Page 74 of Now and Forever

I see right away Eric is still a very sure shooter, and that surprises me. Given his vision problem, I would have never imagined he could continue to practice a sport like this. I don’t like firearms. I’ve never liked them, and when Eric suggests I shoot, I say no.

“Eric, I already told you I don’t like them.”

He gives me a kiss on the lips. “Try it,” he whispers. “You might be surprised.”

“I said no. If you like it, great. I’m not going to deny you that pleasure. But I’m not going to do it. In fact, I don’t even think it’s acceptable that Flyn is around them with such ease. Firearms are dangerous, even if they’re Olympic.”

“At home, they’re under lock and key. He doesn’t touch them. He knows they’re off-limits,” he says, defending himself.

“Having them under lock and key is the least you can do.”

He’s getting to know me, and he knows if I say no, it’s no, so he lets it go.

A few more days go by, and I decide the house needs some cheering up. I take Simona shopping with me. She’s delighted to go, and she laughs when she sees the pistachio-colored curtains I’ve bought for the living room as well as the white lace curtains. According to her, Eric won’t like them, but, according to me, he has to like them. Yes or yes. I try fruitlessly to get Norbert and Simona to call me “Judith,” but it’s impossible. “Miss” always precedes my first name, and I finally surrender.

For days on end, we buy everything I want. Eric is happy to see me so motivated, and he gives a green light to everything I want to do in the house. He wants me to feel at home, and I am grateful.

After long consideration, and without saying anything to anyone, I bring Susto into the garage. It’s very cold, and his hacking worries me. The garage is enormous, and the poor thing won’t be so cold. I change his scarf for a blue one, and he looks adorable. When she sees him, Simona protests. She’s so agitated, she brings her hands to her head. “Mr. Zimmerman will be so angry. He’s never wanted animals at home.” I tell her not to worry. That I’ll take care of Mr. Zimmerman. I know I’m going to hear about it when he finds out, but there’s no going back now.

Susto is so good. He doesn’t bark. He doesn’t do anything except sleep on the clean dry blanket I’ve put out for him in a discreet spot of the garage. In fact, when Eric comes home in the car, I’m delighted when I see Susto is so clever that he knows he shouldn’t move. With Simona’s help, we lead him out so he can take care of his needs, and, a few days later, Simona loves that dog as much or more than I do.

One morning after breakfast, Eric finally suggests I go to the office with him. Thrilled, I wear a dark suit and a white blouse, ready to present myself as a professional. I want my boyfriend’s employees to have a good impression of me.

I’m very nervous when we arrive at Müller. An enormous building and two annexes make up the central offices in Munich. Eric looks incredibly handsome in his blue executive coat and his dark suit. It’s always such a pleasure to look at him. He radiates sensuality and authority. The latter is what gets me going. When we enter the impressive hall, the blonde receptionist stares at us, and the security guards greet the big boss. That’s my guy! They look at me with curiosity, and when I turn to go through the turnstile, they stop me. Quickly, in a commanding voice, Eric tells them I’m his girlfriend, and they let me go without one of those little badges marked “V” for visitor.

I grin. Eric is very serious. Professional. In the elevator, we encounter a handsome brunette. Eric says hello, and she says hello back. I discreetly watch how she looks at him, and I can tell, by the look in her eyes, that she wants him. I’m about to stomp on one of her feet, but I control myself. When we get off the elevator at the presidential suite, I can’t help myself and exclaim, “Oh!” These offices are nothing like those in the branch in Madrid. Black carpet. Gray walls. White desks. Absolute modernity. As I walk at my Iceman’s side, I realize how very serious everyone is.

I’m somewhat intimidated. There are too many eyes and too many serious faces looking at me. We stop in front of a desk occupied by a very elegant and attractive blonde.

“Good morning, Leslie. I want to introduce you to my girlfriend, Judith,” says Eric. “Please, step into my office and give me an update.”

The young woman, surprised, greets me.

“Delighted, Miss Judith. I’m Mr. Zimmerman’s secretary. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to call me.”

“Thank you, Leslie,” I respond, smiling.

I follow them into Eric’s impressive office. As might be expected, it’s like the rest of the building, modern and minimalist. My mouth agape, I sit in the chair he’s indicated and listen to their conversation for a good while.

Eric signs several documents Leslie brings him, and, when we’re finally alone in the office, he asks, “How do you like the offices?”

“Amazing. They’re gorgeous compared to those in the branch in Spain.”

Eric smiles and, moving his chair, whispers, “I like the offices there better. There’s no archive room here.”

That makes me laugh. I stand up. I come closer to him and whisper, “That’s good. If I’m not here, I’d rather you not have an archive room.”

We’re laughing and playful when Eric sits me on his lap. I try to get up, but he holds me down firmly. “No one will come in without warning. It’s an incredibly important rule here.”

I laugh and kiss him, but then I furrow my brow.

“Incredibly important, since when?” I want to know.

“Always.”

Knock ... knock ... jealousy calling!

“Yes, Jude, what you’re thinking is true,” Eric says before I can even ask. “I’ve had a few affairs in this office. But that was a long time ago. Now, I desire only you.”

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