Vicky's Narrative
It has been three years since that attack on a billionaire businessman, where my Mom Chepina and Dad Cheo accidentally died. Despite time passing quickly, I am still here working hard. Just last week, I graduated with a Doctorate degree, and I feel proud of my accomplishments. My Rehabilitation Center is improving every day. Thanks to various techniques I have applied, after so much work and experimentation, they have yielded results. I have restored the ability to walk to many patients who had lost hope, and now they are here, always thanking me. To them, I am like a kind of god, in whom they put all their faith, and I fulfilled the miracle for them.
My son Teo is a handsome little charmer, he's already 5 years old.
Yesterday, Valentina and I sang Happy Birthday, my little one turned out to be a genius. At such a young age, he can already read and I have to admit he's quite good at chess. He has won several awards in junior championships and is currently the best in his category. And how could he not be? Since he learned how to read, he's always carrying around a book called "The Zugzwang Method: How to Optimize Your Chess Preparation". He keeps talking about the book non-stop and sometimes his genius scares me, but I can't deny that I hit the jackpot with this child. Valentina broke up with her boyfriend a few years ago and it hit her really hard, as we say in Venezuela, but she's doing much better now. That's why I haven't fallen in love or given myself the chance to meet someone special. I feel like my heart is waiting for someone. Besides, I haven't had time for those things as I have devoted myself fully to my son and my company.
Matheo (Teo): Mom, what are you thinking? I was talking to you, but you haven't paid any attention to me.
Vicky: I'm sorry, my little one. The truth is, I was a little distracted, thinking about some techniques to help my patients recover mobility at the Rehabilitation Center, my love.
Teo: Mmm, okay mom. Well, I was telling you that we were informed at school today that there will be an inter-school chess championship, and I want to participate.
Vicky: Of course, my love. That sounds fantastic. I'm very confident that you'll be the champion.
Teo: Well, Mom, I learned from the best - you taught me. I'm as intelligent as you are.
Vicky: Oh, my love, I'm so proud of you.
Teo: And I'm proud of you, Mom. You're the best mom, sister, that Mom Victoria left me.
Vicky: And you're the best son, brother, my love. I love you, my child.
Teo: I love you too, Mom. By the way, Mom, can you please help me with my homework?
Vicky: Of course, my love. But finish eating and we'll go to the rehabilitation center, and you can do your homework there in my office.
Teo: Okay, Mommy.
In Italy: Narrated by Max
It has been three damn years and I'm still stuck in this damn wheelchair. According to my father, the D'Maggios disappeared, and we've been looking for them but haven't found their whereabouts.
I'm tired of this situation. Sometimes I wish I had died in that attack. But no, life has sentenced me to this damn confinement, being dependent on everyone.
(Knocking at the door)
Max: Who is it?
Domenico: It's me, your worst nightmare.
Max: Get out of here, Domenico. I've already told you that I don't want you to insist anymore. (Domenico enters my room without giving me any time) Didn't they teach you to ask for permission to enter?
Domenico: Well, yes, but with you, why should I ask when you never let me in anyway?
Max: What do you want?
Domenico: Brother, it has been three damn years. Life goes on outside and you need to get out of these four walls.
Max: And for what? To be a damn burden that depends on everyone?
Domenico: If you had accepted the Physiotherapists' help, you would have been recovering by now. But no, you insist on pushing them away and treating them poorly. Do you want to stay in this damn wheelchair forever?
Max: Hahaha, you say it as if it were so easy. What do I need to walk for? Look at me, not even Natacha, who swore her love to me, has approached me in the past two damn years. She broke up with me, saying she couldn't handle my situation.
Domenico: Well, why complain? She did you a favor. Besides, she's just a spoiled girl. I'm sure there's someone out there who will fall in love with you.
Max: Hahaha, just leave and stop saying stupid things. Now, tell me, why have you come? To take me out for a walk? I don't believe that story.
Domenico: You know me so well, brother. Well, the truth is, Don Maximo asked me to convince you to resume your therapy.
Max: I've already said no, and it's my decision.
Narrated by Don Maximo.
A week ago, I found out about the existence of a young woman in Spain who is an authority in rehabilitation. I asked Carlos to investigate her in hopes that my son will be able to walk again. In the past three years, he has had hundreds of therapists, but none have been able to achieve anything, not even restoring his sensation. Dr. James, on the other hand, told me about this doctor, and I am willing to go as far as kidnapping her to make her come. Meanwhile, I asked Domenico to convince my son to resume therapy. I don't know why, but something tells me that this young woman will change my son's life and he will become the same Max he was before the attack.
Carlos: Sir, I have all the information you requested about the physiotherapist.
Don Maximo: Tell me, what did you find out?
