On cold autumn aftermoons

We were all sitting in the living room as my father asked. Family meeting. It didn't used to be very common, but it did happen from time to time, usually to scold. With three single female daughters in the house, it wasn't always smooth sailing. We both had different personalities and fought for attention all the time. So sometimes my dad would just "crack out" and scream to clear up the mess. But that day everything was fine... There hadn't been any arguments. Not that I've seen. I was facing my father, Pedro Miller. My mother sat next to him.

I wasn't sure whether or not she knew what that conversation was about. Michelle was lying in an armchair with her legs up. My older sister always wanted exclusivity and the good life and that bothered me a little. Martina sat next to me, in her cheerful way and not caring too much about what was happening, focused on her cell phone.

- Martina, put down your cell phone.

She looked at our father and did as he asked, even against her will. Our father was not an angry or authoritarian man, but he still had our respect. He always fought to give us everything we had. The Miller family was poor, though not in need, but it was tight-knit. And we always had the basics from our father's work. My mother was always left with the task of taking care of the daughters, since we were a bit of work when we were little. And Noriah wasn't a good place to get a job, especially for women. The kingdom was in decay and the end of the monarchy was only a matter of time. My father didn't like the queen, but he didn't get involved in the rebel movements either, and he didn't want us to participate in any way either. He was afraid that something might happen to us.

- Well, what demands our attention so much? I don't remember anything going wrong today. - Michelle said thoughtfully.

- Yes... It was all quiet. - said Martina. – By the way, I just got home from school... There wasn't even time to fight.

I started to laugh. In this case, it was always me and Martina against Michelle.

- The news is important... The best we've ever had in our entire lives.

I got curious and made myself better on the couch. What would have happened?

- What happened? asked my mother. - I'm starting to get worried.

So my mother didn't know what was going on either. My father continued:

- It's been a while since a distant uncle of the Millers was very sick... And he passed away last week.

- What uncle is this? I asked. – We don't know him?

- Not really. As I said, he is a distant relative.

"And..." Michelle asked. – What do we have to do with the uncle we never saw?

- Your relative? Who exactly are we talking about? asked Martha, my mother.

- Lewis Miller, my relative. - He explained. – He was rich... Millionaire, actually.

- Does that mean we're in mourning? asked Martina. – That's not fair... We didn't even know him.

- No... That doesn't mean we're in mourning... On the contrary. - he said. – We need to commemorate the death of Lewis Miller because he left the entire legacy to me.

We all looked at our father confused by his words. I asked:

- Like this?

- That's what you heard: the Millers are the newest millionaires in Noriah South.

- This can only be a joke. - Michelle said getting up from the couch.

- You didn't say anything about it, dear. - My mother said, trying to absorb the news.

- We are rich, millionaires... And this is not a joke.

- Can I scream? Jump? asked Martina.

"Yes..." he said smiling.

It didn't take more than a second for everyone to start jumping and screaming. I continued to sit, trying to understand it all and look for an explanation.

Martina took my hand and looked into my eyes:

- It's true, Meg... No need to be thoughtful. Our father would not lie to us that.

I did a few jumps, but it still felt like a dream. We lived a life deprived of so many things that were the benefits of so few that it didn't seem to be true. As I said, we never went hungry, but nothing was easy for us. I was in private school, but I was on a scholarship. Michelle had dropped out of college because my dad couldn't afford it. So she was hopping from job to job, earning a pittance for each one she passed. Martina, as she wasn't very hard-working and focused on her studies, had stayed in public school, because she hadn't gotten the scholarship where I was studying. And she didn't even care much about it. My little sister had only one goal in life: to live it like there was no tomorrow. Michelle, for her part, always wanted to move up in life and be more than we were. So she focused on finding a rich husband. However, at 24 years old, that still hadn't happened. So she collected suitors over the years. And I envied her, because there were some very handsome men who would give anything for her. But if they didn't have enough money, they were turned away.

- We are rich... This can only be a dream. shouted Michelle.

The celebration was short-lived. Although we were happy, it was all very surreal.

- Tomorrow morning your mother and I will need to leave for Noriah North. - warned my father. – We resolve legal issues.

- Will we be alone? I don't have time to take care of Megan and Martina.

- You do have time, dear. said my mother. - I know that you will know how to make good use of this inheritance when it is in our hands. So you need to collaborate.

- Since when do we need to be taken care of by you, Michelle?

