The Turning Point

CHAPTER SIXTEEN- WHITE FARM

Heloyse

Throughout the week, everyone in town was excited about the party that would be held at the White farm.
"Come on, dear! You need to meet more people. Staying making cakes, cleaning the house, fertilizing plants, or cleaning horse droppings won't get you anywhere. You need to socialize more. I don't see any old ladies here. If you don't like it, you come back home."
"I don't know. You know Patsy can't stand me, and I don't fall in love with her. This thing of giving fake smiles isn't my hobby. Besides, I don't know her parents, and that would be weird."
"Oh, come on... but you didn't do anything to them. They're good people, they just made a mistake when they raised Patsy. Come on! If you don't go, I won't go either."
"Uh, I see blackmail."
"Whatever! Are you going?"
"Am I obligated?"
"Of course, you are!"
"Damn it!"
In the afternoon, Cielo and I went to town to buy a dress. She liked a floral one, with lace on the sleeves and a marked waist. She was very beautiful. I was sure that when she was young, she must have caught the attention of many guys.
"What are you going to wear, Lisy?"
"I don't know. As far as I'm concerned, I'd go like this."
She assessed my shorts and my t-shirt of some singer. Then, she made a face.
"Over my dead body."
"That's not fair. I don't carry weapons."
The next day, we went to Victoria's salon. She was an extravagant woman, with a loud voice and a striking presence. Her platinum, straight hair went to her shoulders, and her makeup was a bit exaggerated, highlighting her features. Short and a bit overweight, Victoria had a vibrant personality.
"I'm only going to this party because Margareth White is my client and friend, but that daughter of hers... A real devil! Patsy knows no limits. Yesterday, girls, Lily told me that that slut hit on her son. And the boy is engaged!" Victoria reported while applying the dye to Cielo's hair.
"That's nothing. These days, Mr. Oliver said she tried to bribe guard Flint after he caught her driving drunk," commented a client on the other side of the salon.
Victoria pointed the brush in my direction, interrupting the conversation to say:
"Stay away from that snake. She's nobody's friend."
I nodded, but nothing in those stories really surprised me.
After taking care of my hair and nails, I went home to get ready. I decided to tie my long hair into a loose ponytail, letting a few strands fall naturally. Victoria's reinforced layers gave an elegant effect, with soft waves that resembled cascades. I opted for light makeup, highlighting my eyes, and finished with a matte red lipstick that accentuated my lips.
The chosen dress was black, with sleeves that went to the middle of my arms. It hugged my waist perfectly, descending into a flared skirt that ended just above my knees. Although it was closed in the front, a special detail caught the eye: the high collar hid a button on the back, and just below, a large teardrop-shaped cutout revealed my skin in a bold but sophisticated way. I had never worn something so revealing, but I felt good.
I followed the invitation's rule and paired the dress with brown boots. The mix of sophisticated and rustic brought a smile to my face as I looked in the mirror. I grabbed my clutch and waited for Thom to call me.
Punctually at seven, Thom and Cielo arrived, honking in front of the gate. I got into the truck and followed them to the White's property, where we parked next to other luxurious vehicles.
"You look beautiful, dear," Cielo said with a sincere smile.
"Don't exaggerate!" I murmured, embarrassed.
"She's not exaggerating, Lisy. You look beautiful, although only second to Cielo," Thom joked, eliciting a smile from both of them.
Cielo wrapped her arms around Thom, giving him a kiss.
"Don't say that, Thom. It's not true."
He looked at her sweetly and replied, "La neta es que te amo con todo mi corazón."
The scene warmed me.
Thom was unrecognizable: he wore an elegant brown suit paired with boots and a hat. His hair was combed back, and his shaved beard made his face even more imposing. He looked nothing like the old rustic gentleman I met.
We walked together to the White's ballroom, where a growing number of guests gathered. Most people gave me curious glances, from men in suits to waiters, which made me feel like I was wearing a sign that said, "Hi, I'm new here."
At the entrance, the friendly White couple greeted the guests. Margareth, always surrounded by people, seemed not to have noticed our arrival. A young man responsible for seating us introduced himself politely and led us to our table.
First there would be a dinner; then, guests could choose between dancing in the main hall or participating in activities in the secondary hall, which included games, bingo, and a lively bar.
People kept arriving. Well-dressed men, with their hats and imposing trucks, mixed with city residents who brought a more casual air. Megan arrived shortly after, radiant. Her short, curly hair framed her face gracefully. She wore a beige dress and was accompanied by Jeremy, a tall, bespectacled, and reserved-looking young man.
