The Architect

The three of us are sitting at the table, with Leonard in the middle.

Lina is spreading butter on a piece of bread, while I stir my coffee and eat some cookies.

“So… Blair, do you work with my brother?”

The sudden break in the silence and the question make Leonard sigh in exasperation at his sister. She ignores him.

“Not with your… your brother, but for him.”

“And how long have you been working for him?”

“Lina, I’m here.”

“Shh! I’m talking to Blair!”

Leonard grunts but keeps quiet.

“I’ve been working for two years.”

“Mmm… Tell us more about yourself, Blair! Do you live with your parents or…”

“Lina, that’s too personal.”

“No, never mind.”

I answer before she can continue.

“I live alone. My mother passed away, and my father went out to buy cigarettes and never came back when I was twelve. I lived with an aunt and my cousin. With the inheritance, I bought my apartment and paid for my education.”

This catches Lina off guard, but not Leonard; he already knew this information.

“I’m so sorry, Blair. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring that up.”

Leonard crosses his fingers in front of his nose and keeps them there and I give Lina a small, calm smile. She looks visibly uncomfortable.

“It’s okay.”

“All right, let’s move on from the family questions.”

She looks at me.

“What about a boyfriend?”

“Oh, please, Lina!”

Leonard rolls his eyes and sighs, clearly annoyed by the questioning. I laugh.

The way Leonard is acting is almost comical.

“What’s the matter? Can’t I ask?”

She looks at him defiantly.

“But if this girl talk bothers you, you’re always free to leave.”

We both stare at him.

Lina defiantly, but he doesn’t back down.

Apparently, he wants to know the answer just as much as she does.

“No, Lina. I don’t have a boyfriend.”

“Oh.”

I can feel Leonard’s tense gaze on me, but I don’t turn toward him. I decide to play along with Lina’s game and ignore him.

“But…”

I pause.

“A friend of mine set me up on a date with a guy who’s a student’s uncle. She thinks he’s the perfect match for me.”

“Oh, really?”

Lina raises an eyebrow.

“Isn’t that a bit unethical of her?”

Leonard’s voice is sharp and icy. It feels like I have two lasers pointed at me. I notice Lina trying not to laugh. I have every right to make him a little jealous too.

He did the same thing to Laila.

“Maybe. But since it wasn’t for her and he agreed, it’s no big deal.”

I shrug, paying little attention to the excuse he came up with. Suddenly, Lina has become a mere spectator in this movie we’re starring in.

“And who is this guy?”

Leonard’s tone is unmistakably interested.

“I mean, this man.”

“I don’t know. I haven’t gone on the date yet. But apparently, he’s an architect or something.”

“Ooooh! An architect?”

I take a sip of my coffee. Lina is spiking it with poison. Leonard’s right eye twitches.

Is it jealousy?

“And when is this date?”

“Well, it was supposed to be next Tuesday, but…”

“Oh, too bad you can’t go. You’ll be here.”

His tone changes.

“Maybe it’s still too early for dates for you.”

“Leo, you’re not her father.”

Lina looks at him calmly.

“Sorry, Blair, or anything like that. Blair is single and needs to enjoy life.”

He gives her a look that says he wants to skin someone alive.

I think Lina is the only person in this world capable of standing up to him because she remains completely unflinching and serene.

“By then, maybe I’ll have recovered and things…”

I hesitate.

“Well, things will work themselves out.”

“Don’t even think about leaving here after everything you’ve been through and going on a date with a total stranger, Blair!”

He has lost his composure. The situation isn’t funny anymore. He’s standing there talking to me as if he’s in charge.

And suddenly, I feel truly trapped.

“But I’m not going to stay stuck here forever either!”

I stand my ground.

“I have a life. I had a life before all this happened!”

I stand up and face him.

Even standing, his body seems to swallow mine. He puts his hands on his hips, visibly exasperated, never taking his eyes off me, then, as if he’s suddenly remembered something that pleases him, a small smile slips across his lips.

“You’ll want to stay here, Blair.”

His voice is calm.

“I’ll make sure you’ll want to stay in this prison.”

It feels as though I’ve challenged him. The languid way he says it leaves my legs weak and my face flushed.

I’m at a loss for words.

“Well, this is awkward.”

Lina breaks the tension.

“Blair, do you want to take a walk with me through the vineyards? I bet that blockhead of a brother of mine hasn’t shown you the estate yet.”

“I haven’t had time yet, Lina.”

Leonard rolls his eyes. I nod. Getting some fresh air will do me good.

“I have to make some calls.”

Leonard looks at me.

“Have fun and Blair, you have to take those pills. If you need me, just call. I’ll be in the office.”

Lina is already pulling me away while Leo is still in the middle of his instructions.

I quickly take the pills and let her drag me away.