Indirect hints

+GISELA+

Stepping out of my daily routine, I run into my roommate. She knows where I work, but I'm surprised to see her waiting for me. I won't deny that I'm scared because it's the first time I've seen her, and she's insisting on talking to me at a cafeteria rather than in the apartment.

Could she be asking me to leave her apartment? God, please don't let her kick me out now! She has many opportunities to survive, especially now that she's marrying a businessman - that's what I've heard from her own mouth.

Ah, I don't even have the chance to catch a glimpse of anything. It's all work and work, and exhaustion has caught up with me. I don't know when I'll stop, but my reward might be knowing that my parents aren't suffering from hunger and that they won't be kicked out of their own homes for not being able to pay taxes. Ash, it hurts to think about how much of a liar I've become, how I don't have the courage to tell them that I don't have any important job and that I don't make triple what I actually do. God, I can't even afford to treat myself to a cafeteria - I save money by bringing lunch from home.

God, I have to be honest and not complain so much. When I lived in Italy, my parents and I didn't have the opportunities we have now, and I don't think immigrating to another country was ever a bad idea.

"Shall we?" she says, pulling me out of my deep thoughts.

I nod and suggest we go to the cafeteria right in front of us. My intention is to save money on what a good coffee should cost. I can't mess up the monthly payments I always send to my parents.

She smiles and tells me that she'll treat me this time and not to worry about what I might order because what she has to say is a proposal that I won't be able to refuse.

That got me thinking. Her words stuck in my head. As we walk towards the cafeteria, I ask her if her proposal is to cancel our contract because it's clear to me that she'll soon be getting married. With a smile, she tells me not to worry, that she'd never ask me to leave, especially since her future husband will take her to live in his house, and her apartment will always be at my disposal. She'll always be the owner, and I'll be the tenant, well, until I decide otherwise.

That made me breathe a sigh of relief. For the first time in a while, a huge smile spreads across my face. I'm left speechless. I want to scream and thank her for her generous offer. Even though I've been living with her for a few months now, I haven't had the chance to open up and tell her that...oh, I said I wouldn't complain about what I have!

As we enter the cafeteria, we both get comfortable, and she orders some of the best coffee and sandwiches to start with.

This makes me uncomfortable. I don't know what to say.

"Well, uh, can I ask what you have to tell me? I'm sorry for being insistent, but I'm very curious," my voice trembles.

"Gisela, we have only known each other for a short time, and it's not that we don't want to, but we both work, and it's exhausting, not to mention that my boyfriend asks me to stay at his place," she says after placing her bag on the chair next to her. "Please don't be offended by what I'm about to say, I hope you don't misunderstand me, and I'm definitely not that kind of person, but you don't need to tell me about your life, as I've noticed that you work hard to send money to your parents and that..."

"To the point" I don't know why, but I feel uncomfortable with this type of conversation, it infuriates me that she brings up this topic, especially when I haven't given her the opportunity to know anything beyond my personal life—sorry, but you make me a little nervous and uncomfortable, maybe it's obvious to see my situation.

"Relax, my intention is not to offend you, on the contrary, what I have to tell you is an opportunity for you, it will help you breathe a little easier," she places her hand next to mine, "I'm a person with a good heart, please trust me."

"Oh my God, don't scare me," I pull my hand away from hers, my heart continues to race uncontrollably, and I feel like I'm going to pass out.

"Calm down, I'll start now," she takes a deep breath and continues, "You know that my job is to be the secretary of the president of the technology company, and today... I'm sorry, but my boss owns that company, and more, however, he has a small problem to continue being the owner of everything, he must get married."

This can't be real, I don't understand what she means. Oh well, now that I think about it, her boss has many problems that he can solve with a snap of his fingers, but I don't understand why it's such a big deal.

"Lucero, I don't see why you should worry about it, your boss can solve his problems, he has money, power, and intelligence, I don't see why this should be an issue."

"The real problem is that he proposed to me, yes, he asked me if I would be willing to be his wife and..."

"Oh my God, but you're getting married soon!"

"Exactly, that's what I told him, and he apologized, but I had the audacity to tell him that I had a friend who would be willing to marry for money."

"Lucky for your friend, and that's a good idea since the marriage could be for a certain period of time, well, depending on the demands of the person who is forcing him to marry, I think both of you will benefit greatly, although it's a fraud, and it's not recommended to go around spreading it."

"Wow... You're good at being surrounded by lawyers, oh, I'm sorry, I'll continue, and it's an inheritance from my boss, unfortunately, there's a clause that requires him to get married, and he might have the opportunity to marry anyone, but the truth is, he doesn't want a real marriage, and that's why he asked me. I know... I know that means I'm lucky, but you know I love my boyfriend and future husband."

"I understand," I get up from my chair and go towards her, she's too nervous and could use a hug, "you did the right thing, now your friend is lucky, don't worry about it, you won't get that money, but you will have the love of your future husband."

"The problem is that my friend has not replied whether she accepts or not," I stop as I reach out for her, step back, and return to my place.

"Do you want me to ask your friend if she accepts the marriage proposal?"

"It's not necessary, as I am standing in front of that person waiting for them to accept marrying my boss for money. That way, she could help her parents and have whatever she wants, everything she wants," she hisses repeatedly, emphasizing the last word.

"Where? Tell me, where is your friend?" I start looking around frantically. "Wait...why are you talking to me? Why are you mentioning her parents? Wait, you're not saying any names, but now that you mention helping her parents, you mean... No, don't tell me that your friend is..."

"Yes."