Conspiracies

It was no wonder that in Copenhagen it was dawn with the overcast sky. The sheets on my bed were cold, I reached for Lasse, my husband, but he was not there. I got up very slowly and put my feet on the frozen ground. I walked barefoot to the window and opened it carefully. A soft breeze ran through my hair and made my skin crawl. I took a deep breath and let out a great breath of air. I decided it was time to start the day, so, I walked to the bathroom to take a shower. I took off my pajamas gently and went into the shower. I opened the tap and a large cascade of icy water fell on me. I hurried to switch to hot water and a nice current calmed my body. Today it was too cold to be winter. I spent more time than I should in the shower, thinking. For several days I had not seen Lasse, lately, his work was demanding more than usual. He was coming home late and was leaving too early. I was beginning to fear that, after twenty-seven years of marriage, we are beginning to distance from ourselves. I came out of the shower more clear, I was already awake one hundred percent. I put on a white blouse accompanied by a black jacket and matching pants and heels. I did not like to waste my time doing a lot of makeup, so I just put on a little rouge and went to the kitchen for breakfast. I looked at the kitchen clock that was already 7:30 p.m. Although there was an hour to go to work, I had the great gift of being late to all sides, even taking hours in advance. While I was having breakfast, I decided to see the news of the morning, to see how unfortunately the world surprised us today. After a couple of bland headlines on irrelevant topics, a headline caught my attention. A new case of corruption had been uncovered in the involvement of several political figures of considerable rank. Without ending the news, I already knew how I was going to end this issue, at first it would have a lot of media coverage. The case would go on for several days in the news and later, a trial would be announced that will never be heard and finally, the corrupt politicians would be free and with everything they have stolen in their pockets. These issues made me really angry, but I did not want to start the day angry. I turned off the television and finished breakfast. I took my bag and put my cell phone and car keys, put on a good coat next to a wool scarf that my son had left, for the third time in the week. When I left my house, it was really cold in the winter. The sky was covered by huge clouds of smoke gray. It was clear that it was going to rain. A blast of cold air almost blew the scarf, but I grabbed it tight and put it back on. I walked along the sidewalk, which slipped a bit since the previous day it had rained and the stagnant water had turned into small plates of ice. In front of me, I saw pretty warm people, some talking on the phone, others with headphones listening to music and others simply, running because they were late for work. Finally, I got to my car, went in, started and put the heating as fast as possible. When I finally got to the newsroom, I was lucky to park as soon as I arrived. I got out of the car and crossed the sidewalk. -Eh, get away black-someone collided with me and I almost fell to the ground. He was a very big man, but I did not answer him, I remained silent, as I always do. Since I was little I have always wanted to avoid conflicts. I have never answered the hundreds of insults they have told me throughout my childhood and much of my adolescence. What they told me was similar to what the man with whom I had done to crash had told me. But thanks to all that hell I had lived and that, from time to time, some people made me relive it, I had matured at a very early age. All the professors I had had throughout my academic life had recognized my great maturity in comparison with the rest of the students in the class. They always asked me how I had gotten it, but I never wanted to say it. Even having lived in such a situation, I had never gone to a psychologist because I always think that my problems can be solved by myself. I had crossed the main door of the office where a large reception was located. In front, was a large table and, on top of it, a large sign that said "Skandale", the title of the magazine. The large reception desk was guarded by the receptionist Soffi, who had just married a month ago and had gone on a honeymoon to the Caribbean, after sunbathing there, she had become like a real crab. On the sides, there were several sofas with a light shade of cream. They were accompanied by a few coffee tables of glass where vases with several flowers of a striking color rested. -Good morning Alicia-Soffi greeted me with a kind smile. -Hello Soffi, how are you doing? - Desiring to retire so I do not have to get up at 7 in the morning anymore. -I do not think you can take a day without seeing me -I said smiling. -I'll remember you when I'm already retired eating chips and watching TV. -I feel flattered. -You do well to feel this way-we started to laugh. I walked down the corridor to the left that led to my office, located at the back. Several people passed by me holding papers, reading them and others with coffee in hand. Although I have been working in the magazine for six years, I did not know the names of my new colleagues because management had the habit of renewing employees after a short period of time. I kept walking until finally, I arrived at my office. I dropped my bag on my desk. I sat on the chair and let out a breath of relief. In my office, it was quite hot. I took off my coat and put my hair a little after having disheveled because of the wind. I turned on the computer to start working. I had to finish an article in which I had been working