Page 109 of Tell Me What You Want, Or Leave Me

That makes me laugh. But I keep crying even as I laugh.

“I’m glad Björn makes you smile,” Eric says.

“Learn, my friend!” Björn says in jest.

Frida hugs me. She understands what’s happening to me.

“We’ll see you a lot, silly girl. You’ll see. And, in any case, we’re not leaving until the beginning of the year. There is still a bit of time left.”

I nod, but I can’t speak. Once more, someone I love will be far from me. I know I’ll miss her very much.

Time passes and the long-awaited day of Laila’s departure arrives, although that means Eric is also leaving.

I don’t like that he’s going to London, but I’ve decided to put jealousy aside and trust him. Eric deserves it. He shows me his love in such a way that, honestly, who am I to distrust him?

I go with them to the airport. Norbert takes us, and I hug my husband all the way there. I love his smell, I love his touch, and, as we get closer to our destination, I become anguished. Four days without seeing him is an eternity for me.

When we arrive, Eric gets out of the car first.

“It’s been a pleasure to meet you,” Laila tells me.

“I can’t say the same,” I reply. “And, if possible, please avoid coming back to our home at all costs, or I’ll have to tell Eric you’re not so good or so charming.”

“Björn is a loudmouth.”

“And you’re a bitch.”

There, I told her!

What a distinct pleasure!

Without answering, she gets out of the car and walks toward her uncle. It’ll be a relief to have her out of my sight. She says goodbye to Norbert, and I notice she gets on the plane without looking back. After greeting the pilot, Eric returns to the car and embraces me.

“In four days at most, I’ll be back at your side, OK?”

I nod. I convince myself and kiss him. I devour him as he presses against me.

“If you keep kissing me like that, you’re not going anywhere.”

Eric lets go and winks at me before heading up the stairs to the plane.

“Be good, sweetheart,” he says.

“You too, big guy.”

Twenty minutes later, I’m sitting with Norbert as we watch the plane take off. Eric disappears from view.

On the way home, I’m sad; I miss him already.

“Ma’am, Mr. Zimmerman asked me to give you this when we got home,” Norbert says, handing me an envelope.

I quickly tear it open.

Sweetheart,

It’ll only be a few days. Trust me, OK?

I love you.

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