Episode 15

CHAPTER 14.

By Valentino.

I awoke the next day. I felt lost, I opened my eyes to scan my surroundings. I was in my brother's room, and in my arms lay his girlfriend. I couldn't believe it. I felt we had fallen victim to a deceit. Everyone knew except us. Yet, my parents are my concern. Perhaps they knew too, and is that why they treat her so? I'm unsure. Nonetheless, I must take care of her. The news has hit her hard; that much is certain. I need to look after her and discuss the investigation with her. This path will be difficult, especially from here on out. But she needs to know. An impulse to hold her tight and stroke her hair washed over me.

"How long have you known?" she asked. Her being awake caught me off guard. I hadn't noticed.

"I found out the day you tried to end your life. That's why I went to your house. I wanted to talk to you. To understand why. To seek answers. To learn what you were seeking in my family."

"I didn't know, Valentino. I had no suspicions. You have no idea how I feel right now."

"I know. Believe me, I do. We have much to discuss. I'll tell you everything you want to know about him, about what he was like. In return, I want you to share what you know with me."

"Why are you doing this?" she inquired.

"Because I don't want you to drift away from me. And I can't go through this alone again," I replied.

She didn't immediately respond. After a few minutes, she said:

"You're not alone. You have your family."

"My parents... They have too much to process. Seeing me in pain wrecks them even more. I never wanted to cause them worry."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't worry about it."

"I truly didn't know, Valentino. I didn't realize you were brothers."

"Did you think the last name was a coincidence?"

"No. He introduced himself to me as Ezequiel Ferrero."

"Ezequiel Ferrero Marshall. Ezequiel liked to use our mother's maiden name. He thought that if he went by Ezequiel Marshall, people would be drawn to him for his wealth."

"F&M... Nearly two years working for the company and I failed to make the connection. How foolish I have been. I've been so consumed by my own thoughts, too self-involved to notice my surroundings."

"There is much for us to talk about, Issi. And I assure you, we will. For now, how about we have breakfast?"

"I'd rather stay here. I need to sort through all this."

"Alright. I can't stay with you—I have matters to attend to. I'll check on you in a few hours. Please, no rash actions. Call me if you need anything. We're in this together."

"Okay. Go on then."

"Hey... Remember you're supposed to see the psychologist, okay?"

"Yes... I spoke with Nick about coming here to the house. I hope that's not a problem for you."

"Not at all... You're seeing Nick?"

"Yes. He's been my psychologist since it all happened."

"What a coincidence. He's my therapist too," I said.

"*************"

By Isabella.

I woke up after a restful sleep. After facing the harsh reality, I had drifted off in Valentino's arms. For some reason, I didn't want to leave. I wanted to remain in his embrace. When I felt him stir, I bombarded him with the questions swirling in my head. It was comforting when he told me he had much to share about Ezequiel, and truth be told, I was eager to hear it. His wish for me to stay by his side left me speechless. I think that despite minimal interaction, we've formed a bond—one that Valentino wishes to strengthen.

After a while, he left to handle some affairs, and I decided to linger a bit longer in Ezequiel's bed. His scent of cologne still lingered. Rising from the bed, I began to tour the room again, examining each of his belongings. I was captivated. For so long, I had nothing but photographs, and now here I was, in his room. That's when the memory of that night hit me... The night I lost him forever.

"February 5th.

"How do I tell him, Mariana? What will he think of me?"

"Honey, what will he think? It's his responsibility too."

"It's just... it's only been a year that we've been together, and I'm scared to tell him this."

"Calm down. Everything will be okay."

"My phone rings at that moment."

"It's him," I say as I answer the call. "My love, I'm so glad you called."

"Sole mio, I'm calling to invite you to dinner tonight. There's something important I need to talk to you about." He sounded nervous.

"Of course. Count on me, but hey... Is everything alright?"

"With you, I'm always fine, my queen. I'll pick you up at eight, okay?"

"Sure."

I hung up and felt worried about what he would tell me. That day, I chose my best dress for him. I applied makeup, styled my hair. I wanted Ezequiel to see that I was doing my utmost to make him happy. At 8:00 p.m., he arrived in his car, bearing a beautiful smile."

"My queen, seeing you dressed like this, I don't want to get out of bed with you," he said.

"You look very handsome," I said.

I got into his car and there was an uncomfortable silence during the ride.

"My love, there's something important I have to tell you."

"Let's talk at the restaurant, shall we? I also have something I need to tell you."

I nodded. When we arrived at the restaurant, Ezequiel was the perfect gentleman, as he always was. We looked over the menu, and after ordering, Ezequiel kissed my hands then asked:

"What did you want to talk about, beautiful?"

"My love... I know you were more anxious to talk, but... something happened, and if I don't speak now, I won't have the courage to say it."

"Issi, please talk, you're scaring me."

"Ezequiel. I'm pregnant. We're going to be parents."

Ezequiel's expression transformed and for a moment, I felt like crying. He just stared at me, silent.

