The Politician.

IX. Why would I do such a thing?

Since the Gala, Bianca has been incapable of shutting up about my mythical chemistry with Javier. “I know these things.” She says over and over. She claims that the rage on both sides is, put simply, passion, and that the only reason that he has forced himself to ignore me, is so that he can create a safe distance, because apparently we would not be able to control ourselves if we were alone in a room together.

But seeing that earlier, we were alone in two different instances together, and only expressed irritation; I reserve the right to say Bianca is wrong about this one.

She might know well what she is doing when she wants someone for herself. But she and I are different people, with different backgrounds and different perceptions of what love and passion is.

“I do not desire Mariduena. I desire Daniel!” I’m starting to get irritated, but I won’t get angry at her. Her sweet face always has a way of calming me.

“You lie again. Listen to how you say his name, MARIDUENA.” She starts cackling loudly.

I roll my eyes at her, but she is far from finished.

“You say it so sexy. You grunt. Like when a man grab your ass!”

I couldn't stop myself from joining in and laughing, she had a way with her limited English words, of getting her point across, and turning everything into a big joke.

“OH MY GOD. Stop this now. I am going to have a nice dinner with a nice man, whether you like it or not.”

She lifts both her hands in surrender, but she still disapproves. I could tell that this was now an invitation for her. An invitation to analyze every detail of my interactions with Daniel. She would now put it in her head that she had to study him.

She will still be supportive and encouraging, but I will never convince her to let go of her Mariduena obsession.

I would either have to ignore her every comment about it, or convince her that I made a better decision, and that I wanted nothing to do with Mariduena beyond the confines of this very office building. I need to start with controlling my tone. Despite how ridiculous what she says is, I have to remain calm in his presence and show no such rage or any other emotion besides that of indifference.