Angry

"I'm going for a drink first... I'll be right back! ... Don't open the door to anyone, Estela."

He slams the door on his way out without saying anything else. I lie down on the bed to wait for him, but the exhaustion of the day and the pressure at work slowly force my drowsy eyes shut. The light in the room fades little by little until I don't feel anything anymore-just a delicious relief and an instant calm that completely relaxes me.

Suddenly, I hear, faint and distant, tight and angry voices. It sounds like an argument. I immediately remember Sam's words, so I open the door just a little, very slowly.

"Why, Sam... but why... tell me?" Natali sobs, crying.

"Enough, Natali! You know damn well that what we had was just sleeping together... nothing more. Enough!" Sam yells furiously.

"One day you'll regret it... then you'll come crawling back to me. But fine, I'll be waiting," she boasts, folding her arms.

"Please... stop already."

"What I don't understand is... why her? That simple, stupid girl."

"You know me, Natali. It's just fun, nothing more."

I slam the door shut. My heart breaks inside my chest. I can't believe what I just heard... although what I truly can't believe is how foolish I was to trust a man I barely know.

I run to the bed and sit down as if nothing happened.

"I'm back!" Sam announces, very calm.

"Really... fun? Is that what I am to you?" I say, sighing through tears.

"What? How did you-"

"I heard everything. You were sleeping with her, and now you've found a new toy in me," I accuse him, standing up.

"Oh no... I'm not dealing with this. Much less with the tantrums of a little girl."

"A little girl? And if you had slept with me... then you would've gotten what you wanted."

"I wasn't going to take your virginity, Estela."

"Virginity? What makes you think I'm a virgin?"

"What?" Sam's eyes widen like two marbles.

"You're surprised? Being reserved doesn't mean I'm a virgin, you damn idiot!"

Sam doesn't say anything else. He rolls his eyes at me and leaves in silence.

I stay there with my soul crushed and my feelings raw. I don't even know what to think anymore. I never should've agreed to come to his apartment.

The clock shows almost 7 p.m. I need to get ready for the meeting-so decisive and important for the company.

I take a quick shower, trying to forget everything that happened. I hope the water carries my problems away with it. I do light makeup and tie my curly hair into a ponytail. I didn't have much time to choose an outfit, so this lilac dress, tight to my body, will have to do.

I grab my handbag and the file I need-I can't forget the flash drive-and rush out like a bolt of lightning. Not knowing exactly where to go, like a broken compass, I wander through the hallway. Suddenly I stop abruptly and bump into someone who was looking at his phone.

"I-I'm sorry... I just..." I stutter, fixing my hair.

A tall, broad-shouldered man with blond hair and blueberry-blue eyes turns toward me with a big smile.

"Don't worry!" he says, putting his phone away.

"And where are you rushing to?" he adds kindly.

"I'm looking for the meeting room of the 'Plus One' corporation."

"No way... come with me, I'm heading there."

The man walks beside me, talking and eyeing me almost calculatingly. He's covered in bruises like Sam, and his lip is split. I can't help but notice he has the same Roman numeral five tattoo on his wrist that Sam has. I don't know if they belong to a cult or something, but everything is becoming eerily strange.

"So tell me, Estela... are you here alone?"

"Oh, no... I mean, I came alone but with my... boss," I answer, blushing.

"Perfect... here's my number, in case you ever need help again."

"Thank you," I whisper, saving his number on my phone.

When we finally arrive, a beautiful room with a long marble table awaits us, surrounded by a group of men in suits sitting around it. Sam is also there. His eyes grow huge when I walk in-he covers his mouth, then his head, looking extremely nervous.

I quickly take my seat, forced to sit beside him.

"All right... sorry for the delay. Let's begin," announces the man who remains standing.

"As you all know, I'm Mark Vans, Hyundai's immediate executive..."

My heart almost stops. I can't believe this is the famous Mark that Sam warned me about-the one I should never approach.

With a mix of doubt and fear, I glance at Sam, who gives me a cold, scolding look. I sit up straight and listen attentively to Mark.

Two hours pass. The conclusions will be given tomorrow, but everything seems to have gone well. Our hopes rest entirely on signing this contract.

"Very well! See you in an hour in the main hall. Have a lovely night," Mark concludes, throwing a glance in my direction.

Little by little, the murmurs fade and the room empties.

"Seriously, Estela... with Mark? Why don't you listen?" Sam snaps, so angry his neck is stiff and his throat swollen.

"Listen? I don't owe you anything. You're just my boss, nothing more. I don't have to obey you," I answer calmly.

"That man is dangerous... you don't understand anything!"

"Damn it! Then tell me... why does he have a tattoo of the number five just like yours, huh?"

Sam takes a step back, lowers his gaze, and looks around as if he were suddenly invisible. He swallows hard, worried, and stares at me.

"Come on... tell me... are you in a cult or something?"

"No... I-I don't have to explain myself to you," he mutters while backing away.

"No... but you explained everything to her, didn't you? For your stupid little games!" I shout, tears running down my face.

Sam turns around and tries to approach me, but I don't need his pity.

"You're a complete idiot."

With my face burning and my eyes worn out, I head to the room to cry into my pillow, hidden from the world. I have no desire at all to go to some stupid party where I have to pretend everything's fine.

When I walk in, Sam is already there, waiting for me, sitting at the edge of the bed.