by Keren Or
He was a pleasant, entertaining man, and his stories used to fascinate Eli.
Tall, with black eyes, black hair and very white skin—so white that it almost looked like porcelain. His gentle appearance could be deceiving, but his constant flirting left no room for doubt.
Glued to the computer, expectant and intrigued, she would wait for her daily messages. Adrián sent her jokes, annoying chain messages, interesting articles and other inoffensive content. Eli would laugh, as his messages amused her, and the hours at work flew like never before. She had no illusions nor did she fantasize about him leaving his family, but she trembled each time he sought her out, and there was a charm... in his way of being, a charm that Eli considered ideal for starting a friendship.
Therefore... the last email Adrián sent her had no reason to be different.
However, surprisingly... indeed it was. It had a file attached. Eli did not know what it was about and its innocent title did not reveal the real contents. However, upon opening it... she was shocked, confused and breathless. A short erotic story, quite detailed and very provocative, accelerated her heartbeats, raising her body temperature.
Adrenaline was exploding and Eli was barely breathing when she read, “Grasping her hardened nipples between his fingers... wet, she caressed his... stimulating it and stroking it...”
What could she say to him in reply? How should she react? Her thoughts were running through her head aimlessly while she was sweating and trembling... pressing the keys. She wrote a sentence and then deleted it, reached the end to start yet again. Her soul was split between the desire to continue his game and the logic of stopping it before someone got burned.
Unfortunately or luckily... logic had never been her strong point...
“What an interesting story,” replied Eli finally, fleeing to the safe and sarcastic side.
“I knew you would like it...,” Adrián wrote back, also safe, but not sarcastic.
“Oh, yes? And why do you say that?” Eli was curious, but not surprised.
“Because I’m reading your thoughts, smelling your essence and I feel you...”
“You may be a psychic, smell me if you want, but believe me... you haven’t yet had the pleasure of feeling me...” She became excited by typing this enticement.
“And would you like that, me to feel you?”
“You tell me... since you know me so much. What am I thinking?”
“That you would like me to do to you the same things described in the story...”
Perhaps he was a psychic, because that was exactly what Eli was thinking. However... she did not dare tell him and tried to divert the conversation.
“The next time... keep these stories for another time of day! Okay?”
“In other words, if I understand correctly... you want me to keep sending them to you, only at night... while your body is resting between the sheets?”
“Maybe… I like your way of thinking,” replied Eli, encouraging him without wanting to. Or perhaps… wanting to... “But you would be busy... wouldn’t you?”
“It depends.”
“Depends on what?”
“On what you’re wearing…,” insinuated Adrián again.
“And what should I be wearing when I’m in my bed, in your opinion?” wrote Eli, trying to be more clever than he and fantasizing about different erotic items of clothing...
“Nothing...”
Eli looked around her tensely, making sure for the first time that no one was watching her. Her face was burning and her heart was out of control.
Trembling, she turned off her screen and dashed to the fourth floor, where Ema worked… to tell her!
That day, she ended up putting her papers and her desk in order, anything... rather than run the risk of turning on her screen again.
In the days that followed, the messages continued flowing, more intense, daring and sensual. After hiding behind the veil of other writers, Adrián began revealing his own fantasies, and Eli... kept following his game.
At first, it took her a few minutes to come back to her senses and answer without boundaries, leaving her menacing shyness behind. Nevertheless, with time, Eli gradually loosened up and relinquished in each chat session a distant, abandoned... innocence.
And that... was only the beginning.
If, at some point, Adrián’s words sufficed to lessen her yearning for Tomás, that moment had already passed. Eli began to desire Adrián, needing more than he was giving her. And in her plans there was no losing, giving up or failing...
“How far do you intend to get with your messages?” Eli asked him, without anaesthesia and without preparation while they were having lunch together one day.
“Nowhere...,” replied Adrián, chewing his sandwich and licking the edges of his lips.
“Then… why do you do it?” insisted Eli.
“Because I like to flirt. It entertains me, amuses me and excites me...,“ he responded, coming clean.
“And what do you expect the other party to do?” continued Eli, becoming enraged with each minute.
“The same as I do... play. You know that I’m married. Once already I was unfaithful to her... and I promised myself that I would never be again.”
“And all that you’ve been writing to me in so much detail about what you would like to do with me... is classified as what, exactly?” asked Eli, indignant.
“As a game, flirting... but I have my limits and I don’t intend to overstep them.”
“And what would those limits be, if you would be so kind as to explain them to me?” Eli was trying to understand how she had become entangled in such a mess...
“No touching!” replied Adrián from his comfortable throne.
As if it was so easy...
How many more times will I end up feeling like this... used, humiliated and allowing a man to play with my feelings? she wondered while she decided on the next step to take.
Opting to be the one in control, she picked up her belongings from the table and rose from her chair, ending the “pleasant” lunch. But before leaving, she leaned over and whispered to him, “That’s… left to be seen…”
Knowing that every Friday Adrián stayed working late and totally alone in the company, in Eli’s mind... a new plan was being hatched.
