At lunch the next day, the atmosphere wasn't nearly as relaxed as the previous evening.
Bill was aloof, while Tom smiled conspiratorially at everyone.
"Stop it, you're annoying!" Naomi scolded him, nibbling on a piece of bread.
"Are you allergic to happiness?" Tom replied, winking.
"No, we're allergic to you!" she exclaimed annoyed.
Naomi was angry: she couldn't believe what Belinda had confessed to her that morning. Yet, Sybille had been so affable, nice, and sweet, and now she discovered she was too young for her son. What did she think, that she wanted to marry him? And what had gone wrong with the legendary freedom of German customs, where only independence mattered, not marriage? Imagine if she had any designs on those two mama's boys.
She and Linda had grown up in a family with sound moral principles, but where attention and respect for others took precedence. Her mother was also German by birth and had struggled to consider the idea of getting married, despite loving her father madly. He had once confessed to her that, when he proposed, she had almost felt sick and had tried to convince him to wait. However, Michele dreamed of a family, of children, and he wanted her by his side every day. In the end, Tracy had to admit that it was the most sensible thing she'd done in her life, considering the three children they had and twenty-one years of harmony. Their parents were sweet, always giggling, teasing each other... although Naomi had a hard time imagining her father being tender; he was a tough man and she couldn't imagine him being called sentimental terms of endearment. She grimaced and almost burst out laughing. And now, those two presumptuous twins were not only making their sister nervous instead of helping her, but they actually believed themselves indispensable.
Tom continued to smile, kicked him in the ankle, making him wince in pain, and then turned to him in a feigned apology. "Oh, I didn't even see you!"
Of course, Bill didn't speak to his sister, but Belinda remained calm in her seat, pretending not to notice what was happening.
Naomi looked up and saw her frown: she was thinking about something bad again. She sighed as she got up to carry her plate to the kitchen.
Belinda also got up to clear the table and, as she passed Tom, took his empty plate.
He sighed and blew her a kiss with his hand. "Oh Bel, you're such a sweetheart!"
She smiled faintly and headed for the kitchen, while Bill continued to play with his food. With a nervous gesture, he banged his fork on the edge of his plate, making it wobble.
Belinda approached him and calmly took the plate, also taking the fork from his hands.
Bill looked up angrily, but she didn't take the hint. Instead, she tenderly placed a hand on his arm and, after giving him a light caress, cleared the items from the table.
Naomi looked at them seriously, trying to figure out if the storm was coming. Bill was furious, and she couldn't tell if it was because of what her sister had said the night before or for another reason. One thing was certain: their vacation was ending badly, and she couldn't wait for Saturday so her mother could arrive and they could leave for Italy again.
When Belinda returned to the table to clear away the other remaining things, Bill caught her attention. "We need to talk about the contract, Bel."
"If we really can't help it..." she replied, shrugging.
"No, really," he confirmed, getting up and heading to his room to get the document.
"Okay, give me two minutes."
I wonder why Linda's tone doesn't seem natural to me? Naomi thought, taking in the whole scene.
Her sister did indeed seem too calm, and it wasn't like her, but when she noticed Naomi looking at her, she smiled.
As soon as she finished tidying up, Belinda returned to Bill, who was sitting on the couch in the living room, the document in hand, and sat down next to him to read it. She looked at the papers in silence, carefully studying each page, and after a few minutes, she turned to look at Bill, who was watching her in silence.
"I don't want it," she said calmly, handing him the papers.
"It's just what you worked for," she replied boredly.
"Did I ask you?"
Bill shifted his position. "No, of course not, you never ask!"
"Is that what bothers you?" she asked with a tight smile.
"Actually, I wanted this contract because you've worked so hard for us, and professional services deserve appropriate compensation. Why are you making such a fuss, Bel?"
Belinda blanched, but gritted her teeth and, with a tight smile, said, "Professional services, huh? I see."
With a decisive movement, she signed the papers in all sections, then stood up and left them on the coffee table, coldly.
"At least I hope you understand that I slept with you for free… Should I thank you for not putting any footnotes about it in the contract?"
She gave him a cold look and steadily headed toward the garden.
Bill remained motionless, watching her, his eyes half-closed and his lips compressed.
After a few interminable moments, she stood up, gathered up the papers, and returned to her room, slamming the door.
These are going to be very long days! Naomi sighed, looking at Tom, who was shaking his head in resignation.
The next day, the situation hadn't improved, but they had to contain their bad mood, as they had an appointment at the headquarters of Starluck Music, which had asked to meet Belinda.
The girl got ready listlessly, but tried to look presentable and put on some makeup to give herself a bit of a boost. She'd spent a sleepless night after Bill's unfortunate remark: professional activities.
What had been professional about her, when she'd hugged him, or kissed him, or watched him, or loved him all those nights?
You're rich in the wrong things, my dear Bill! You don't have enough love to understand that you can't buy me, she told herself as she applied a thin layer of liquid lipstick to her lips. Had she wanted to make it clear that she'd only been a collaborator? Did she want to feel free from any ties by dismissing her performance? Or did she want to make their positions clear: he was the star, she was just an anonymous extra.
I mustn't get angry! she told herself, breathing deeply. I've decided to walk away from him, for his own good and his peace of mind... That's fine!
And what will you do with your love? a voice asked her in her head.
I'll bury him and... I'll survive! she answered, blinking back tears.
She took one last look at herself, locking eyes with him, brightened by warm golden eyeshadow, and headed for the door.