Only Two Of Us

by Cassandra Russell

  from behind. He closed his eyes briefly and I put my hands to my mouth in utter despair.

  With so many people in that room, it had to be just me to make that damn slip, not

  had?

  Of course I had ...

  - Wow! Your hair can become such a weapon! He exclaimed, looking at the tip of the

  fence, which at that moment I insisted on holding to avoid any further tragedy.

  Shit! What explanation would you give now, anyway? That everything happened because the reason for my haste was

  precisely because he's running away from him? That she did not want to be around so she would not have to feel her body sweating cold and

  the breath changing, just as it did at that moment? I did not want to stay in there.

  because his presence did not let my brain reason right?

  No, surely that would not be the best answer. Perhaps the wisest option would be to keep quiet and

  ignore your comment. So I decided to go back to my seat.

  "Are not you going to apologize for your attempt?" He asked seriously, though he had the

  slight impression of having a content of joking in his words.

  "I'd ask, if I thought it would do any good," I moaned, pointing out that he'd never

  was willing to listen to any excuse on my part, or rather, no one.

  I thought he would move on after the answer I gave, except that instead he

  You have chosen a new question:

  - Since it almost blinded me, it would be too much to ask me to manipulate the slides of my Power Point during the

  lecture? His gaze seemed to challenge me.

  "I do not think the doctor has trouble finding someone with the qualifications

  run this service, "I snapped, trying to get back to my place quickly.

  To my utter despair, that attempted evasion became a tragicomic episode: in the

  I entered the row of chairs, did not see the foot of the nurse on the tip and I ended up falling on her,

  her legs practically raised and her head caught between her and the nurse Mauricio. No

  I used to be clumsy like this, but his presence bewildered me, it could only be ...

  After noticing that some people were laughing at the situation, I felt a cold hand

  wrapping around the waist gently and lifting me from behind. And when I finally got to my feet,

  I realized that in addition to being totally glued to Dr. Richard's body, his face held me over

  my shoulder. That's because he had to raise me with one hand, the other was still

  materials of the lecture.

  What scent was he exhaling, Jesus? It was something so intoxicating that I closed my eyes

  for a fraction of a second, just to inhale.

  Before she was released, the apple of her face slid over mine and that brief scrape of skin

  me an unexpected adrenergic discharge. I struggled to lift my head. I was embarrassed, afraid of

  to meet his eyes and that somehow he noticed the enormous expanse of hairs,

  evidenced by my whole arm. To make matters worse, besides being obliged to listen to the

  a lot of shrieks and sighs of the women present in that auditorium, someone commented

  something like: "pair of jars".

  What do you mean, "pair of jars"?

  Only when I turned around again did I discover that we both came dressed almost alike,

  as if we were a team: jeans, red polo shirt and dark shoes. I did not finish

  resisting and I went all the way from his feet until I found him analyzing me of the same

  form. Seeing the intense way he looked at me, possibly waiting for some kind of thanks,

  left me totally out of breath. The strange thing about it all was that although he did the same, when

  realized that he was also being watched, lowered his head and suddenly covered his eyes,

  showing discomfort with something.

  Worse still: he let out an unintelligible growl.

  Did I hit my hair again? It would be very bad luck, would not it?

  Well, as evidenced by so many times not being satisfied with my presence, too

  I might well suspect that the problem was still me.

  The difficult thing was to understand the reason for such aversion ...

  His name was called into the microphone and he, still hiding his face with his hands, went on,

  avoiding looking sideways. I took the loophole to get close, and instead of trying to get through

  I decided to sit still further in the background, close to Dr. Luciano, who had just

  arrive and come to prestige the lecture of his companion of specialty.

  Dr. Richard asked Dr. Jorge, the director of the hospital, to assist him with the slides. Your talk

  it took a while to get started; he initially seemed a bit confused when putting his stuff

  in order. But after doing so, he showed high professionalism and full knowledge of the subject.

  I had to agree with several points addressed in his presentation, in the discussion of the slides.

  Many silly mistakes had been made by our colleagues, whose names, out of sheer respect, did not

  wanted to reveal. In a way, it was surprising to find out that all that happened in that hospital.

  I confess that I was irrationally happy because there were no mistakes I cataloged in their examples,

  even though I did not really remember having committed any "catalogable" flaw.

  "It was one of the funniest scenes I've ever seen," Dr. Luciano murmured next to my ear,

  diverting my attention.

  "Oh, no ... Did you see it, too?" I mumbled, utterly embarrassed.

  "Me and the entire hospital." He tried to hold back his laughter, but he could not. You looked like an ostrich.

  with his head stuck in the hole!

  It was all that was missing, having to be lifted that way. And then for him! I regretted it because

  I knew I'd be the one to go all week.

  - Why "soon for him"? Would it make a difference if it were me? He suspected.

  I did not expect to have to answer such a question, and, to complicate matters further, Dr. Luciano.

