Page 33 of A Christmas Adventure

"What the fuck is she doing?" Olga asks herself, holding back the urge to yell at her. How easy it would be if she opened both panes, sat on the ledge and took a small jump.

Violeta finally touches the ground and her lips stretch with satisfaction. She lets herself down slowly to find more support with her foot, but doesn't account for the snow having wet the patio tiles and, as soon as she puts all her weight on it, her foot slips and although she tries to grab onto everything, she fails to keep her balance and ends up sprawled on the ground.

The fall was very slow and the position Violeta ended up in very ridiculous. Olga can't help but laugh and coversher mouth to contain her guffaw when Violeta starts to get up while grumbling several swear words that Olga doesn't understand, but make her laugh harder.

Violeta picks up her phone from the ground and after looking at herself and seeing that all her clothes are wet, turns to the window and pulls the only pane she opened. Then, Olga sees her look for something under a flowerpot and place it as a wedge to jam the window shut from the outside, so that from the inside it's not noticeable and she can access it again when she returns.

"That bitch," Olga hisses, not taking her eyes off her.

Violeta walks quickly to her front door and when she comes out, Olga is already waiting for her on the sidewalk with the umbrella and a smile she can't wipe off her face.

"Did you hurt yourself?" she asks, shielding her with the umbrella.

"Fuck, did you see that?" Violeta replies, flushed with embarrassment.

"You bet, the best moment of the day."

Olga kisses her on the cheek and leads her to her house. When they enter, Violeta has forgotten her desire to get revenge for Olga's laughter and pounces on her lips as if she hasn't tasted them all day.

"You're soaked," Olga says when she touches her clothes.

"My clothes aren't the only thing that's soaked," Violeta quips, causing a jolt between Olga's legs.

"Come on, let's shower, you'll warm up there."

Violeta lets herself be dragged and they both end up under the hot stream of water amid caresses, kisses and moans that will later continue in bed, reliving that first night they spent together and confirming that something has changed since then. Now the connection between them has a different level, a much deeper one that makes them enjoy sex in a much more visceral way. It's something more attached to the gut because feelings are starting to get involved and sensations overflow when the two, after sharing an orgasm, look into each other's eyes with trembling lips.

Both women think the same thing, neither wants Violeta to return to Madrid, but they both keep quiet for fear of overwhelming the other and settle for melting into an embrace before falling fast asleep.

Chapter 18

Olga opens her eyes drowsily, awakened by what sounded like a noise, but she's too sleepy to make sense of it. Violeta is snuggled against her body, both naked under the comforter. Olga doesn't know what time they fell asleep, but she's so exhausted that she decides it must still be very early. She closes her eyes again, hoping to stay under the sheets a bit longer.

The knocks repeat, louder this time, and her eyes snap open. Now they shine like beacons and her heart races like a wild horse in her chest. Violeta has also woken up, and three more knocks confirm they are real and not part of a dream.

"Shit, someone's at the door," Olga says, pushing back the comforter to get up. "What time is it?" she asks as she switches on the bedside lamp.

Violeta grabs her phone, her face falling as she realizes they overslept.

"Fuck, Olga, it must be my mom knocking. I have two missed calls from her."

"Get dressed and keep quiet," Olga instructs, throwing on a robe to go answer the door.

Olga runs her fingers through her hair as she crosses the living room to the door.

"Hi, Maite, what's going on?" she asks, playing dumb.

"Violeta's not at home," Maite blurts out, as frightened as a mother who's lost one of her cubs.

"What?"

Olga steps aside to let her in, shutting the door behind them.

"I woke up and went to get her like I do every morning when breakfast is ready, but she wasn't in her room. I searched the whole house and she's nowhere. I tried calling her cell but she's not picking up," Maite says, growing more distraught.

"She must be at the bakery," Olga tries to reassure her, raising her voice a couple notches.

It's the first thing that popped into her head and she wants to make sure Violeta hears it so their stories match.