February 14, 2008. Another ridiculous Valentine's Day celebrated by the masses I'll never belong to. And look at that, right now, I remember that the night we met, Irene asked me:
"Do you really not celebrate Valentine's Day?"
"I already told you I don't," I replied, somewhere between arrogant and playful.
"That's weird."
"Yeah, obviously, it's weird because I'm not ordinary."
"My boyfriend and I always celebrate February 14th, and he's not ordinary in the slightest."
"He is, and you know it. You just prefer not to admit it. And I get it. It's hard to accept that our loved ones or relatives are nothing but garbage."
"Have you accepted that?"
"Of course. But it wasn't hard for me because, where I come from, people try really hard to be considered trash."
"And where do you come from?"
"I'm from the north side of the city. Straight from the gates of hell. I'm from the La Concepción neighborhood. Abandon all hope, ye who enter here."
"That's from Dante, right?"
"Of course."
"I've never been to the north side of Miraverde."
"Well, you're with the right person if you want to take a tour."
"And when could you be my guide?"
"If you want, tonight."
"Now?"
"Don't you trust me?"
"I just met you."
"I just met you too, and look, I already trust you."
"That's different."
"What's different?"
"I'm a woman. You're a man. I'm not going to do anything to you."
"But you could, couldn't you?"
"No, of course not. Why would I?"
"In case you didn't know, there are women who harm others."
"I'm a good girl."
"Do you say that because you have money?"
"No. That has nothing to do with it."
"If I told you I had a mansion in the Chapiteles neighborhood, I'm almost certain you'd come with me to have fun without a second thought."
"Have fun? I thought we were talking about a tour."
"Tours can be fun."
"Do you think you're fun?"
"If you let me, I can prove it."
"You're wrong. I wouldn't have done it without hesitation."
"Done what?"
"Gone with you if you had a mansion in Chapiteles."
"Why not?"
"I have a boyfriend."
"Oh, that's right. I forgot. You made me forget."
"Me? I made you forget?"
"Obviously."
"And why's that?"
"Because you're still here, flirting with me like he doesn't exist."
"I'm not flirting."
"Of course you are."
She looked at me, full-on coquettish. Then she said:
"Be more convincing. Why should I leave this party and go with you to see La Concepción?"
"Because this party is a pile of shit for pretentious idiots."
"You're here. Are you a pretentious idiot?"
"I only came to rescue some woman from boredom."
"And I'm that woman?"
"Yes, you're the chosen one."
"And what if I just decide to go home instead?"
"You could do that, but it would only mean continuing to be bored, living through a forgettable, uneventful night."
"My boyfriend is at home. I could have fun with him."
"No, you couldn't. If that guy were any fun, you'd be with him right now."
"Look me in the eyes."
"I haven't looked away for a second."
"Yeah, you're right. You haven't."
"And I'll keep looking as long as you want me to."
"You have to promise me something."
"What?"
"Promise me you won't do anything bad to me."
"I swear on my life, which is all I have to offer."
"And promise me also…"
"No, I'm not promising anything else. Are you coming or not?"
Irene sighed, then gave me a beautiful smile, nodded, and said:
"Yes, I'm coming with you. And one more thing."
"What?"
"I trust you. Now I trust you."
"That's fantastic. And since we're being honest, before we go, I'll confess something else."
"What is it?"
"I don't celebrate Christmas, New Year's, or any holidays on the calendar. Not my birthday or anyone else's."
"Then I have to admit."
"Admit what?"
"You're right. You're not an ordinary guy."