Chapter 4
Do you think everything will be okay?
Jorge
The wedding is still a ways off, and I can already feel the weight of the preparations on my shoulders.
I was already worried ever since Carolina told me that Victoria would be her maid of honor, but after our visit, it’s become clear to me just how much this has affected Elena, and I can’t stop thinking about what will happen once they see each other again.
Their separation wasn’t easy; according to my sister, their marriage was strained until the situation became unbearable for them.
The truth is that Victoria put her work before her wife, that she destroyed the beauty they had, and that divorce was the way she chose to end their relationship so they could each go their separate ways, even though love still existed.
Beneath the crystal-clear, transparent water of the pool, the world has shrunk to nothing, dressed in turquoise hues that shimmer in the sun’s rays as they filter through and blind me while I dive in, holding my breath.
I needed to break away from the routine of the last few weeks, step away from my work at the gym, set aside my obligations, and finally focus on what matters…
but at this rate, I’m going to go crazy.
“If I’m not already,” I think once I lift my head and catch my breath.
“I was about to call the lifeguard.” Carolina, from the lounge chair, takes off her sunglasses and winks at me. “Everything okay down there? Any tiles out of place?”
“You should come in, the water’s amazing.
” I invite her with a laugh, then lean on the edge and run a hand through my hair to shake off the water.
“If I were you, I’d avoid exposing yourself to the sun so much—you’re starting to look like a red shrimp, and I don’t think that color goes with your wedding dress… or does it?”
“Are you trying to get information out of me?” she asks, raising an eyebrow.
In an instant, she drops her sunglasses on the lounge chair next to her and, after hurriedly taking off her sarong, runs and jumps into the water.
The splash blinds me, and I burst out laughing, remembering that she’s still the same girl I fell in love with when I was a kid—the one who’d get competitive over silly things and wanted to outdo me at everything.
“Did you call me a red shrimp?” she adds as she climbs out of the water and comes over to me, wrapping her legs around my waist and her arms around my neck.
“As far as I know, mermaids don’t look like shrimp,” I reply, and she yanks my hair. I still can’t believe we’re getting married, but… “It’s real, my friend,” I remind myself the moment her nose brushes against mine and she steals a sigh from me with a kiss.
“Do you have anything else to add?”
“Yeah, I’ve had enough of the sun and the crowds…” I whisper in a honeyed voice, full of hidden meanings. “But since I’m not the genie in the lamp, I’ll just say it doesn’t matter whether the color of your face matches your dress or not. You’ll always be my favorite red shrimp.”
“I wasn’t expecting anything more, Captain Pescanova.
” We both burst out laughing, and she breaks free to dive into the water and brush her hair out of her face.
I don’t move from where I am; I just keep watching her until she surfaces and her green eyes meet mine.
“Oh, oh… I think someone’s worried around here. ”
“I haven’t stopped thinking about my sister since we went to see her,” I say before grabbing hold of the pool edges and climbing out via a ladder. “I still think what’s going on with Victoria is too intense. You shouldn’t have sent her that card.”
“Not that again?” she asks, approaching the edge of the pool and leaning against the stone as I sit down on the lounge chair and look for a towel to dry myself off a bit.
“Let me remind you that Vicky is my best friend and that, just like you, I have the right to have her there on the happiest day of my life.”
Her complaint doesn’t catch me off guard. This situation has already led us to argue several times over the past few weeks, but all I want is for us all to have an amazing time together.
“You’re right, I’m sorry,” I apologize, and she pouts, looking away and focusing on the people around us. “My head is going to explode any minute now…” I mutter, covering my face with the towel.
“You know I love Elena too,” she says, “but you and I both understand that neither of them has been able to move on in recent years. They’ve hit a rut, they don’t have partners, and I still believe the love they felt is still there…
” Carolina steps out of the water and, soaking wet, decides to sit on my lap.
“Don’t you think it’s better for them to realize that now, rather than in another five years? ”
“Are you playing matchmaker again?” I ask, wrapping my arms around her.
“I’ve known them for a long time, and while it’s true that right now the situation is tense for both of them, they’re not going to ruin our day,” she predicts, placing a hand on my cheek and focusing her full attention on me.
“But you know as well as I do that they shouldn’t have broken up, and that only we—the whole group—can open their eyes. ”
“You’re crazy…” For a moment, I glance toward the main building, and as if I could see through the walls, I imagine Elena sitting in her office chair, her gaze lost in that past that scarred her. “I just hope you’re right, because if not…”
“If I’m not, we’ll have to give them a hand…” she replies, snatching the towel from me. “But don’t worry. They’re adults; they’ll handle it.”
“Do you really think so?” I raise an eyebrow. “I have a feeling World War III is going to break out.”
“You’re such a drama queen, you know that?”
“I’m just being realistic.” I shrug. “My sister had a pretty rough time when things ended with Victoria. She loved her so much, and it took me weeks to get a smile out of her. It would really suck to see her like that again.”
Carolina lets out a sigh, runs her hand through her brown hair and smooths it down before wrapping her arms around me and comforting me.
I know she understands how I feel, all the chances there are that her plans won’t work out, but I also know she’s tired of the situation and that all she wants is to help.
“Whatever happens, I promise I’ll do everything I can to make sure none of us gets hurt, okay?” she assures me. “All I want is for us to spend these weeks together. It’s been ages since the whole group got together.”
“You’re right about that.”
“Then stop overthinking it and smile.” Carolina uses her hands to gently pull my lips upward. “If you do, I promise to show you the outfit I bought for my wedding night.”
“Really?”
“No, but I love the look on your face every time I suggest it.” She bursts out laughing. “All men are the same…”
“Why would I say no, if it’s true?” I shrug again. “How about we go up to the bedroom, get changed, and find a place to eat?”
“Sounds like the perfect plan, my love.”
As we gather our things and walk toward the bedroom, I can’t help but think back to what happened in the office a little while ago.
I’d hate for my sister to suffer because of us; however, I think reconnecting with Victoria will help her let go of the pain that’s been with her all this time and realize that, sometimes, you have to fight for what you want.