After the introductions, we settled at the table. Besides Thom, Cielo, Megan, and Jeremy, there was an empty seat.
"Who else is joining us?" I asked, leaning in to whisper to Cielo.
"Well, it's..."
At that moment, she was interrupted when a familiar voice caught our attention.
"Good evening, everyone!"
O'Connor stood up, with his hands resting on the empty chair.
The man was perfect. His hair was loose, tossed behind his ears, revealing a flawless face, now adorned with a close-cropped, well-groomed beard. His lips, pink and seemingly soft, caught the eye on their own. The fitted black suit highlighted his elegant posture, while the discreet boots and the white shirt, slightly open at the collar, completed the look. He was tall, strong, and his muscles were noticeable even under the fabric of the suit.
He greeted each person at the table with a firm handshake, but when it was my turn, he simply inclined his head in a polite gesture, without touching my hand.
"How are you, miss?"
"I'm fine! And you?" I replied, maintaining my composure.
"Very well, thank you," he said, taking the empty seat at the table.
The conversation at the table flowed naturally. From time to time, acquaintances of the Ferrel family and his approached to greet him, exchanging a few words before moving on.
Will seemed at ease, talking to Thom about some subject I didn't follow. Megan and Jeremy made me laugh with their stories, while occasionally, Will and I exchanged quick, almost furtive glances.
The music started playing, invitingly. Many couples went to the dance floor, while others headed to the White's table. We were left alone, Will and I.
"Enjoying your wine?" he asked, breaking the silence between us.
"It seems so."
"I see you're not very excited."
"Neither are you."
"Everyone here knows I'm not a fan of parties," he said with a slight ironic smile.
"Then why did you come, Mr. O'Connor?"
"To be honest, I don't know. Maybe I realize that after so many refused invitations, it was time to show I'm a good neighbor."
"Why do I think you're being sarcastic?"
"Touché!" he said, raising his glass before emptying it with a gulp.
"I didn't know cowboys spoke French," I retorted, provoking.
"Cowboys?" he asked, raising an eyebrow and displaying a crooked smile that made my heart race.
I disguised my smile and pretended to pay attention to the dance floor. The country music was lively, and even the older ones risked some clumsy steps.
When I looked back at Will, I realized he was still watching me, his eyes fixed, as if studying every detail of me. I looked away and saw Patsy dancing, while the guys leaning against the wall gave her admiring glances.
"Since you didn't answer me, I suppose you came to enjoy a dance with Patsy," I blurted out, trying to keep a casual tone.
"Why do you think that?" he asked, frowning, clearly intrigued.
"Megan told me she's the center of attention at these parties and there are always men willing to have a dance with her."
My voice came out more affected than I intended. Not that I was bothered by the possibility of them dancing together, of course.
"I have no interest in dancing with her," he replied firmly.
"Thank you, my God."
"And why?" I asked, narrowing my eyes, challenging him to continue.
"Heloyse and your incredible ability to be curious. Are you always like this, sunshine?"
Sunshine? that nickname caught me by surprise.
"I'm not curious. I'm just trying to keep a conversation, especially when the company is… let's say… boring. I'm just doing my part." I replied, raising an eyebrow, as if provoking him was my favorite pastime.
He smiled, the kind of smile that made anyone disconcerted, and for a moment, I wanted to touch his lips.
"If you want to know, you're beautiful and it's not with Patsy that I want to dance."
I came out of my thoughts, again surprised. I took a deep breath and controlled my voice.
"Do you lie often?"
"Can you call me by my name?"
"Are you used to lying, William?" I corrected.
"Will. It's Will, Heloyse!"
"Very well, Will. You can call me Lisy."
"I will call you, you can be sure, miss," he took a sip of his wine and continued: "I'm not lying... You're really the most beautiful of all the women I've ever seen."
"You don't seem to leave your farm much."
"And you seem to have a problem with your self-esteem."
I was going to comment on his rudeness, but at that moment, someone announced on the microphone that it was time to serve ourselves.
Will was called by a gentleman and the two went to another place, joining other men.
I decided to forget what he said about my self-esteem—trying to deny that he was right—and decided that eating was somehow a much better thing to do, so I followed to where the dishes were.
