Then he looked at Lucía. His smile didn’t change, but his tone took on an almost imperceptible nuance. “How’s dinner coming along? Sofía has come from very far away. We should prepare something special for her.” “It’s almost ready,” Lucía said quickly. “I bought fresh salmon and made some soup.” “Very good,” Marcos agreed. He turned to me. “Sofía, please make yourself at home. I’m going to change.” He walked upstairs with a purposeful stride. Lucía let out a nearly inaudible sigh of relief.
And smiling at me, she went to the kitchen. Dinner was plentiful and the presentation exquisite. Marco sat at the head of the table. His manners were elegant and his conversation pleasant. He asked me a few questions about China and my trip, showing very polite interest, but for some reason I felt his smile didn’t reach his eyes. Behind that courtesy was a cold distance and scrutiny. During dinner, the four children ate in silence, almost without making a sound.
They used their cutlery with impeccable precision. They only spoke briefly when Marcos asked them something, and always in a respectful tone. Lucía kept serving him, cutting the meat for the children, and barely touched her own food, always maintaining that affable smile. Marcos mentioned that he was an executive at a medical supply company, a very demanding and stressful job. “That’s why order and tranquility at home are so important to me,” he said, taking a sip of wine and looking at Lucía.
“Luckily, Lucía takes care of everything perfectly, and the children are very well-behaved.” Lucía lowered her gaze and said softly, “It’s my duty.” “And what do you do, Sofía?” she asked me suddenly. “I work in the marketing department of an import-export company,” I replied. “Ah, international trade must be tough, especially for a woman.” She nodded in a neutral tone. “Lucía also considered working, but I believe a woman’s true place is in the home.”
Her greatest achievement is managing the family well, isn’t that right, darling? Lucía looked up, met Marcos’s gaze, and quickly looked down again, nodding softly. “Of course, Lucía, you’re the epitome of a perfect wife and mother,” I chimed in with a smile to lighten the mood, though her words had left a bad taste in my mouth. There was nothing wrong with what she said, but coming from her, it sounded like a condescending judgment. After dinner, Lucía told the children to wash their beds.
Marcos invited me for a drink in the lounge. “I’ve heard China is growing very fast. There are many opportunities,” he remarked, swirling his glass. “But the competition is fierce too. A woman like you traveling alone through Europe shows great independence and courage.” “Well, it’s just a trip to disconnect,” I said. “The freedom of being alone. Not like me, with a large family to support.” He smiled, and there was something enigmatic about that smile, but sometimes freedom comes at a price, don’t you think?
I smiled without replying. Lucía, who had already finished in the kitchen, joined us. She sat on the sofa next to Marcos, but not as close as during dinner, leaving a small space between them. She resumed the same demeanor I’d seen when I arrived: quiet, submissive, with a smile on her lips, but her gaze fixed on Marcos as if she were gauging his mood. Marcos asked me a few more trivial questions about my trip and how many days I planned to stay.
“A couple of days, I suppose. I want to see a bit of the city. Lucía hasn’t seen her friends in ages. Stay and keep her company,” he said, being very understanding. “I’m starting an intensive workday tomorrow for an important project, so I’ll probably be late. You’ll have the house to yourselves. You focus on your work; that’s what’s important,” Lucía added quickly. “Are you comfortable in the guest room, Sofía?” Marcos asked me. “Yes, it’s very comfortable, thank you. I’m glad. I’m very sensitive to noise at night, which is why the house is well soundproofed.”
If you need anything, tell Lucía. Her tone was friendly, but the message was clear. Of course, I’ll take care of you. We remained silent for a while longer. Then Marcos said he had to answer some work emails and went to his office. The moment the office door closed, it was as if the air in the living room began to circulate again. Lucía visibly relaxed and, sticking her tongue out at me, whispered, “When she gets down to work, she’s like this.”
“Don’t take it the wrong way.” “Relax, it’s nothing,” I replied, looking at the closed door. “Hey, does he treat you well?” “No.” “Yes, of course he treats me well,” Lucía replied quickly, taking my hand. “He’s a bit serious. You know how Europeans are, very structured and full of rules, but he’s responsible, he brings home the money, and he doesn’t go out and do whatever he wants. These days, a man like that is a good catch.” She seemed to be trying to convince herself as well as me.
The children are terrified of him. I hesitated for a moment, but finally I told her. Lucía’s smile faded slightly. It’s not fear, it’s respect. Marcos is very strict about their upbringing. He believes that rules and discipline are essential for them to grow up well. And look at them, they’re so good and well-behaved, aren’t they? Yes, that’s true, I acknowledged, seeing the children who, even without their father around, continued sitting quietly, whispering to each other. They were almost too good. “Come on, I’ll take you to your room; you must be tired,” Lucía said, changing the subject.
The guest room was downstairs; it was nice, clean, and had its own bathroom. “Get some rest. If you need anything, just let me know,” she said as she helped me make the bed. “Marco is leaving early tomorrow, so we can talk in peace. I’ll take you for a walk. This city isn’t much to look at, but it has its charm.” “Great,” I replied, watching her as she moved. Suddenly I asked, “Lucía, are you happy?” She paused for a moment, her back to me. “Of course I’m happy.”
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