Planning

Matthew.

I walk home, a smile floating on my lips. This young woman intrigues me. She has a mixture of candor and brutality, strength and vulnerability. All these facets that make it impossible to completely understand her, which confuses me a little. The only thing obvious is that she is breathtakingly beautiful, when she entered the restaurant all eyes were on her. And when she took off her glasses and her eyes landed on me, I thought I could never take my eyes off hers. She doesn't seem to like me though. And I don't know why. Does she have a problem with me?

Or with men in general? But if not she gets along great with her brother, it reminded me of Reiley and me. Our complicity is the same, she is my little sister and I will protect her against all and against all. Is she afraid that I'm interested in her? If so, she has nothing to fear. This is not my style of woman. Right now I want to avoid women who want serious relationships and she is the kind of woman you keep with you all your life. I stop at the supermarket and buy ingredients to make chicken soup like my fabulous mother taught me. If she saw me buying the ingredients in a supermarket she would kill me, the best products are sold at the market in stores they are full of lots of chemicals, and have no flavor or nutrients. Once in my building, I park in the parking lot and take the elevator to my apartment. I find Maro in the kitchen taking a cake out of the oven.

She only comes two days a week. She's an older woman who adores me, she knows I love to bake so she's content to just make me cakes. I take off my cap and walk behind her to kiss her on the cheek.

<< This smells amazing Maro. >>

<< Orange Cake. >> I try to sneak my hand in to cut a small piece of cake but she gently slaps my hand.

<< Ouch! >>

<< You're waiting for it to cool down young man. >>

<< You're being hard on me. I say as I put the groceries on the counter. >> She smiles behind me.

<< So what are you going to cook for us today? >>

<< Chicken soup! >>

<< Mmm! My God, I'm already salivating," she says, putting the cake on the sink. >>

I smile when I hear her say that.

<< The woman you are going to marry will be very lucky. >>

<< If I ever get married of course and believe me that's not going to happen. The woman I loved pushed me away. >>

<< Tsss. The same story again. Just because one woman was stupid enough to push you away doesn't mean all the others will push you away too, boy. >> Maybe in the end the idiot is me.

I have some pretty questionable sexual urges. I smile when I think of Nicolas' sister. She thought I was the type to let myself be dominated when I said I liked bossy women, if only she knew. I start by cutting up my chicken.

<< Maro? >>

<< Hmmm. >>

<< Could you get the guest room ready for me? I have a stranger coming. >>

<< Oh yeah? For how long? >>

<< I don't know yet. We haven't defined how long she'll stay. >>

<< Oh a woman! Finally I'm going to see a woman in this house. I was beginning to wonder you know. Not that I mind, but you're so lonely, apart from your musicians you don't see anyone anymore. So who is it? >>

<< You're way too curious Maro. >>

<< Oh it's okay she says as she heads to the rooms and curses at kids my age in Portuguese. >>

<< I heard Maro. >>

<< That was the point, boy. >> I smile, I love this woman, she reminds me of my mother. The same temperament and tenacity, I had actually planned to introduce them both so my mother will see how unbearable she is. I finish preparing the meal a few hours later. Maro and I eat at the table, as always when I cook, she congratulates me on my culinary skills. A little later, around 6 pm, she says goodbye, I give her an appointment for next week.

I take out my guitar and try some new chords. Then I go to bed. I receive a message from Nick who asks me to keep our little agreement secret, not to tell anyone, everyone is suspicious. He's right. Until we know who is behind this, I simply cannot trust anyone in my professional circle.

I wake up in the morning and go to the gym, in my apartment there is a gym set up so I can stay home and work out. Sports is something dad taught us from a young age, as well as self-defense classes, in Colorado we were supposed to protect Reiley from thick bullies not to mention the fights there in the bars. I work out on the punching bag for a few hours and then go take a shower. I'm running to the shower when the intercom rings.

<< Mr. Baxter? >>

<< Yes? >>

<< A young woman named Emme Watts is here. >>

<< Already? Send her up, please. >>

<< Yes sir. >>

I barely have time to get out of the shower before there's a knock on the door. I just put on a pair of pants, grab a t-shirt and go to open it. I see Emme. She wears a short flared dress of pale pink color, which goes perfectly well with her complexion of porcelain the whole with low sandals. She stares at me in a strange way. Her gaze lingers on my wet chest, then goes up to my eyes.

<< Sorry I'm coming out of the bathroom. >> She just nods her head. I step aside to let her in. She seems to be disconcerted, by me? I don't know what to think.

<< I thought you'd come in a little later. >> I say as I pull on the shirt.

<< What's the point of putting off until later what we can do now? >>

<< You're probably right. >>

<< Your suitcase? >>

<< It's out there. >> I go out and take her suitcase which is lying there in the corridor.

<< Please follow me. >>

I pull her suitcase to the room that Maro had already cleaned up a few hours ago.

<< I thought that since we are supposed to be intimate, maybe we could be on a first name basis, what do you say? >> I say as I set her suitcase down on the bed.

<< That sounds good to me. >>

<< Okay. I'll let you get comfortable then. >> << Thanks >> she says with a shy smile. I leave her room and go into the kitchen to heat up the soup I made yesterday.

Then I set the table and quickly make a salad. It's weird to think that there is someone else in the house, I mean it's weird to think that I will have to live with someone, the only people I am used to live with are my family members and Maro. Even with Tessa, I've never had to cohabitate. She comes out of the room wearing a pair of pants and a t-shirt and looks like she has taken a shower. I've already set the table, you can settle in. She simply pulls up her chair and sits down. I put the salad on the table and join her, she helps herself to the soup and seems to enjoy it.

<< Your housekeeper cooks very well. >> I smile.

<< Thank you. I will tell her. >>

The meal passes in silence, no one says a word and it's very embarrassing. In my family, my meals are always festive, we talk about everything. We talk about our day at the ranch.

<< How old are you? >>

<< Twenty-four years old. >>

<< Tell me what made you want to join your brother's agency? >> She lifts her head and looks at me strangely.

<< I just needed new horizons. >>

<< And you like it? >>

<< Yes, very much so. >> She replies in a neutral voice. As far as enthusiasm goes, I've seen better.

<< And your husband agrees with that? >> Suddenly she gets up from the table.

<< What do you care? Are you trying to control me? >>

<< No I was just trying to get to know you better. >>

<< Well stop it! I don't want you to know me at all. Mind your own business. >> She leaves the table, knocking over the glass of water. I watch her leave, I am flabbergasted. But what could I have done?