Futilities

Virgínia

I had to call a cab because she wouldn't let me take the bus the way I was, and only after making several recommendations did she let me leave.

" These sicknesses can last for the entire pregnancy, Mari! I can't abandon our store now when we are still conquering our own space " I insist, even if just talking made me want to vomit even more.

" Then, stay at home at least until you get used to it, or perhaps, reduce all this discomfort you are feeling now " she insists, visibly worried.

I reflect for a moment and come to the conclusion that my friend was right, and that there is no point in staying at the store without actually being able to help in some way and do the necessary administrative work.

"When did you schedule your first prenatal appointment?”

"Two days from now.”

" I'll tell you what. I'll take care of everything until you talk to your doctor, and maybe he'll give you some medication to reduce the intensity of what you're feeling. " Mariana suggested, in a very sensible way.

" I'll accept your offer, Mari " I end up agreeing. " I don't feel well and, at least for today, I don't think I can stay here in the store.”

After agreeing to everything, I stood up with some difficulty but pretended to be fine, otherwise, Mariana wouldn't let me leave until I was feeling better, and I didn't want that.

What I wanted at that moment, was to be at home, more precisely in my bed, lying down and quiet because only then things would seem to be in their right places and that constant feeling of nausea would become almost imperceptible.

"I'm worried about you leaving like this and alone.”

"But I'm fine, Mariana.”

"You don't think I believe that, do you? You look like you're going to faint any minute now.”

I intended to deny it, but again I felt that things seemed to be blurred, and I just leaned against the wall, trying to be discreet.

"I'll take a cab, is that okay?”

Mariana stared at me intently but eventually agreed, on the condition that one of our employees would accompany me to one of the cabs that are located in the first-floor parking lot of the mall. We then left together to talk to whichever one was available at the moment.

I looked around, trying to locate our employees among the shelves, clothes hangers, and some customers who were in our store when I noticed two people coming in, and I felt completely cold at the same moment.

" Mari... " I called my friend, who had left to talk to one of the girls, and I hadn't even realized it.

As I was very close to the entrance of the store, I was the first person that the newly arrived "couple" seemed to have seen, and I was unsure if I should stay and face that unusual situation, or if I should pretend that I didn't see them and run away from that confrontation.

But the decision was taken out of my hands when Murilo raised his head, admiring the space and looking around the entire store, and saw me.

I noticed that his lips drew my name, and this brought me a horrible sensation of déjàvu. If before I already believed that no relationship between the two of us was possible, now, seeing Murilo strolling in the mall with none other than Lavinia Moura, made me sure that we should never be together.

Murilo

When I entered one of the stores in the mall, the first person I saw was Virginia. I was very happy, not to say completely overjoyed, to finally have an opportunity to talk to her in person.

She didn't answer my calls, nor did she answer my messages, and I concluded that only fate, under the current circumstances, would be able to bring me face-to-face with the girl I was in love with. This was the naked truth, and I could no longer deny this fact.

I immediately went towards her, willing to fight tooth and nail for what I wanted. But when she saw me, her expression was one of repulsion and I stagnated in place, undecided about imposing my presence on Virginia in that way, since it was quite evident that she didn't like it when she saw me and didn't seem to desire my approach.

" Isn't that the same girl from the nightclub? " Lavinia asked, standing next to me.

Only then did I realize the fact that I was accompanied by Lavinia and how this could further complicate the situation between Virginia and me.

I kept analyzing whether or not I should go to where she was because I didn't want to cause any harm to the woman who was carrying my son in her womb.

" Look, she must work here, Murilo" Lavinia spoke in a tone that drew my attention to her immediately.

" What's wrong with that? " I asked, but I could already tell that I would not appreciate her answer.

"You are a billionaire, darling! You shouldn't get involved with people so far below your social level.”

I felt bad just hearing the arrogant tone of those mean words, and if I didn't like my cousin's current girlfriend at all, now I hated her with all my strength.

"Exactly for this reason, because I am a financially independent man, I don't need to hear this kind of thing coming from people like you, Lavinia.”

" I don't understand, dear " Lavinia insisted on annoying me.

" I'm sure you do understand, yes," I said in a harsh tone "I don't owe you anything, much less satisfaction about who I want in my life. And don't count on me to help you pick out a gift for my asshole cousin.”

I didn't wait to hear anything more from this shallow woman and decided to try to get closer to the one who was truly important to me.

" I'm sorry, Virginia " was the first thing I said as I reached her side " I know it sounds very cliché, but me being here with Lavinia is not what you think.

" You don't have to answer me about what you do, or don't do, with your life, Murilo," Virginia said, her tone full of sorrow.