"Can you drive me home?If I stay here any minute longer,I'll lose my mind,"I said to Carl who was still at the waiting lounge. "What happened?You look pissed,"he said. "Hurt not pissed,"I corrected him as I ran my fingers through my hair."Can we go,please?"I almost begged.
We were seated in the car at the hospital's parking lot."I'm not moving till you tell me what's happening,"Carlos said. "You know I can easily take an uber,or better yet,drive myself home,"I said. "I know,but here we are Eva,"he said.A tear dropped from my eye.God!I was so done with that emotional rollercoaster that I was on. "Can you roll up the windows, please?"I requested in the most fragile voice ever.Without saying a word,he rolled up the windows. "I hate it that you are so cute,"I said and went for his lips hoping his poisonus kisses would make me feel better.Only that this time he didn't kiss me back.I felt my ego crush right before me.As if that was not enough,he pulled away from me. "Eva,stop!"He sternly said and sounded so serious.
"I thought you liked it,I'm sorry,"I said. "I like it but not like this,"he said."I'm not your rebound Eva,"he said. "You're not my rebound,"I assured him. "Then what am I?"He asked. "Friend.You have grown on me and I hate to admit it but I enjoy your company,"I said in almost a whisper.Words I never thought I could say out loud. "No,don't say anything Carl.Maybe you should just drive already,"I said after noticing the awkwardness around us.It went from zero to a hundred really quick.He started the car but I was still embarrassed about trying to kiss him. "I'm sorry about the kiss.I was trying to make myself feel better because I'm so hurt right now.I thought a kiss,your kiss would help me drown my sorrow,"I said. "It's okay.I'm over it,"he said.
"I told dad about it.He's so mad I can almost swear that he's going to cut me off,"I expressed my fear. "You told him while he's lying in a hospital bed?"He was shocked. "Wrong timing,I know!"I frowned.
"So,how are you feeling?Apart from hurt,"he spoke. "Like I want to do drugs,"I said. "Come on Eva,"he sounded concerned and uncomfortable all at once. "I can't help it,"I told him."And that really scares me,"I added. "I get scared too everytime you mention drugs,"he said as we drove into the Gonzales residence.Finally home!
"I'll be fine,"I assured him. "I should head back to the hospital,"he said.I nodded."Thanks for the ride,"I said and he flushed me a reassuring smile. I walked towards the house with the intention of getting some good sleep or a good cry but then I found my mom in the living room.She was on her way out looking all dolled up. "Going somewhere,other than the hospital?"I asked her. "Trust me,I'm the last person Xavi wants there,"she said. "He's still your husband.You should check up on him,"I said. "Not for long.The divorce is happening sweetheart.Xavi might have lied to you about it but it is happening,"she said. "Whatever!Everyone is always lying to me these days.If not lying,they are keeping a secret,"I said. "So,what's your deal with that social climber?"She changed the subject. "You are not referring to Carlos are you?"I asked her. "Well,he is a social climber,"she added. "I didn't know you despised him that much.You are good at hiding it,"I said. "You should despise him.He's taking what belongs to you.Your place at the winery,in this house..."she started but I cut her short. "Are you listening to yourself?He belongs here more than I do and you know it.Save me that speech about belonging here!"I said. "Wow!You just leaped to his defense,"she complainantly stated."Are you sleeping with him?"She asked immediately.
"No,but if I was I don't see how it is your business,"I said to her."Certainly not.Just don't fall in love with him,"she said.
"Trust me,love is the last thing on my plate,"I said and she nodded. "You should see Xavi at the hospital.He might have something important to tell you.It involves parenting I think,"I said as I climbed the stairs.
As soon as I got to my room I tried to call Faby's house with the last contact I had.I had been too preoccupied with my own stuff that I forgot to check up on him."Montenegro residence,how may I help you?"A calm feminine voice at the other end of the line spoke to me.Suddenly I ran out of words. "Is Fabian around?I was hoping I could talk to him,"I finally said. "Who am I speaking to?"She asked.
"Eva,Eva Gonzalez,"I said. "Miss Eva,Fabian can't speak to you right now.He went horse riding a few minutes ago.Should I tell him you called?"She asked. "No need.I'll call again later,"I said and hang up immediately.Horse riding?Voila!I knew where to find him.
***
I watched from a distance as he jogged his horse around.He got off the horse as soon as he saw me. "Eva!What brings you here?And how did you know I was here?"He asked.He didn't seem so pleased to see me. "I called your house,"I said."How are you doing?"I added before he could get a chance to scold me about calling his house. "How am I doing?Well,let's see.My best friend thinks I'm a monster and I don't know if I can trust her to keep my secret,"he said. "Faby,I don't think you're a monster,"I tried to reassure him. "You say that but you don't mean it Eva.The way you looked at me yesterday...you were scared.And it's the same way that you are looking at me right now.You're scared I might hurt you,"he said and looked away as if he was trying to hide his sorrow. "I'm sorry,"I mumbled."You dropped a huge bomb on me and I didn't know how to react.I went out hoping it was a romantic date.You know I've always been attracted to you,"I said.Tears were already welling up in my eyes. "I'm attracted to you too.I have been for the longest time.But you already know I can't have that.We belong to different worlds now,"he said. "That sucks Eva,it sucks,"he added and I nodded. "I'm sorry you had to go through all that pain alone for three years.I'm sorry I was bad friend.You were right,I always made everything about me.But I'm here now,burden me,"I said and interlocked his fingers with mine. "Can you handle it?"He asked. "I can try,"I said and smiled at him. "My dad,he wants me to help him run his illegal businesses,"he said.
"He has illegal businesses?Which ones?"I asked. "Can't say.I don't want you to know,it might put you in harms way,"he said. "You're not considering taking the job ,right?"I was worried.
"It's my only shot at survival.I can't have him blackmail me for the rest of my life.I have to accept the job Eva,"he said.What a shitty life. "My mom found out about the business,it's why they fought,"he went on. "I've been wondering why you are living with him but I think I get it now.You have no other options,"I said to him and he nodded.
"Just stay alive.I'm here for you and for all of it,"I said it meaning every word.He pulled me in for a tight hug.
"Am I forgiven?"I whispered.I was hoping he would forgive me for reacting the way I did the previous night.He deserved empathy and I had not given him that.
"No,but we'll get there.I would love to torture you just a little bit,"he replied.