- Your sister is of legal age and is responsible for you, yes. - said my father.

Michelle sat scowling on the couch, dissatisfied. It certainly wasn't for me but for Martina. Our youngest sister gave work even to my parents, imagine for her.

- I'm more responsible than Michelle. - I claimed.

- Girls, are you rich and yet you're wasting time with unnecessary fights? asked Martha.

In the end she was right. That discussion was unnecessary in the face of the bombshell news we had just received.

When we went to bed, we talked about it. Martina and I slept in the same room. Michelle was alone in another. That's why I was more attached to Martina. It was a life sharing a room and our dreams.

- What will change in our life? – I found myself asking while looking at the ceiling, in the dim light we used to sleep. I was afraid of sleeping in the dark, so I always used something that would brighten the room at night.

- Everything? asked Martina, laughing.

I laughed.

- I don't know what's better, Meg, if we get rich or alone over the weekend.

- Are you serious, that's what you think?

Martina lifted her head from the pillow and looked at me.

- I'll stay away from here, believe me.

- Like this?

- I'm going to Dex's house.

- Martina, you're crazy.

- I think you should do the same... Have fun.

- Why would I live like there's no tomorrow because our parents are going to seek an inheritance in another country?

She laughed and lay down again:

- Meg, stop being so sure...

- I did not understand.

- Understood yes.

- Please, Martina... This has nothing to do with it.

- Meg, do you like someone?

I thought for a while and said:

- Like, like... No. But there's a boy that interests me.

- Who? she asked curiously. - You always deny it... Say you don't like anyone... Are you going to confess today?

- It's not confessing... I don't like him. I just said that he interests me.

- So he's a lucky boy... Because Megan Miller at 17 was never interested in any real boy.

- Lie, Martina.

She laughed:

- Speak up... Who is it?

- Axel Collins.

She quickly raised her head and said:

- Axel? Did you say Axel Collins?

- Yea...

- He is perfect. Every girl's dream.

I laughed:

- That's why I said he only interests me, nothing more.

- He studies at the same school as you, doesn't he?

- Yea.

- He is beautiful, perfect, rich, he is in all the newspapers, magazines and social networks. I don't see you with him.

- Why not? Do you think your sister doesn't deserve a handsome man? – I joked.

- Of course not, Meg... You're beautiful. But he doesn't like to draw attention. Axel must pay to get attention. He is Noriah's most sought after playboy after Prince Dereck.

- I didn't say I want to marry him, Martina. I just think he's... cute.

- Cute? Axel doesn't look cute at all. But if you want I can ask Dex to get you a friend of his for the weekend.

- I don't want an arranged date. I do not need this.

- Of course you do. How long have you not kissed?

- Some months. - I admitted.

- It's time to kiss... And lose your virginity.

- I can't believe I'm talking about this with my 15 year old sister. I think it's time to close this matter.

- Do you really think so? Better to discuss it with me than with Michelle, who can only think about herself.

- And you think more about me than yourself. I'm fine with not kissing for a while and still being a virgin.

- Are you going to tell me now that you're waiting for the prince, Meg? Dereck is more impossible than Axel and Magnus... Well, I think he's getting married soon. Besides, it's old for you.

I laughed. I turned to the side and closed my eyes. I didn't want to talk about it anymore. Martina was empty-headed.

- Are you really going to leave me talking to myself?

- Yes... - I said.

- What are you waiting for to enjoy the pleasures of life, Meg?

- The right time? The right man?

- That doesn't exist... Neither man nor time.

- Martina, leave me.

- If you change your mind, let me know. Dex has some beautiful friends.

She didn't see my bored face with her speech. I closed my eyes and tried to sleep, thinking about what it would be like to be rich overnight.

Early on Saturday of that week, my parents left for Noriah North in search of our unknown uncle Lewis Miller's inheritance. I was happy, but I wouldn't believe it until I saw all the money in our family's possession.

As soon as they left, Martina announced:

- I'm spending the weekend at Dex's.

- I warned you that I didn't want this responsibility of taking care of you. - said Michelle. – After nine months you show up pregnant and I'm still going to be blamed.

- Do you really think I'm silly? asked Martina.

- Honestly, I think. – Michelle said shrugging her shoulders and pouring coffee. - I'm going back to bed.