The following Friday, Eli waited patiently until she saw the last employee leaving and for all the lights to be off.
All... except one.
Silently and on tip toe, she went across the passage to Ana’s desk, the receptionist, who kept the master key in her top drawer...
“What are you doing?!” asked Adrián, surprised or perhaps a little frightened on seeing Eli enter and then lock his office door.
“What do you think I’m doing?” replied Eli, toying with him.
“I’m not very clear... What did you close the door for?”
“So nobody will disturb us...”
“Stay there! Don’t come closer!” demanded Adrián, glued to his seat, thinking he had the authority and the right.
“No…!” replied Eli, showing him who was conducting the orchestra in that symphony.
“What are you planning to do?”
“I’m planning to come close to you and to kiss you,” declared Eli, taking a step towards him.
“Don’t do it!”
But before he could react, Eli was already pulling his tie towards her and waiting... for Adrián to stop her...
But Adrián... did not stop her. He could not help himself and began to kiss her.
Eli sat down on his desk, corralling him with her legs. Adrián kissed her neck and lips, moving up and down, savoring her refreshing tenderness and the perfume of her skin. Lifting her skirt, first he caressed her thighs. Laying her on the table, he raised them to another level... much harder to escape... Soon he buried his head
in her stomach, while Eli caressed his hair...
Papers were falling on the floor and some object was sticking her in the back, but Eli was under a spell... and she did not feel the pain. Her thoughts were flying over the roof, watching from above, expectant and silent... knowing that at last the written words and her fanciful stories... were coming to life...
Footsteps approaching suddenly killed the fiery moment. They both stopped, holding their breath... A few seconds later, they heard the noise of a vacuum cleaner. It was not difficult to conclude that very soon the cleaning lady would open the door.
Using signs, Adrián asked Eli to remain silent. He tucked his tie and shirt into his pants and went outside, closing the door. Eli could hear him... asking the innocent cleaning lady to start with another office to allow him a few more minutes of quiet to concentrate on a very complicated case...
About her being a complicated case... there was absolutely no dispute...
When Adrián returned, they said goodbye quickly and Eli managed to escape without anyone seeing her. She was feeling satisfied, attractive and powerful.
The next Monday was a holiday, making the weekend a long one. Eli did not dare to call Adrian or send him an email, and she did not dare to approach his office on Tuesday. She was almost resigned, waiting for a sign of life, when suddenly, before leaving for home, a new message from Adrián appeared on the screen.
“Are you there?”
“Yes, I was about to leave...”
Since Adrián was not answering, fearfully she asked, “Are you upset about what happened on Friday?”
“A little, it was very risky. They almost discovered us... and that cannot happen again.”
With such an answer, promptly this time, Eli became despondent. It was not what she wanted to hear. But neither did she feel like arguing with him, so... she delayed for a while, not knowing what to answer...
Fortunately, Adrián anticipated her by writing, “But I liked it...”
Eli smiled, feeling great relief. She was still thinking of an ingenious answer when she suddenly read, “I’ll wait for you in -2...”
What could he be talking about? she wondered. The only thing I can think of is the parking lot... could that be it? She was trying to solve the mystery, and there was only one way to find out...
She turned off her computer and took the elevator downstairs. When the doors opened, she felt a tug and landed in an unused space, cool and dark. Without giving her time to react, Adrián started to kiss her against the icy cold concrete...
Occasionally someone would go in or out of the elevator, without realizing what was happening a few meters from there. And when that happened... Adrián would cover her mouth gently, keeping her still until he saw the danger had passed.
Everything probably lasted some fifteen minutes... enough time to leave the two with a taste for more...
After a week of meeting every day in -2, Eli was ready to take the next step... Adrián had magically forgotten his promise of fidelity...
On Friday afternoon, Eli appeared again in his office, but this time... made sure to arrive when everything was already clean. Adrián was waiting for her nervously but eagerly. For the last time, he checked that the area was clear and returned, being the one... this time, to lock the door.
Eli came prepared with romantic background music and new satin underwear. Adrián, also came prepared... with a desk free of papers and sharp objects... and a condom.
The chair... the table... the wall... and the carpet... were the key stages.
And when everything ended... the fantasies ended too...
Eli spent that entire weekend remembering and thinking about her latest experiences, reaching every time... the same conclusion: that nobody, and least of all a necessary and even enjoyable pastime, could ever occupy the void left by Tomás... in her heart.
On Monday... Eli no longer sought out Adrián. Nor did he come to seek her out. At first it did not surprise her, because somehow... she needed it that way.
However, when one day turned into three and then into a week, Eli began to feel a little abandoned, but above all surprised... by his inexplicable absence.
Instinctively... the first thing she thought was that Adrián had lost interest in her. Then... she supposed he might be sick. But finally she learned... that simply and quietly he had been fired.
