Chapter 37
MAGICAL SMILES
VICTORIA
I’m so tired I can barely feel my eyelashes.
I’ve been trying to get my body to respond for over twenty minutes, and even though I’ve managed to get out of bed, the truth is I don’t have the energy for anything.
Carolina hasn’t stopped texting me all afternoon, begging me to go out for a drive around the island, and in the end, I had to lie to her and say I wasn’t feeling well so I wouldn’t have to tell her I had a quieter, more intimate, and more entertaining plan for tonight.
Elena has no idea I’m going to see her, but that’s better because the surprise will be even bigger.
It’s been so long since I’ve walked this much that I can feel soreness even in my toes.
I know I was out of shape, but what I didn’t realize was that my leg muscles had atrophied so much.
Years ago, I was the only one, along with Inaki, who dared to accompany Jorge on his expeditions, but now…
I can’t walk several kilometers without getting cramps even in my butt.
If I want to get to Elena’s house before dinner, I have to get going as soon as possible; I walk through the bedroom while taking off my clothes, and when I reach the bathroom, I step right under the stream of cold water.
The time I spend in the shower lets me look back and remember how everyone has been watching us throughout the expedition.
I know we’re the center of attention, that the whole group is waiting to see what happens between us, and even though we’ve tried, it seems to me we’ve been a little too obvious.
Because, honestly, even though we’ve tried, it’s impossible to put a stop to what we feel.
With a smile on my lips, I close my eyes, rest my hands on the tiles, and let the water wash over every inch of my body.
The contrast in temperature activates my muscles and produces a slight tingling sensation that runs across my skin.
Elena crosses my mind; it’s been very hard for me not to kiss her, hold her hand, or give her a tender caress.
But I admit that holding back my impulses has its upside, because now my desire to see her has grown considerably.
Wrapped in a towel, I walk through the bedroom until I sit on the edge of the bed and start getting dressed in comfortable, light clothing.
As I do so, I think about the conversation Carolina and I had as soon as we arrived in Ibiza, when she told me that Elena had renovated one of the villas in the VIP area of Gardenias for herself.
She didn’t give me many details; she just told me that the views from the garden were spectacular and that I’d recognize the house almost immediately.
At that moment, it was quite interesting for me to realize that our separation had forced both of us to keep our minds occupied with a thousand things.
That, after what happened, we were still together—just miles apart.
Now, after everything that’s happened these past few days, what I want most is for this second chance to be filled with sweet, happy moments, with smiles and laughter echoing everywhere.
I’m not willing to let anything or anyone ruin this new chapter in our lives—not even my work or my own ambitions; I’ve sworn to myself that my relationship with her will come before everything else.
Once outside the hotel, I let myself be carried away by the beating of my heart and head toward the illuminated dirt paths to the most secluded and relaxed area of Gardenias—Jaime, Elena’s father, had the entire place built with the aim of offering his wealthiest clients an exclusive spot to hide away and spend their time far from prying eyes.
I remember that when I first came to Ibiza, it was all concrete barracks.
But now it’s a paradise lit by small torches that lead to a beautiful white wooden bridge and a security gate.
If it weren’t for Carolina giving me the access code the very morning Jorge confessed that Elena was in love with me, I’d have no way of getting through here.
For a moment, I feel nervous wondering what lies beyond, but once I cross over, I find myself in a fairly quiet residential neighborhood where luxury cars are parked at the entrance and several cameras monitor my surroundings.
Silently, and without drawing too much attention, I walk along the sidewalk until I’m drawn to the shutters of one of the villas; a deep blue, more Greek than Ibizan, that stands out against the white paint and the ivy on the walls.
I know I’ve reached my destination without having to look too hard because I can see her in those little details.
Without giving it much thought, I approach the door and ring the bell.
I hope there aren’t any soccer players around here, because then I’ll have to ask her for an autograph for my dad before doing anything else.
Although the first thing I encounter are Elena’s gray eyes meeting mine through the glass of the door.
“May I ask what you’re doing here?” she asks, surprised. “How…?”
“What do you think?”
“I swear I’m going to kill Carolina…” she says, and I burst out laughing. “She can’t keep her mouth shut when it comes to a secret.”
“Well, if you want, I’ll pretend I never came and leave.”
“You’re such a fool. It’s just that…” She leans against the door and opens it a little wider, inviting me in. “I thought you’d be having dinner with the others, and I was surprised to see you here.”
“I swear, I was this close to staying at the hotel. Once your brother gets an idea in his head, there’s no stopping him. My whole body aches.”
“You know how he is. I told him it was crazy, but…”
“But he always does whatever he wants.” We both laugh, and finally, after a few seconds of conversation, we break the distance between us and hug. “This place is beautiful. It took me almost no time at all to recognize it.”
“Oh, really?” she asks me in that tone of voice that seduces me and invites me to kiss her lips.
“Some dreams do come true in the end. It’s just as you told me you’d make it when you were a little girl.”
“When I came back to the island, the first thing I needed was a secluded place where no one would bother me, and, well, this cottage was practically in ruins—I didn’t have to think twice.”
“Well, it’s beautiful…” I walk through the living room, which extends into the kitchen and onto a terrace from which I imagine you can see the sea. “And very you.” I point to the decoration full of shells in a picture leaning against the wall. “Were you very busy?”
“Not at all… I was just making something for dinner. Do you want to stay?”
“Of course I do,” I whisper. “You know I’m not going to say no.”
“Would you like some wine?” she asks, and I nod before letting go of her hand to take a look at the stack of photographs on the sideboard. “I couldn’t bring myself to throw them away…” she remarks as I pick up one of them. “Do you remember that afternoon?”
“I still remember your face when you saw the ring,” I recall, looking into her eyes as I put the frame back in its place and follow her into the kitchen.
“I spent the whole week thinking about how I’d ask you.
Your brother said I should get down on one knee, and Carolina said I should plan an unforgettable romantic evening. ”
“Good thing you didn’t listen to them.” She laughs and pours wine for both of us. “I would have missed out on celebrating with everyone.”
“Sometimes it’s best to ignore other people’s advice.”
“It’s always better.” She hands me one of the glasses and walks out to the terrace where, once we’re outside, I feel the sea breeze ruffling my hair. “Although I hope you’ll take my recommendations.”
“Of course I will,” I tell her, giving her a kiss on the cheek. “In fact, I’ve decided that I’ll go to Madrid for a few days after all. I’ve been thinking it over a lot, and I think it’s for the best.”
“Have you talked to Carolina about it?”
“Not yet. The truth is, I haven’t found the perfect moment.”
“You’ll see, everything will be fine.” She comes closer to me and wraps her arms gently around my body. “But when you leave, I’m going to have to put up with all her little questions.”
“You’ll manage, I’m sure.”
“I just hope you can work things out with Joana and, well…” she mutters, not quite sure what else to say. “I’m a little scared, you know?”
“You don’t have to be.” I set my glass on the windowsill so I can wrap my arms around her more easily. “My relationship with her won’t be a problem.”
“Do you promise?”
“Now you’re making me make promises?” I ask, meeting her gaze. “Don’t blame me later.”
“Just do it and shut up,” she grumbles, and we laugh.
“I swear.”
For several minutes, we let the silence envelop us. From the terrace, we can hear the sea and see the moon high above. I can’t help but enjoy these moments and imagine what my future will be like by her side. I’m happy with Elena, and I want to stay that way for the rest of my life.