Chapter 20
TELL ME HOW IT ALL WENT
ANA
I’ve decided to close up the shop and take a vacation even though it’s high season in Ibiza.
My parents didn’t think it was a good idea, but I’m not an octopus with eight arms, and after letting Elena down yesterday, I don’t want to break my promise again and leave her alone at such an important moment as this.
After rushing off, I sent her a message apologizing and asking how things had gone.
Carolina sent me several voice messages telling me it was quite a surprise to see her there, that Victoria was petrified, and that she could barely say a word when she saw her.
Elena, on the other hand, didn’t tell me much, so I asked her to meet me today for breakfast, and she confessed it was the perfect plan—she didn’t want to spend too much time at the hotel in case she ran into you-know-who.
Today is the welcome dinner Jorge has organized, so it’ll be another great chance for me to play fairy godmother and make my little girl look like a princess.
I’ve been sitting at our favorite café for several minutes now, and even though she hasn’t arrived yet, I’ve already ordered our usual breakfast. From the terrace of this beautiful spot by the harbor, you can hear the sea and the sound of seagulls flying over the island; there’s a calm here that could soothe even the most nervous person in the universe, enveloping you in a bubble that shields you from all your problems. Elena isn’t the only one facing something important these days.
Me too, though my situation is much less complicated.
Inaki sent me an audio message at midnight.
Apparently, he needs to talk to me about something and hopes we’ll have a moment to do so today.
I haven’t been able to reply, but I sent an emoji so he knows I heard him.
Over time, I’ve turned into a little robot incapable of expressing my emotions for fear of rejection, but it’s about time I did something about it if I don’t want to regret it for the rest of my life.
He and I have had a relationship full of ups and downs, with moments I’ll never forget and others I’d like to erase.
We’ve always had that chemistry that pushes you to do crazy things, that keeps you from letting go of the other person, and that invites you to go further.
I never dared to take things further with him because the distance between Bilbao and Valencia was too great, so we’ve spent years treating each other like two good friends who know exactly how they feel about one another.
But now, that distance no longer exists because Jorge has hired him at the gym, and the news has completely changed my personal plans.
“Tell me you’ve already ordered breakfast.” Elena, who appears out of nowhere, pulls out a chair and sits across from me after giving me a kiss on the cheek. “Sorry I’m late—the florist called, and I couldn’t get in the car.”
“Don’t worry, I was enjoying the scenery and thinking about my own things,” I confess, giving her a smile so she won’t worry.
“How are the preparations going? The last time we saw each other, with all the commotion over Victoria, I didn’t even ask you.
Do you already regret offering to be the organizer? ”
“Don’t even mention it…” She laughs, and I laugh with her. “But it makes me happy to be able to do this for Carol and my brother. They’re really excited, and I want them to have a special day.”
“I’m sure we’ll be blown away,” I say before placing a hand on the table and waiting for her to take it.
For some reason, I need to know she’s there, that we’re still together despite all the time that’s passed, and to soak up a little of her positive energy to face a difficult night.
“Besides, you’re such a romantic, and I have no doubt it’ll be spectacular. ”
“The only thing that matters to me is that they remember it forever. That’s enough for me.”
“They will, you’ll see.” The waiter interrupts us and serves us some toast with tomato and Serrano ham, accompanied by a couple of coffees with lots of foam. “Now, tell me, how did things go yesterday? Did you do what I told you?”
“I don’t think so,” she says, wrinkling her nose. I can see the doubt in her gray eyes and how, little by little, it turns into insecurity. “Victoria barely said a word, and Carolina… her eyes went wide.”
“That’s what she told me yesterday. She left me several voice messages, all hysterical,” I exaggerate.
“But I’m glad that, even though you didn’t follow my instructions, everything went well.
High five!” I raise a hand and we do it.