Some rumors said that Adrián was investing his time in the office doing things unrelated to his work... Others spoke about his constant flirting with some of his clients, an attitude they described as unethical...
None of the rumors left Eli speechless... Scared, she was expecting some confrontation from her superiors. Her paranoid creative mind invented horror movies in which she would have been caught on a hidden camera with Adrián in his office, or that someone might have seen them in parking lot -2... Or perhaps, that all the emails between them might have been seized... None of that happened over those days, and Eli went on with her life, but automatically... she turned back to her feelings for Tomás, which in fact... had never disappeared.
A month after the “elegant and discreet” disappearance and the “closure” of parking lot -2, Eli received an unexpected call at home.
“Hello, Eli... If I remember correctly, we still did not get a chance to say goodbye...,” said a voice from the past that was known to her.
“Adrián... What a surprise! How have you been?”
“I’m fine... thinking of opening my own office.”
Of course... so no one will throw you out for misconduct, thought Eli, but instead she said, “What a good idea... Good luck to you...”
“I hope you don’t mind my call...” Adrián seemed amused at himself.
“No, I don’t mind at all. I just didn’t expect it... What’s the reason for it?”
“I was thinking about you lately... What do you think about us getting together in an hour behind the shopping mall? In that deserted parking lot... the one on the way to...”
“Yes, yes... I know what you are talking about,” said Eli. “I’ll be there.”
Dressed and perfumed, ready to leave, Eli sat on her bed, feeling uncomfortable, remorseful and thinking that the moment... had already passed. “I don’t want to hide anymore or feel devalued,” she said to herself silently, still sitting... “I don’t want any more casual encounters in cars, parking lots or offices... I only want to... feel love again...”
Trying to explain herself and apologize to an annoyed and disappointed Adrián, Eli finally cancelled the date.
It was the right thing.
The train had already left... and Eli had gotten off at her station...
In spite of the last few rainy days, the arrival of spring was evident. Walkways filled with flowers adorned the city, giving life a new chance. And Eli... tried to do the same, accepting a great job offer in a multinational consulting company.
Her new position as administrative assistant in the events department involved a huge challenge, but also... a hopeful start and fresh energy.
The first few days in her enormous, intimidating job were quite frustrating. Eli felt alone, as she did not know anyone and was overwhelmed by not having knowledge how to do things right, or at least, not as well as she, with her perfectionist vision, would have liked. Beginnings always terrified her and aroused her dormant insecurity, which would not leave her in peace. Nonetheless, over time she would always manage to adapt and excel, obtaining very good results. But in the meantime... she was frustrated.
Further, studying on a night schedule in parallel to her work exhausted her, but thanks to Ema, who constantly motivated her, Eli continued juggling and, after all... classes were taught only three times a week and Ema was with her.
“I want to introduce you to someone,” whispered Ema to her while the teacher was writing on the board.
“No, Ema, not again!”
replied Eli, also whispering. “I still have nightmares about the last fellow you introduced to me...”
“That’s already an old story; on the other hand, this one... you are going to like. I promise you!”
“And where did you find him?”
“He’s Julian’s friend... from the university. Come on... don’t be a drag!”
“Okay... I’ll do anything as long as you don’t keep talking...,” replied Eli, giving a death stare to the disagreeable classmate sitting behind her, who had interrupted them with her “Shh!” every second.
This is how Eli agreed to give one last chance... to Ema, as well as to Julian’s famous friend...
The description Ema gave of Sebastián seemed quite good and, in fact, Eli had nothing more interesting to do. Tired and unmotivated, she got dressed for her date, but on this occasion she did not make a production out of it as she would have done on other occasions. She had lost faith in her ability to attract and get a good man to really love her. A man... like Tomás. Her sweet, good-girl appearance and her still-drooping self-esteem and insecurity were concealing her true essence, reflecting only... her extreme need.
It was definitely not one of her better days.
While waiting for the elevator to go up to Julian’s apartment, a very attractive and serious young man stood beside her. When Eli realized that they were going to the same floor, her mood improved magically... but not for long...
The evening could have been entertaining and pleasant had it not been for Sebastián’s unfriendly and absent company. The handsome, narcissistic communications student and shift supervisor of a healthy fast food restaurant could not have been more contemptuous: he ignored her all night as if she was suffering from a disease. Eli felt transparent like air, or worse... like an insect crushed on a poor wall. The twenty-six-year-old’s antisocial attitude really hurt her, but more than anything it showed her again... who she was and who was... Tomás.
The night ended early thanks to the help of Narcissus, who surprisingly had to leave. Eli stayed a while longer, accompanied by Ema, who did not stop apologizing, feeling responsible for exposing her to such a humiliating situation. Despite having seen Sebastián a couple of times before, she had never had a conversation with him. She had good intentions towards Eli, but with a job as matchmaker... she clearly would have starved.