Carlos: Her name is Victoria Santiago Fisher, she is 23 years old, born in Venezuela. Her father died when she was a child, and her mother passed away five years ago. She graduated with honors as a licensed physiotherapist in Venezuela and later received a scholarship to pursue a doctorate in Neurological Physiotherapy in Spain. Interestingly, during the attack, they were also present at the same restaurant, resulting in the death of two people who she considered her second parents. She runs a highly regarded rehabilitation center in Madrid, ranking as the best in the city. She has a five-year-old son, and details about the child's father are unknown. Her personal life appears to be without a husband, and her only family is her son and her best friend, Valentina. Furthermore, she has successfully applied various techniques to patients with similar conditions as Young Max, restoring their mobility. That's all, sir.
Don Maximo: Truly remarkable at such a young age.
Carlos: Indeed, sir.
Don Maximo: Do whatever it takes, but I want her here now.
Carlos: Understood, sir. I will have one of my men contact her first.
Don Maximo: No, I will personally travel and talk to her. Prepare the plane; we are leaving for Spain today.
Carlos: Yes, sir.
(We traveled to Spain and arrived at our apartment. I quickly located the address of the rehabilitation center, and this afternoon, I will visit her. I hope to convince her to come with me.)
Vicky's Perspective:
Teo and I are already at the rehabilitation center. My child, always so beautiful, greets everyone first. He loves being in the children's area, reading stories to them while they undergo their therapies. Without a doubt, this child continues to surprise me every day.
Valentina: Hi Vicky, how are you?
Vicky: I'm fine, Vale. What do you have for me today?
Valentina: Just before you arrived, a man came, and by the look on his face, he urgently needs to speak with you. I told him he needed to schedule an appointment, but his gaze, way of speaking, and insistence frighten me. So I asked him to wait for you.
Vicky: Very well, Vale, no problem. Let's greet the impatient gentleman. Please tell Matheo to come and finish his tasks, and also inform Dr. Contreras to take care of my patients.
Valentina: Perfect, Vicky. I'll bring in the gentleman right away.
(I stayed behind organizing some papers. Valentina is my right-hand person. She completed her administrative studies and has been in charge of my company ever since. Soon, I will be opening a rehabilitation center in Valencia. It's time to expand. Additionally, as my dad Cheo once said, life is not only about work and money. Therefore, for the past year, we have been providing free rehabilitation to people with limited resources.)
Someone knocks on the door of my office, and I immediately invite them in.
Vicky: Come in. I'm Dr. Victoria Santiago. My secretary informed me that it is urgent to speak with me in person. How can I assist you?
Don Maximo: Pleasure to meet you, charming Miss. My name is Maximo Pierini, and the reason for my visit is to ask you to travel with me to Italy.
(I raised an eyebrow and looked at Mr. Maximo intensively. I must admit that his gaze and the way he expresses himself are intimidating.)
Vicky: I'm afraid, sir, I don't understand what you're trying to say.
Don Maximo: Excuse me, Miss. I know what I'm proposing sounds absurd, but you are my only hope to restore my son's legs. Three years ago, he had an accident, and since then, he has been confined to a wheelchair.
Vicky: I understand, sir, but what makes you think I will travel? In case you want me to treat your son, you can bring him here, and I'll attend to him without any issues.
Don Maximo: Since the accident, my son has closed himself off from possibilities. Many specialists have treated him, but none have achieved even the slightest improvement. I would like to bring him here, but he has shut himself in his room and doesn't even leave.
Vicky: I'm sorry, sir, but I can't do anything about that. One of the first conditions we impose on our patients when they enter rehabilitation is that they must have the determination and attitude to recover. Unfortunately, even the best physiotherapist in the world wouldn't achieve anything without that.
Don Maximo: I understand, Doctor, but still, I need you to travel with me. I'll give you until tomorrow to think about it. Otherwise, I'll use other methods to bring you with me.
Vicky: Are you planning to kidnap me?
Don Maximo: If I have no other choice, I will.
(Hearing those words from Mr. Maximo scared me a lot. His way of speaking made it clear that he wasn't playing around. If he kidnapped me, I would die far away from Matheo. I remained silent, observing him, waiting for a response. At that moment, my son knocked on the door.)
Teo: Mom, can I come in?
Vicky: Of course, my love. Come in.
Teo: Good afternoon, sorry to interrupt.
Vicky: No need to worry, my dear. Go to your desk and finish your tasks.
Teo: Okay, mommy.
Don Maximo: (I remained silent, observing the child as he entered. He is a beautiful child, well-mannered too.) So, Doctor, what do you say?
Vicky: As I was saying, sir, I cannot agree to that. As you may have noticed, I have a child, and I can't leave him alone, nor can I abandon my other patients who need treatment here.
Don Maximo: The child wouldn't be a problem. He can come with you, if necessary. And as for your patients, you can delegate your responsibilities to another specialist. I understand that this place prides itself on excellence.
Vicky: I see that you took the trouble to research.
Don Maximo: I always research everything before taking action, Miss. So, do you have an answer for me?
Vicky: I'll think about it.
Don Maximo: Don't bother thinking about it. Remember, either way, I will take you with me.
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