I'm Good Without You

Life was too hard and I had gotten the best part. Unlike my university classmates, my life was full and wonderful. I heard complaints and more complaints, but from my side, I didn't hear anything.

My father was a wonderful man, hardworking and a fighter, and my mother was a high-end pastry chef, as well as a homemaker. Despite arguing, they always resolved their problems. Every day, I worked hard to be an excellent student. I was in the last year of my degree and had teamed up with a nice girl from the city, with a good position and a free spirit. We made a good combination. Despite being a good student, I liked partying, drinking, and having a good time. I'm a free spirit.

Today I had an important accounting exam and I was prepared, so I wasn't afraid. I leave my house at seven in the morning, I like to be punctual. As I'm on my way, my dear Lis calls me.

"JULI!" she screams as she runs to catch up with me.

"Hi dear, why are you running?" I ask with a smile.

"I'm trying to catch up with you, are you ready for the massacre?" she says, smiling.

I smile. "Of course, I studied a lot for that."

"I didn't study anything, my parents will kill me. After studying, I want you to come cheer for my cousin. He's in the last year of administration and he also plays soccer, so we'll go cheer for him."

"Oh no, don't try to set me up. I don't want boyfriends or going out with strangers," I say seriously.

"Alright, I'll accompany you. But let's go, we'll be late," I say as I continue walking.

We walk quickly, I don't like being late. However, I'm delayed because I was talking to Lis. When we arrive at the classroom, the exam has already started, so I receive my professor's angry look. But I don't care and continue my path. I take a seat and the professor hands me my exam paper. Turns out the exam is quite complicated, but I'm not afraid, so I face all the numbers. The forty minutes pass quickly and when I finish, I turn in my exam and leave the classroom. I walk to the cafeteria to wait for Lis. I order a strong coffee without sugar, I prefer it that way. Despite my mother being a pastry chef, I don't like sweet things.

"Lis, how did it go?" I ask as she reaches my table.

"Fucking great. If I keep going like this, I won't graduate," she says, placing her head on the table.

"Calm down, Lis. I'm sure you did well and you're exaggerating. Stop partying so much and start studying," I scold her. I care a lot about her, I love her, she's my only friend.

"I can't, parties call me," she says, smiling.

After finishing the rest of the classes, I send a message to my mother letting her know that I'll be going to a soccer game with Lis. She trusts me, but I like her to know where I am.

When we arrive at the damn game, the team is composed of many monumental-sized guys. They are too tall and muscular. We sit in the stands and when one of the team scores, Lis stands up and starts shouting like crazy.

"THAT'S MY BOY, YOU CAN DO IT EDDER, YES WE CAN!" she shouts excitedly.

I smile as I watch her excitement. American football is a too violent sport. I don't like the sound of bodies colliding when they tackle. I don't enjoy seeing this kind of thing. My phone rings and it's from my house, so I quickly answer it.

"Hello mom, what's up?"

"Hi dear, I need your help. I have some orders to fulfill and your father can't handle them all. Can you come? I know it's your day off, but we need you," she says.

"I'll be there in five minutes," I say, hanging up.

"Lis, I have to go. My mom needs me," I say in her ear so she can hear me.

"WAIT! Don't go," Lis says.

"My mother needs me. I'll call you later," I say as I leave the place.

It's relatively close to home, so I walk. When I arrive, my father has huge boxes in the truck and mom is full-on in the kitchen.

"Oh dear, you've arrived. Come, help me."

We spend the afternoon making cakes and pastries. My mother has a huge order for a regular customer's wedding. Turns out the lady has a daughter who is marrying an important businessman. So they spare no expense. My father has brought a lot of treats in all flavors and colors. I like watching her bake. She teaches me how to make delicious meringues. Of all the sweets I've made, meringues are my downfall. I love the taste when they melt in my mouth, especially if they are filled with chocolate.

After helping my mother with the pastries, she calls me back to the kitchen. So I don't hesitate for a second to go to her side.

"Tell me mom, what am I good for?"

"Daughter, I know you've worked hard, but today I need more of your help. We have to go to the party we're catering, it's a wedding and at the last minute one of my guys can't help me. So I have no choice but to bother you."

"Don't worry mom, just tell me what to do and I'll do it."

"The uniform is in my room. Choose one in your size, but hurry up, dear, we're running late."

I sprint out of the kitchen, running to her room and do as she instructs. I choose one of those penguin suits. Luckily, there's only one that fits me decently. It's a little tight for my taste, but it's better to go like this. I leave there to go to my room, where I take a quick shower. When I'm ready, I dry my hair and put it up in a high ponytail. Then I proceed to put on my uniform. To be honest, I don't look too bad. I'm not very tall, but there I am with my best heels, the most comfortable for work. I've been in love with those boots since I turned fifteen. I love the color black and the slightly rocker style. I leave the room half an hour later. When I arrive in the living room, my mom is already waiting.

