- Oh, boy. - Ryder says smiling when I get close. - You're kicking ass in this dress!
- Thank you! - I answer with a smile. - Where's your bike?
- I thought, since it's a formal night, it would be more appropriate for us to drive.
- I didn't know you had a car.
Ryder releases a laugh and approaches with one hand in his pocket.
- There's a lot about me that you don't know, but I'd really like to explain. - he says enigmatic, as he takes his hand out of his pocket and pulls out a box filled with black velvet. - Over here! That'll make her even more beautiful.
I frown when he extends the box towards me. Suspicious, I open the box and hold my breath when I contemplate a thin bracelet, adorned with small star-shaped pendants. In each one, shining a small diamond, but what really impressed was a yellow topaz in the shape of a sun. I look at Ryder with eyes full of tears.
- It's beautiful! - I whisper. - Is it for me?
Smiling, he reaches out. Taking the bracelet, Ryder settles down and starts the job of putting it on my wrist.
- Jane told me about the bracelet that Tiffany blew up in that mess. - he explains. - I know it's not the same one your grandmother gave you when you were 15, but I hope you like it.
- It's perfect! - I say hugging Ryder. - Thank you!
Smiling, Ryder takes my hand and drives me into the car, accommodating me in the ride seat. We were talking all the way to the MET. I take this opportunity to ask how the slides were going, because there were only a few more notes to be inserted to finish our thesis. Ryder makes a face and grumbles about the difficulty he was having in mounting the slides.
- How can someone store so much knowledge about economics and administration, have so many difficulties in creating demo slides? - ...I'm saying with an air of debauchery.
Ryder makes one more frown and mumbles even more by making me laugh.
We arrived at the Metropolitan 20 minutes later. Ryder sees Mel in the lobby and goes on to greet her. As a gift, Mel gives me a small copy of one of the paintings that will be on display tonight. I smile as I read a little dedication with Mel's autograph next to it. We entered the gallery after almost ten minutes of taking pictures. Everyone wanted to know who the young woman was next to the heir of the Taylors and Cavanaugh, but Ryder is keen to stay out of the media spotlight. We circulated around the hall, talking to several friends of Ryder and Mel. My parents see us in one of the halls and my mother makes a point of ignoring me. I just greet my father, who welcomes me with a beautiful smile.
- I'm going to the bar to get a drink. - says Ryder after a while circulating through the exhibition. - Can I get you anything?
- Water.
There were waiters circulating around the hall serving champagne, but we preferred to opt for something from the bar. I take this opportunity to retire and go to the bathroom. Through one of the doors, I enter an elegant and exquisite space. I stop to look at myself in the mirror. Although it was a little stuffy in the hall because of the heaters, my makeup was intact. I smile as I head for one of the booths. As I left I came across a stunning brunette, who looked at me from top to bottom with a disdainful look. I frown in confusion and look around to see if there was anyone else in the bathroom, standing behind me. Yes, she had looked in my direction and the look had been cast at me!
Sighing, I approach the sink and ignore the look of the brunette. I had a feeling I'd seen her somewhere before. I turn on the tap to wash my hands and the girl's eyes become intense.
- Excuse me, but do I know you? - I ask, bothered by the way the girl looked at me.
- Are you fucking him? - the unknown question, without a drop of rodeo.
I frown, staring at the girl with a confused look.
- I don't get it!
- I'm talking about you and Ryder. Are you fucking him?
I smile with disdain, finding that question too impertinent.
- I don't think that's any of your business, because it's my life and not yours.
Surprise, the girl snorts her arms while drying my hands on the paper towel. I'm ignoring the stranger again, and I walk away towards the door.
- You better not be! - says she's walking in front of me and bumping into my shoulder. - For your sake, I hope this isn't serious.
The girl throws her hair and I came out of the bathroom. I frown without understanding the threat, but sigh then, thinking it's one of Ryder's lovers. I was already used to those threats that happened all the time, but that one made me intrigued because the girl spoke with much more propriety. It was as if she thought of Ryder as her property. Swinging my head, I come out of the bathroom and head for the site I arranged to meet Ryder. I look in the direction of the bar and see the strange brunette next to him,
