<><><> JUNE <><><>
After weeks of poring over the ledgers, investigating the companies from which supplies were purchased, and verifying the identities of customers with expenditures exceeding 200,000 pesos, Yenedith identifies about fifty repeat customers at the city's main store; all of them make purchases of three or four million pesos every six to ten weeks. When she tries to call them, she finds that the numbers are out of service, but the ID numbers do match the full names in the registry — So, they do exist — What really doesn't convince her, though, is that when she checks these numbers on government websites, many are listed as low-income individuals.
Over the next few days, her mission was to stay at the main store to put a face to each name. "We're thinking of launching a new home delivery service. The first hundred people to sign up will receive a free item from the selected selection." That's how she got the addresses of at least thirty people.
— Are you sure this is the right address?
— Absolutely sure — she tells her driver. When they arrive at the address, she gets out of the car and knocks on the door — Good afternoon, I'm Yenedith. Are you Mrs. Cecilia?
— Yes, that's me.
— You made a purchase from the Pola online store a couple of days ago. I've come personally to deliver your clothes and your gift.
— Oh, thank you so much. What a fast service! — says the woman as she unlocks the lock in the door grill — I didn't think the consultants had to make the deliveries themselves.
— It's just a special offer for the first few weeks of the service. Could I come in? I need to use the bathroom.
— Of course. Come in, come in.
Yenedith had never seen a house without doors before. She thought the brick facade was just an aesthetic choice, but it extended into the interior of the house with no ceramic floors and no furniture in the kitchen, something that had previously seemed unthinkable to her. — Can I ask you a few questions? For the service.
— Go ahead.
— What do you do for a living?
— I run a fruit stand.
— What's your monthly income?
— Why do you need to know that?
— It's so we can offer coupons or promotions based on your income.
— Is that survey on the website? I can do it later. I'm very busy right now.
— Of course — Yenedith nods and stands up — It's just that I find it strange that you have a purchase history with very high amounts, yet you live in this…
— What business is it of yours how I spend my money? Do I have to be a millionaire to shop at a store?
— No, I don't mean to offend you. I'm just saying, if you spend nearly forty million at Pola stores every year, how are you going to account for that income if you only have a fruit stand?
Cecilia's expression changes completely, but she insists that Yenedith leave. On subsequent visits, people refused to take the survey or even let her in. One comment caught her attention: "No one's going to take that survey."
<><><><>
Alexander orders drinks at the entrance to the thermal cave and tests the water with his feet after taking off his towel — This steam will surely do your lungs some good. I asked for lemongrass when I reserved this pool.
— Thank you — Step by step, he acclimates his body to the heat until he reaches the other side, next to him.
— I feel guilty for hurting you; I shouldn't have reacted that way.
— Okay.
Alexander touches him with his fingertips just beyond his ears and kisses him, his lower lip, his upper lip, his left cheek, and then his right, until he returns to both lips again. — I love you, my love — their lips brush against each other with every word. He takes his legs and pulls him onto his lap.
— Drink service — says a male voice.
— Yes — Alexander replies. He swims over to the other side and takes the drinks from the floating tray — I wanted us to have a moment to talk about something important.
— What could it be?
— My father was part of a drug trafficking organization. He used the pharmaceutical company to launder money and taught me everything about it. That's what yesterday's conversation with that man was about. I'll personally make sure to transport the drugs to Greece.
— So all you have is dirty money?
— Not all of it. Are you thinking of calling the police?
— N… No, I don't think so.
— You don't seem very surprised.
Tadeus takes a step back as if he was leaving his glass on the edge, but Alexander pulls him closer with a hand on his waist.
— When you woke up from surgery, you wouldn't talk to me about the kidnapping, and with all those bruises… I knew they'd tortured you. Since when have you been working for the Swiss mafia?
— Swiss what?
— Please, Tadeus… don't you lie to me anymore. I already know that Jade works for the Swiss mafia, and you've known him since before the auction. Have you only been with me to benefit him? To find out about my business dealings?
— No, I…
Alexander places Tadeus' hands on his chest — Tell me, what happened that day?
— I tried to kill him with a kitchen knife, but he was surrounded by his men and I couldn't do it.
— What kind of work have you done for him?
— Business trips to sell drugs to people abroad and…
— Human trafficking.
— Yes.
— Is that the real reason for your trips with the senator? — Alexander notices that Tadeus' lips stretch slightly at the corners and his gaze drifts away for a moment.
— I can't believe you're asking me…
— Tadeus, what does Gustaph have to do with all this?
— Alexander… — Tadeus tries to pull his arms away; Strauss holds his wrists, but decides to stop insisting when he sees his expression.
— You promised me you loved me.
— I know what I said.
— Why are you still here with me? What else do you want from me?
— Gustaph is a friend of my father's. Since I'm not that close to him, my father sends him to pester me. I've never had a romantic relationship with the senator, and even though he's my friend, I wouldn't choose him over you either — Tadeus kisses his lips as if tasting them for the first time. A provocative, passionate kiss for the one receiving it.
Alexander kisses his cheek, his neck, his shoulders, and they lock eyes for a moment before their lips meet once more.
After a couple of hours of soaking and silence in the room, Tadeus tries to find solace in the beautiful view of the mountains and the taste of the food until Alexander says, — You've been quiet.
— I've been thinking about this morning's conversation and that man at the cemetery.
— It seems like he's seen you before.
— I don't think so.
— If it's the trip that's bothering you, don't worry, you'll come with me. I won't let myself lose sight of you again.
Tadeus flashes a smile and kisses Alexander's right hand — I have a gift for our anniversary — he says, pulling out a long case covered in gray velvet that holds a silver necklace with a square pendant; when opened, it reveals a pair of photos of moments they've shared.
— Thank you, my love. You'll have to wait a little longer for my gift.
— I thought coming here was my gift.
When they return to the hotel, Tadeus picks up a package at the front desk while Alexander heads ahead to the room.
After three days of enjoying the hot water and the cool mountain breeze, the couple travels to Greece.