Chapter 43
IT’S THE SOLUTION TO OUR PROBLEMS
VICTORIA
I haven’t been able to tell Jorge the whole truth, and it’s been eating away at me since we said goodbye; my conversation with Pepa didn’t go as well as I thought it would, and I’d hate for everyone to think I’m in a tight spot and that I’m still tied to my job just like in the past. The truth is, I’d love not to have to go back to Madrid, but I have no choice if I want to break free from everything that’s stopping me from starting my relationship with Elena.
Things are in complete turmoil at the newsroom; layoffs, department shuffles, transfers, and promotions have turned everything upside down, and I’m not surprised.
It’s not pleasant to find out you’ve been fired without having caused any trouble, or to have to move to another branch on the mainland when you have a family and children.
Apparently, my suspicions about the deputy editor position were correct, and even though I refused to accept it over the phone, Pepa flatly rejected my decision.
As I walk toward Elena’s house, I can’t help but think about this.
She has no idea about the decision I made to leave the newspaper and pursue other things, but I can’t hide it from her.
She needs to know what I’ll be facing once I set foot in Madrid, and that I plan to fight for our relationship no matter how complicated it gets.
She deserves honesty, and I’m going to give it to her.
The fresh scent of the garden and the soft rustling of the palm leaves as they sway in the sea breeze invite me to close my eyes for a moment and breathe.
Things are never as easy as one imagines, but I’m ready to face whatever comes my way and make my future with Elena a reality.
Right now, that’s what I want most, what I need; I’m going to talk to Pepa and Alfredo, and I won’t let anyone boss me around as they please.
With the light from the lanterns falling on me, I cross the wooden bridge connecting the two ends of the hotel to enter the cottages and look for Elena’s.
I can’t help but smile as I watch the contrast of colors in the distance, much less slow my heartbeat once I hear the chords of her guitar playing.
It had been a very long time—since before we got married—since I’d heard her play, so I take a few minutes to stand in silence and enjoy it.
I had no idea she’d taken up her lessons again, but I’m glad I was here at the right moment because her music has completely lifted my spirits.
Time flies by quickly, and I decide to interrupt her by ringing the doorbell.
It takes Elena a few seconds to appear, and as soon as she opens the door and our eyes meet, I can see them shining with a love I’ve missed for what feels like a lifetime.
I don’t even have time to say hello because she steps down a stair, wraps her arms around my neck, and melts me with a tender kiss that fills my chest with butterflies I could swear are making me fly.
I’m so in love with her that I’m left speechless.
“Looks like someone’s been missing me…” I whisper against her lips as we pull apart, and we stand there, gazing at each other in the twilight of the night.
“I didn’t know if you were coming, so I decided to welcome you like this.”
“I could have stayed a few more minutes just listening to you,” I tell her as she takes my hand in hers and invites me into her house. “When were you going to tell me you were still playing?”
“Never?” she replies and bursts out laughing. “The truth is, I just started playing again very recently. I wanted to surprise my brother and Carolina. But I don’t know if I’ll make it to the wedding.”
“Wow… Well, you should try, because I’m sure they’d love it.”
“Thanks.” She gives me a quick peck on the cheek and then puts her hands on her hips. “Would you like something to drink? Some wine?”
“Yes, sure. Whatever you’re in the mood for,” I exclaim once we’re in the middle of the living room. “And if you have anything to snack on, that’d be great, too.”
Before Elena heads to the kitchen, I see in her eyes the same emotions I’m feeling inside: uncertainty, fear, hope, happiness, desire…
What’s happening to us is so intense, and even though things are going well, my trip to Madrid and everything that’s going to happen there makes me think I’m going to screw it up and ruin this magic that’s returned to our lives.
I hear the pop of the cork and decide to go where she is, leaning against a nearby column so I don’t miss a single detail about her: her delicate lips, that pert little nose, her dimples, the softness with which the sun has tanned her skin, the golden color of her hair, and hands that still make me tremble with pleasure.
