Unveiling Burdens

I call for a taxi, and thank God it arrives quickly enough to avoid giving X a chance to come outside and look for me. Or perhaps he wouldn't come, which wouldn't surprise me either. I slump into the backseat and close my eyes, replaying everything Pandora told me. After several minutes of mental torment, I conclude that all of it is too much for me to handle. The taxi driver finally pulls up in front of my building, and I get out, straightening my clothes. As I enter the lobby, I come face-to-face with Filomena talking to the receptionist.

“Filomena? What are you doing here?” I ask, surprised.

“Hello, Dália,” Filomena responds, eyeing my dress from yesterday. “We need to talk.”

“Filo, can't we reschedule for another day?” I ask, running my hand through my hair. “I'm exhausted.”

“I can imagine...” Filomena says there is a hint of mockery in her tone. “But we need to talk... It's a very important matter.”

“And does it have to be today? I've been trying to reach you for a long time, onl