Husbands by agreement

Unexpected events.

"Julieta has decided to travel to Bogota, her hometown, so that we can have a unique report on its landscapes and tourism in general, what do you think?" Freddy interjects with a smug smile on his face.

I have no idea what he is planning or what he expects from it, but I have a bad feeling about his idea. Why would he send me to Colombia?

The idea of a report is not a bad one. It's no secret that the Nasser family also owns a travel agency, but I didn't think that Freddy planned to take me away from his life like that.

So, if I agreed to give away our baby, would you still fire me?

Why do you treat me like I'm a second-class citizen?

The hatred that comes from me permeates every inch of my soul. I can't let him do this to me, let alone make plans without consulting me.

"Freddy, I agree with you, that's an excellent idea. Maybe even I would be encouraged to get to know Colombia and its goodness," Mr. Nasser affirms, looking at me attentively and smiling.

"I knew you would like Julieta's idea, we should pay more attention to the travel agency, my brother is not a good manager," Freddy adds, his expression showing an air of superiority.

"You shouldn't talk like that about Anthony, he's a good boy, he's just very young. I'm sure he'll grow up to be a great man." Freddy's father intervenes with a bearish gesture.

"I think it would be best if I retired," I interrupt, my heart pounding, these personal matters are none of my business, my life is too much of a disaster right now to think about knowing other people's problems.

"No, Miss Julieta, don't go yet".

"Father, I think Julieta has some things to do, she'd better get on with it, then she can tell you the most important points of her project." Freddy looks at me out of the corner of his eye and gives me a sideways glance, displeasure on his face.

"Miss Hernandez, I would like to invite you to dinner, what do you think, considering that the Arab public loves the exotic? I know that your country is an ideal destination for what I want to promote and that you know how to make the most of it, in fact, I want to discuss some special promotions in the airline," Mr. Khaled adds, his eyes seeming oblivious.

"Daddy, don't worry! I can talk to Miss Juliet during business hours." Freddy interrupts again, his mouth twisting into a grimace of disgust.

"I would love to have dinner with you and develop my ideas a bit more, Mr. Nasser. It would be my pleasure." I give him a gentle smile.

"Don't be angry, dear son, you know very well that I would like Anthony to take over the airline and I want it to be an established business when the time comes."

"For God's sake, Father!" exclaims Freddy, banging on the desk with a loud clatter. "Do you think Anthony will ever be fit for such a task?"

"You know what I expect of my children. My dear Kathya has married a wonderful man who treats her as she deserves. Omar has married the beautiful Hala, and I am convinced that he has become a great man. You will soon be Samia's husband, and I hope we will have a family together and make good decisions. My offspring, if he finds a good wife, will have everything he deserves. I have nothing to worry about. Mr. Khaled explains with a calm expression on his face.

I hear his surprise. Freddy's father has confirmed what I was so excited to hear. Freddy is going to marry this woman, probably for financial reasons. Perhaps he loves her with all his heart.

My reality is that I have nothing to do with his life, I was just a toy for him, one he plans to throw away now that he's bored with me.

"It's a shame that you assume that once we're married, we'll be able to give you up as you wish," Freddy adds, standing up.

I sympathize with him in spite of everything.

"Son, I know exactly what I'm doing. I will not be at peace until all my children are married. I was a father at a very young age, and today I am at peace because I dedicated myself to their education. I just need to see them married," Mr. Khaled insists, looking at me sympathetically again.

"This is one of those crazy community manias. Kathya was not in love with Koian, but you supported her marriage". Freddy confesses aggressively.

"Kathya is a very fragile girl and she needed a strong man. Now they are happy. Don't worry about Samia, she is good and has always been your friend, why are you so afraid of marriage? You have been engaged for a long time. Freddy, I will not be part of your dishonoring our family. Mr. Khaled said this time, raising his voice.

It seems to me that I should not stay here. I would like to dig a big hole and disappear from this office, from this company, from this country.

But I cannot remain indifferent to the situation I am in.

I am going to have a child; I am a grown woman with a career. My parents have worked hard to get me where I am, and I have always wanted more.

Am I going to watch him tear my life apart?

I cannot come home with a baby in my womb and not know who the father is because I am in danger of dying. I don't want my child to grow up under these conditions.

Freddy has to stop being a danger or a threat to me, and for that I need power.

And somehow, I think I can get it. The most valuable benefits for him are his business and the honor of the Nasser family.

After all, I will be a nightmare in his life. He deserves it.

"Freddy, I have to go, Sonia contacted me to correct some details from yesterday's event. It was a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Nasser. I would love it if you would be kind enough to stop by my office to coordinate a dinner," I say aloud, because the familiar conversation around Freddy's younger brother has made me feel like a vase all this time, despite the fluidity of my thoughts and feelings.

"Don't worry, Julieta, I am a man who allows himself to be the master of his time. I want you to come to my house today, I am used to making decisions with my family, there is no decision that is not made in my house". Mr. Khaled smiles at me with a huge smile on his face.

Of course, Hadda is his wife. What he says about her is admirable.

"Don't worry, I'll be there - at seven?" I ask lightly into Freddy's piercing stare; he's killing me with his eyes.

"Yes, Miss Hernandez, we'll be waiting for you at seven. Have a nice lunch, I have to go too, I have an appointment with Omar at a new Italian restaurant". The man replies warmly and walks over to Freddy and gives him a hug.

As he leaves the office, I walk out behind him.

Freddy asks me to come back to him, but he doesn't understand. His father is right behind me.

"You're a miserable f*****g bitch." Freddy whispers as he sees his father stop to chat with one of the maids.

My chest is poked again.

I never thought he would talk about me like that.

I have no idea how the hell I keep expecting something from him, this man is clearly not willing to consider me. Or to put himself in my place, even for a second.

I raise my index finger in his direction and give him a fake smile. One I don't really feel, but I will never give him the pleasure of seeing me broken again. To see me cry, to see him destroy me, my feelings, and the woman I once was.

Today, Julieta Hernandez has become someone else. A woman who owns her actions and her destiny, whatever it takes, Freddy Nasser will pay for the tears I shed on his chest and the humiliation he made me feel.

I don't have a very precise plan, to tell you the truth. The pain I'm experiencing right now, and having to lie to him that I'm going to terminate my pregnancy, is clouding any sanity that might exist in me.

Ideally, I would like to take advantage of the lunch hour to go for a walk. To get some fresh air.

I pick up my bag at the office, without telling Sonia, and politely greet two security guards who are having lunch.

I walk quietly, watching the traffic go by on the other side. Until I decide it would be best to cross and take a bus to my small apartment, I need to get some sleep.

Just as I decide to cross, I hear a dull thud in my ribs. A physical pain invades me every moment.

I could hear, but I couldn't see.

The traffic, the screams of people and my body feel heavy as I lie on the hot asphalt.

I've been run over and knocked down.

Am I still alive?

Why can't I scream?