Checkmate
One month later...
That one month was the worst I've had in years... My pride wouldn't allow me to call Carlos, and he didn't seem to care about how I was doing. So I focused on my studies and the game, keeping my phone far away from me. I was so distracted that I didn't even notice my sister approaching the desk. Valeria touches my shoulder, almost making me jump.
"Oh, Valeria! You scared me," I say, placing my hand on my chest, startled. "What is it?"
"Your phone is ringing," Valeria responds, serious. She extends the phone toward me, and Carlos' name appears on the screen. My heart races, and my legs tremble like jelly. I'm afraid to answer and have him shatter my expectations. I made it clear that he should call me when he was single. My sister shakes my phone impatiently. "Are you going to answer or not?"
"Yes, I will," I reply, snatching the phone from my sister's hands. I take a deep breath and answer. "Hello?"
"Dalia... Will you go out with me?" Carlos asks, nervous.
"And what about your fiancée?" I ask, proud.
"She... doesn't... exist... anymore," Carlos responds slowly. I breathe a sigh of relief but say nothing. "If you want to meet me, I'll be waiting for you at Plaza España."
The call goes silent, and I jump with joy. This time, I choose tight black pants and a white blouse. I don't want to risk getting all dressed up and end up waiting in vain. I leave the house without bothering to inform my parents; I feel like I can't waste too much time.
Nervously, I take the subway. What if I get there and it's a lie? What if he brought a friend? What if he just wants to use me as a shoulder to lean on? I shake my head, refusing to think about those negative things. I have won Carlos over; I know it, I feel it in every part of my body.
I get off the train and hurry toward the plaza. I get nervous when I can't find him. I look at several passing men, then walk toward the fountain with my head down. Maybe he had already left... at least that's what I thought until I find Carlos sitting on the edge of the fountain. I feel relieved when I see him. I walk faster, smiling. He sees me, smiles back, and approaches.
"Hi, Dalia," Carlos says nervously. He doesn't touch me or even hug me; he just points outside the plaza and says, "Have you had lunch? I've chosen a great Brazilian restaurant for us... TN... if you want to."
"I accept," I say, admiring his face.
"Do you prefer to go by subway or taxi?"
"Taxi," I reply, smiling.
We walk out of the plaza without exchanging a single word. While we wait for the taxi, Carlos starts talking too much, showing signs of nervousness. He looks at me more, which is a good sign for me. But I don't care about the fact that he broke up because his fiancée was pregnant with the neighbor, even though they never had sex, let alone that it happened two weeks ago, or that he couldn't concentrate at work... So, on impulse, I move closer and say:
"Why don't you shut up and kiss me already?"
His eyes almost popped out of his face at my question. He pulls me closer, wraps his arms around my waist, and holds me tightly as his lips touch mine, intensely. I feel my legs weaken, losing track of where I am. Definitely the best kiss I've ever received in my life. He pulls away from my lips, and I let out a soft moan, making Carlos smile. Then the taxi arrived, and we got in. He held my hand but didn't say anything until we arrived at the restaurant.
We took a table outside to admire the local beauty while enjoying caipirinhas as we waited for our dishes to arrive. We talked about trivial things. We had lunch and then decided to take a walk around the area. During the walk, we decided to talk about ourselves, our plans for the future... Then Carlos puts his arm around my shoulders and says:
"I don't want a serious relationship. Nothing against you, but I just got out of a three-year relationship, and you know what happened. I don't want to go through the same thing and then find out it was all a lie. So, I think it's better if we just stay casual and nothing more."
"You may not believe it, but we're going to get married," I prophesy, serious. I know I will marry him, even with him saying those words.
Carlos laughs at my face and kisses my forehead, saying, "Dalia, my sweet Dalia. Let time decide that... let's enjoy the now, okay?"
I nod and kiss him, and he promptly responds. He pulls me close, and we start making out right there. Just kissing and caressing for a while. My phone rings, and I know it's my crazy parents looking for me. He touches my face and says, "You need to go."
"Yes, but will we see each other again?" I ask, curious, testing Carlos. I need to know what's really going on in his mind.
"We'll make plans when we have time, okay?" Carlos responds, as I imagined, evasive.
