Chapter 10

GABRIELA

It took me a little over an hour to get to Marcos' house and it's around ten to twelve at night. I just hope I don't wake any of them. I got out of the car, put on my jacket and as soon as I was in front of the door, I rang. Marcos didn't take long to open up to me and the first thing he does is give me a hug.

"Hello Gabriela, come in." Marcos said "Hello, where are my siblings?" I asked, exhausted "We were watching TV, apparently my parents aren't going to show up until Monday. But how are you?" He asked and I shrugged, "Ok, a little tired, but ok. My siblings didn't fight, right?"

"No, honestly we had a good time, I haven't had this good in a while, even Carlos didn't look at the phone even once." He said happily and that caught my attention. "Is Carlos here?" I asked surprised, because in recent months, it was rare to see him here.

Just then he appears with a big smile on his face. It had been a long time since I really saw him and I missed the moments the three of us spent when we were little, Carlos was in charge of taking care of me and Marcos since he was the oldest.

"Hello little sister, how are you doing?" He asked after giving me a hug. "Not a little sister, I'm two years younger than you, for little sister you have Ana, and to answer your question, I'm doing well." I responded "I'm glad, do you want to have some dinner?" He asked and I denied "It's not necessary, I'll have something to eat at home."

"Well, your siblings are sleeping." I closed my eyes for a couple of seconds, because I couldn't believe they fall asleep. "It can't be, I'll have to wake them up." I protested, "No need, you can stay here." He suggested and I denied, "I don't want to bother Carlos."

"You're not going to bother, really. Stay. I'm not going to stop until I convince you, you know." I knew very well Carlos isn't going to stop insisting, and if I was rested and all I would have denied, but I'm too tired to go home.

"Ok, but know that I'm doing it because I'm too sleepy to go home." I assured, because it's true "I know, that's why I told you. I'm going to make you something to eat." He confirmed and I denied "It's not necessary, I'm not hungry." I assured "You should eat something."

"Carlos is right Gabriela, I'm sure you haven't eaten anything in the hospital." He replied, laughing and I rolled my eyes. "You can believe I did, Alex made me." I assured him and he suddenly stopped laughing. "Who's Alex?"

Marcos and I turned to Carlos and he stayed looking at us. I forgot he didn't know and I don't know if it was the best thing to tell him because I remember the moment, we broke up he got very angry and even wanted to go beat him, but between Carlota, Marcos and I managed to avoid it.

"Are you going to answer me or what is happening?" I honestly had no idea what to do. I trusted him and everything, and I'm sure he wouldn't do anything to him, but right now my head wasn't the most reliable to make decisions like these, especially considering I only want to sleep.

"He's a friend of ours who came to college this year." I said "New? And is he your age?" He asked, frowning. "Yes, why do you ask?" Marcos asked, "Because that name related to Gabriela doesn't bring back good memories for me. If I had him in front of me now or knew he's close to her, I would be able to give him the beating he has deserved for years."

"No, it's not him." I assured, "He better, but I'm going to the pantry to make you some pasta." He said, leaving the topic "Anything works for me Carlos." I responded, taking a deep breath. "But you like pasta, so I'm going to make you pasta."

"Ok, whatever you want." He left the kitchen to go to the pantry and Marcos and I were left alone looking into nothingness. "You're going to have to tell Carlos about Alex too." Marcos said, looking at me. "I realize, I thought he had gotten over his anger after all this time."

"No, it hasn't gotten over him, for him you're his sister and he's not going to let anyone hurt you like he did, I'm serious, I have never seen him like that with anyone like he does with you. Even though Alex was his best friend, he hasn't forgiven him and it's kind of strange, I think." He said and I nodded, because it's true "I have no idea, honestly." I responded "I'm telling you."

Just at that moment Carlos enters the door and we keep quiet, more than anything I don't want him to get angrier about this topic, I'm sure he'll get angry when I tell him, but I will try to do everything in my power so he doesn't get angry when he finished making dinner, Carlos poured some. I was finishing eating when Ana enters the kitchen half asleep.

"Gabriela?" she asked, running her fingers over her eyes. "Hey honey, aren't you sleepy?" I asked with a smile on my face. "Yeah, but I wanted Carlos or Marcos to read me a book before I went to bed."

"I'll go now in a little while Ana." Carlos said, finishing whatever he was doing. "With Gabriela here, could it be her?" Ana asked, looking in my direction. "She's tired, she needs to rest." It could be that I'm tired but I couldn't resist the little face Ana made, I would hardly be able to resist if she didn't make that face. I loved little children and I have known Ana since she was born and I used to come to their house to see her, of course I also saw Marcos, but I also came for her.

"It's ok guys, I can read it to you." I assured with a big smile on my face "You don't have to." My best friend insisted, "I'll be happy to do it, don't worry." I got up, took Ana's hand and took me more or less towards her room. Once there she put on her pajamas and got into bed. Before lying down, I made sure she's well covered and she didn't get too cold and she settled down. I read to her until she fell asleep and I stayed for a while looking at her until I fell asleep too.