It was wonderful to realize that time hadn’t buried my love for her in oblivion, but now, as she stands before me and hands me my glass, I sense that what I felt back then was barely anything compared to what I carry in my heart right now.
“Are you going to tell me what’s wrong and why you’re looking at me like that?” she asks, and without taking her eyes off mine, she takes a sip of wine.
“Your brother visited me today,” I reply, and I look over at the guitar, which is resting among the cushions of one of the sofas. “He told me that what he wants most for the two of us is for us to be happy.”
“At least there are two people who don’t spend their time reminding us of everything we’ve been through,” she says, walking around me until she sits in a small, padded wicker armchair near the terrace window.
“My mom mentioned that she’d like to take you to see her sometime.
” She laughs and sets her glass on the coffee table before I follow her example and take off my sandals to rest my legs up on it.
“I was at her house all morning; it did me good to talk to her.”
“Jorge didn’t do too badly either,” I confess. “Although I’m sure he wasn’t as sweet as Paula. Tell her I’ll go see her soon.”
“My brother is Mr. Straightforward,” she adds with a laugh, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “I hope he didn’t go too far. Sometimes he forgets that I’m the older one.”
Ready to tell her the latest news, I grab my glass and take a long sip. I’d love not to have to tell Elena anything, but I promised myself I’d do the right thing, that I’d talk to her about what’s worrying me, and that we’d find solutions together.
“The truth is, it helped me think things through a bit,” I confess, giving her a smile. “But, well, the thing is, something happened, and I thought you should be the first to know.”
“What?” she asks, worried. “Are your parents okay?”
“Yes, yes, the problem isn’t with them,” I explain, giving her a brief smile. “It’s something that concerns me. The truth is, I’m worried, and I’m afraid to tell you because I’m terrified you’ll think things are still the same as they were years ago.”
“So it’s about the newspaper…” she says quietly and lets out a sigh. “What happened?”
“I didn’t tell you because I didn’t expect it to go any further, but a couple of days before we got to Ibiza, my boss paid me a little visit and told me that the deputy editor position was going to open up because he was leaving for Le Monde in Paris,” I let slip.
“The thing is, he mentioned that they were looking for a replacement and that I was the clear favorite to fill it.”
“Wait, wait…” she interrupts me. “Are you telling me they offered you the deputy editor position?” She raises an eyebrow in surprise.
“That’s right. But I don’t want it,” I say almost immediately. “Right now, it’s not one of my aspirations for the future, to be honest.”
“But that’s incredible, Vicky. It’s…”
“I’m planning to quit the newspaper, Elena,” I add, cutting her off.
“And before you tell me I can’t do it—yes, I can.
It’s the only solution left for us to make our relationship work.
What I want right now is to be with you, to come back to you, and for nothing and no one to stop me from being happy.
These past few years I’ve pushed myself to the limit at work, I’ve given it my all, and coming back to Ibiza, seeing you, has reminded me that yes, I fulfilled a dream, but I left behind the person I wanted to enjoy it with. ”
“But if you come back here with me, no…” she murmurs, realizing what I’m saying. “Do you want to quit your job there after everything it’s cost you, after what we went through?” she asks, glaring at me. “You can’t do that.”
“Being a journalist isn’t about sitting in an office going over news written by others.” I get up from my seat and walk over to her. “I don’t need to be there to keep writing, to enjoy my work, and to do what I love. Do you understand?”
“I couldn’t forgive myself for being the reason you give up your dream…” she says, her eyes shining with the emotions that have suddenly welled up. “I’m sure you’d regret it as time went on and end up blaming me, and I don’t want to go through that.”
“Listen to me…” I cup her face in my hands. “What we have is what matters most to me right now. The only thing I regret in this life is leaving you, and the thought of having to do it again and go back to Madrid suffocates me.”
“Promise me you’ll do everything you can to find a way to stay happy without me,” she asks, her eyes brimming with tears. “We won’t be able to make our relationship work if you don’t.”
“I promise, but please don’t cry.”
“Everything will be okay, right?” she asks, and I nod before kissing her.
“Nothing and no one will ruin it.”
“Okay…”