<><><><> JULY <><><><>
It's a sunny day and the breeze is cooling the young couple sitting on a blanket in the middle of the park — This is delicious — says Yenedith with a smile, as she takes a bite of her cream cheese, egg, and chicken sandwich.
— Made with love — Charles responds.
— Thank you — she says, caressing his face sweetly — Next time I'll make you something to eat, but I can't promise anything.
— If you don't know how to cook, learn first and then you can offer me something. I don't want to end up poisoned.
— Oh, don't you say that! — she says, unable to contain a little laugh — You already have an advantage, you have Italian heritage.
— I'm nowhere near the real Italian flavor. Maybe I would have learned if I worked in the restaurant.
— You should come with me on the trip — says Yenedith.
— I don't think the boss will let me go with you.
— But you wouldn't be going as my bodyguard.
They look at each other for a few seconds and kiss on the lips. Charles, who is lying down, reaches out his left hand to hold her face when he feels she is about to pull away. The kiss becomes more and more passionate, until Yenedith ends up lying on top of him in the middle of the blanket — I like you too much — he says.
Yenedith smiles and stands up — If you catch me, I'll give you another date tomorrow — she says before starting to run barefoot around the grass. Eventually, he catches up to her, grabs her arm, and pulls her close to him to carry her — You win, put me down! — she shouts between laughs.
The next day seems to be even sunnier than the previous one. They decide to go hiking in the mountains surrounding the big city. They go to a park ranger station to find out about the safest routes to reach the pools and rent safety equipment for the trip.
— Let me carry the camping gear; it'll be easier for me to take care of you if you don't have so much weight — says Charles. Yenedith agrees and takes the lighter bag.
After two hours on the trail, they reach a slightly flatter area where they decide to rest. The day is still young, so after eating, they decide to continue for another hour until they hear a waterfall nearby. Charles hurries with the camping tent and makes sure it is secure. He digs a hole in the ground, fills it with branches and dry leaves he finds on the spot, and places several stones of similar size around it to use as a fire pit later.
Yenedith, meanwhile, arranges the mats and bags of clothes inside the camp. She decides to wear her swimsuit under a loose-fitting dress to go to the waterfall.
They both cool off for hours and enjoy the water while Charles helps Yenedith swim.
When night falls, Charles prepares several skewers with ribs, chorizo, and pineapple to accompany arepas or rice after roasting them over a small fire.
— How about we explore the surroundings in the morning? — asks Yenedith.
— I'll prepare what we need — Charles replies.
Upon entering the tent, they play dominoes and cards until sleep overtakes them.
The second day of camp begins. They both have bread, coffee, and some fruit for breakfast before walking to a high point on the mountain where they take pictures of the landscape and themselves contemplating the beautiful view.
— Are you a religious person, Charlie?
— Yes, my family always goes to church on Sundays — he replies — but I don't believe in a religion or rules for being the perfect human being that God wants us to be. I think there is a God who has created all these wonders that we can see and who has created us to find peace in the midst of this world full of chaos. And you, do you believe in a deity?
— Well, I was very religious for a long time, but now I believe that the purpose is to sow goodness in others so that the people around us can do the same — says Yenedith — My mom taught me that with her actions. She was always helpful and at the service of others. I thought she was just wearing herself out to please others, while keeping us away from her. In fact, I came to believe that she was doing it to make up for her absence in our lives, to clear her conscience after leaving us in another country.
— What made you think differently? — asks Charles.
— My brother sacrificed his adolescence to be like a father to me. He never made me feel guilty for not getting the best grades or for being unemployed after graduating. That's when I understood that all the love I felt through him was the love of my mother and grandmother. It was what kept us together all this time, even though we were far away from them. That's why I only believe in people's true intentions and the good deeds that guide them to love.
— But you can't completely trust people or the circumstances of life — Charles comments — In difficult situations, people don't always have a good heart.
— We suffer inherently, but we can't let external adversities penetrate our consciousness. That's how I know there is a God. Because in this world, there are more good people than bad.
Charles smiles at this statement and leans in to kiss her — And how do you see your future?
— Do you want to know if I want to have children? Not really — replies Yenedith — I want a quiet life with the people I love, maybe travel twice a year, and eat as many different things as possible.
— And have you ever thought about getting married?
Yenedith turns to look at him on the trail and can't help but laugh a little — I'm open to proposals, but you can only be sure once — she says — I don't think dating just for fun is something I want to do. That's a recipe for heartbreak. Have you?
— My parents got married very young and are still so in love that it makes me want something like that for myself.
— Only time will tell — Yenedith says.
— Only with care and effort. I know I'm not going to let you go, miss — Charles says.
When they arrive at the camp, they have dinner and take a quick bath under the waterfall before hiding under the sheets. They hug each other tightly to keep warm. Charles brushes his lips against Yenedith's forehead in a gesture of affection that belongs only to her — I feel very calm here, unlike last time. Now the sound of the crickets brings me peace.
— I'm glad to hear you feel safer.
— That's also thanks to you — says Yenedith, lifting her face to kiss him.
They kiss sweetly for several seconds. Charles' hands caress the skin on her back under her nightgown, and his need to remove the clothing that limits their contact grows.
Yenedith takes the initiative by running her hands down Charles' back as she lifts up his shirt. He decides to sit down and quickly take off his clothes, while she removes her underwear without taking off her loose nightgown — I want to be with you — she whispers with her hands on his neck. She pushes herself forward and sits between his legs, rubbing her wet flower against his member. Charles sighs at the warm, wet touch that stimulates his erection. Once he is ready, he takes her hips with both hands and holds her over his cock — Ohh...! That feels so good! — she sighs as she feels him deep inside her. Yenedith moves her hips carefully, and he lets himself go, moaning with pleasure as he feels every rough spot on her vaginal walls rubbing against his penis. He is about to come, trying to hold back when he sees that she is about to climax. — Ohh, ohh... YES! — she sighs and stops to kiss him between intense sighs once she reaches orgasm.
— You drive me crazy! — he says. She laughs when she sees him so excited and decides to position herself with her knees and hands against the mat to receive him once more, but the lascivious movements don't last long when Charles puts his hands on her back to enjoy the texture of her skin — I think I'm going to come! — he sighs.
— Don't stop, I want it all! — she gasps. Her lover ejaculates almost immediately, leaving a slight burning sensation that spreads with the throbbing inside her. Charles rushes to embrace her and kiss her tirelessly for several minutes until they fall asleep.
On the morning of their last day of camping, they pack up and return early, descending the mountain to the forest entrance where they return their hiking equipment.
They spend the afternoon having lunch at a restaurant in the city center, then visit Gem at the hospital.