There were so many options and everything so tasty: typical dishes with roots, Texan caviar, chili, wild boar meat, meat with mustard-based sauce wrapped in brown paper, sausages, minced meat with peppers. The famous barbecue sauce had a smoky flavor, quite different from what I knew. There were also potato salad, cabbage salad with carrots, red-skinned potatoes cooked in butter, corn cream, and various other typical foods. The desserts and drinks were equally varied, and I was delighted with the pecan and peach pies.
Everyone enjoyed their dishes, beers, and wines in pleasant conversations. Will returned to the table, ate, and chatted distractedly with Thom and Jeremy.
At a certain point, my cell phone rang. It was Ashley. When I went to answer, the call had already stopped. I decided to go outside to return the call. I grabbed my purse and went to the bathroom.
In an attempt to return the call, the cell phone battery died. I've always been forgetful in this regard; my cell phone was always out of charge. I put it back in my purse, checked my makeup and hair in the mirror. Everything was in place.
As I left the bathroom to return to the table, a noise caught my attention. I looked to the end of the hallway. On the left side, in another hallway, a trash can had fallen.
I remembered the day I went to Will's farm and ended up coming across a dog willing to attack me. I raised an eyebrow, wondering if Will wasn't right about my curiosity.
I walked slowly, certain that some animal might have entered to rummage through the trash. However, what I didn't expect to see was Patsy.
She was with her back against the wall, her arms around a guy, her legs wrapped around his waist. His hands slid from her legs to her buttocks while they kissed intensely.
When they stopped and saw me, the guy looked terrified, and Patsy, clearly disgusted with my presence.
"Excuse me. I thought some animal had entered here... I saw the trash can fall and..."
The guy put Patsy down, scared and running his hands through his hair desperately.
I started to turn around when the guy's voice stopped me.
"Please, don't tell anyone..."
"Relax, Christian. She doesn't know your wife, and even if she did, it's none of her business. Is it, Heloyse?"
I didn't answer, and the guy, now known as Christian, passed me like a rocket toward the hall.
"Cowardly men get on my nerves," Patsy said, smoothing her dress and staring at me with a cynical smile.
"Don't you feel bad knowing his wife is here?"
"Spare me your moral lesson. I'm free, he's not. He owes his wife respect, not me."
"But you're helping him deceive her."
"You have no idea how much I've been helping Christian," she replied with a smile.
She approached me and, in a confidential tone, whispered:
"Let this not leave here. I'm a terrible friend, but as an enemy, I'm great."
Then she smiled and left.
I stayed a few minutes with my back against the wall, reflecting on how painful a betrayal could be. I still carried my own wounds on this subject.
I decided to return to the hall, but I only took a few steps before stopping.
When I thought nothing else could be strange, there was Will, watching me.
He came to me, grabbed my arm, and pulled me into the bathroom. Everything so fast that processing what was happening was a difficult task.
He locked the door with the key and looked at me.
"Will?" I said, startled.
"Why did you come with this dress?"
"What?"
"This dress, Heloyse, has a huge tear in your back, and if you're not careful, everyone will be able to see your lingerie. Didn't you have another one?"
I swear I tried to understand.
"What kind of joke is this?" I asked, wide-eyed.
"There's no joke. You stood up, and there wasn't a man who didn't turn to look at you. If you wanted to get attention with this dress, you succeeded."
"I don't want to get anyone's attention, you imbecile! And even if I did, it's none of your business. We've only seen each other three times, including this one"—I raised my hand and showed three fingers—"so I don't think we're close, much less friends, for you to think you have the right to comment on the clothes I wear. Much less are you my boyfriend, nor are you my father to criticize, reprimand, or be bothered by who looks at me."
I stood waiting for an answer. It didn't come.
He ran his hand over his face in a nervous gesture. I gave up waiting and, with my hand outstretched, tried to touch the key. Will grabbed my arm, pulled me, and pressed me against the door.
"Wait!"
"Let me go, Will!"
His body so close and his scent invading my nostrils... Everything about him exuded seduction, even though he was driving me to the edge of anger.
"Did you want to get the attention of other men? You succeeded. Not even Patsy dresses so vulgarly like that."
That hurt me.
"I'm not vulgar! And I'm quite sure Patsy doesn't care much about being a demure young lady."
"I don't care what she is. There's no other woman with something as scandalous as this dress. It looks more like the attire of a prostitu..."
I couldn't believe what I was hearing. On impulse, I raised my hand and slapped his face.
He looked at me for a moment, and then I was taken by surprise when his lips covered mine.
