Giving way

Murilo

When Virginia stormed out of the food court, I was immediately irritated by her attitude, until I noticed how upset she seemed when she walked directly to the restrooms, I thought it was best to wait outside to make sure of her real emotional state.

The fact was that she was pregnant, and I understood that she must have been shaken by such impacting news. A child changes everything in someone's life, and when it is a mother, it tends to be even more transformative.

After several minutes of waiting for her to come out of the bathroom, I began to get worried and was seriously considering calling one of the women who were leaving the place, in search of some information about the woman who would very soon be the mother of my son.

I was about to do just that when I realized that Virginia was the next to leave and went to meet her, quite relieved to see that she was all right, at least apparently.

When I confronted her, she didn't like my attitude, but I was only thinking of what was best for her and the baby she was carrying in her womb, and I didn't care if I was being untimely.

I had the best of intentions, and after much insistence on my part, I managed to get her to walk me back to one of the tables in the food court and we sat down.

"I am fine. I don't see any reason for it.”

"I'm just trying to do the right thing, Virginia.”

She brought her hands to her face, covering it and, after a few seconds, she faced me again.

"I'm sorry, Murilo. I am being rude, while you are only trying to be kind.”

" I understand that you must be feeling a bit emotional. I think it might be related to the fact that you are pregnant " I couldn't contain my smile of satisfaction at saying that.

" That's what bothers me! " She acted out of turn again " How can you be smiling and looking happy, when my world is turning upside down! "she accused, quite indignant.”

"I am happy, Virginia. And that's something I can't control! But you're right, and everything will change. But you won't be alone. I'll be by your side the whole time, I promise.”

I took one of his hands that were on the table and held it gently, wanting to express with that gesture that from now on we would be together.

" The fact that you are by my side won't prevent problems from arising," she said, and I felt that she was frowning because I was feeling annoyed by her stubbornness "I even think that because you are exactly who you are, a millionaire businessman, you will bring a few more problems into my life.”

" This is crazy, Virginia! " I challenged her statement "How can the fact that I am a millionaire interfere with your life and our baby's?”

" Better leave this for later," she said " At another time, when it happens, I will show you that money alone does not bring happiness.

" I don't want to argue with you, Virginia. " I tried to rationalize "But I, as you so well put it, also don't believe that money brings happiness. What has made me happy, and nothing can change this, is knowing that I will be a father. And what contributes even more to my happiness, is to be able to offer the best to my son, in financial terms. Isn't this something good for you?”

" I'm tired, Murilo " she doesn't answer directly " I don't think we should get into this discussion again.

I thought about insisting, but ended up accepting her request and kept my thoughts to myself.

" You arranged with your friend for what time? " I asked, to change the subject.

" Friend? " she replied, not seeming to understand who I was referring to.

This made me slightly suspicious, and I began to doubt that she had made an appointment to meet her friend at the food court.

" You said you were expecting your friend and that, for this reason, you would not accept my escorting you home " I pointed out.

She must have remembered what she had said and even looked embarrassed, something that immediately gave her away.

"There is no such thing as a date with a friend, is there?”

"Of course there is.”

She didn't sound so sure, and I arched my eyebrow in doubt, showing that I wasn't believing her words.

" I arranged it with Mariana here " I insisted.

" So, what time did you arrange it? " I continued to press her.

She looked uncertain, and I noticed that she was looking for something on the table and then looked at her lap, where she had left her purse.

" Answer my question without consulting what time it is, " I pressed.

I concluded that she must have been looking for her cell phone, where she intended to check the time, and, listening to me, it was visible that she felt ashamed to be caught in a lie.

" That's fine. You are right " she finally admits "I didn't make an appointment with my friend here.”

I did not feel victorious after she confessed that she was lying to me by saying that she had an appointment with a friend.

This only showed that she wanted to get rid of me, which was not pleasant at all, and I wasn't even referring to a question of bruised ego.

" Why don't you want my company? " I asked bluntly "Am I an unpleasant person to you?”

I needed to know why the woman who was going to be the mother of my child, and for whom I had a great deal of interest even before I knew this fact, did not want to be with me.

" It's not about that, Murilo " She looked like a defeated person.

I felt sad to see that being next to me caused that feeling in the girl I had even been having hot, unholy dreams about for weeks. I was not being reciprocated in my interest.

" So, tell me why you're like this, " I challenged her.

" I just need some time to take in everything that's going on. Can you give me that? " she asked.

"I wouldn't like to, but if this is what you want, I have to accept it.”

She was going against my wishes, but I had to admit that she didn't have to feel the same way I did, nor did she have to accept everything the way I did.

"I ask that you allow me to at least drop you off at home. After I am sure that you are safe and well, I can take your time.”