"I know it's not easy what I just told you, but... say something, please."

"Sole mio, you've made me the happiest man alive. We're going to be a family. You, me, and our baby. We need to buy things. Clothes, diapers... A pacifier, my love. We need a pacifier."

I started laughing at my boyfriend's outburst.

"My love, settle down. I'm only two months pregnant and you already want to have the baby..."

"I can't explain how happy I am right now, beautiful."

Ezequiel began to cry tears of joy, and I hugged him and kissed his lips.

"I love you so much, Ezequiel."

"And I you, queen. I love you with all my soul."

"You also wanted to tell me something."

"Sole mio... I was so nervous I forgot... To hell with it... Will you marry me? I'm sorry to ask like this, it's just... I forgot the ring in my car."

"Of course, I want to, my love. I love you. I'm so happy and... relieved. I thought for a moment you were going to leave me."

Ezequiel started laughing. That heavenly smile that drives me crazy. Just then my cell phone began to ring. It was Julia.

"My love, I'm sorry. I forgot to turn it off. It's Julia."

"Answer it," he said, sighing with annoyance. Ezequiel despises Julia for some reason; I don't understand why.

"Friend, what's up?"

"Issi. How about a sleepover tonight?" she asked.

"I'm sorry, friend, I'm with Ezequiel. Can't tonight."

"Sure, no worries about your friend. And where are you guys? Why didn't I know?"

"We're at a restaurant a few blocks from the university celebrating our anniversary. It was last-minute; that's why you didn't know."

"Right... As always, I'm the last to know."

I ignored her comment and hung up the phone. Julia likes to play the victim all the time. After hanging up, Ezequiel was visibly upset.

"My love... it's done... Don't be angry," I said.

"It's that woman who infuriates me. She always wants to ruin everything."

"Let it be, Ezequiel, she just wanted to make plans with me, but I told her I couldn't. That's all."

"And no doubt she played the victim, so you feel sorry for her. Honey, I don't like that you're her friend."

"But my love... She's been my friend since we were kids... I'm sorry, but... I won't stop being her friend."

"You're right. I'm sorry," Ezequiel exclaimed, trying to calm down. "It’s just… I have a bad feeling."

"It's probably nothing, darling... But don't get mad at me."

"I could never be angry with you, beautiful," he said.

After dinner, Ezequiel invited me to his home. It was my first time going. I hadn't met his family, but he said he had told them about me and wanted me introduced, especially now that we were going to be a family. It was raining in Chicago. We ran to his car like children. Once inside, he showed me a beautiful bag, in which I guessed my ring was. He said he would make a much better and formal proposal in front of his family. I laughed. I love this man with my life. Ezequiel started driving and headed for the highway as his house was on the outskirts of the city.

Suddenly, I saw the lights of an oncoming truck shining too brightly. Ezequiel swerved to avoid it, because he was dazzled and feared a collision. That action caused him to lose control of the car. The car spun several times. I hugged my knees while Ezequiel lunged over me to protect me.

I awoke in terrible pain. Everything was upside down. I tried to move but couldn't. My seatbelt was fastened. I unbuckled it, and my body immediately fell, adding to the pain. I searched for Ezequiel. He was beside me.

"My love. Wake up. We need to get out of here." But he didn't respond.

I tried to drag him out, but it was difficult. I pulled him a few meters with great effort. Tears blurred my vision when I heard an explosion. I began to scream in fear. My hearing went numb. I held Ezequiel tightly and kissed his lips.

"Wake up, my love. Please wake up. I'm so scared." But he still did not react.

I lay down beside him and held him. I wouldn't leave him. Not like this. In the distance, I heard the sirens. I was numb, trying to awaken the love of my life. Moments later, I felt myself being pulled away from him forcefully. I didn't want to leave him. I was crying inconsolably. Mariana arrived by my side, followed by Matias and Julia.

I saw them put his body in a black bag in the distance, and I felt life ending for me at that moment. I began to feel worse. I was bleeding out. Matias tried to locate the wounds, to no avail. My friend was desperate. So, not knowing what else to do, he signaled the paramedics.

"Please let me go with him. Matt, please don't take him away. He'll be scared; it's raining, it's cold. He will be cold!" I screamed, crying uncontrollably.

The more I spoke, the more Matias cried. I knew he adored his friend with all his soul, and now he was torn between being with me and going with him. But I guess he understood everything. He knew there was nothing more to be done for his friend, but with me, it was different.

"Matt, take me with him. Please." I yelled again. "Why won't you let me be with him?"

At that moment, the world went dark before my eyes. I knew nothing more. I woke up in a hospital bed a week later."

An hour later, Nick was waiting for me in the living room. I had a short session with him. He prescribed me some sedatives since mine had run out. He talked a lot about what happened. He also apologized for not answering my calls; he was traveling and had turned off his cell phone. Although I hate having to see a psychologist, I must admit Nick is very good for me and helps me a lot. Especially now, when I have found a new reason to hold on.

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