La Casa de Papel (Palermo) // Translation

22. por nairobi

Velez loads the rifle and stows all the ammunition while she puts the bulletproof vest over the red jumpsuit. She hangs the Dalí mask on her arm and sighs. She makes one wrong move and a sharp pain runs through her from rip to hip. She complains of pain and gently caresses the said area.

Velez curses Gandía while shuts her eyes tightly. Palermo enters the room and stops in the door frame.

"How feminine," Palermo jokes after hearing her swear. Velez doesn't answer and turns to him. He's also put on a bulletproof vest. Palermo stands there for a few seconds and looks at her and Velez know what's going to happen, so she looks away and clears her throat. "Velez."

"Yes?" she asks, pretending to be stupid while she puts a piece of chewing gum in her mouth. Palermo approaches her.

"Don't do it," he says and Velez rolls her eyes.

"Don't do what?" she asks, puts the rifle on and ignores him.

"You know what I mean," he says serious. Velez looks at him and shakes her head in disbelief. Palermo takes a deep breathe. "You take advantage of the plan to kill yourself out there," he says and Velez tenses up.

"What are you saying? Are you actually listening to yourself?" she replies pretending to be offended.

"Do you think I don't know you? You go with me on the roof to shoot the police, as if by magic the snipers from the building across the street will shoot you. We are saved because they are distracted by your death. Plan works. You sacrificed yourself for us. Perfect plan, right? I'm not an idiot, Velez," he says in a calm tone and Velez is gasped while she listens to him. "You woke up today and wanted to die out there for dignity, didn't you?" Velez stops chewing and stares at him seriously. She takes the gum out of her mouth and throws it somewhere in the room.

"Velez, Palermo! It's time!" calls the voice of Stockholm in the distance. Velez starts to walk, but Palermo grabs her arm and stops her. Velez looks at him angrily.

"You won't come. Tokyo will come instead, I'll talk to her." He lets go of her and tries to leave but Velez immediately grabs his vest and forces him to look at her.

"Tokyo will do what the professor told her to do. You're not my father or someone who tells me what to do," she says and lets go of his vest.

"I give the orders within the bank," he counters.

"No," she immediately denies. "You still haven't regained command. Tokyo gives the orders," she replied and set off. Palermo swears quietly and chases her down the corridor. He grabs her arm and Velez slows down, sighs in despair, rolls her eyes and leans her back against a wall to listen to Palermo's sermon in silence.

"I know I can't stop you, you don't listen to me and you go out anyway," he says leaning forward. "But please go out there to win, to make sure the plan is going well, to be successful. I will go out to save us all and to save you." Velez listens to him in silence while she looks into his eyes. Palermo puts his fingers on her vest. "Don't go out there and kill yourself. If you don't do it for yourself, do it for me," he says in a peaceful and calm way. Velez looks ta him seriously. Palermo is silent and is still waiting for and answer. Velez sighs and tilts her head forward to give him a quick, soft kiss on the lips, then goes back to her position and watches him. For Palermo it is the lovliest kiss he has ever received. With all the peace of mind, he puts his hand on her cheek and Velez gives him a quick kiss. Palermo places his other hand on her other cheek, presses his body against hers, and gives her a series of short, silent, gentle kisses.

"Thank you," Palermo mumbles and Velez doesn't answer. Palermo kisses her again, but now with a little more intensity. Velez puts her hands on Palermo's shoulders and he puts his hands on her hips. They break the kiss and part. Velez looks at him seriously and takes his hand while Palermo looks at her carefully. Velez walks into one of the empty rooms with him by the hand. Palermo follows her in silence and when they want to enter the room, Denver appears in the hallway. Velez and Palermo slow down as Denver stops to look at them. Velez looks into Denver's eyes, still with her hand on the doorknob, and he is silent. He turns around and goes back the way he came. Palermo frowns and before he can say anything the elevator doors open at the end of the hall. This caught the attention of the two who where about to enter the room.