Chapter 5 Sparks

• Louis Davis
• I became very angry when I realized that woman was just another one trying to get something from me. I'm so tired of this, it keeps happening every day, and I've been feeling more and more alone.
• I don't understand what's wrong with me, I've always done everything to help others, I've given up buying things for myself just to see the smiles on the faces of those children at the orphanage, and whenever I could, I helped those I encountered on the street too.
• I've always treated women well, because I believe they are the most beautiful creations God made, and none of them deserve to be treated differently than how I treat them. But the truth is, lately I've been so irritated because all of them have been trying to deceive me, and I'm confused.
• I confess that this young lady surprised me, I thought I had finally found someone nice, someone who gave herself to me without reservations... someone who didn't know my last name or my desperate attempt to find someone who would love me. I thought she would be different, that she had good intentions, and I was even willing to try something with her, but I was greatly disappointed to learn that her interest was only in a property, and that's why I got so angry and ended up saying crap to her.
• The moment she hit me, I was shocked back to reality and pulled her back to me.
• "I'm sorry, I was an idiot!" I said, and she just froze, looking at me without saying a word. "I'm really sorry, I don't know why I got so worked up, I'm not like this! Lately, it hasn't been easy."
• "You accused me of something I didn't do, and I won't forgive you!" she replied coldly, pulling her arm forcefully, distancing herself from me.
• "Then tell me what happened, I just want to understand!" I ran my hand through my hair, trying to stay calm.
• "Look, I'm really stressed out too, okay? I thought you had noticed that I wasn't doing well yesterday! I just wanted..." She was nervous and struggled to find the right words, it seemed like she was avoiding crying, so I handed her a tissue I had in my pocket, but she got angry.
• "I'M NOT GOING TO CRY, IF THAT'S WHAT YOU THINK! MY LIFE IS HORRIBLE, MY MOTHER IS SICK, I HAVE AN ALCOHOLIC FATHER THAT I HAD TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE WITH THE POLICE BECAUSE I CAUGHT HIM BEATING MY MOTHER, AND THEN I SAW HIM LOSE ALMOST EVERYTHING WE HAVE IN GAMES, DRUGS, AND ALCOHOL, AND THE ONLY THING I WANTED WAS MY DANCE STUDIO SO I COULD WORK!" she shouted non-stop, she seemed out of breath, she was red and started crying, then she turned her back.
• "Hey, calm down! I can help you, if that's the problem... I can't sell you my gallery, because I've already invested too much there, and we have very expensive pieces from various places in the world, it would be very complicated to transport them, we can look for another place!" she shook her head.
• "I'm not asking for your help, soon you'll say I'm trying to sell myself again!" she replied, and I tried to touch her hair, but she pulled my hand away.
• "Don't touch me!"
• - I have already apologized. But may I ask why you asked me to continue yesterday? - I moved a little closer, trying to make some contact.
• - That's my business! And stop apologizing!
• - So, have you already forgiven me? - I tried to approach her again, for some reason. Lately, I have been feeling so lonely that I end up letting this need dominate me. I miss having a woman by my side.
• A woman who loves me, kisses me, treats me with respect, and is present in my life... Malu was more virtual, sometimes she would respond to me, sometimes she wouldn't... I know she was never interested in my money, but she also has very different goals from mine, and that's why it didn't work out.
• - I don't know... - I held her hand, and she looked at me with a frown, clearly not satisfied.
• Islanne didn't tell me what I really wanted to know, but I don't know if I'm just dumb, but I believed her story, and I won't be able to leave without helping her with the property.
• - So let's do this... you come with me, and if by the end of the night you haven't forgiven me, I promise not to bother you anymore!
• - And what if it's the opposite? - she asked, looking at me seriously.
• - Well... we can be friends! - she nodded and looked away. - Is that a "yes"?
• - Alright. I just need to call my mom and see if she's okay...
• I confirmed and she started making a phone call. Meanwhile, I called my assistant and asked for the keys to the new gallery I bought to take a look. It's very close to the other one, in a great location, and maybe she'll like it.
• She got into my car, but she seemed different today. She resembled the girl I met on the train a little bit, but with a more human heart; I could see sadness in her eyes too.
• - What place is this? - she looked around.
• - It's two blocks away from the other address, let's see if you like it!
• - But what about the owner? How are we going to... - I showed her the key.
• - The owner allowed us to look at the property! - I smiled at her, and she softened her expression.
• When I opened it, she started looking around in awe, spinning around as if she would get dizzy.
• - Wow, it's beautiful! There are even mirrors, I just need to make a few adjustments... - she paused for a second and looked at me. - It must be very expensive! How am I going to afford such a high rent...
• - Expensive, how much would it be? - I asked.
• - Well, around five thousand dollars per month! - she shook her head worriedly.
• - No, it's not!
• - No?
• - The owner can do it for a thousand dollars!
• - How do you know?
• - It's mine, this space! I'll rent it to you; I think it's beautiful, but too close to the other one. - her eyes widened.
• - Really? - I nodded, and she threw herself into my lap like an excited child. - Oh, thank you! Thank you! - I smiled, satisfied to see Islanne happy. She hugged me, and her exotic scent was even stronger today, with the movement of her curly hair, it made me dizzy.
• I looked back at her beautiful, perfectly tanned skin, without makeup and so flawless. She has a more distinctive mouth, thick lips, and I felt the urge to kiss her again, but she noticed where I was looking and moved away.
• - "You're not doing this out of interest, right? Because what happened yesterday won't happen again!" - I felt a chill in my stomach and wanted to ask the reason, but I didn't. I must have hurt her yesterday, and she didn't like being with me, or something like that.
• - "No, I'm just helping you! What happened yesterday was an accident, I know that!" - I spoke firmly and she agreed.
• - "Then I'll send you the data to sign the contract before you change your mind!"
• - "You can send it to my assistant later. But I won't change anything, don't worry."
• - "Alright..."
• - "So, shall we go?" - she looked at me differently.
• - "Where to?"
• - "I love Milk Sheik, if you want to join me, I know a great place!"
• - "Alright, it's still early!" - she confirmed, and I was happy with the new outing. I'm enjoying being with her and I'll be happy to have her as a friend...
• She got into the car, and now she was relaxed, started asking me questions about the gallery, and I asked about her mother to see if I could help.
• I took her to a very beautiful place, the largest in Washington, and she seemed amazed.
• - "I don't think I'm dressed appropriately!" - she said worriedly.
• - "You look beautiful, don't worry!" - she looked at her own clothes and then around her, and froze when she looked at a group of men ahead.
• - "What's wrong?"
• - "My ex is here!" - she lowered her head, and I approached her, lifting it up with just one finger, making her look at me. I saw one of them standing alone and noticed that he looked at her.
• - "I don't know what he did to you, but if he left you, he's a jerk because you're a thousand times better than him!" - she kept staring at me and didn't look away.
• - "You think so? He simply dumped me because he found me too boring, but I think it had something to do with the loss of money..."
• - "Let's do this... don't even look at him, and hold my hand. I bet he'll see the amazing woman he lost! Let's make him reflect a bit..." - I raised my hand for her to decide, and she held it.
• I gently kissed her forehead while she still looked at me with those eyes as dark as the night, and I decided that tonight I would make that woman happy... even if she doesn't feel anything for me, and neither do I for her, there is something between us that sparks when we get too close, and that was already enough.