CHAPTER 10
By Valentino.
I couldn't believe Isabella had done such a thing. My head was about to burst. Panic set in. I called for an ambulance. As I waited, I cradled her in my arms and rushed her to the bathroom. I forced my fingers into her mouth to induce vomiting, and at last, she purged. Tears streamed down my face; the enormity of what happened was overwhelming. I clung to her tightly, planting a kiss atop her head. My thoughts drifted to my little sister, the times I had wished to end my own life, the period I spent in a mental health clinic.
"I'll take care of you, Issi. I won't leave you alone," I said, embracing her.
The ambulance arrived shortly after, and Mariana, who was leaving her apartment, came upon the scene. I carried Issi to the stretcher so the medics could administer care.
"What's going on here? Boss, what are you doing here?" Mariana exclaimed, shocked.
"I'll explain everything, I promise. But right now, I need you to drive my car. I'll follow in the ambulance. See you at the clinic."
"But Sir…"
"Mariana! I trust you. Please."
She nodded affirmatively before getting into my vehicle, as I entered the ambulance. At the clinic, Isabella was whisked away for medical attention including stomach pumping for detoxification.
I stayed in the waiting room, fear consuming me. Mariana arrived shortly after.
"Will you tell me what’s happening?" she asked with apparent worry.
"I went to her apartment to discuss a matter with her. I knocked, I called out, but she didn't answer. Desperation took hold and I broke the door down. I found her unconscious, an empty antidepressant bottle beside her. You know the rest."
"My God. I feared this day would come again."
"Excuse me? Has this happened before?" I inquired anxiously.
"It's a complicated story," claimed Mariana.
"Is this because of Ezequiel?" I probed.
"Ho… how do you know about Ezequiel?"
"Did you really think I wouldn't find out?" I replied. "He was my brother, after all."
"I’ve done everything to look after her," Mariana declared.
"I just found out, if that's what you're worried about," I divulged. "That’s why I went for her."
Mariana stared at me for a long beat, about to respond when the doctor interrupted, informing us she was out of danger. He suggested it would be best to have her committed to a psychiatric clinic given her condition.
"No!" I objected. "I'll take care of her. She’s staying with me from now on."
The doctor agreed reluctantly but insisted on regular psychological assessments. We were then allowed to see her. Insistence got us both into the room. Issi was waking, surprised to find us together.
"Friend, why did you do it? Why didn’t you call?" Mariana cried out.
Isabella remained silent, turning her head with a distant gaze. I comforted Mariana with a supportive shoulder.
"Starting tonight, you’ll live at my place," I declared.
"No. It’s not necessary," she countered.- "Mariana would have no trouble staying with me for a few days."
"It is necessary. You won’t be alone, Isabella. You’re coming with me. And Mari can visit whenever."
She gave a slight nod, clearly unwell; I knew it. And it pained me. My heart ached seeing her suffer, hating Ezequiel for it. I loathed him because only he would know what to do now. Yet, if he were here, we wouldn't be in this mess. Everything would be fine. I would be fine, and Angeles would be alive.
After a few more hours, the doctor discharged her. I asked Mariana to accompany us. En route, Isabella requested a stop at her apartment for her belongings. Once there, I suggested:
"How about you tell me what you need, and I grab it?"
"Okay," she muttered dispiritedly. "Mariana can go with you. She knows what to pack."
"Are you sure you’ll be okay staying here?" I queried.
"I won’t do anything. I promise," she replied.
My heart wrung at her words. It's unbearable to see her like this. Inside her apartment, Mariana gathered some clothes while I picked up a few more items, surveying Isabella's room. In her bedside drawer, I found a picture of Ezequiel. I pulled it to my chest, tears flooding. His absence hurt my soul, igniting the pain of past wounds. For a long time, I resented God, the world, everyone. Why him? The kindest soul, always putting others first. My hero, my guide, my big brother.
"Valentino?" Mariana called out.
"Yes... I..."
"Valentino. I want to know what’s happening," she demanded, closing the suitcases.
"Mariana... I... You knew it."
"I... I told you. I wanted to protect Issi. She was so affected by Ezequiel's death, and when Matt and Julia told me the truth, I feared for her. I even feared having her work for the company, but... your father has been so kind to her, I believed she’d be safe."
"How do you think I feel? Nearly three years pained by the unknown identity of my brother's companion the night of the accident."
"What do you want from her, huh? What’s your intent?" she questioned, now frustrated.
"No, no. Mariana. Please, listen... I found out the truth only this afternoon. I swear, I didn’t know she was Ezequiel's girlfriend. And when I came here, I found her like this and… Mariana, I can’t leave her alone. You must help me. Please. Ezequiel would never forgive me if I did."
"Fine, I'll help. But you can’t lie to her any longer."
"I’m sorry Mari, but... I've just met her, if anyone has been lying, it was you."
"I know. But you mustn’t lie. Don’t be like us," she implored guiltily. "Somehow, I think she regains a glimpse of her lost sparkle when she’s with you."
I nodded, and then we returned to the car. I reassured her that Issi would want for nothing in my home. Upon arrival at the mansion, I escorted her to her new room next to mine. Across the hallway were my siblings' rooms, locked and untouched. I'm not ready to part with their belongings.
"*****************"
By Isabella.
I woke up in a strange place. My eyes flew open as I tried to recognize where I was. Two figures stood by my bed. I recognized them immediately. Mariana and Valentino. What were they doing together? Why was I here? Mariana started lecturing me, but I couldn’t muster the energy to respond. Valentino was telling me I'd live with him from now on. I didn’t want to, but I didn't care much, either.
We stopped by my apartment for my belongings. While Valentino and Mariana went inside, my thoughts circled what I’d done. Knowing it was wrong, I missed Ezequiel dearly.
"How do you feel?" Ezequiel had asked, holding me close.
"Happy. I'm happy to be with you."
"I love you, precious."
"I love you too, Ezequiel. You know what? I'll take a picture for my nightstand."
"And I'll capture one now for my cellphone wallpaper."
Ezequiel snapped a photo of us both and saved it on his phone.
Arriving at the Marshall mansion, Valentino led me to a room to settle my things. He was attentive and kind. He allowed Mariana to stay and keep me company.
"Issi, I'm going to order dinner, okay? Mariana, will you stay to eat with us?"
"Sure, I will."
"Great. I'll be right back."
Mariana stayed with me, her lecture echoing in the room. The sermon didn’t come from malice; concern bore her words. I let her release her pent-up worries. I acknowledged my fault but wasn't thinking straight at that moment. Deep down, I was grateful to be here.
The Marshalls have been concerned, especially for letting me go to my apartment alone. I apologized, insisting it had been a moment of depression, not their burden to bear.
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