I watched the two argue. I poured myself a latte and started drinking it, sitting in the uncomfortable, hard, cold chair in the kitchen. Michelle returned to the bedroom. I said:

- She might be right...

- In what? asked Martina. - Do you also think I'm silly?

- No... I just think you should be careful... Imagine getting pregnant at 15. It would be horrible...

- Meg, I can bet I'm smarter than you.

I pretended not to hear. I didn't want to fight with Martina. She left and I remained there, looking out the window. The day was gray, though it didn't look like it was going to rain. It felt like it was cold on the street. It took about ten minutes for my sister to come down with a backpack.

- Are you really going? I asked.

- What do you think I'll be doing in this house with you all weekend?

- Martina, our parents went looking for an inheritance... Do you have any idea of everything that will happen in our lives after that?

- I have... I think everything can get even better. But life is short, Meg. I can go out on the street and get run over.

- Life isn't just about having sex, Martina.

- You say that because you haven't done it yet.

I looked at her and laughed. Martina was clueless. She gave me a kiss and said:

- I love you.

- I love you too, Martina. He takes care of himself.

- Leave it to me. You too... And try to get out a little. Go have fun, Meg.

- I'll try to do that... The gray days of autumn don't do me much good.

- Remember: life is short.

- It might not be...

- Do not start...

Martina left. I grabbed my coffee and sat on the couch, staring at the checkered windows that overlooked the street. I felt a little cold and grabbed a blanket. I looked at the clock and it was already ten o'clock. I called Penelope, my friend.

- Hi, Meg.

- Hi, Pen. How are you doing?

- Well... And you, fell out of bed?

- It's not early, Pen. It's past 10.

- Miss me? she asked, letting me hear the laughter on the other end of the line.

- Well, my parents left and I'm feeling alone, in a house with two more sisters. - I confessed.

- Look, Meg. I'm having a little party here at home tonight.

- He hadn't even told me anything... - I pretended to be sad.

- I had yes, but you never give importance...

- Well, I think today might be different.

- I doubt it... I could bet you don't come.

- As you are mean to me... I will. As I said, I'm alone.

- Not alone, with two sisters.

- Actually one. - I explained. – Martina has already left.

I heard Penelope laugh again, amused, on the other end of the line:

- I hope you... No one deserves to be with the bitch Michelle. Why don't you come now?

I looked at the street and said:

- The weather is so ugly...

- So come soon... It might rain later...

- I'm not sugar. - I replied.

- So you come later? What time?

- Late afternoon... I promise.

- I'll wait for you then... If you give up, let me know.

- Will not give up.

- Just believe seeing. You will like it, I guarantee it. Do you know who just showed up here?

- Who? – I asked with little interest.

- Axel Collins.

I felt my heart beat faster:

- Axel?

- Yea...

- Did you talk to him?

- No... But I asked some mutual friends to let him know about the little party...

- Great idea. And... I have some bombshell news for you.

- Count...

- Not even. Surprise. I'll just tell you when I get there.

- It will kill me with curiosity.

I laughed:

- I really will... And you won't believe me when I tell you.

- I'm waiting for you... And your news. And I'll hope you actually show up this time.

- Kisses.

I turned off the phone. I lay down on the couch and covered myself. I had nothing to do. Penelope had been my friend for a while. We studied at the same school. She was rich and I was poor. Yet she never cared about it. The world at the school where I was a scholar was different from mine. Still I had adapted well. I was there to study and not to make friends. And so I did. He always got the best grades. She was focused and interested. Penelope was smart too, and we studied together, helping each other out when one of us had a hard time. The only misstep was getting interested in a beautiful, mysterious boy named Axel Collins. We would graduate that year. We never studied together in the same room. But Axel caught my eye a lot. Although always on the front pages of everything to do with Noriah Sul high society, he personally didn't seem like that person. He was involved in the school's social causes, and although seductive and handsome, I never saw him with a girl at school. That's why he drew so much attention from everyone. Axel was thin, tall, dark and had brown eyes. His long, curly hair was always neatly combed and neat, as were his clothes... Everything was impeccable. He wasn't one of Noriah's princes, but he looked like one. He was always polite to everyone. We crossed paths a few times in the hallways and he greeted me. That was not a privilege, unfortunately. He did that to everyone. I can't explain why, but he caught my attention with his beautiful pair of dark brown eyes that contrasted with his light brown skin and well-drawn and full eyebrows. I even had several clippings of him in my room and a poster I got from Penelope, which she had printed especially for me for my last birthday. I ended up removing everything from the walls a while ago, because I thought I was no longer a teenager to keep that kind of thing. But I still didn't have the courage to throw it away when I looked at the images of him looking at me. So I put it in a box. Every now and then I would open it and look at those images. That man, although so close to me, was a distant dream. And I think I liked him for exactly that: it was almost impossible. I think I even preferred to pretend sometimes that I liked him more than I really felt, just so they would stop trying to get me boyfriends. Both Penelope and Martina were focused on that: finding me a date. Little did they know that for me that was not so important. Why did I have to like someone to be happy? Why did I have to lose my virginity because they all had already? I didn't have to do what everyone else did... Still, I tried to match myself. She was always seen as "straight up", correct, who didn't do anything wrong or out of the norm. But that wasn't it... There was no reason to deviate from the standards... They were "my standards".

