When we get up, Nina, who was in my mother’s arms, throws herself towards Olívia, who doesn’t hesitate. She looks me in the eyes for the first time since we arrived and gives me a shy smile.
“I’m going to the kitchen with my mom for a moment. Don’t run away.” I say that quietly, just to her, but Rafe laughs, and her cheeks flush.
Before I can make a bigger mess, I leave the room.
“What do you think you’re doing?”
“In relation to what?”
My mother raises an eyebrow. “You haven’t told Olívia the truth yet.”
“No.”
“My son, I have to admit that from what I’ve seen of her so far, you were right. The girl seems lovely, but Layla also deceived you for a month before coming with the news of the pregnancy.”
“Where are you going with this?”
“You two are together.”
I start to speak, but she interrupts me.
“Don’t even try to deny it. Anyone would notice the electricity between you.”
“I wasn’t going to deny it.”
“Do you realize it would be a terrible move to get involved with her?”
“Rationally, yes.”
“You’re not Gael. You’ve always been the most level-headed of all my children. Even more so than Joaquín. Don’t confuse things. Try to be impartial in your judgment before bringing her definitively into your life, if that’s what you want. You can’t just think of yourself when getting involved with a woman; you have to think of Nina.”
I sigh, tired, because I’m not the type of man who likes receiving advice. Despite that, I wonder if she’s right and my attraction to Olívia is clouding my judgment.
“I’m going to invite her for dinner tomorrow and start telling her the truth.”
“Start?”
“Yes, start. I can’t just dump that horrible story on her all at once. No one deserves to learn about their own past that way.”
“And then?”
“Mrs. Isabel, you’re my mother, I love and respect your opinion, but don’t try to tell me how to live my life.”
“I just want to protect you from another disappointment.”
“I appreciate that, but I’m an adult. I agree with you on one point: before taking any major step with Olívia, I need to tell her everything. I’ll slow things down between us, but there’s no chance I’ll give up on her.”
“Where’s Olívia?” I ask Rafe when I return to the living room.
I feel a headache starting to emerge. Although the conversation with my mother was necessary, the idea of keeping any distance from Olívia drives me crazy.
“She went to the garden with Nina. Our princess saw some birds through the window and went crazy, practically doing somersaults in Olívia’s lap.” He’s lounging in the armchair, arms crossed, looking pensive. I know he wants to ask me something, but he hesitates. “Are you two together, or is she some kind of nanny?” he finally asks.
“She’s not a nanny, but why the interest?”
He smiles and doesn’t answer.
“Don’t even think about it,” I warn.
