Chapter 61
LOOKING FOR A SOLUTION
CAROLINA
When I received Jorge’s message, my nerves calmed down enough for me to relax and fall asleep; but I decided not to call Victoria and let things settle down a bit.
Today I woke up with a different attitude.
It all happened so fast, and Ana might hold a grudge against me for kicking her out of the house like that, but it was for the best, considering she’ll always see Victoria as the one to blame for everything bad that happens to Elena.
I’d love for her to open her eyes a little, to realize that there are no good guys or bad guys, that things aren’t black and white.
The day Jorge announced they were getting a divorce, I had a really hard time understanding why two people who loved each other as much as they did could break up their relationship just like that.
Over time, I realized that only they could know the reason and make such a decision.
The funny thing is that all these years I’ve been caught between the two of them, I’ve seen them miss each other, love each other from afar, and constantly think of one another; they remained together despite being apart, and that’s why I decided to bridge the distance between them with my wedding.
Alone in the bedroom my future mother-in-law set up for me and my fiancé, I walk over to the small sofa by the window and sit down to gaze out at the sea.
Jorge told me to talk to Victoria, to apologize to her, but I don’t even know how to bring up the subject, considering that I doubted her too as soon as I heard she’d hooked up with Joana.
With the phone in my hand, I dial her number and press the speaker button while letting out a small sigh.
I’d love not to be miles away, to be able to hug her, but I have to settle for this.
I want her to come back and for everything to go back to the way it was the night we all celebrated the bachelor party together.
“Hey…” I exclaim when she picks up, running a hand through my hair, not quite sure what to say next. “I wasn’t sure you’d answer.”
“Considering that all of you have doubted me, I shouldn’t have,” she replies in a subdued tone. “Maybe the proud Victoria from years ago would have told you all to fuck off, but the one I am now cares much more about making things right, even if I have to give twenty thousand explanations.”
“You don’t need to. Apparently, Elena misinterpreted the conversation,” I explain, brushing my hair out of my face.
“According to what she told us, the call dropped before anything happened, but after everything you’ve been through…
I guess her fear got the better of her. And I’m not making excuses for her, but, well… you know.”
“Is she okay? Does she know nothing happened?”
“No, but I imagine she realizes she was wrong. You’ll have to explain it to her when you get back,” I reply, biting the inside of my cheek. “Jorge told me he’s sorry for everything he yelled at you over the phone. He can be really rough sometimes.”
“He takes his role as big brother very seriously,” she nods and lets out a sigh. “So, I guess I’m not banned from going to Ibiza.”
“You never were…” I murmur. “In fact, I wish you’d come sooner. But I guess things had to happen this way.”
“I told the newspaper to go to hell, so I’m officially unemployed and have plenty of free time to be there.
They offered me the chance to work from Ibiza, to come and go every so often, but…
” she announces, and I slide off the end of the couch, surprised.
“Alfredo asked Joana to do whatever it took to keep me in Madrid, and I can’t work for someone like that. ”
“Forgive me for all this…” I confess, with a knot in my stomach. “And for not believing you when you told me last night that nothing had happened. I was so confused and…”
“Don’t worry. What matters now is sorting things out with Elena.”
“She’s been staying at her mother’s house these past few days,” I tell her. “She must be a mess right now.”
“That’s normal. We’ve been apart for five years.
That’s a long time, and even if we don’t want it to, it’s affected us, and we’re not the same anymore,” she muses aloud.
“Our past was difficult. I know my behavior wasn’t the best; that’s what caused her insecurity, and I don’t know how to change that so she’ll trust me. ”
“Maybe it would do you good to be in her shoes for a few days,” I confess, biting my lip. “You know what I mean—let her know that you’re not the same person, that you’re willing to do anything for her, that you’re going to do everything in your power to make her happy.”
“Maybe you’re right…”
“I always am,” I reply, and that makes Victoria laugh. “So, are you packing? Do you have a lot to bring with you?”
“Yes, I already have a few boxes piled up around here, but I won’t be able to do anything else today,” she explains.
“My parents have already gotten back from their trip, and I want to tell them everything that’s happened.
I don’t know how they’ll take it, but I want to believe they’ll understand me and support me in every decision I make. ”
“I’m sure they will…”
“I have my flight booked for Friday. Do you have the dresses yet? Did they fit well?”
“Wow!” I exaggerate. “When you see yours, you’re going to be blown away. Although, actually, Elena will be the one who’s blown away. Just like you will be when you see hers.”
“I can’t wait…”
“And, by the way, with all this chaos, you haven’t even heard the news,” I say with a laugh. “Jorge and I have been thinking that you should all come celebrate our honeymoon with us. We don’t have a set destination yet, but if everything goes well, it’ll be Mykonos.”
“Elena has always wanted to go there. Does she know yet?”
“She has no idea, but I wanted to tell you, in case you want to plan a surprise for her…” I suggest with a mischievous smile. “I know things aren’t going well right now, but these past few days, I’ve seen in your eyes that all you want is to spend the rest of your life with her, so…”
“Always scheming… when will you ever change?”
“Never, my dear…” I joke, putting on Jack Sparrow’s voice.
“Well, I think I’m going to hang up… Tell Jorge for me that everything’s fine and to take care of his sister until I get there.”
“I’ll tell him, and you take care. Everything will be fine.”
“I hope so…”