The air was leaving my lungs as he squeezed me tightly against his chest. His hand wrapped around my waist, while the other held my hair, making my head tilt back.
We were in a mix of desire and anger.
I thought that maybe he wanted to make me feel like the kind of woman he accused me of being. Thinking about that made humiliation take over, and there was no charm left in that kiss.
I gathered all my strength and pushed him away. I couldn't accept that. Not after the way he treated me.
"Never touch me again, O'Connor! Your kiss disgusts me"—I ran the back of my hand over my lips.
I noticed his breathing a little heavy, but in seconds, Will returned to normal, as if he hadn't been affected.
"If you're going to lie, do it right."
Will looked at me with contempt, turned the key, and left.
As I watched him disappear from my sight, I repeated to myself that I hated him. I didn't understand why he had acted that way, but nothing justified his attitude.
I touched my lips, which were a little numb from the pressure he had put there, and imagined what it would have been like to kiss him sweetly and gently. I remembered his hand on my arm. It was calloused, yet so soft. The hands of a man who worked hard.
"It could have been different," I repeated in my head.
Will not only made me feel humiliated but also took something from me. I didn't know what it was, and somehow, he had it.
I controlled my breathing, and even though I felt dazed, I went to the hall, pretending nothing had happened.
The conversation at the table revolved around subjects I barely understood: cattle, crops, and agricultural techniques. My head, however, was far away, immersed in confused thoughts. I tried to distract myself by talking to Megan and Cielo, but even that didn't help. Nothing seemed able to make me focus on that night.
We finished our desserts, and it was at that moment that I saw again who I least wanted to see: Patsy.
She was unbearably beautiful. Her red hair was tied in a tight bun, so perfect that she didn't even look like the same woman I had seen in the hallway, rubbing against a married man. Her dress, pink and tight, highlighted every curve and was as nauseating as she was. The contrast with my look made my cheeks burn with shame. The comparison that Will had made before echoed in my head, making me question my choice of clothing.
Patsy walked through the hall with a confident posture, stopping from time to time to greet some people. When she reached our table, she gave me a forced smile before turning to Will. Her smile then widened. She leaned in to greet him with a kiss on the cheek, almost on the lips, but Will was quick enough to dodge.
"How are you, William?"
"Well," he replied, short and direct.
"I was happy to see you here. You never come."
"Today I came."
"That's good. Have you decided to take any woman here to dance?"
"Not yet."
"I hope you think of me. I want my dance," she said, leaving an air of challenge.
Will remained serious, just nodding his head. Patsy smiled, threw a "see you later," and left, swaying as if every movement was rehearsed to get attention.
It was Megan who broke the awkward silence.
"I think you should take Lisy to dance, Will."
I almost choked on my wine.
"What?" I asked, terrified.
"Dance with Will!" repeated Megan, innocent.
"You can't say those things, Megan!" I exclaimed, trying to hide my nervousness.
"I don't understand. Since when did this become a crime?"
"It's just that Mr. O'Connor and I are not interested in dancing. At least, not with each other. Didn't you see that he's already promised to Patsy? I'm not interested in stealing her partner."
Before Megan could answer, Will intervened.
"I already intended to invite you, Heloyse."
I felt a shiver run down my spine.
"I appreciate it, but I prefer to stay here," I replied, trying to sound firm, but my voice came out hesitant.
He displayed a half-smile that made me even more disconcerted.
Megan smiled amused, but I could barely react. Will kept his eyes on me for a few more seconds before looking away to the hall.
Soon after, Mr. White announced the start of the games and fun in the other hall, inviting everyone to join the raffles and prizes. The band continued playing, but most people began to head to the other environment. Selena, Patsy's sister, greeted me quickly, then joined Jeremy and Megan and headed to the games.
"Are you coming, dear?" asked Cielo, as she got up.
"You can leave her with me, Cielo. We have a dance," Will intervened.
I shook my head at Cielo, almost begging her not to leave me alone, but she just smiled.
"Then it's okay. Have fun!" she said, giving Will a curious look before walking away.
"Oh, God... Help me!" I thought.
Will was sitting next to me, imposing, and I couldn't even look directly at him. The idea of dancing with that man made me nervous like never before.
I was hoping the night would end soon.
His presence was overwhelming, and every minute I wished even more that he would walk away. The problem was that he didn't seem at all willing to do that.

La neta es que te amo con todo mi corazón: The truth is that I love you with all my heart.

Touchée: Term used in fencing and also slang for "point well made" or "you got me".