  And he did not even give me time to curl up, in another remark:

  "From what I've noticed, most of the women in this room would like to be in their place." No

  I know what they see so interesting about him. It's okay to be exceptional as a professional, but the

  face lives in a bad mood and does not interfere with anyone. If I had not seen him walking with that

  Boeing, who is his girlfriend, would even find that he plays on another team ...

  Listening to Dr. Luciano calling that Ava on the plane made me even more upset. What the hell! Because

  Did I have to feel it? Jealousy is a feeling that was never part of my life. At least until

  that moment.

  "You did not look very pleased." Did not you like being caught by the mighty Richard?

  Although his sarcastic tone of voice sounded like a joke, there was a

  spite

  "In the first place, I was not grabbed, it only helped me to my feet," I said. - In second

  I did not come here to be flirting with the doctor, in fact, I'm practically obligated in this lecture. In

  third place...

  "You mean, then, that I can have a chance?" He asked, cutting off my explanation.

  His hand came to a stop, I do not know how, in my hair.

  What is happening to me today? I complained in my thoughts. I broke my left foot

  again? Did I faint and woke up in the middle of some robbery, getting shots all over the place?

  Did I barely get out of an embarrassing situation and fall into another? That was dose for mammoth! I used to have

  I got out early and bought the book, as I planned. So, at this time, she would be lying on the

  bed and reading quietly, no
t having to go through it.

  Dr. Richard's voice got louder, demanding attention.

  "He seems to think we're disturbing the presentation," Dr. Luciano amended when the

  Dr. Richard stopped talking, fixing his gaze on us.

  Did we talk so loudly? He hoped no one had heard that indiscreet question.

  Who knows, after the interruption, Dr. Luciano would forget this story ...

  "Did not you hear or do not want to answer my question?" He whispered.

  I was wrong, he had not forgotten.

  "I'd rather be your friend," I said softly, trying not to look thick,

  bit the head of your hand.

  "Are you enjoying anyone?" He looked discreetly at the speaker and then at me.

  "No," I denied promptly, distrusting the intent of his inquiry. "It's just that I do not

  I feel available to anyone - I have sharpened the last word so there is no doubt in your

  thoughts.

  "All right, the matter dies here. I just hope this does not disturb our friendship. Still want

  continue being your friend.

  "It's cold." I softened my voice. "I know how to separate things."

  Of course I knew. I've spent my whole life doing this ...

  After saying these words, I returned to the lecture. Dr. Richard, as always,

  made a face of a few friends while a mass of women raised their fingers to ask the questions

  as absurd as possible. He seemed to be very skilful and would only respond when he judged the questioning

  convenient, totally ignoring the others.

  - Any further questions regarding the subject matter? He asked, emphasizing that he did not

  personal inquiries.

  He waited for a while, swept his eyes around the entire room and gave the presentation closed. I,

  since I was not a fool, I immediately got up to leave. I did not want to have any further contact

  with him at the exit. Prolonging suffering was not a very healthy habit and I have also never been adept at

  masochistic style.

  "Why are you in such a hurry?" You do not live near here? Dr. Luciano wanted to know.

  I had to get a quick excuse, for I had already noticed that Dr. Richard was beginning to

  down the room.

  "I promised to come to MSN tonight with my mother. If I'm late, I will not be able to talk.

  sleep early. I made the perfect excuse.

  "If you want, I can borrow my cell phone," he offered, almost breaking the forced grin.

  which I distilled.

  Apparently the excuse was not so perfect.

  "No, I'd rather go home." I have a lot to solve. My thoughts stayed

  divided between responding to Dr. Luciano and observing the closeness of Dr. Richard, who

  it came closer.

  "Can not you wait just a little longer?" I'm just waiting for Iris to combine the

  time on Saturday. Did not you say you wanted to ride the party?

  "I said," I said. "Look, I know I'm being unkind to someone who's making me a

  Please, but would you be upset if I let Iris decide for me? I really need to go. Then she

  pass the message

  - Of course. There was a hint of disappointment in his voice. I did not wait to say goodbye because I saw

  that what disturbed my mind was already too close. I stumble over people, into

  I wanted to get to the elevator first and, thank God, I got it.

  Ufa!

  I pressed the button on the ground floor with great relief, but instead of going downstairs, it went up.

  Damn it!

  I kicked up the side of the elevator and then I remembered that I could not overdo it like this, since

  inside it was a security camera ready to denounce me. I took a deep breath as he

  and when the door opened, I could not believe it: Dr. Richard entered through it, already without the material

  which he previously carried.

  There is? As he managed to get out without me noticing, I climbed the stairs - the other elevator was

  stopped - and save all the material in such a short time? Did he delegate this task to anyone?

  Even then, it would have to be too fast to get it all up ...