for several days. I was being a media bomb. One of the most important deputies of the current policy had been hunted in a cheap motel with his lover, and it was not the first time he had done so. Thanks to nosy paparazzi and thirsty for gossip, now the country saw politics in another way. I started writing when I saw a post-it stuck in one of my pencil holders. "I have information that could be worth to you, come to my office and we talk -Bergitte" I was really intrigued. I had thoroughly investigated the case and it was strange to me that something had escaped me. I got up from the chair and went to his office. As I walked down the hall I found Jannik, a friend I had been friends with for over five years. His dyed brown hair was a little disheveled. He wore a week's beard, he was always shaved. His shirt was badly tucked in by his pants. It seems that the years began to take its toll. Hello Jannik, are you okay? -Yes, Why? -Because you look like you just survived a three-month shipwreck. -What's happening to me?- He said, he looked quite tired. -Look at your hair, and you have left beard, also you have a wrong tucked shirt. -Well, I had not realized it -he combed his hair and put his shirt inside his pants. -Is something the matter? -No, why? -I do not know, you seem tired. -It's just that I'm not sleeping very well lately. -Why? -I'm working on an article that has me really obsessed. -What do you say? I asked intrigued- About what? -Now I do not have time, I have to give this to Lars - he said, raising some papers-then we talk, okay? -Okay-and he went down the hall. I continued on my way to Bergitte's office. The walls had a dark yellow tone. The paper on the wall was a little worn out after the passage of time. There were several paintings hanging. One represented a field, in which there was a river of crystal clear water. In the background appeared a small country house with an orange roof. The painting was really beautiful. I arrived at the door of the office. It was closed, as usual. I knocked on the door. I heard a faint voice saying "Go ahead." I went in and saw Bergitte sitting on his big desk. His office was quite large. The window to the left was very noticeable, where it could be seen as it started to rain and the wind whistled in a very angry way. Bergitte looked at me and signaled me to sit down. He took out a mirror and a lipstick and began to paint them a dark purple. -Hello beautiful.-She said, finished painting his lips and put everything in a small bag that was next to him. -Hello Bergitte, how are you? -Well, no, very well, no, I'm great, if that's it, I'm great-She got off the desk of a big jumped and sat on the chair. -I'm very happy -I said smiling. -Thanks, sweetie. What about you? -Fairly good. -Well, now you're going to be better-a big smile appeared on her face-because I have something for you-she started rummaging through her drawers until she pulled out a brown folder with my name written on it. -What is it? -Discover it yourself-she extended her arm to give me the folder and I took it. There were a lot of photos where the deputy was seen entering the motel room with the girl, in another one, he was seen undressing her, in another he kissed her, in another, he caressed her neck and the others were more private. There were also several documents with the personal data of the deputy and the girl. I took a quick look at the other papers. I saw more photos, and as soon as I saw what they were doing in the first photo, I closed the folder at once. It was another girl different from the first, but they were doing the same. This was new. -The photos are from three days ago-Bergitte said quite excited. - This is what you had for me? - That's right, few people know about the new girl, they have not yet given me their name, but tonight I'll have it and I'll send it to you by e-mail. -Thank you very much.- I said, getting up from my chair. -You're welcome, you'll invite me to dinner someday. -Take it for granted-and I left. I walked down the hall to my office. I did not believe what Bergitte just gave me. It was amazing, I'm sure this gave me the promotion I've been waiting for quite some time. I was really happy, thanks to this new information the magazines were going to fly from the kiosks. I arrived at my office and sat down. I started the computer again and started to give the keys with energy. I wanted to make a really good article and I had to deliver it within two days. After a long time writing without any pause, I decided to stop and reward myself with a good coffee in the editorial cafeteria. I let out a big breath and got up. My head was beginning to hurt. I went to the elevator area to go to the fourth floor, where the cafeteria was. When the elevator doors opened, we all hurried to enter it. I pushed the button on the fourth floor and waited. Silence reigned in that cubicle, where ten people were scattered so they would not have to wait for the other elevator and get where they wanted to go. I arrived at the cafeteria and opened the door. I smelled the soft aroma of morning caffeine accompanied by the forbidden buns that sweetened the place. The conversations were floating in the air, it was clear that the cafeteria was the new meeting room. I leaned on the bar and asked the waiter for a coffee with milk. While I was doing it, I looked around. There were people sitting at the tables talking, others chatting in a tone that seemed to be telling a state secret and others commenting on the night's football game. He brought me the coffee, accompanied by an envelope of sugar and a spoon. I opened the envelope and put the sugar in the coffee and I removed it with the spoon. The smell that came off made it very appetizing. I picked up the cup and