“Now you just have to be yourself and protect that little heart of yours at all costs. I know it’s not easy, but I’d hate to see you suffer because of her again. ”
“I’m not going to let that happen…” she assures me as she opens the sugar packet and lets it fall into her coffee. “No matter what happens, all I want is to focus on enjoying these days with my brother. Besides, I’d be a fool not to when we’re all here—who knows when we’ll all get together again.”
“That’s true…” I murmur, reaching for my phone to unlock the screen. “Inaki sent me an audio message yesterday, you know?”
“And what did he say?”
“Wait, I’ll play it for you.” After swiping my fingers across the screen, I turn up the volume and stay quiet so Elena can hear it.
“Ana, do you think we could meet up tomorrow after dinner? I have something I need to talk to you about, and I didn’t want to bother you until now. Jorge told me the store is doing well—I’m glad to hear that. Well, let me know. Kisses.”
Inaki’s voice goes silent, and I look at her with a raised eyebrow.
“I didn’t reply because I didn’t know what to say.”
“It’s clear he really needs to talk to you, so you’ll have to do it,” she says, taking a bite of her toast. “Besides…” She covers her lips with her hand. “I think you both need it. There are a lot of unresolved issues there, and it would be good for you to clear them up.”
“What if he tells me something I don’t want to hear?”
“Like what?” She puts down the toast and wipes her hand with a napkin. “That he’s found a girlfriend in Bilbao?”
“Didn’t you tell me your brother said he was single!?” I shout, realizing how much I’m overreacting.
“It’s just a figure of speech. I’m telling you this because we’ve been apart for a long time, each living our own lives, and it wouldn’t be surprising.” She shrugs. “Besides, he’ll be living here now…”
“I know…”
“Well, don’t overthink it and go meet up with him,” she advises me with that smile of hers that can convince you of anything she sets her mind to. “You need it, and you’d better tell me what he said when you get home.”
“I promise.”
Despite our age, we touch pinkies and seal that promise I won’t be able to escape, and without further ado, we settle in to have breakfast and enjoy the scenery around us. At least until my curiosity gets the better of me and I take one last sip of my coffee.
“Have you thought about what you’re going to wear for dinner tonight?”
“Yes,” she whispers as if she doesn’t want me to hear her.
“Victoria gave me a dress a few years ago that I still keep in my closet,” she recalls with a touch of nostalgia in her voice.
“It’s strapless, form-fitting, and has a pretty V-neckline,” she says, gesturing with her hands.
I think it’s perfect, considering that Carolina told me we’d be going dancing after dinner.
“Go dancing?”
“It looks like it.” She wipes her mouth with her napkin. “The truth is, I’m really looking forward to it. It’s been ages since I’ve gone out to have fun.”
“It’s been ages since you’ve done a lot of things,” I remind her, and we laugh, “but it’s a great plan, and it’s the perfect dress. Victoria is going to be blown away.”
“She won’t be the only one showing how good these years apart have been for her, will she?” she asks, a hint of insecurity in her voice. “If doing this can keep her from finding out that I still love her, all the better.”
“Let’s hope Jorge and Carolina don’t spill the beans…”
“I trust my brother, and I know he won’t say a word,” she assures me with complete confidence.
Sometimes it feels like we’re back in high school with this stuff, but I know how she feels, too.
He’s seen how hard it’s been for me, and the last thing he’d do is tell her.
“Or maybe he’ll do it because he’s worried and doesn’t want the situation to affect you so much,” I think to myself as I give my friend a smile.
“He won’t get involved in this; I know him well. ”
“Let’s hope so,” I reply, looking around. “Do you feel like taking a walk, or do you have to get back to the hotel?”
“I’ve asked for a replacement, so I’m free.”
“Well, let’s finish up and go. It’s market day, and I’m sure we’ll find something interesting to buy,” I say, and once we’ve finished breakfast and stand up, I think to myself that I’d like Jorge to follow in the footsteps of his girlfriend’s matchmaker and tell Victoria how his sister really feels.
Although you never know—there might be a small chance that the two of them could fix what they lost.