Chapter 15
HOW IS MY FAVORITE SISTER?
JORGE
Taking advantage of the fact that my girlfriend has taken the morning off to spend time with her parents and enjoy the beach, I’ve decided to pay my sister a quick visit.
During the meal we had with my mother a few days ago, the topic of Victoria came up, and I realized that the idea of a reunion is making her very tense.
It can’t be easy knowing that your ex-wife—the person you still love despite everything—has moved on with her life without you.
I know I told Carol not to worry, that things would be fine, but I’m her brother, and I won’t feel completely at ease until we talk.
In a matter of hours, Pablo and Inaki will already be on the island, so I have plenty of time to get Elena out of the office and take a walk with her while we chat.
I’ve thought about taking her out to eat, going to my dad’s best friend’s restaurant and trying that fried fish that’s to die for; doing something different and forcing her to focus on how she feels and not on work or my wedding preparations.
Ana told me that ever since my sister found out Vicky has a girlfriend, she hasn’t been replying to her messages.
I guess the last thing she wants right now is to talk about it, but I need her to, to know how I can help her, and I don’t mind making her mad as long as she opens up and lets me see how she feels.
“Although she might tell me to fuck off,” I think to myself as I knock on the office door with my knuckles.
“I asked you not to bother me—is that so hard to understand?” she yells furiously from the other side.
When I turn the handle and peek my head in, I see her with her elbows propped on the desk and both hands clutching her head.
I don’t say anything, though I clear my throat to make her look at me.
Once she does, her expression changes and gives way to a smile that’s similar to my mother’s.
“What are you doing here? Weren’t you supposed to pick up the guys at the airport? ”
“I was told they’d be coming on their own by taxi, so I thought I’d come see you. Do I need an excuse?”
“No, but…” She looks at the papers in front of her. “I’m pretty busy trying to find a florist that does outdoor arrangements, and I’m afraid I’ll have to look in Valencia.”
“You’ll see how you manage it. I trust you, but…” I step closer to the table and rest my hands on it. “I think you need to get out of here for a bit. All this work is eating away at your brain.”
“Very funny…” she mutters with a sigh. “If I don’t keep at this, there might not be any flowers, the catering will be potato chips, and you won’t have a DJ to dance to afterward. And if that happens, your future wife will kill me, so let me work.”
“I’ll do it if you agree to come eat with me,” I insist, causing her to shake her head a couple of times. “I was thinking of going to Pedro’s; it’s been a long time since we’ve enjoyed some good fried food.”
“That’s true…”
“Look, all I want is for us to spend a few hours together. Is that so hard for you?”
“No, but…” She searches again for an excuse she can’t find in that crazy little head of hers. Finally, after a couple more hesitations, she lets out a sigh and gives in. “All right. Let’s go, but just for lunch. Then you let me go back.”
“Deal.”
After fighting her stubbornness, she leaves her comfortable chair behind and goes to get her purse.
She slings it over her shoulder and comes with me.
I open the door for her, and as she passes by me, I realize how beautiful and different she looks; I’ve been too busy and haven’t noticed those details.
I grab her wrist and stop her, preventing her from walking any further.
“What’s wrong?”
“I haven’t told you this, but I’m proud of you.
” She looks at me with surprise in her eyes.
“I know these past few years haven’t been easy for you, that you’ve done everything you could to keep going, and that you’re working hard to make my wedding wonderful…
” I add once I let go of her and stand in front of her.
“You’re strong, incredibly tough, and no matter what happens with Victoria, you’ll be okay, okay? ”
“Yeah, well…” she mutters, looking down at the floor. “You’re my brother—what else are you going to say?”
“It’s not just me saying this. Mom says it too, and Carolina, and Ana…”
“They think I’ve gotten over it, you know?
But that’s not the case…” she confides, looking me in the eyes.
“This isn’t easy. Victoria and I…” She brings a hand to the back of her neck and presses hard, trying to shake off the tension weighing her down.
“I don’t know if I’m going to be the woman you say I am or the same one who was locked in her bedroom for months. ”
“Come here…” Holding her close and sheltering her in my arms makes me her rock.
The last time she broke down crying against my chest was the very night she returned to Ibiza after signing her divorce papers.
She was shattered, lost, and now I sense she’s the same.
“Listen to me…” Pulling her away from me, I meet her gaze and wipe her cheeks with my fingers.
Her eyes are red, and it hurts me so much to see her like this that I curse the moment Carolina decided to stir up trouble by inviting Victoria to our wedding.
“Do you remember that day I climbed the tree at Grandma and Grandpa’s house? ”
“What?” she asks, confused.
“You climbed up onto the branch with me, do you remember?” I ask again, and she smiles as she recalls it. “You stayed there and waited until my confidence returned and I could climb down. You made me strong.”
“That’s not true,” she replies, her voice thick with tears.
“I’ll do the same for you,” I assure her. “No matter what happens, I’ll stay here and won’t leave your side until you’re confident you can face whatever comes. I don’t care how long it takes…”
“What if I can’t do it?”
“You can always climb a tree and stay up there.” She bursts out laughing.
“You’re an idiot, but…” she whispers, resting her hands on my chest. “I love you.”
“And I love you.” I kiss her forehead. “And now, let’s go eat.”
“Okay.”
When she smiles at me, I know that no matter what happens in the coming days, everything will be okay.