Three months later
He had hand it to Angela she sure knew how to throw a party.
Too bad he was not having that much fun. He was outside on the balcony alone nursing his bourbon double on the rocks.
He was tired and he wanted nothing more to do than to crawl into his king size bed and sleep for a year.
Someone slapped him on the back "Having fun there chap?" his godfather and uncle asked jovially.
"Yeah. I'm tired man" he told him truthfully.
"Really?" the older man asked.
"Yeah. Writing this screenplay before the dead line is wearing me out" he said pitifully rubbing his eyes.
"Come on you used to do this for years"
"I know" he groaned.
"Old age catching up eh?" he joked
"Nope, I am still young, old man"
A comfortable silence took place once again. Each man to his own thoughts.
"You need a vacation" Robert muttered.
"What? I didn't hear you"
"I said you need a vacation"
"Yeah I do" he said in agreement.
"And I know the perfect place"
"Really?" he asked not that interested.
"Yeah" he answered simply.
Robert said nothing irritating his nephew even more. He knew how much he detested hanging sentences and conversations.
"Care to share?" he asked irritated. He really needed to get some sleep.
"Colombia" then took another sip.
Something in his eyes made Alex know that he knew more than he was letting on. But he decided to play it cool.
"Why Colombia?" also taking a sip of his drink.
"Don't be smart with me boy. Because that is where she is"
"She?" slightly confused.
"Yes. She as in Esther Maria deVilluneba"
"deVilluneba?" He didn't know anyone by that surname.
"Yeah she legally changed her name back to her maiden name" he answered
"Why would she do that?" curious. That was an odd thing to do.
"My guess, she didn't want anyone to know that she is Diane Reyes mother"
"What why?" now really curious.
"Maybe because two bloody ungrateful idiotic brats made it very clear that she was nothing more than a worthless, menace, and an unwanted disgrace and a hindrance on their lives" Robert retorted now totally pissed off.
"Wait me?" questioning his uncle. What did he do?
"Yes. And Diane" he answered.
"What did Diane do?"
"Oh nothing, just kicked her out and proceed to tell her how she always ruined her life and was nothing more than a hindrance in her and her children's life. Same thing you did actually" Robert replied nonchalantly. But inside he was fuming. He expected more from his nephew.
"She told you" he stated. Not in an accusing way. He was just stating facts.
"No. I was there that day" he said solemnly.
This surprised Alex. It had been more than three months and his uncle had never said a word regarding the incident. Why was he bringing it up now? How did he even know? He never told anybody.
Seeing the look of confusion on his nephews face he started to explain "I swung by your place to get a change of clothes after playing tennis for an hour. I had a meeting and I couldn't drive all the way to my place. I was just about to come and say a quick hello when I heard voices. You and Esther's. And what I heard Alex... Alex I can honestly say that never in all my life have I ever heard you be that mean or cruel. It was like you were playing a character. My heart broke for her it really did.
And when she broke on the driveway. Damn. It was like she was going to have a panic attack. Wait I think she did"
"I never heard you" he didn't know what else to say.
"That is all you can say?" he demanded.
"She made a bloody mistake damn it but she has spent what 30 years of her life trying to fix it. And you throw all her hard work and her penance and effort in her face. That was low.
That was malicious. She needed your forgiveness more than anybody's" disappointed.
Clearing his throat "Why is she in Colombia?"
"She did exactly what you and Diane wanted. Out of your lives so she was and will never be a hindrance in your lives. She changed her name and everything. No more Esther to bring problems in your life. You must be so pleased. Happy?" he asked sarcastically.
"Why are you telling me this?' he asked quietly.
"Because I was hoping that after three months you would see how stupid you were and are and go after her. But I guess not"
"When did she leave for Colombia?" since his uncle seemed to know everything.
"Well according to Nina she left two days after you belittled her so. Quit her job and moved. And she has not contacted Diane or the boys. She occasionally asks after them through Nina. But nothing more" The only reason why Robert knew was because a few days after the incident he had called her so many times but she never picked up. He tried Diane but she was busy dealing with stuff. So the next person was Nina. She had been reluctant to talk about it, but after relating what happened her resolve broke and told him what had happened between her and her daughter. He felt even sorrier for her.
That must be painful for her. They talked about ways to mend the problem.
They both understood the amount of stress and exhaustion they were both under, especially Diane. Diane was fighting her own battles. But now was the time that things were going to get more difficult and shr needed her mother more than ever.
And Esther needed Alex more than ever.
"If you love this woman Al, go after her. She is certainly worth it. If not at least apologize for scarring her for life and making her feel worthless and useless so that she can move on and find peace"
The place was silent once more. Downing the last contents of the drink Robert was about to rejoin the party.
"Uncle, did she, Esther, did she really have a panic attack?" he asked softly.
"I can honestly say, I have never seen a woman so broken in all my life. She seemed dead and in so much pain" giving him one last look he turned and walked away.
Leaving Alex by himself drowning in pain and anger. All this time he had thought that she didn't care? Maybe she cared too much.
What had he done? What in bloody hell had he done?