Run Away, My Angel. Virginie T.

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      The meal takes place in a very friendly atmosphere. Lilas, Beth and Tom have known each other for a few months and it turns out that the newcomer, Leon, fits in very well with our small group. I did not expect that somebody looking the way he looks could be Lilas’ boyfriend. She is rather of the fickle type and her priority are precisely the looks. So, she rather sets her sights on the archetype of the beautiful guy: tall, muscular, tanned and... it does not matter what they have in their brain as long as they have what it takes in their underwear. Leon is far from complying with these codes. He is not ugly either, let's not exaggerate. He is simply different. From the top of his five foot five, he is only a little taller than me. Instead of a three-day stubble that gives men a deliciously manly air, he sports a several week beard that instantly irritated my skin when he kissed me to greet me. Only the muscles are in line with her old boyfriends. Leon has biceps as big as my thighs, covered with tribal tattoos that intrigue me. Curious by nature, I ask him questions to discover what has seduced our sparkling Lilas.

      — What do you do for a living, Leon?

      — I´m a computer scientist. I track cybercriminals on the web to help the police.

      Wow. That's serious. I'm impressed. Has maybe Lilas drawn the right number?

      — You're doing an important job.

      He laughs, with a deep bass laugh, that makes his eyes squint, with some fine wrinkles showing in the corners of his eyes.

      — I have skills in this area. In fact, I just type on my keyboard all day long, comfortably seated in my desk chair, and I send by email to the police station any important data that I discover.

      And modest about it. Obviously, Brandon has to get involved. The suspicious and protective brother is back.

      — You're not a cop then?

      — No, I've never even met most of the inspectors who call me. I work freelance and everything happens remotely most of the time. It's rare that I have to go there. I'm more of a stay-at-home guy type.

      I intervene before my darling turns this dinner into a fiasco with unfounded and rude remarks.

      — Who wants some coffee?

      I prepare the hot drinks with the help of Beth who seems on a small cloud.

      — What are you dreaming about?

      She shakes her head without answering, making her short blonde locks fly in all directions.

      — Come on! I'm your best friend. You have no right to hide anything without first putting me in the loop.

      — You'll know everything at the same time as everyone else.

      — Beth! Don't be a jerk. What?

      She keeps her mouth tightly closed. Only I have enough to taunt her too.

      — If you tell me your secret, I’ll tell you mine.

      Her eyes light up and she points two laser beams at me.

      — You have no secrets. You always tell me everything the minute something happens to you.

      — That's right. Only it happened just before you arrived and I didn't have time to call you.

      She scrutinizes me, determined to unravel the true from the false.

      — Are you changing jobs again?

      My shoulders slump. Beth has the same opinion as Brandon when it comes to the way I manage my professional life, and one discussion a day on this topic is enough for me. I do not want to talk about this again today.

      — That’s not the subject we are interested in.

      My friend understands the message and luckily, she does not insist. I thank her silently, my morale suddenly undermined by not living up to the expectations of the people who matter most to me.

      — Okay. Don't look at me with puppy eyes, I can't stand it. Are you ready to jump for joy for me?

      I shake my head vigorously, eager to hear the news first.

      — Tom is coming to live with me. He's put his New York apartment up for sale and he's already found a job in Montreal.

      — Wow, wow.

      There you go, it is not right. My friend tells me that she is settling down with her boyfriend and that is all I can say to her. I mentally shake, I slap myself, and I jump on her to hug her with all my strength.

      — Congratulations, I'm so happy for you.

      I know that Beth always had doubts about their relationship. Not because of her boyfriend’s lack of commitment. Tom devotes boundless love to her and everyone can see it, but because of the distance between them that would put any couple to a test. I am glad she endured, without ever losing hope, because today this is paying back. She will live with her man. She is so moved that she sheds a tear despite her dazzling smile.

      — What about you? What's your secret Mallory?

      Mine is a little pale, since it is only a promise, but a promise that I intend to keep then...

      — Brandon wants us to have a child.

      — What?

      — Brandon wants a baby.

      My friend stays silent. Too much. And I thought she would rejoice for me!

      — What's the problem? Don't you like Brandon?

      — You know that I do. I'm surprised, that's all. You keep changing jobs. It's not an ideal situation to conceive a child. Don't you think?

      Obviously. Beth has a practical mind, just like my fiancé.

      — I promised Brandon I'd get a job and I’ll keep it. That's the condition for us having a child together.

      — I see.

      His remark vividly stings me.

      — What is what you see?

      Beth is well aware she is walking on eggshells and she takes the time to gather her ideas, under my somber gaze.

      — Mallory, you've been a great girl and my best friend for too long to keep counting the years, but professional consistency is not your strong point.

      — You don't think I can keep a promise I made to my fiancé?

      — Mal, it’s not that...

      — I'll prove to you that I can change. You'll see, I'll do it.

      With that, I return with my guests, more determined than ever to prove myself.

      Chapter 2

      Mallory

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