"It looks great on you, dear," says mom with a smile.

I laugh. "Yeah, sure, mom. Just that I won't be able to laugh or eat, if I don't want a button from this shirt to fly off and kill the bride."

"Oh God, you're too eloquent. Sometimes I think you're your aunt's daughter," she says as we leave the house.

The ride is quite comfortable. Turns out my mother's employees are only slightly older than me, so we get along well. In total, we are fifteen people and we all fit in a small Mini. The jokes keep coming, making the trip more enjoyable and less long. When the van parks, everyone gets out and forms a circle, leaving my mother in the middle. I stand there, watching what is happening. The guys do a little ritual before going in to serve the tables.

"Guys, more than a job, this is a family. You know I'll be here for whatever you need. If you encounter any problems or see that you can't handle it anymore, just call me. Understood?" says my mother.

"Yes, ma'am," they all respond at once. I'm amazed by the dynamic these guys and my mother have. It's great.

We all enter and start fixing things. The tables were still empty and the bar had no liquor. My mother assigns me the task of fixing the tables, handing me four enormous boxes. Inside of them were the centerpieces, more beautiful than I had ever seen, identification cards, cutlery, and many more things to decorate the tables, including gifts for each of the people that would represent this nucleus. But, isn't it supposed that if you get married, you should receive gifts? Why give gifts to others? I didn't understand anything, but I wouldn't ask either.

I move quickly throughout the place, as if I knew it. The truth is that it was my first time here, but I had to help my mother. It was almost time and there was still a lot to do. I check the list and see that all the numbers match with the tables and guests.

I finish organizing the cutlery by sizes and types. I had never imagined that there were four types of spoons and each one was for a different use. I had never seen such craziness. For me, the soup spoon was the same one we used for everything, even to grab the sugar. This cutlery thing was too much showiness.

I move on from the tables, which were a hundred and twenty in total, I pass by the bar and start arranging the bottles by colors and sizes. There were beers of all types and colors. I suppose they had been exported from other countries, because there was one called Corona, it said it was made in the Republic of Colombia. There was also one with a black bottle called Polar, brought from Venezuela. When I finish arranging everything in the bar, my mother calls me.

"Darling, I need you to come with me to the kitchen and help me with the savory snacks," my mother says, guiding me to the kitchen. The place was marvelous. There were about ten or more chefs, I didn't have time to count them, because they were all running from one side to another. There was all kinds of food and main dishes. One of the trays was filled with seafood and things from the sea, accompanied by canapés. It looked quite disgusting. Don't take it the wrong way, but the truth is that I hated everything that came from the sea.

My mother takes me to the frying area. The oil and lard they used for frying seemed to be quite new. They didn't use anything recycled, so I suppose that whatever is left over can be taken by the staff.

"Daughter, pay attention. I need you to help me fry these cheese balls and these meat empanadas. You must not let them burn or break. The people attending this party are quite wealthy and they don't like mistakes. You know that we all eat with our eyes," she says, giving me instructions.

"Perfect, mother, no problem. I'll do my best," I say, getting to work.

I take my time to separate each ball, making sure they don't break or that the cheese isn't exposed. I didn't want any problems, much less to cause them to my mother. I start frying a lot of them. It has been about two hours and I'm still on this task. It's very difficult, it's not what people think. When I'm about to give up, a boy enters and stares at me.

"Hello, can I help you with something?" I ask while looking at him fixedly.

"Hello, I just..." but I don't let him finish because my dear balls are burning.

"Oh, shit! Mom is going to kill me. I can't let them burn," I say nervously, while I start taking out the balls, but two hands weren't enough. I was losing the battle. The oil wanted to win.

"I'll help you, come here," he says, taking the utensil to remove the balls from my hands.

The boy is very skilled with his hands. He starts taking out the balls with expertise and care. His body moves from side to side, making my eyes fly from one side to another uncontrollably. I watch him fry a new batch and leave them perfectly cooked. This goes on for a long time. When I finally realize it, he is already with the empanadas. I don't realize what he's doing until he starts talking to me.

"You have to lower the flame a little, beautiful, or everything will burn and the owners of the party will get angry. They are a bunch of stuck-up assholes," he says, smiling. His comment makes me laugh, but I don't reply.

