Episode 9

After a long time of drying my manicure and some makeup touch-ups, we left. The stylist recommended that I use contact lenses, but I told her that I was already used to wearing glasses and besides, it would hide my honey-colored eye. She said that if it was to improve my vision, it wasn't mandatory to use them with an artificial color. I thought about it and decided, why not? I had already changed many things in my wardrobe and makeup, so I accepted. When I looked at myself in the mirror, I hardly recognized myself.

It had been almost a month since Markus had left for Italy. Bettina told me that his trips usually lasted between weeks or months, depending on how the business was going. For me, it would be much better if he stayed there for a whole year. "Ma'am, with all due respect..." "Bettina, what have I told you about formalities? Call me Christine." "Alright, it's just that I'm not used to it." "Okay, I forgive you. What did you want to tell me?" "Well, you look beautiful, and the young man will be amazed when he sees you." "Thank you, Bettina, but I couldn't care less. I just want him to stay away from me." "I know perfectly well what he did to you, and I'm not defending him, but you should let go of your grudge and make him fall in love with you." "Me? Fall in love with that arrogant, egocentric, despicable rapist?" "Yes, I believe that was Rodolfo Meyer's plan. He was hurt when he found out what the young man had done to you." Hearing Bettina speak about the grandfather's plan for his grandson to fall in love with me surprised me. "Can you explain? I don't understand." "I can't tell you anything else. Just take this letter; the lawyer left it for you." She handed me the letter and disappeared down the hallway. I looked at it; it was from Grandfather Gerardo.

"My dear granddaughter Christiane, I asked my lawyer to give you this letter in case you decide to marry my grandson. I know you are confused right now and don't understand why I threw you into the arms of your stalker." "I found out what Markus did to you, and I confronted him many times. I wanted to report him, but I couldn't. It would not only be a scandal, but it would expose you, and I felt complicit in all the harm he had done to you." "I thought that if something happened to me, I wanted my grandson to spend some time with you, to see the amazing woman you are, just like I did." "I knew of all your needs, and I apologize for not helping you. I was waiting for you to trust me and ask for my help, but you never did." "You always fought alone, and that made me proud. I am glad to have lived my last years hearing you call me grandpa..."

As I read the letter, I couldn't hold back my tears. Now, I understood the reason why Grandfather had done this. But he didn't consider that neither Markus nor I would be close. He was busy with his business, and I would never seek anything from him.

MARKUS

The airplane trip was exhausting, but I managed to resolve all the matters we had there. I wouldn't return for a long time; I left someone trustworthy in charge of the company we have there. I just wanted to get home and rest for a few days. The Italian girls made the stay enjoyable; I couldn't complain. I called Mauricio; I wanted him to bring all the reports to my house since I wouldn't go to the office. When I arrived, it was already late; it was past 7 in the evening. I went upstairs, entered my room, took a shower, put on my pajamas, and quickly fell asleep.

The next morning, I woke up after 9 o'clock. I showered and went downstairs to have breakfast. Mauricio would arrive any minute. "Bettina, where is the lady?" That sounded strange. "Sir, good morning. The lady left early for university." "University? I didn't know she was studying." "Yes, she's about to graduate in accounting." "I didn't know," I was surprised to learn that this little girl was studying. I always saw her as plain and unremarkable. Bettina said it in a way that made it seem like I should be proud of her. After a few minutes, Mauricio appeared. "Hello, my friend. How are you? How was your trip to Italy?"