"I told you that my colleagues are boring," Bluma whispers in my ear while we walk out off the crowded conference hall.
"It wasn't that bad, it was a technical lecture, that's true, and I didn't understand some things but it was interesting. I didn't know that psychologists were studying human-computer interactions."
"Yes, there's growing concern about this subject: different roles of social robots and the nature of their interactions with humans. They're very successful in retirement homes as companions of elderly people and to improve their education in new technologies. What were you watching on your phone screen while the lecturer was giving his spiel?"
"It was an email from my assistant. I bought a silver biscuit tin from the late 19th century in an auction some days ago and she already sold it to one of our regular clients, it was fast... Look, I have a pic."
"I don't know how you do this, you job seems very difficult to me," the doctor shakes her head while staring at my phone screen, mesmerized. "I'd like to keep all the pretty antiques for my personal collection and that would lead me to bankruptcy."
"Oh yes, I know what you mean, believe me. Sometimes my heart breaks because I have to sell jewels, paintings or pieces of furniture but I have to pay the bills, unfortunately." Bluma laughs amused, leaning her hand on my lower back while we walk towards another lecture hall dodging doctors and therapists crammed in the corridors.
In the end, everything was easier than I thought. I arrived to Brussels an hour before her and went to the hotel directly, a building from 1913 that fascinated me the moment I saw it, the marble and brass decorating the lobby and the crystal chandelier made me smile, although the rooms were disappointing. They're big and comfortable, there's no doubt, but the modern decoration in neutral colours is not special, they're the same rooms I could find in other fancy hotels all over the world. At least the restaurant, the bar and roof terrace are elegant and sophisticated.
I left my luggage in the living room because I still don't know if I'll sleep with her tonight or I'll go to the other bedroom. I guess everything depends on how I'll feel after dinner and how our relationship progresses although one thing's for sure: there'll be no sex, I want to wait till Ruby's here. Bluma didn't say a word when she arrived and saw my suitcase, she behaved naturally and tried to make me feel comfortable all the time, no pressure, no arguments, no drama... She's still the perfect Dom, respectful and cautious, leaving room for me to breathe. She makes me feel that I have control over the situation and it keeps my brain and stomach calm, I didn't feel nausea at all, only butterflies fluttering in my belly when she smiles.
I shouldn't be here, she could recognize me suddenly, I shouldn't feel something for her and her sub, I should be focusing on my revenge... but the charm of her voice and blue eyes is so hard to resist.
"Did you buy a present for Nihal's birthday?" I ask with curiosity. "I have a Kutahya vase that..."
"Doctor Ahren! It's so nice to see you again..." A tall man interrupts us, blocking the way to the staircase while shaking Bluma's hand enthusiastically. The tone of his voice and the Spanish accent send a shiver down my spine and, for a moment, I think I'm going to pass out. What the hell is he doing here? "Iselen... I'm happy to see you too."
"Dr. Sánchez..." I whisper quietly, nodding and forcing myself to smile like I used to do. After years visiting their offices, people end up knowing their therapists very well and we know what they want from us, in this case, a smile, a calm behaviour, I have to look confident instead of looking like I'm on the verge of a nervous breakdown... Some doctors can see what's behind the show their patients put up for them, pretending that we're normal, but others are happy with what they see on the surface and they think we're okay, if not healed, at least we look like functional people, and they let us walk out of their hospitals believing that their therapy was successful.