Michelle didn't even wake up for lunch. I didn't eat anything either. He wasn't hungry, having had breakfast late. In the early afternoon, a light rain began to fall. Autumn in Noriah South was like this: cold, rainy and gray... A little depressing at times.

We lived in a small, simple house, consisting of three small bedrooms, a kitchen, a bathroom and a living room. The bathroom was hotly contested. Our house was in the countryside, away from many others. We had a huge patio, where when we were little we used to play and have fun. Today it was only good for hot days, when we hung clothes on the line. That place wasn't very good for planting, not even trees. A tangle of red, grass-covered soil that grew wildly in the summer, taking up much of my father's pruning time. I liked the porch that ran the length of the house. Practically only I used it. I lay in the hammock to contemplate the night and sometimes even slept there in the summer fort. What would our life be like after we got rich? What would change? Would we still live in Zone D? Would my parents want to move house? Would we always be united, even with our differences, as it always was?

Michelle appeared in the living room, her hair damp. I think I just got out of the shower. She glanced at me as she went to the kitchen and asked:

- Are you going to spend the day there?

- No... Actually, I'm leaving soon. - I said.

She came back and looked at me, her brow arched in surprise:

- You will leave?

- I'm going to Penelope's house. She's having a party...

- And Megan Miller will give the pleasure of your presence?

- Are you being ironic, Michelle?

- I? You're welcome.

- Won't you complain, like you did with Martina?

- Of course not. I really want you to go. I'm bringing some friends here.

- So Martina isn't the only one wrong in all this, is she?

- Don't give me a moral lesson, Megan. I am already 24 years old. Martina is 15. She is still a child.

- Still you didn't even call when she left. - I criticized.

- I told her to take care of herself... And not get pregnant.

- Good advice... - I scoffed.

- Wants to know? Do the same as Martina and go fuck around, it's about time, Megan.

I looked at her puzzled. My sister was very cruel when she wanted to be. Always the mistress of reason. What did these people have against my life and my choices? Maybe I should have lied that I'd slept with someone before, so no one would be worried about choices and decisions that should be up to me alone.

I got up and went to the shower. I really needed to leave. I couldn't stand a night of drinking and brainless men and women wanting only perversion. This is what Michelle would transform our house into that night. Yet she was always my parents' favorite. They never criticized her. They always thought of her as perfect.

When I got to the room I thought about what to wear. Was cold. I opted for a pair of jeans and a white blouse with a brown leather coat over it. Low-top boots finished off the look with light makeup, which highlighted my fair skin and greenish-brown eyes. I let my light brown hair down, falling down to my back. A light lipstick looked good on my full lips. I grabbed a backpack and put a couple of clothes inside, as well as my toiletries. He would spend the night at Penelope's house.

When I noticed it was already starting to get dark. Penelope didn't live close by and the bus stop was far away. So I called Cassia, another friend, asking if she would come too. With the positive response, I arranged to stop by her house to catch a ride. She didn't live far away, although it wasn't close either. About thirty minutes walk. She didn't really believe that I would either. Apparently no one trusted that I could go to Penelope's party and have fun. I looked down the street and saw the light rain falling again. I even thought about giving up. But I heard voices in the room and when I got there two of Michelle's friends had already arrived. One of them I knew from other times and I didn't sympathize with him at all. The way he looked at me, seeming to devour me, was detestable. As soon as he saw me, he greeted:

- Goodnight.

I responded with a wave and headed for the door. Definitely better to go to the night that promised fun at my friend's house than put up with people I didn't like.

