The three of us are sitting at the table, with Leonard in the middle. Lina is spreading butter on a piece of bread, and I’m stirring my coffee and eating some cookies.
- So… Blair, do you work with my brother?
The break in the silence and the question made Leonard sigh in exasperation at his sister. She ignored him.
- Not with your… your brother, but for him.
- And how long have you been working for him?
- Lina, I’m here.
- Shh! I’m talking to Blair!
Leonard grunts, but keeps quiet.
- I’ve been working for two years.
- Mmmm… tell us more about yourself, Blair! Do you live with your parents or…
- Lina, that’s too personal.
- No, never mind. I live alone. My mother passed away, and my father went out to buy cigarettes and never came back when I was twelve. I lived with an aunt and my cousin. With the inheritance, I bought my apartment and paid for my education.
This caught Lina off guard, but not Leonard. He already knew this information.
- I’m so sorry, Blair. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bring that up.
Leonard crosses his fingers in front of his nose and keeps them there. I give a small, calm smile to Lina, who is visibly uncomfortable.
- It’s okay.
- Alright, let’s move on from the family questions. What about a boyfriend?
- Oh, please, Lina!
Leonard rolls his eyes and sighs, annoyed by the questioning. I laugh, because the way Leonard is acting is almost comical.
- What’s the matter? Can’t I ask? But if this girl talk bothers you, you’re always free to leave.
We both stare at him, Lina defiantly, but he doesn’t back down. Apparently, he wants to know the answer just as much as she does.
- No, Lina, I don’t have a boyfriend.
- Oh.
- But, - I feel Leonard’s tense gaze on me, but I don’t turn to him. I play along with Lina’s game, ignoring him. – a friend of mine set me up on a date with a guy who’s a student’s uncle. She thinks he’s the perfect match for me.
- Oh, really? Isn’t that a bit unethical of her?
His voice is sharp and icy. It feels like I have two lasers pointed at me. I see Lina’s laughter trying to escape. I have the right to make him a little jealous too, since he did the same thing to Laila.
- Maybe. But since it wasn’t for her and he agreed, it’s no big deal.
I shrug, paying little attention to the excuse he came up with. Suddenly, Lina has become a mere spectator in this movie we’re starring in.
- And who is this guy, I mean, this man?
- I don’t know, I haven’t gone on the date yet. But apparently he’s an architect or something.
- Ooooh! An architect?
I take a sip of my coffee. Lina is spiking it with poison. Leonard’s right eye twitches. Is it jealousy?
- And when is this date?
- Well, it was supposed to be next Tuesday, but…
- Oh, too bad you can’t go; you’ll be here. Maybe it’s still too early for dates for you.
- Leo, you’re not her father, sorry Blair, or anything like that. Blair is single and needs to enjoy life.
He looks at her with a look that says he wants to skin someone alive. I think Lina is the only person in this world capable of standing up to him, because she remains unflinching and serene.
- By then, maybe I’ll have recovered and things… well, things will work themselves out.
- Don't even think about leaving here after everything you've been through and going on a date with a total stranger, Blair!
He's lost his composure, but the situation isn't funny anymore. He's standing there talking to me as if he's in charge. And suddenly I feel truly trapped.
- But I'm not going to stay stuck here forever either! I have a life—I had a life before all this happened!
I stand up and face him; even standing up to him, his body seems to swallow mine. He puts his hands on his hips, visibly exasperated, not taking his eyes off mine. As if he’d remembered something that pleased him, a small smile slips from his lips.
- You’ll want to stay here, Blair. I’ll make sure you’ll want to stay in this prison.
It seems I’ve challenged him, for the languor with which he spoke has left my legs weak and my face flushed. I’m at a loss for words.
- Well, this is awkward. Blair, do you want to take a walk with me through the vineyards? I bet that blockhead of a brother of mine hasn’t shown you the estate yet.
“I haven't had time yet, Lina,” he says, rolling his eyes. I nod; getting some fresh air will do me good.
- I have to make some calls. Have fun. Blair, you have to take those pills. If you need me, just call—I’ll be in the office.
Lina was already pulling me away while Leo was still in the middle of his instructions. I quickly take the pills and am dragged away by her.