I go back home, and my family has already left, which gives me time to think about today's afternoon. My sixth sense never fails; I feel that if I don't insist, I won't see him ever again. I had won a battle, now the war remains. I need to conquer him once and for all so that he asks me to be his girlfriend. Then we would get engaged, and I would finally be married to him. Then I realize that I'm truly in love with him, like I've never been with anyone before, and that gives me the strength to continue with my mission: to marry Carlos Salazar.
The next day, I sent him a message asking what time he would have lunch and where. He replied that he would have lunch at home at 1:30 PM, perfect for my plan. Then I had to calculate the time to leave school and meet him at his workplace. I leave school at 1:00 PM, so I only have half an hour to find him and risk everything I have to win him over. I can't even concentrate in class, thinking about my plan, as there is a huge risk that even if I do all this, he will still maintain his position and not want anything with me. That would leave me with nothing to do, and being powerless is not exactly my favorite position.
The bell rings, and I'm already running to the exit gate. I take the subway and keep looking at my watch, minute by minute. I practically push the people in front of me to pass. I run the last few blocks to reach Carlos' workplace. When I turn the corner of his workplace,
he's already coming out. I run toward him and grab his shoulder. Carlos turns around and stares at me in surprise.
"What are you doing here, Dalia?" he asks, shocked.
"I... came to surprise you," I say breathlessly. I compose myself and smile at him. "I have a surprise for you."
"Besides this?" Carlos asks, curious.
"Yes," I reply, biting my lips. I hold onto his arm and walk beside him. "Let's have lunch, I'm famished, and I want to try your cooking."
"Alright," Carlos responds, smiling.
We arrive at his house, which is well-organized for someone who lives alone. He takes me straight to the kitchen and starts preparing lunch.
"So, what's the surprise?" Carlos asks, curious.
"It'll have to wait until after lunch," I reply, biting my lips.
Neither of us really eats the food, in fact, we're both eager for lunch to end. While he gets ready for work, I put the dishes in the dishwasher and go to the living room. I look at the clock and know I only have 20 minutes to make him change his mind about dating. As soon as he enters the room, I clap my hands on the couch, making him sit next to me. I sit on his lap and run my fingers through his hair. I can't believe I'm there with him, right before my eyes. I take a deep breath; I need to focus on the plan.
"My surprise comes with a condition: if after what happens today you don't want to go out with me anymore, I'll leave you alone and never call or message you again. But if you like my arguments, you'll have to consider the question of dating," I say without waiting for Carlos' response, and then I kiss him intensely. I kiss his chin, his neck, and go down until I'm on my knees in front of him. He adjusts himself on the couch, surprised. I confess I'm also surprised by my audacity. I unzip his pants, and he's already waiting for me, erect. I smile at him and lick up and down with just the tip of my tongue. Then I start to suck eagerly. With each suck, I feel Carlos shudder. He touches my hair, holding it while following the rhythm of my head. I look at him once again, making him moan. My hand strokes him while the other caresses his testicles. I run my tongue over his glans as if I were licking an ice cream. I lick his glans while stroking him.
I look at Carlos, seeing his expression of pleasure, and then I caress his testicles with my tongue. I make a gentle suction with my mouth, making him moan with pleasure. Then, slowly, I take his entire penis into my mouth. As I feel Carlos' erection and excitement, I increase the pace. He pulls my hair harder, roaring with pleasure... Then he stiffens, moaning loudly, showing that he hadn't experienced that in a long time. He ejaculates, and to his surprise, I swallow without hesitation. I go to the bathroom while he composes himself in the bedroom. That was my all or nothing, and I know I'm in his hands now. When I come out, he's sitting on the couch, still disoriented by everything that happened. I stand in front of him and say softly:
"You have one week to think about it and give me a definitive answer."
I walk to his door and go back home, pensive. I close my eyes, praying that he will reconsider and choose to be with me because I don't know how to live without him.
I arrived home and acted as if
nothing had happened. I didn't even tell my sister what I had done, but she knows something is wrong because I decide not to have dinner. Luckily, she doesn't ask me anything about it. I'm almost asleep when my phone rings, and Carlos' name appears on the screen. I hurriedly answer with my heart in my throat. I can't believe he already has an answer for me.
"Hello, Carlos," I say, trying to sound calm.
"Hello, Dalia," Carlos responds, nervously. "I'm calling to let you know that... I'm accepting your proposal."
Two weeks later, he came to my house and asked my father for permission to date me. I won the battle...