Page 73 of About Love and Revenge

“I don't know if there's a name for what I have. I've been like that since I was little. Stupid. I confuse things."It's the first time I've talked to anyone other than my father about my problem. My mother knew, of course, but she always let my father deal with my flaw in his own way.

I look closely at Zoe, and she doesn't seem to be laughing at me or anything. It's a strange feeling, to realize that I can be one hundred percent myself.

"I'm not a doctor, but I think it's dyslexia, yes. Did your parents ever seek help?"

God, she has no idea. “I'm sorry, but I don't want to talk about it, Zoe. "

“Forgive me for being pushy, Elina, butyou have nothing to be ashamed of. Dyslexia is a learning disorder. You're not stupid. There are even dyslexic writers—did you know that? Never say that about yourself again."

"Was that the only word I got wrong?"

"That I noticed, yes."

“Please don't tell Odin or Christos about this."I'm shaking, and if I was with anyone else, I would run away from the conversation.

She comes closer to me and, without warning, hugs me.

Besides Odin, I haven't gotten a hug in many years, maybe since I was little, and at first, my body stiffens. She doesn't seem to notice, or if she does, she totally ignores it. She runs her hands through my hair, and against my will, the dread of having one of my secrets discovered slowly diminishes.

“Don't think less of yourself for that. You are a beautiful and talented woman. The ideas you showed me for the masquerade ball are incredible. New York will come to a standstill to watch your success." She gives me a kiss on the cheek. “If you want help getting started, I'll be here for you."

"So the real name of this thing I’ve got is dyslexia?"

“I'm pretty sure it is, but we can go to a speech therapist and confirm it. All you need to do is call me."

"Thanks. I'll think about it, but please, Odin can't find out."

“Elina, I want us to be friends, and friends don't reveal each other's secrets. You can relax. Nobody will know."

After that conversation full of confessions, we return to the living room. She holds my hand, and I’m grateful for that.

Zoe is not the kind of person I'm used to. She is naturally generous.

I repeat in my head the name of what she said I have.

Dyslexia.

She has offered to help me. Should I accept it?

I'll think about it calmly. I've made a lot of decisions lately, and Ineed to carefully evaluate the whole picture before taking such a big step.

We are taking the dessert to the table when a question paralyzes us.

"So are you in a serious relationship? Will we have a wedding soon?"

Instantly, both Zoe and I freeze.

Christos's question is absurd, because nothing even close to marriage is going through my head or Odin's, but still, I want to hear the answer.

“She's my employee."

Even though what he said is the same answer I gave the woman that night at dinner, my face feels hot.

"Idiot," Zoe says next to me.

Aggression is something so difficult to associate with her that I look at her in amazement. “He said nothing but the truth."

“He's crazy about you, that's all. I can recognize the look of a man in love, Elina. I can assure you that Odin is totally head over heels for you."

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