"Come, I'll show you the trick. It's all in the turn," he says. I approach him and he takes my hand, giving me the utensil. He grabs my wrist and shows me how to do it. Our gazes meet and I can see something that I don't know how to describe in his eyes. He was one of those free-spirited guys. His eyes were as transparent as the ocean. When he realizes my gaze, he puts some distance between us.

"I think you already learned, so I should go," the boy says, trying to run away from me.

"Wait! Do you work with my mother's team? I didn't see you with the other guys," I ask.

"No, I'm from another group. I have to go," he says, saying goodbye to me, but before leaving he turns back and gives me a kiss on the cheek, then he disappears, leaving me as red as an apple. It's not that no one has given me a little kiss, but this boy was special. The simple touch of his lips had made me feel in an inexplicable way. It was like feeling a stampede of horses inside my stomach.

After one more terrible hour frying these things, thankfully I finish doing it very well. I leave the kitchen drenched in sweat. A cool breeze refreshes my face. I close my eyes to feel the freshness. I liked the fresh and cool atmosphere. I hated the heat. I could even say that rainy days were my favorites. I search for my mother all around the place but I can't find her until one of the boys tells me that she's in the kitchen, in the dessert area. I go on a search for her and I see her giving the final touch to a beautiful and huge cake. It had about twelve tiers and it was white with a chocolate waterfall. The bride and groom were made of white chocolate. The truth was that it was quite impressive.

"How does it look?" she asks seriously.

"It's beautiful, mom. When I get married, I want an identical one," I say smiling.

"That will be the case, daughter, but you'll have to find a good match. We only get married once. You know I'm one of those who thinks that love is found only once in life," she says, giving the final touch to the chocolate bride.

"We left the kitchen, leaving everything prepared. All of us kids gathered again in a line. My mother starts handing us trays with very bubbly and fine champagne glasses. Each of us carried about twelve tall glasses with different sparkling stones attached to the glass, making the glass look elegant and sophisticated. There is a commotion and several cars park.

"Kids, let the game begin," my mother says.

The doors open, letting in a crowd of people in fancy suits. The women were wearing elegant dresses, worthy of a red carpet. I was completely impressed. After waiting for the crowd to die down a bit, we started moving, handing out the glasses to each person who crossed our path. I went back and refilled to continue distributing, when suddenly the couple entered.

My mouth almost dropped to the floor when I saw the bride, she was truly beautiful. Her hair was as yellow as the sun, her skin as white as milk, her eyes were a light blue. She wore a beautiful dress from magazines, it looked like the dress Princess Diana wore on the day she married Prince Charles, with the difference that this one was more fitted to the body, at least on top. The couple passes by me, the guy was a magazine heartthrob, the perfect match.

My mother takes me by the arm, taking the tray from me, and handing me another one, golden in color, with only two glasses that were very different from the others.

"Go, sweetheart, these are for the newlyweds, deliver them," she says, pointing.

I do as she says and approach them. Everyone is congratulating and hugging them, but I manage to make my way to their side and fulfill my mission, delivering the glasses. Up close, I can tell they are truly in love. They haven't let go of each other even once, which makes me smile.

After delivering the glasses, we wait for the groom and bride to make a toast. But what surprises me the most is the speech the newlywed gives. I look at him intently and pay attention to everything he says.

"Every adventure begins with a yes. The first one, when you accepted that first date (it took some effort from me). Then, our first trip together; it was through WhatsApp, but it was enough to make me smile like a fool for a week. Today, you have said the most important yes of all to start the most important adventure of all. I don't know exactly what I saw in you. It's not easy to analyze. But what I do know is that whatever it is, I haven't seen it in anyone else.

That's why I'm here today, ready for anything. I'm not always happy with the world, at times, I don't believe it's fair, I don't believe it retains too many beautiful things. But when I look at you, I always remember why I still have hope. I would always choose you, a thousand times over.

We understand each other without hardly speaking, I don't need anything else to know that it's you I want to be with. There are imperceptible things, but they're there; there's a magic, something beyond rationality. I know it sounds utopian, I know it seems silly, but you make me feel this way, since I met you, I've made an effort to keep every moment, every image, every scent, every taste, every sensation.

From today on, I'll do it as part of your own family, as they said in When Harry Met Sally, 'when you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, you want the rest of your life to start as soon as possible.'

In Before Sunset, the protagonist says a line that marked me: 'I remember that night better than some years of my life.' And that's what happened to me: the day I met you, unintentionally, is still etched in my memory. It has to be a sign."

"A toast to the most beautiful bride in the whole damn world."

Everyone present, including myself, was delighted with such a speech. It was wonderful. I think all women in this world wish for someone to look at us and talk about us in that way, to worship our world like that. But not all of us are so lucky.

