When we left the motorhome, the flashes of the cameras were everywhere. I grabbed Grace's arm tightly; she, completely soaked, looked at me.
"What's wrong now?" she asked.
I lowered my head a little. At first, I wasn't ashamed of him seeing me semi-naked, as it seemed ridiculous to me that he would look at me with lustful eyes. But seeing myself in the mirror and noticing how horrible I looked, embarrassment took hold of me.
"Everyone saw how you vomited on me, I'm embarrassed," I lied.
I considered myself a strong and self-assured woman, but this had caught me by surprise. Maybe it was because my ex-fiance had messed with my little sister, or maybe it was because of the impending menopause, but I felt really bad, and that wasn't an exaggeration.
"Great! We'll be famous, even if it's just for a couple of weeks," Grace said enthusiastically.
It was because of things like this that I didn't send her packing. Even though Grace was so crazy, she brought fun to my life, and I was infinitely grateful for that.
"You better stay quiet before we become famous for another reason," I threatened her.
Grace and I left the place as stealthily as possible. Honestly, I didn't want him to see me; I was embarrassed.
ONE WEEK LATER
I had a prospective client in front of me. She was crying her heart out, and I couldn't understand a word she was saying.
"I understand, but can you explain it to me more calmly?" I asked.
She sniffed and nodded.
"He cheated on me with my own mother," she said and started crying again.
I took a deep breath. I still couldn't understand how people could do such a thing, for example, my ex.
"I understand and I'm really sorry, but if you don't calm down and tell me how things happened, I won't be able to help you," I said.
She stopped crying and put on the expression all my clients put on; one of revenge.
"I want to kick him to the curb, I want him to suffer every time he thinks of me. I also want full custody of my children," she said.
I nodded immediately; that I had understood loud and clear.
"I'll work hard to get everything you're asking for," I said.
She shook her head immediately.
"I want everything, I'm not going to let that filthy pig anywhere near my children. And you know what's worse?" she asked.
I shook my head.
"The jerk got my mother pregnant, and she's fifty-two!" she said indignantly.
I had seen and heard everything, so nothing surprised me. The things you found out in this job were like something out of a book.
"We'll have it all," I assured her.
She smiled satisfied with my answer and then stood up.
"Can I trust that we'll win?" she asked.
I nodded immediately; this case was a piece of cake. I stood up and shook her hand; she squeezed it, and we closed the deal.
[....
I went to buy some wine at a supermarket near work. I wanted to watch a romantic movie and get drunk, since I didn't have work tomorrow. I walked through the aisles picking some good bottles. I would order some food from my favorite restaurant and have a wonderful evening.
"Kat?" someone asked behind me.
I turned around immediately. It was Hayden, wearing a T-shirt with a huge cartoon on the front. He was wearing worn jeans and sneakers; dressed like that, he looked even younger.
"Do you have a party?" he asked.
I looked at the three bottles I had in the basket; I slowly raised my head and looked at him. He was smiling; he had dimples and perfect teeth, cute bunny teeth.
"Yes," I replied.
"Great! What are we celebrating?" he asked.
I wanted to say something interesting, but nothing came to mind.
"My future victory," I replied.
He approached me and took the basket from my hand.
"Will you invite me?" he asked.
I smiled.
"Actually, I just want to get drunk while watching a movie," I blurted out.
Not all of us had an interesting life.
"That sounds... great," he said.
I blinked a couple of times. Was this guy dumb?
"Can I come with you?" he asked.
"Do you not have anything interesting to do?" I asked.
He shook his head while smiling.
"What movie are we watching?" he asked.
I bit my lower lip. It was obvious he wouldn't accept a no for an answer.
"Christmas romantic comedies," I said.
He let out a little laugh, and I looked at him angrily.
"I'm sorry, it's just that my mother also likes those movies," he said.
I took the basket back and started walking away from him. Not even when my ex left me did I feel as humiliated as I did now. How could he compare me to his mother?
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean that," he said as he walked behind me.
I started putting some sweets and snacks into the basket. Tonight I was going to watch movies until dawn.
"I really am sorry," he said.
He grabbed my arm. I stopped and looked him in the face. Hayden looked desperate now.
"It's okay, and we like the same things because I imagine we're almost the same age," I said.
He opened his mouth a little and then shook his head.
"She's forty-two," he said.
"And I'm thirty-six; that's not much difference," I said.
"She had me young," he said.
Every word that came out of his mouth made me feel angrier and angrier. I wanted to hit him on the head to make him stop talking.
"I'd like to accompany you; I also like those movies," he said.
I handed him the basket.
"You pay," I said.
He nodded; he looked satisfied and happy. Who understands guys these days?
"I just want you to drink with me and watch the movie. When it's over, will you leave my house, okay?" I made it clear.
Hayden nodded. I walked to the cashier; he walked beside me in complete silence. Then he paid for everything I had picked and we left the supermarket.
"You follow me," I said.
Since he had brought his car just like I did. Hayden arranged the bags in my car and then went to his. I got in and started the engine; I wanted to get home quickly and take off my heels, they were killing me.