- Won't you stay, dear? – he asked looking at me.

Michelle came out of the kitchen, carrying beer cans and placing them on the coffee table.

- She's going to a party. – Michelle explained ironically.

- But there will also be a party here. - he said. – And it will be fun. I can bet that much better than yours.

- Take your eyes off my sister, Raul. You are too old for her.

I looked at them and opened the door, walking out. I took a deep breath, feeling the cool breeze. I put my backpack on my back and followed my way on the wet road from the rain that couldn't decide whether to stop or continue. Night had definitely fallen.

I walked a little along the deserted street in the dark and moonless night. Field on all sides. I was used to that landscape, even at night. The curious thing is that I was terrified of the dark, but I loved the nights. What I didn't imagine was that torrential rain would start out of nowhere, completely blurring my vision. Within minutes I was soaked. I took my phone out of my backpack to call Michelle to pick me up, but there was no signal. I went further to the middle of the street, lifting the device up, trying to look for a speck of antenna. When I turned around, I saw a bright light heading my way and I couldn't run. I was completely still. The car would hit me... I screamed and closed my eyes... And everything went dark.

I felt a little headache. I opened my eyes and saw that I was lying on a huge, comfortable sofa, covered by a thick, warm blanket. A fireplace with flames of fire consumed the wood voraciously, leaving the place pleasant and cozy. I lifted my head and looked around, seeing no one. The place was very large. The room was beautiful and well decorated and the glass windows took up all the space on the dark hardwood walls. I tried to get up and realized I was only in my panties and bra. I got scared and my heart raced.

What was happening? I saw my clothes hanging by the fire and tried to calm down. If someone had kidnapped me I wouldn't be careful to dry my clothes. I didn't see my backpack anywhere. I had dry clothes in there. Soon I saw a man coming towards me. My heart raced instantly, seeming to want to jump out of my chest. Who was that stranger? He smiled, showing his white teeth and perfectly lined up in his well-shaped mouth and harmonious with his face. He was tall, and he had straight brown hair that was disheveled. The beard was unshaven, but it still made him extremely sensual. He was handsome. I stared into the beautiful pair of brown eyes, confused. He asked me:

- Are you okay?

- Who are you?

He sat in the armchair, next to me, in front of the fireplace. He took a sip of the dark drink he carried in his glass, calmly. He wore dark jeans and a white shirt, rolled up to the elbows, with several buttons undone, showing his bare chest.

- I asked who are you? I repeated in case he hadn't heard me, pretending I hadn't been completely ignored.

- And I asked if you're okay.

- What happened?

- You don't remember what happened? Are you going to tell me that you lose your memory?

- You... Were you in the car by chance? Is it the madman who ran me over?

I lifted the covers and looked at my body. It didn't have any scratches. I noticed him looking at me amusedly and I quickly pulled the blanket up, covering myself in embarrassment.

- I'm not the madman who ran you over... In fact, you're the madwoman who crossed in front of my car. Was he trying to kill himself?

- Of course not... I was trying to find a signal on my cell phone.

- In the middle of the street? During a torrential rain? Your cell phone no longer works.

- Did you try to use it by chance? Where are my things? And... My clothes.

He pointed to the hanging clothes.

- Where's my backpack? I have dry clothes in there.

He got up and left, then came back with the backpack, handing it to me.

- Can you tell me what happened, please? – I asked a little more kindly, after all, he wasn't wrong at all. I'd been a careless idiot to stop in the middle of the street, even though I almost never drove by.

- I almost ran her over. Luckily I managed to stop in time. But you ended up passing out. And I brought you to my house.

- Why... Didn't you take me to a hospital?

- Because I didn't hit you. As you can see, you don't have any scratches. Where would I take her? I don't know where you live... And I couldn't leave you out in the middle of the road in all that rain. In fact, the rain continues.

I looked out the window and didn't see the rain, but I heard the sound of it falling. I got up and used the blanket to cover myself.

- Is there a place where I can change?

- Up the stairs, first door on the right.