I walk around the venue, delivering more glasses. After the toast, the bar is open for stronger drinks. We start serving the creams with their respective canapes. I thought it would be difficult, but I have taken a liking to it. My mother had entrusted me with the family table, including the one for the bride and groom. When it was my turn to go to the table of the lovebirds, I realized that they were truly in love. He couldn't stop showering her with love, and she just smiled foolishly. I delivered the food and continued on my way.

As I walked to deliver the respective items to the family table, I almost dropped the tray when I bumped into the guy who helped me in the kitchen, sitting and sharing with what I assumed was his family. He looked at me intensely, smiling openly, while everyone else continued talking. I was almost finished when he opened his big mouth.

"Hey grandma, look at the girl who's distributing, she's the one I told you about earlier, remember?" he says, staring fixedly at the lady next to him.

"So this is the young girl who has you all worked up, Edder," the lady says. He is about to respond when a familiar voice approaches the table.

"Good evening, family, sorry for the delay," Lis says, taking a seat without even looking at me. It seemed she hadn't realized I was there. I try to leave, but the guy stands up and approaches me. I apologize to everyone and leave the place trying to escape, but he is much faster and manages to catch up to me.

"Why are you running away? Did I do something wrong? Forgive me if I didn't tell you my name or who I was, it's just that if I had, you wouldn't have let me help you. Besides, it cost me nothing. You had a good fight with the fryer," he says, smiling.

"I'm sorry, sir, it won't happen again," I say, looking at him.

"Oh no, no, no, sweetheart, you call me by my name. By the way, nice to meet you, I'm Edder. And you?" he says, extending his hand.

"I'm Julianny," I say nervously.

"Don't tremble, please. It's not like you're meeting the devil," he says, smiling again. If he kept up with those smiles, my panties would fall off.

"Excuse me, Edder, I have to go. We'll talk later," I say, walking away towards the kitchen. My heart was about to jump out of my chest, I don't know what was happening to me, but that guy caused a whirlwind inside me. I entered the kitchen like a bat out of hell, my mother looked at me, but she didn't have time to say anything because she handed me more food to distribute to the same tables. So I had to control myself, Lis was there and she hadn't even seen me. There was also the matter of Edder, even his name made me feel something. I reach the table in complete silence, everyone laughs and talks about something. When I serve the dishes, I hear her calling me.

"Juli, honey, I hadn't seen you. I've been calling you all afternoon to come with me to this party. What a coincidence," she says, hugging me. Luckily, no one pays attention to us, except Edder, who watches attentively.

"I'm sorry, Lis. My mother needed help, so I had to leave the game," I say apologetically.

"Don't worry, you're here now. Now we just have to enjoy," she says, smiling. She was very carefree.

"I'm sorry, Lis. My mother needs me. I'm on duty," I say seriously. I couldn't let my mother down.

"Ah, I see. That's alright," she says as she sits back down. My gaze connects with the guy's. I feel naked when he looks at me with those agonizing eyes.

When midnight came, the party got a little out of control. The bride had changed her dress for something more comfortable. We were all in charge of starting to distribute a kit so they could enjoy the wild hour. There were feather and colorful masks, streamers, costumes, bows, hats, whistles, and all kinds of toys that could be used. I deliver the box I have and return to the others.

The lights go out and I feel like dying. I hated the darkness, but luckily, from the back of the stage, David Guetta comes out, mixing as only he knows how. Everyone enjoys the party, even us, who, despite not dancing, have fun watching and eating. We were allowed to taste everything that was available for distribution. It was phenomenal.

The fireworks didn't take long to start. My gaze went straight to the sky, where they exploded in many colors.

"Do you like fireworks?" Edder asks, scaring me to death.

"You scared me. Yes, I do. The colors are very beautiful," I say, placing my hand on my chest.

He laughs. "I like them too. I'm a party animal. I like to be free, and I think you do too. Lis is my cousin, so you were the girl who accompanied her to the game. I'm the quarterback," he says proudly.

-I know. I could tell that you were free. Your eyes speak for themselves," he says, looking up at the sky again.

"So you're one of those 'soul eaters' girls," he says, laughing.

"'Soul eaters' girls?" I ask, intrigued.

"Yes, the ones who get into your heart and end up married to them. My sister is an example of this. She's the girl getting married today. She stole my brother-in-law Robert's soul as soon as they met. They haven't been apart since," he says, looking at me. I stop watching the fireworks to analyze his features. He was as beautiful as his sister. The only thing that set them apart was that she had blue eyes, and he had a wonderful green.

