Page 155 of Now and Forever

“Eric ... I’m Eric, Judith. Stop calling me ‘sir.’”

He’s livid, and his look is cold, but I remember what Björn told me, and I realize I’m holding a trump card.

“Look, Björn is a friend. Why wouldn’t I go out with him in Madrid, or wherever I like?”

Evidently, my answer doesn’t please him.

“Have you ever gone out with him in Munich without my knowing?” he asks through gritted teeth.

I open my mouth, surprised, and I whisper, shaking my head, “What kind of a fool are you?”

Eric rolls his eyes.

“Don’t start, Judith.”

“I’m sorry. But don’t you start,” I say, slamming my hand down on the desk. “What kind of nonsense are you asking me? Björn is the best friend you could have, and you ask me something like that?”

“Do you play with him, Judith?”

How could he think like that? Ill-tempered, I decide to give him a cheeky answer.

“I only do what you do. No more. No less.”

Silence. He finally nods and looks me up and down.

“All right.”

We stare at each other in challenge. I’m about to scream at him that he hid what happened with my sister from me, but in the end, not knowing why, I say, “I’m going to Munich next weekend.”

Eric stands up and leans on the desk, eyes bulging.

“Are you going to Björn’s party?”

I don’t know what party he’s talking about. Björn said nothing about it, and he doesn’t know about my trip. Now also leaning on the desk, I answer slowly and defiantly, “What does it matter to you?”

My phone rings. My salvation! I quickly pick it up.

“Good morning. This is Judith Flores. How may I help you?”

“Hey, babe! How are you, my dear?”

My sister!

My eyes still on Eric, I answer, “Hello, Pablo!”

“Pablo? But babe, it’s me, Raquel.”

“I know, Pablo ... I know. Let’s have dinner, if you like. At your place? Perfect!”

My sister is so confused, but I talk right over her.

“I’ll call you later. I’m talking to my boss now. Talk to you soon.”

When I hang up, the look on Eric’s face is sinister.

“What’s wrong? Whoever tells you all about my life hasn’t mentioned Pablo?” And, leaning farther across the desk, I hiss into his face. “Well, they left you ill-informed. Björn is a friend, and Pablo clearly is not.”

Leaving it at that, I turn around and walk out of the office. I’m shaking all over.

---