I took the backpack and went upstairs. I stepped on the blanket and fell down a flight of stairs, being watched mockingly by him. I entered the room with a huge, well-made double bed and a large closet. The floor was wooden, just like the walls. I opened my backpack and put on dry jeans and a looser white T-shirt. I also changed my underwear. At that time I was mad at myself for not wearing anything sexier or sexier. When I took my clothes off he saw a wide and comfortable cotton panties and a bra of the same color. Before I had listened to Martina's advice: "live life, you're going to get run over". She just didn't think I could be run over by the most handsome man in Noriah. Damn it, I'd almost been run over... It could have been serious. And I was at a stranger's house. I should be scared and not worry about what he saw when he took my clothes off. I was not like that.

I went downstairs, barefoot, taking with me my backpack clutched to my chest.

- Could you take me away? - I asked.

- No way. - he said. – The road is bad, the rain is heavy and there is no lighting on this damn road.

- Could I borrow your phone?

- No signal.

- What the hell are we in? I asked.

- At home.

I sighed and sat on the couch.

- What time is it?

He looked at his wristwatch and said:

- 9 hours.

- I... I have people who must be worried about me. - I said, with a little fear.

- I bet so, that's why they left you on that deserted road in the rain overnight.

I looked at him confused. Did he think no one cared about me? I thought of my parents in Noriah North, chasing the inheritance from the unknown uncle who had made us rich. Martina must be enjoying life as she always said: having sex like there's no tomorrow. Michelle had probably already drunk as much as she could, and before long she would be in her room with one of her friends. Penelope didn't even know if she would actually wait for me at her house, because she made it clear that she didn't believe I would. Even my ride didn't believe I could show up. So no one really knew where I was... And they didn't care much about it.

- Well, the choice to go down that road was mine... But I wasn't trying to kill myself, believe me. I was going to a friend's house.

- Then maybe she'll look for you... She'll miss you. But unfortunately we have nothing to do.

- No... She won't miss me. She never believed I would actually get there. - I confessed laughing sadly at my situation.

With so many people knowing where I was, incredibly no one would miss me. My sisters thought I would be at Penelope's house. This one, in turn, would think that I was in my house and that I had given up going.

- And your family? - he asked.

- Each one doing something different right now the... And you can bet that everything is much more important than me. – I said ironically and not even understanding why I was talking to that stranger.

He laughed and continued:

- Boyfriend, husband? He will miss you.

I shook my head:

- I think it's exactly because no one misses me that I don't have a boyfriend.

"The world doesn't want you..." he joked. – I know how it is. A typical teenage revolt.

I took it seriously. Did he really know what it was? Do not. Surely that man had any woman he wanted at his feet. And... I wasn't a teenager.

- Who are you? I asked.

- A stranger... And starting.

- Like this?

- I'm leaving Noriah... And I hope I never come back.

- Wow, what is this hatred of the kingdom?

- It's not from the kingdom... It's from the people who are part of it. And I don't mean the queen, believe me.

I laughed:

- I understand...

- So you confessed to me that no one is looking for you? Can I do what I want with you and no one will miss you?

- No... I didn't say that... In case you can do whatever you want with me. I explained worriedly.

- I'm just kidding.

- I know. I said, not quite sure what I was saying.

My eyes met his again. My heart raced. What power did that stranger have over me and my body? I never felt that before. Fear mixed with desire. I shivered at the sight of his steady gaze on me.

- Is this beautiful and perfect house yours and are you going to leave it? I tried talking about something else to ease the tension.

- Yea.

- Where exactly are we? I asked.

- Zone B.

I got up confused:

- Zone B? How did I get here? Now I'm worried. You brought me too far.

- Calm girl. Everything is fine. Tomorrow will be Sunday... The day will dawn without rain and I'll leave you right where I found you.

- In the middle of the street? I asked sarcastically.

- If you want, yes.

I sat down again.

- Are you hungry? - he asked.

- Yes... - I confessed.

- Will you accompany me to the kitchen? He offered me his hand.

I accepted, taking his hand and heading into the large, custom-designed kitchen. We stopped near the table and he looked at me, not letting go of his hand. I felt his warm skin against mine and my body shivered involuntarily. For the first time in my life, I felt an intense desire take over me, wanting to touch that man and explore every part of his body. I thought of him touching me and blushing. Our eyes met again and he asked, still holding my hand:

- Would it be too indiscreet to ask your age?

- I... I'm 18. - I lied.

Why did I lie? I was not sure. I guess I didn't want him to think he was with a 17-year-old girl. I knew he was older and somehow I didn't want it to look like we had a big age difference.

- Is that you? I asked.

- I have... More... A little more. – he just said, mysteriously.