  Well, the fact is we were alone and I had no idea how I should act. He gets

  He was as surprised as I was to find myself there. We were both silent, glancing at each other.

  moments, and once again it was he who spoke first:

  "She did not seem very interested in the lecture," he pointed out, somewhat indignantly, as his eyes

  they lay in my mouth, waiting for an answer.

  "I paid attention until interrupted by a colleague of yours," I said in self-defense, taking a step

  back. I felt the pulse begin to fire.

  He bit his jaw slightly and took a small step forward. I took another step back.

  - Your pulse. I see you have recovered, "he remarked.

  - Yeah, I ... I'm cured. Dr. Luciano immobilized him. "I shrugged.

  - Ah! The exclamation came out. "It was ... sensible ... from him."

  Without realizing it, I took a last step, leaning against the bottom of the elevator.

  "Are you afraid of me?" She narrowed her eyes, strangely at my attitude.

  Of course I was. Not him. Of me. Afraid to jump on your neck and give vent to what the

  irrationally heart begged. After that question, I had to hide my hands so he would not

  he saw tremendous.

  "No." My voice trailed off.

  "Then why do you always run or act like I'm going to bite you?" People are already repairing. -

  He made his usual complaint for a change.

  One more criticism? It was taking too long...

  Again I took a deep breath and poured it out at once:

  "I really can not understand you, Dr. Richard. If you hate me so much and my reactions

  Why do you keep bothering to waste time talking to me?

  - Where do you ...? He stung his speech, annoyed. - I do not...

  He did not finish the sentence. The elevator door opened and other people entered, leaving it even

  dissatisfied.

  - Stephanie? Aline suspected, as soon as she saw me. "Why did you run off like that?"

  Were you running from someone? He nodded to Dr. Richard, and he returned, seriously.

  "Of course not," I said hesitantly. "I just got out fast because ... I had to

  problems.

  - Oh really? It's not what it looked like, "Aline insisted, giving a mocking grin.

  She had to give me away, did not she? I should have thrown stone on the cross, there was only that explanation!

  I finally decided to shut up, before the course of that conversation led to something worse. Fortunately, the

  The elevator opened on the ground floor, and when I found it, it was gone. Of course I went soon

  saying goodbye and walking until I reached the inn, looking both ways.

  As soon as I entered my room, I made a point of taking a hot shower - not without first forgetting

  put on his slippers and take a new shock - and drink a warm milk to see if he could cool his head

  to the point of falling asleep soon.

  Although she was agitated, it was not long before she practically fainted from exhaustion,

  day has exhausted all my forces, both physically and emotionally.

  Chapter 13

  Four-fifteen in the morning.

  The eyes were still heavy with sleep and yet I could not stop opening them when I had a

  strange sight: in the darkness of the room, I saw, almost in a delirium, the face of someone who

  I knew him very well: my father.

  I tried to say a word, but the voice caught in my throat to find that he was not

  alone. There was also a man whose face he could not see except for his black eyes.

  - D
ad? "I finally managed to speak, but he did not answer. "Father, is it really you?"

  He looked terrified and stretched his arms toward the stranger, simulating me.

  to defend from an attack. The images came up to my brain distorted like flashes of light,

  switching on and off alternately. Suddenly, that place did not look like the

  the room where he slept, but a foggy, cold, totally colorless place. And my father was no longer

  standing as before. It lay in a corner, seemingly fainted.

  - Dad! I shouted breathlessly. - Father, talk to me! What did he do to you?

  I did not have much time to think. That disgusting-looking man set off on me, like

  if he wanted to hang me. I reacted promptly, slapping him on the face and taking another slap back.

  He furiously lifted his hands to fit them around my neck and I, after risking a useless defense

  for a long time, between kicks and punches, I felt an extreme tiredness and inexplicably did not want to

  fight. He practically wanted him to put an end to that anguish. I simply closed my eyes.

  giving up everything, longing to not have to feel anything else.

  Maybe I would not be swallowed up by my emptiness, and relief would come at last ...

  However, what I expected did not happen. The vision I had later, when I encouraged my

  It was quite different: the strange man disappeared in the middle of a huge

  and in his place, in a totally surreal image, emerged Dr. Richard, covered in soot and

  blood, taking my body in my arms to save me. He looked furious, did not say a word

  even And when he opened his mouth, he murmured a short sentence that I could not understand.

  Wait a minute ... Dr. Richard? What the hell is this? I can only be dreaming! I concluded.

  I jumped out of the bed, totally sweaty and shaking. Oh no! This is cowardice! Now, neither

  sleeping could get rid of him? I'm going to end up looking for a psychologist, this is already becoming a

  obsession!

  I buried my forehead on the pillow after checking that it was still more than an hour before the alarm sounded.

  And the way I woke up in agitation, I obviously would not sleep any more. What a weird dream! The pains that

  I was devastated they decided to mix and make a miscellany in my head. Worst of all was no

  to be brave enough to get someone's shoulder and put out everything he felt; on account