycho."
"Hmm."
She grunts, but I know she gives me her approval.
"Don't worry, I don't want to compromise you."
"I've known Mr. Kerem since before. His wife asked me to take care of Ali on a few occasions and believe me it was not very different from what it is today, but the matter is with his son. His way of being with the baby changed profoundly."
"Really?"
"Yes. Before he didn't carry him, but he smiled at him, talked to him, played with Zara and with the child. After the plane crash...all that stopped. He doesn't even look him in the eye."
"That is not right."
"He is not, he too was affected by what happened to his wife."
"Do you think he can recover?"
"I doubt it. Nothing prepares you for a little over thirty years to become a widow when you start to build the biggest project of your life."
"You're no older than him, I'm sure."
"No, I have two more than you, but I'm in a relationship and I dream of building a happy life with her. It's the best thing in the world to know that you have someone who gets along very well with you and who will be there to hug you no matter what happens."
"To...her?"
"Yeah," she nods and smiles at me.
I also give her a smile.
"That's wonderful... I... I hope one day to find someone who also gives me that impulse. The day that happens, I'm sure he'll be a completely different man than Mr. Deniz."
She lets out a giggle.
"Don't judge me," I tell her. That man is insufferable, I don't understand how his wife put up with him."
"Believe me there was something special between the two of them. A magic that today seems to have gone out, but that kind of magic never completely disappears. I always believe that there is an opportunity for something more. By the way, look at what time it is! What time does Mr. Elijah expect you?"
I take out my cell phone and look.
"Wow!" I scream and run away to my partner's closet.
I have a message from my boss's best friend.
He says they're both waiting for me downstairs.
Heavens, they're going to kill me!
Wait a minute...
The two of them?
What does he mean "both"?!