Chapter 55
YOU HAVE TO TALK TO HER
ANA
Despite how much I wanted to spend a full day on the island with Inaki, I had to bite the bullet and scrap my plans to go see Elena.
I don’t know what happened, but from the messages we’ve exchanged, I could tell she’s not doing well.
She’s the kind of person who bottles up her emotions, shuts herself off in her own bubble, and disappears.
I remember that when I lived in Valencia, all our conversations were via video call; it frustrated me so much not being able to hug her, so when she came back, I promised myself that whenever she needed me, I’d be there, and I have a feeling today is one of those moments.
It’s already dinnertime; I’ve picked up a couple of pizzas, something to drink, and a couple of bags of snacks to help the night go by faster. I don’t know if she’ll be hungry or not, but at least I’ll be able to fill my stomach.
When I get to her house, the lights aren’t on, and I start to wonder if she’s home or not; however, once I head out to the garden and run into her on the terrace, it becomes clear that something’s wrong.
Elena is lying on one of the lounge chairs, staring at the stars, oblivious to everything going on around her.
I have a feeling that things with Victoria aren’t going well, and although I try not to speculate, it’s almost impossible.
With dinner in my hands, I walk over to her, immediately catching her attention.
“I see why you didn’t want me to come,” I say, raising an eyebrow. “To watch this show all by yourself, huh?” When our eyes meet, she wipes away her tears, and I give her a smile that doesn’t fade even when we share a couple of kisses.
“You didn’t have to come.”
“And let you cry alone? What kind of friend does that?” I carefully set down the things I’m carrying and drag over a lounge chair, placing it next to her.
“I promised myself I’d be there for you when you needed me, and here I am,” I remind her, reaching for a bag of candy that I open quickly.
“Spill it. It’ll do you good to let that out. ”
“It’s nothing…” she sighs and snatches a strawberry-shaped gummy. “You know Victoria’s in Madrid.”
“If you’re going to confess that you miss her, it’s obvious, but enough to cry…” I raise an eyebrow.
“I called Vicky today, and Joana answered the phone.” Hearing her, I stuff a handful of candy into my mouth. “Apparently she was in a meeting, and, well, she picked up.”
“Ah… damn…” I choke and start coughing. “I’d already jumped to the wrong conclusion.”
“Victoria told me she was going to quit her job, but her bosses won’t let her,” she explains, and I have to shift in my deck chair to pay closer attention to what she’s telling me.
“They offered her the deputy editor position, and Joana has blamed me for everything that’s happening.
She said some really… well, I didn’t want this, you know? ”
“So what did you want?” I ask curiously. “You know full well that for this to work, either you or she had to sacrifice something. Victoria has made a mature decision, not a rash one, and it’s possible that other people see you as the one to blame, but… so what?”
“I don’t find it funny…”
“Let me get this straight.” I set the candy aside. “You and she got divorced because Victoria spent her whole life at work, and now that she’s realized your relationship could work and she’s quit, you’re saying you don’t like it?” I ask, completely confused. “Where did that come from now?”
“What if, in a few years, she blames me for being bitter?” she wonders worriedly. “She loves her job. Plus, there’s the promotion—she was going to be deputy editor, just like her father,” she explains anxiously. “What will she do when she realizes she can’t work here the way she does in Madrid?”
“But she’ll already know all the things you’re wondering about, Elena,” I reply without giving it much thought. “Do you think she hasn’t taken her time to decide? You know exactly what Victoria’s like, damn it. We both do.”
“I know she has. But that doesn’t mean it’s a good decision.”
“So, what do you suggest to make your relationship work?” I ask, crossing my arms. “If she doesn’t leave the newspaper, you have to leave the hotel. Would you do that?”
“You know I can’t do that. I don’t have anyone who knows how to run it properly, and my brother has his gym.”
“So what do you expect Victoria to do? One of you is going to have to take a risk.”
“I don’t want to take any risks!” she exclaims nervously.
“Have you talked to her about this? Have you told her what happened?” I look her in the eyes.
“I think before you get all worked up like this, you should have a conversation with Victoria.” She pulls her knees up and hides her face between her legs.
Things might not be easy to handle, but I can’t understand why she refuses to see that Victoria would give anything to get her back.
Sometimes, she acts in ways that make me want to snap her out of it.
“You need to stop worrying about what other people think and focus on yourself.”
“I’m afraid things will go wrong…” she whispers. “I wouldn’t forgive myself…”
“Victoria’s a grown woman now, and I’m sure she’s not doing anything crazy,” I assure her, trying to make her see reason. “Whatever happens, she’ll handle it.”
“Do you think so?”
“Yes, and so does she,” I reply sincerely. “You know I was the first to criticize her and lash out at her for everything she did to you. But these days I’ve seen her happy, with that special sparkle in her eyes, and I know she loves you just as much—if not more—than before.”
“I still can’t believe we’re back to this…” she murmurs with a small smile on her face. “It’s… like living a dream.”
“Well, dreams do come true every once in a while. So it’s not so bad.”
Elena shifts in her lounge chair and moves over to mine to wrap her arms around me in a hug.
“Thanks for ignoring me and coming to see me. You’re the best friend I could ever have.”
“You’re going to have to make it up to me big time,” I say with a laugh. “Inaki had a pretty romantic plan for tonight, and you ruined it for me.”
“I have chocolate ice cream in the freezer,” she says before pulling away. “We can eat it together after the pizzas while we watch a movie. What do you think?”
“The perfect plan for a summer night like this.”