The problem is that my sister and her prince were like day and night. They couldn’t be more different if they tried.
His formality, as well as that of his parents, especially his mother, clashed with the warmth always present in the house where we were raised. We are five siblings, and we all love each other very much. I think the Spanish blood prevailed overthe American, so hugs, kisses, and physical contact are more than welcome among us. When we are with family, we express emotions not only with words but also with gesturing and even the tone of our voices.
The lunches where everyone is gathered are very close to madness. Parallel conversations. Laughter. Joaquín always complaining about something. Rafael, the peacemaker. Gael getting a scolding from our mother because of his rotating cast of girlfriends, and Martina driving me crazy with her antics. However, above all, you feel the love between us.
That said, anyone could see that amidst the chaos, there is a need for us to be together. So, I always found it unlikely that Martina could be happy in a family that seemed to think about and weigh every word they said.
During the hours they spent at my parents’ house, I didn’t see my sister and Vicenzzo touch each other even once—and here, you need to know that Martina, of all of us, is the one who loves physical contact the most. So it didn’t surprise me that she decided to end it all.
First, she postponed the original wedding date because of our father’s relapse, but then when she didn’t even want to reschedule, I quickly saw the whole picture.
She regretted the engagement and didn’t know how to get out of the situation.
I was seriously tempted to take our plane and go there, but I decided that my sister needed to grow up. No one forced her to get engaged, so when she changed her mind, she needed to solve the problem she’d made for herself by choice.
I look at Nina’s photograph again.
It was precisely because I never found what I saw in my parents’ relationship that I didn’t think about getting married before Layla got pregnant, which turned out to be the biggest mistake and also the greatest blessing of my life.
The biggest mistake, because even sexual compatibility lasted a short time. I was already thinking of ending it when she came with the news of the pregnancy. At the same time, it was a blessing, because I could take care of my daughter, protect her from her own mother almost from conception.
This makes me think of Olívia.
Is she feeling okay in her new life?
How is living with the rest of the staff going?
I had a conversation with Kathleen, and I really think I’ll give her to one of the directors.
The way she kept questioning me about hiring Olívia was the last straw. I’m considering replacing her with Melissa. The girl, despite being young, is ambitious and competent. I won’t make the transfer now, though, because I don’t want to give them reason to relate her departure to Olívia’s arrival.
As if on telepathic demand, my phone lights up with a message from the one who’s occupied my thoughts for much of the day today.
Olívia:I finished what you asked me to do. The photographs turned out so beautiful. I hope you like them. Should I bring them to your office tomorrow?
Me:Where are you?
Olívia:In my room. Melissa said the office hours end at five, but if you want, I can bring them to you right now.
I check the time. It’s already six o’clock.
Me:Are you already getting ready to end the day?
Olívia:Actually, I was going to grab something to eat first.
Me:I’ll meet you there in twenty minutes.
I cut off the messages before I can rationalize what I just did.
Yes, of course I know that going to see her might not be a good idea, but I can’t wait until tomorrow.
Olívia isn’t staying in the staff wing. Contrary to what I said, the apartment she’s in is one of the ones I usually give to executives coming from other states for meetings who don’t want to stay in a regular hotel room. As I walk to where I’ve placed her, I think of all the reasons why I should turn around and leave.
When the elevator door opens, I stop for a few seconds before knocking.
Hesitating doesn’t suit me, but right now there’s a battle raging in my brain, and I have to confess that the rational part is losing big time to the other, which wants a little more of her before the day ends.
So when I finally take action and see her standing in front of me, I can’t say anything for a while. Unlike how she was in the morning, her hair falls loose, although she still wears the same dress that accentuates her tempting breasts.