took a sip. Nothing like hot caffeine to put your batteries on. I put the cup back in the tiny dish and checked my cell phone in case Lasse had sent me a message. Nothing. So I decided to send one myself. "How are you at work? I hope to see you at home tonight." I clicked send and I drank some more coffee. I finished it in three more drinks, I paid and I left. It was only thirty minutes before the work was over. I went to Jannik's office to get together after work. When I arrived he was not there, I went to the office that was next to me to see if they had seen him, but they told me he had left a while ago. That's weird. I started to collect my things to be able to leave on time. I saved the article on a USB to work on it tonight. I put on my coat and left the office. I checked my phone in case Lasse had sent me a message, I was surprised to see that he had answered me. "Tonight I'll be late." How strange, the fourth day in a row that I did not see him because he was so late that I could not stand awake to see him. We only talked on the phone, he told me that he had a lot of work, that he was sorry but he could not go home. I told him not to worry, that I understood it and that he would come whenever he could. It was a lie, I really did not understand him, that he should come now, that I needed him, but I could not tell him, I did not want to worry him. I got in the car and I left my bag in the passenger seat. A lightning bolt crossed the sky. The traffic was increasing. My free-hands rang. -Yes? Hi, Mom.- it was my son, Jens. -Hi, honey what's up? -Well, hey, can you pick me up? I just got out of high school. -Of course, I'll be there in ten minutes. -Okay, thank you.-and hung up. I turned in the direction of the high school. When I got to the door, I saw my son on the side of the door, with his arms crossed and his hood on. He was alone, his friends had already left. I called him to get in the car. He removed my bag from the seat and put it in the back. He put on his belt and took off his hood. His blond hair was a mess. At that moment I realized that I had a small bruise on my cheek. -Hello, mom-he kissed me on the cheek. -Hi, how are you? What happened to your face? -Eh, nothing, I hit myself with the bathroom door-he looked out his window. -Well, when we get home, let me put some ice on you, okay? -Of course.-he looked at me and smiled -Will dad come to dinner today? - No, he told me he has a lot of work and he is going to have to stay in the office. -Again. -Yes, again. The way home was silent. I saw Jens look out the window, thoughtful, immersed in his thoughts that he never wants to talk about. Lately, it was pretty weird. I always asked him what happened to him, but he would cut me with a blotter "here we go again mommy", so I decided not to ask him again and leave him at his leisure. We arrived home. I parked and while I was picking up the mail, Jens hurried into the house. I went in and left the letters and my purse on the bedside table. I went through the kitchen and grabbed a bag where I put several ice cubes. I climbed the stairs to Jens's room. He was lying on the bed with his cell phone in his hands. I sat next to him, gave him the bag with ice, put it on his cheek and put his arm around him. He put the phone aside and joined me. I was pretty worried. Lately, he was very quiet and thoughtful. He almost did not talk to Lasse or me, his answers were very sharp and he only devoted himself to locking himself in his room to study. -What's up at the institute, honey? -Good very good. -And the exams? -Well, the biology teacher told me that I will have an A in the report and the same in maths- He said, without any encouragement in the voice. - This is great my love! -I hugged him, but he did not answer me with another hug. I knew what it meant. -well, I leave you, I'm sure you have to study. I got up from the bed and he picked up the phone again. I left his room and closed the door behind me. I let out a long breath. I went down to the kitchen to prepare the food. I watched through the kitchen window the trees were shaking in the street and there was a slight hiss of the wind. I started cooking some spinach. I started to set the table. I called Jens to come down to eat and was content with a simple "yes". After eating in silence, the only thing heard in the dining room was television. We finished eating and Jens disappeared as fast as he could. I picked up the table alone and later, I sat on the couch to rest while watching TV. Without realizing it, I fell asleep. The computer's noise caught my attention. I went to see what happened. I had a new mail. It was from Bergitte. "Hello, I just got the name of the new girl, I send you a sheet with the data for you to include it in your article. Kisses." I answered with a "thank you very much" accompanied by some emoticons of kisses and hearts. I clicked to download the file and said it would take a couple of minutes, so I got up and went to the kitchen for a glass of water. I started drinking the cold water when my cell phone vibrated. It was Lasse. "A very stressful day, I have been told that within a week the members of the socio-democrat party will vote for my admission, I hope your day has been calmer than mine. I smiled and bit my lower lip. I responded with a text telling him my day at the office and I finished it with a great I love you. I kept my cell phone and went to the computer. The file was already downloaded and I printed. Fortunately, this took less. I watched the role of the printer come out little by little when it finally came to an end. I picked up the paper and saw who the girl was. I was completely frozen. She had a pretty familiar face, I knew her, of course, I knew her. She was Lasse's sister.