"I don't think I am that lucky. To 'eat someone's soul,' you have to love them very much. And I haven't even had a boyfriend. Call me prudish or whatever you want, but I believe in true love. As my mother says, love is only found once," I say as I walk away, leaving him alone. He puts his hand in his pockets and smiles.

The party continued and more food came out of the kitchen. Everyone was delighted with the milk balls made by my mother. I had tried one. They were spectacular. When the bride threw the bouquet, all the women gathered in the middle of the dance floor.

The DJ livened up the party. The high heels were killing me, so I stood near the family table. When the beautiful bride threw the bouquet, all the women went crazy. But none of them could run for the bouquet because their dresses were quite uncomfortable. And as if it were a twist of fate, the beautiful bouquet fell into my hands.

Everyone started applauding, while my face went from white to red in a matter of seconds. Edder's sister approached me and gave me a hug.

"I know you weren't in line to catch the bouquet. You're not even in the mood for fun, you're working. But I believe in destiny, and tonight you're here for a reason. Today, that beautiful detail fell to you. I hope you can find the love of your life soon, if you haven't already, and get married. I wish you the best of luck," the girl says, giving me a kiss on the cheek. Screams and applause erupt behind us. I don't even know what to answer, so I just smile, holding onto the bouquet.

After the bouquet show, my mother smiles when she sees it in my hand.

"Mom, I wasn't in line for this. I'm sorry if you're going to have a problem," I say fearfully.

"Don't worry, dear. I know you weren't into it. Relax. Now come on, let's continue handing out the rest," she says.

We keep handing out things. I didn't know what else we could distribute. I was truly disgusted by all the food. When it hit four in the morning, no one wanted to leave the party. The newlyweds had left a while ago. There were rumors that they would have a beautiful honeymoon in France. Everyone was dancing and drinking. Only the wealthy could afford to waste so much money.

I walk straight to the bathroom. I need five minutes of tranquility. Luckily, there was no one there. I wet my face and fix my ponytail. I unbutton two buttons on my shirt. I was dying of heat. When I'm ready, I decide to leave. But Edder was waiting for me outside.

"Are you stalking me?" I ask, trying not to laugh.

"You could say that. I wanted to talk to you," the guy says.

"Like this? What do you want?" I ask, crossing my arms.

"I want to propose a deal to you. I know it will sound crazy and whatever you want to think, but I want you to marry me," the guy says, smiling.

"What?" I ask, leaning against the wall.

"To marry me. You see, my family thinks I'm wasting my time and youth. I'm a business administration student, this will be my last year. I play American football, which fills my soul. Parties, trips, having fun, that's my thing. I'm a bohemian guy, but my grandmother is very sick. The doctor says she won't make it until the end of the year. That's why I want to fulfill her wish. Obviously, we'll have to go out together for a while, otherwise they won't believe us," he says as if it were the most normal thing.

"Are you joking, right?" I ask, still unable to believe what the guy was saying.

"No, I know you feel something for me. I feel the same way. Your eyes, those eyes that have me trapped. I would like to court you and make this happen. I'll pay you, do whatever you want. We'll draw up a contract and a confidentiality agreement," he says, speaking like crazy.

"Are you hearing yourself? I'm a stranger, you can't propose such a madness to me."

"What do you know if I leave here and tell everything?" I say as I walk back and forth.

"Please! It's obvious from a mile away that you're not one of those women. But let's be something better. Give me a date and, if you like it, we can keep trying. I'll bring the contract and you can read it. Please, say yes," he says with a smile.

I say nothing. I couldn't believe that he was here, saying all those things. It's true that I am friends with his cousin and she had something to do with this idea, but you can't go around asking someone to marry you if you don't know each other. Or can you? I was too shaken up, so I try to leave, but he is faster and grabs my arm, pulling me to be pressed against his chest. At that precise moment, I stop breathing. His lips meet mine, giving me the best kiss of my life. His mouth opens to intensify the kiss, but even if it were just a small touch, it would feel the same. This was like kissing an angel. My legs tremble. At first, I don't respond to the kiss, but then I lose control and kiss him back with the same passion with which he kisses me.

After a few minutes, he ends the kiss, leaving his forehead pressed against mine. His eyes are closed. I couldn't believe what was happening to me. I felt strange. Do you believe in love at first sight? Because if so, I could swear that this is what has happened to us.

"Please, let me get to know you a little more. At least, let me try. I don't know what it is about you, but I can say with all responsibility and honesty that Cupid has struck me. Do you believe in love at first sight? Because if so, this is what has happened to us," he says without separating from me. His heart is beating fast and mine has been racing for a long time. I'm about to answer him, but my phone rings. It's a message from my mother: we had to leave. So, without answering him, I let go of his grip and walk away, taking his gaze with me in my heart.