Saturday, October 29, 2016 part 3 (12/76)

- Doctor Jorge (with a smirk): This one would look stunning on you, Theresa.

- Me (replying politely but firmly):I think you've got the wrong person, Doctor. I really like my usual dress, thank you.

- Marta (arriving at that moment, surprised to see the Doctor back so soon): Ah, you're back.

- Doctor Jorge (sighing dramatically):Yes, it feels like time slows down when you're waiting. Do you still have a lot left to see?

- Me (with an apologetic smile): Serums and necklaces, and then we're out of the store, I promise.

We headed towards the jewelry section. I stopped in front of a magnificent necklace set with precious stones.

- Me (with a satisfied smile): I think I'll take this one; it's really beautiful.

- Doctor Jorge (nodding in approval):Excellent choice, Theresa.

-Marta (smiling): Yes, it's really lovely. I agree. I think it would look even better with these matching earrings. What do you think, sister?

- Me (nodding enthusiastically): I couldn't have said it better. Can we go back to the beauty section for the serums, please?

Marta nodded, as if weighing every word before speaking. 

I turned to Marta, hoping her expertise would guide me.

- Me (admitting with slight anxiety):Hmm, I don't know which one to choose. Marta, help me, please.

- Marta (with a small laugh):That one is the one I can recommend. Since I don't know your niece, this product is suitable for all skin types. Plus, you don't need to worry, these are Internash products.

A sense of relief washed over me, dispelling the cloud of doubts that had gathered over my head. I nodded gratefully.

- Me: Alright, I'll take that one, and that'll be all. 

I gave her a sincere smile.

The Doctor, who had stayed in the background until now, took a step forward, his jovial demeanor contrasting with the concentration of the previous moment.

- Doctor Jorge: Okay, I'll head to the car. I'll wait for you there, and then we'll go to a nice restaurant. We're going to have a great time.

I gave Marta a final glance, nodding gratefully before following the Doctor. The car ride passed in a lighthearted atmosphere. The buildings whizzed by, illuminated by the last rays of the slowly setting sun. I was lost in my thoughts, a slight anticipation building within me at the thought of what was to come.

- Doctor Jorge:And here we are. 

The Doctor parked with the precision of someone familiar with the place. He pointed to the imposing façade before us, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

- Doctor Jorge: This is the restaurant everyone's been talking about lately. And I'm treating, so let's go.

We got out of the car, the cool evening air wrapping around us. The restaurant was even more impressive than I had imagined, with its large windows and elegant interior bathed in a soft, golden light. Inside, a waiter approached, standing straight with a professional smile on his face.

- Waiter:Good evening. Here's the menu, please.

The waiter kept looking at me, as if trying to decipher a code on my face, but without success. The Doctor nodded, taking his time to look through the offered dishes.

- Doctor Jorge: Okay, thank you. We'll think about our order and call you later.

The waiter bowed slightly before stepping away, leaving us in a silence filled with culinary promises. Marta spoke first, her eyes scanning the room in amazement.

- Marta: You're right, Jorge, it's beautiful here. 

(She turned to me, a mischievous smile on her lips.) 

What will you have? I think I'll go with the Mole Poblano, with Frijoles Refritos on the side. And for a drink… a cocktail with Miliano, perhaps?

The Doctor raised an eyebrow, amused by the suggestion.

- Doctor Jorge: Miliano, like the Director? Is there already a cocktail named after him?

At that precise moment, a familiar voice, tinged with slight irony, echoed behind us.

- Director Miliano: Not yet, but maybe soon. So, I'm not invited?

The Director approached us with a smirk. He was impeccably dressed, and his piercing gaze scrutinized each of us with a glint of mischief. The Doctor shrugged with feigned indifference.

- Doctor Jorge:If you're not invited, it's because we don't think your presence is necessary. 

A tense silence followed those words, broken only by Marta's stifled laugh.

- Marta: Jorge! 

Her eyes flashed with indignation. The Director smiled, but there was something darker in his gaze.

- Director Miliano: I think you've spoiled him a bit too much for my taste, but that's not my concern right now. 

He paused, his smile widening.

- Director Miliano:It seems I've arrived at just the right moment.

His arrival changed the atmosphere of the dinner, introducing a subtle tension that echoed the unspoken words between all of us. The Director continued to observe us one by one.

- Director Miliano: So, sister, have you decided what you're going to order?

- Me (hesitantly): No, not really.

- Director Miliano: No problem, I'll choose for you; it's normal, you're not from here.

As expected, the waiter returned a few minutes later to take our orders. He quickly jotted them down on his small notepad.

- Doctor Jorge (a bit frustrated): What are you doing in a place like this, dressed more elegantly than usual? Did you have a meeting or a date?

- Director Miliano (completely at ease): No, dates are for your generation. I just wanted to have a good time. And you?

- Marta: We did some shopping at Internash.

- Director Miliano:Alright. And you, sister, how did you find the store?

- Me:Yes, it's very large and impressive.

- Director Miliano: Don't forget that if you have any issues or anything, you can always let me know.

- Doctor Jorge:Yes, we got it, no need to go on.

While waiting for the food, we continued chatting, or rather listening to the Director respond to the Doctor's provocations. Once dinner was over, we left the restaurant.

- Director Miliano:Sister, I can drop you off to make things easier for our Doctor. Plus, I'm not far from the university, right, Marta? What do you think?

- Marta: Ah yes, that's not a bad idea, Miliano.

At that moment, it was clear the Doctor didn't agree with the arrangement; it was written all over his face. Marta got into the car while I collected the shopping bags from Jorge's trunk.

- Doctor Jorge (a bit serious): So, did you enjoy spending the day with me, Theresa?

- Me: Yes, I had a really nice day with you and Marta. Have a good evening, see you Monday.

- Doctor Jorge (speaking quietly):Yes, great… And if he behaves badly, call me immediately.

- Director Miliano (yelling at Doctor Jorge): I heard that!

The Director grabbed my shopping bags and placed them in his trunk. Before leaving, I took the opportunity to say goodbye to Marta, who already seemed eager to go home. Doctor Jorge left first, and before we left, I asked the Director to wait for me in his car while I quickly went to the restroom.

- Director Miliano: Take your time, sister