Episode 15

Kilian

When I insisted on hiring the best team to locate Elian, tracing his devices if necessary, I expected to find him anywhere but a place like this.

I found myself outside a specialized clinic, questioning the accuracy of the address, yet the moment I provided our names at reception, I was given a room number, and a nurse was promptly asked to escort me there.

"It's great that Mr. Montenegro had a change of heart. The surgery is high-risk, and mental and emotional stability are crucial factors. With your support, it will be much easier for him." What was this woman talking about? Elian was scheduled for surgery? Why? For what reason? Did he lie to avoid telling us what was truly happening?

"What's wrong with my brother?"

"It's best if he tells you himself," she said, opening the door for me to enter. There he was, hunched over his laptop on the bed.

"We kept advising him to remain calm. Stress could jeopardize the operation, potentially leading to a postponement," — he didn’t even look up, which was typical of him, always too engrossed in his work, his personal life not so much.

Elian: One second, I’m almost done. — The nurse slammed the laptop shut, scolding him firmly. It seemed they were well-acquainted. How long had he been here?

Elian: I still have a week until my oper... — Finally, noticing me, he blanched immediately.

"Oh right, your brother is here. I'll leave you two alone. Make sure you don't use this device again," the nurse said before departing. Elian kept staring at me as if he had seen a ghost.

Elian: What are you doing here? How did you find me? — I hugged him. My concern had been great; now it was overwhelming.

Something was clear; he felt unwell and chose not to reveal it, opting to feign nonchalance instead. Wasn't I deserving of my own brother's trust? I acted foolish back then, but I wanted explanations, which he wouldn’t offer, letting my frustration pour out.

"I'm always worrying because of you. You never consider the consequences of your impulsive decisions. You shut me out, relying solely on yourself like you're alone in this damned world. But you're not alone"I'm here. Why can't you understand?... Why can't you just trust me?

Elian: I'm sorry. I didn't know what to do. I'm still in shock and can hardly believe it myself. — What was happening? His expression mirrored the one he wore the day he confided in me, only it seemed even graver.

"Elian, what’s wrong? What operation are they talking about?"

Elian: I’m going to die. — Impossible. I must have misunderstood.

"That's not true! Tell me it's one of your jokes."

Elian: It's not! I have a tumor. — Suddenly, my legs gave way, and my composure deserted me.

"You can’t die! I can't lose you too..." I felt his hands soothing my hair, heard his voice filled with a calm he shouldn't possess. He was afraid"I was terrified. How could he remain so composed?"

Elian: There's a chance I might live if I have the surgery, but it's also possible I won’t leave that room. I didn’t want to worry you all, so I left, thinking it'd be easier if you believed that...

"I’m staying with you..."

Elian: No, you're in charge of the company, you’re the president...

"The company be damned!" My own words surprised me; I had never imagined saying them. But they were true. I've been unable to prevent the loss of loved ones before. I won't go through that again.

"Do you think I could run it knowing you are here? I won't go, I won't leave you alone."

Elian: Even if you stay, you can't alter fate. If it’s meant for me to die... — I cut him off without thinking. Hearing him talk like that was unbearable. I grabbed him, forcing him to silence, and kissed him. At first, he didn’t react, but the thought of him being capable of making me lose my mind with just a kiss had never occurred to me.

"Understand this, Elian, I am your damned fate, don’t you dare give up." His face flushed with red, and he turned away from me.

"Elian?"

Elian: Is this supposed to be a confession? Weren't you the one who called it absurd and a mistake? You pushed me away, treating me like a stranger all these years, and now... — He was crying.

"Elian, forgive me. I didn’t mean to hurt you or our father. I’ve never been indifferent to your feelings; you were just too young."

Elian: I was 18, old enough to know what or who I wanted.

"We were raised as brothers..."

Elian: But we aren't blood-related, and I've felt this way about you for a long time. — Why hadn’t we discussed this before? Right, I was the one who built the wall between us.

"There's more. I disapprove of your actions knowing what that world is like. Once seduced by it, escape is impossible."

Elian: I'm not like that, really. The only time I was foolish was when you pulled me from that car, or at least tried to. I pretended because it seemed the only time you really saw me, or if something happened at the company. It became a habit to annoy you. — I never perceived it that way.

"Maybe it's not your style, but perhaps it's mine."

Elian: What do you mean?

Kilian: That's not what matters now. You are what’s important. I need to know everything, in detail. — I can tell he wants to keep asking questions, but I'd rather not talk about that anymore. It’s not what matters right now.

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