Chapter 28
I’m staying on the ground
elena
This whirlwind weekend has come to an end, and for those of us running a business, that means the crazy days are over and we have to welcome back the daily routine.
In the end, I didn’t do much yesterday; I decided to stay home and shut myself away in my own little bubble, enjoying what was happening and that dream I haven’t been able to get out of my head no matter how hard I’ve tried.
When my brother told me about the list of things he planned to do with the group, I promised him I’d do everything I could to be free, but Mondays are the busiest days at the hotel, and I can’t just pretend it doesn’t matter.
Apparently, according to what he posted in the WhatsApp group, he’s planned a sailing trip to visit one of the island’s most beautiful coves.
Although I’d love to go with them, responsibility comes before fun, and locking myself in my office will let me get away from Victoria and calm down a bit.
Through the window, I can hear the children’s joyful shouts as they have a blast in the pool.
I’ve been trying to organize the weekly schedule for over half an hour now, and even though I want to focus on what I’m doing, I can’t help but drift back to a time when nothing mattered more than having fun.
I’m not stupid; I’d love to go back to those days when problems didn’t affect me or when insecurity, doubts, and uncertainty didn’t exist; but growing up and getting older also brings many good things.
Like, for example, relationships and what you discover through them.
After shaking off the daze caused by the kisses we shared—and that dream that felt so real—I haven’t stopped mulling over the conversation we had.
Ana told me to protect my heart, though at this point, all I want is to stop beating around the bush, let things flow, and find out if it’s worth it or if we’re back where we were that fall.
Emotions are pounding in my chest, so I take a couple of minutes away from work to peek out the window and gaze at the silhouette of the sea on the horizon.
The palm trees lining the hotel sway gently in the breeze, and the wind itself invites me to close my eyes and breathe deeply.
I know this isn’t going to be easy; it might even end up worse than when we got divorced, but…
do I prefer to try and have things go wrong, or not do it and be left with the “what if…” forever?
Doubts overwhelm me, and any of my friends would call me crazy for even considering it, but my feelings are so strong that I don’t want to hold them back.
The door to my office suddenly opens, and my inner monologue is interrupted by Jorge and Inaki’s laughter.
“By the way, you could’ve let me know you were leaving the other night,” my brother scolds me, then gives me two kisses. “If I hadn’t picked up Carolina’s phone to call a cab and seen your message, I would’ve been running all over the club looking for you.”
“Man, you’re such a drama queen,” Inaki says, patting him on the back.
“Your sister’s old enough to do whatever she wants,” he adds, giving him a light poke in the chest. Jorge stares at him, not quite sure what to say, and I roll my eyes.
I sense he knows something—I know it’s not just my imagination—and I don’t want my brother to find out anything just yet. “Leave her alone.”
“You heard him.” I laugh, and my brother puts his hands on his hips while I hug Inaki and give him a couple of kisses. “What are you doing here?”
“We came to convince you to come with us,” they say at the same time.
“I told you, I have to organize the whole week, and if you want me to have more time to spend with you, you’re going to have to leave today without me.”
“I’ve told him, but he’s so stubborn,” Inaki points out, wrapping his arms around my brother’s neck and tugging on him, trying to drag him away. “Come on, let your sister work. I promise I’ll take care of him.”
“The one you need to watch out for is Ana,” I clarify, grabbing his arm. “She’s in love with you,” I say, unable to hold back, and let out a sigh. “Don’t waste your time on nonsense. Go on.”
“Haven’t you talked to her?”
“Actually, no, I was…” “Too busy with Victoria to do so,” I think to myself and shrug. “Did I miss something?”
“Yeah, I told her I loved her, and I think we’re dating.”
“You think!?” I shout excitedly. “Don’t mess with me! Now I really need to go with you guys and get the full scoop!”
“You still have time,” Jorge says, glancing at his watch. “We’re leaving in about an hour. So, if you’re curious, you know where to find us.”
“But…”
“Let’s go, Inaki, or he’ll squeeze every last bit of information out of you,” he adds, pushing his best friend in the back to shoo him out of the office. “See you in a bit.”
“You’re awful,” I complain, letting out a huff.
“You still love me anyway!” he shouts from the hallway seconds after disappearing from view.
I can’t help but smile and feel happy for Ana and Inaki.
I knew that sooner or later they’d be together, that they just needed a little push and for things to fall into place for them to make it happen.
Now that he’s here, it stood to reason that it wouldn’t be long before he asked her to be his girlfriend, and he hasn’t let me down.
Summer works its magic, and now it remains to be seen what will happen to me and the woman I’d love to see right now.