He looked displeased. "It's fine that you didn't come to pick us up, but why are you back so late?"
I wanted to argue.
Just then, Esther's voice came from the bedroom.
"Lynne, did you drink? The smell makes me uncomfortable."
I stared at Arturo, thinking he had sent Esther back. Unexpectedly, he had brought her home.
It was absurd.
"Do you want me to stay in a hotel, or do you want to stay in a hotel with Arturo?"
"Lynne! How can you be so filthy-minded?"
Arturo reprimanded me loudly.
"Arturo, stop using your loud voice to cover your guilty conscience. Am I filthy-minded?"
I turned to Esther standing at the guest room door. " Esther, I heard from Arturo that you fainted yesterday because I blocked you. Don't be like that. I blocked not just you, but also him and many others. If you don't like the smell of alcohol, just close the door and go to sleep."
Esther looked aggrieved, tears streaming down her face.
Instead of responding to me, she looked at Arturo and said, "Arturo, I think I should leave. I don't want to make Lynne unhappy and cause a fight."
"It's so late. Where would you go? It's not safe outside. Go back to your room and sleep."