Chapter 25

GABRIELA

It didn't take us too long to get to college. Right now, I could say I'm happier than I have been in recent weeks. Alex always managed to keep me in a good mood.

He was absolutely right when he said she wouldn't be able to break us and I would take care of that. The only person who could end our relationship is him, I wouldn't be able to do it, I love him too much.

We're going up the stairs to go to my class when I see that girl smiling. I'm sure she's that happy because she noticed how affected I was by her presence and she supposed it's going to be easy to take Alex away from me like she once did. What she didn't know is that I'm not the same Gabriela from eight years ago. Everything had changed since then.

I could notice how Alex had tightened his grip on our hands a little more, I don't know if it's so I wouldn't get angry for seeing her, or to prevent from getting angry himself, either of the two options is possible. Well, right now he's more likely to get angry. I know it bothers Paula that I'm with Alex and it's an opportunity I wouldn't waste. If what she says is true, that she loves Alex, she'll know what I felt when she walked with him at school to remind me, he was with her, that she had won the war. Now I can see it was just a battle, the war would be coming soon. I wasn't going to let her break us apart, Alex will be the only one who can end our relationship.

She's going down the stairs, I suppose, to go to her next class. I turn to Alex and kiss him. At first it took him a little while to react, I think mostly because I had caught him off guard, but it doesn't take him too long to continue. I don't know how long we were kissing, the only thing I know is I could notice a look on my back, probably Paula's, and I knew well it's not a friendly one.

When we separate, Alex stares at me curiously, I suppose because he doesn't understand what the kiss was about, or at least he can get a vague idea. "I love you, my darling." I said with a big smile on my face "I love you, honey, you were, are and will be my only love."

At that moment someone hits me in the arm with the backpack as they pass by us. I know it's her, but I still turn to see her. It seems she's upset and that is what makes me most amused. Paula may be going to do everything in her power to separate me and Alex, but I'll not be left behind and will do everything in my power to prevent it.

I didn't really like to bother people, but with her words don't help much. I'm clear everything I do with Alex is going to bother her a lot, but I can't help what I feel for him. I just hope she understand there will be nothing that can separate me and Alex.

When we get to my class, Alex and I kiss and say goodbye. The class went by relatively quickly and I was happy about that. I gathered my things and as soon as I left class, Alex approaches where I'm with the others behind him.

"Well, at least you look better." Marcos said, somewhat surprised. "I am. There will be no one to make me bitter or in a bad mood." I assured, because it's true, I'm not going to allow Paula to make me angry. "That's the Gabriela I know. I'm glad to hear you, bestie."

"I really can't understand you sometimes Gabriela. I'm being serious. First, you're nervous, then angry and now in a good mood. You're weird." Sara said, to which I rolled my eyes. "I won't deny it, I'm weird, but I know how to use my brain."

At those words Marcos stops. He's best who knows me and can understand what's going on in my head. "What's going through your head Gabriela? You're not thinking about doing something, are you?" He asked, "I don't know what you're talking about, Marcos." I played dumb "Of course you know. You always have that smile when you plan to bother your siblings, me, Carlota or Carlos."

"I'm not thinking anything, I keep telling you, I don't know what you mean." I responded insisting. At that moment his face changes to one of concern, I guess he's imagining something that's not really.

"Gabriela, tell me you don't plan to do anything to Paula. You know she's dangerous," he asked and I denied. "I know and I'm not going to do anything to her. You don't believe me so stupid, right?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "No, I don't think you're stupid, but I know the extent of your anger."

"Who says I'm angry?" I asked, "You may not be now, but today you were. I don't want anything to happen to you because of her." He assured and I nodded, because that's more than clear to me. "Stop worrying Marcos, I'm not going to do anything to her, I promise, I'll only do what I've been doing until now."

"What exactly?" He asked, "Well, being with you, with Alex, what I've been doing these last few months, really." I could see from Marcos's face he's not completely convinced, but what I said is true, I wouldn't do anything to Paula, it would just bother her a little, but I would achieve that by doing the same thing I've been doing these last few months, either. Right now, Paula would get upset seeing me with Alex all the time. It wasn't my fault he didn't love her and be with me because he does.

"Marcos, I believe her. Do you really think Gabriela will stoop to that level? I don't really see her capable." Sara supported "I may be exaggerating, but I don't want that woman to hurt her again, I wouldn't like to see the depressed Gabriela again."

"And you won't. I'm happy Marcos, more than I have ever been in my life, all thanks to you. Relax a little." I asked and he looked at me for a couple more seconds. "Do you promise me you won't do anything?" He asked and I nodded "I promise."

With that he's calmer. I don't know what's going through his head that made him not trust what I'm telling him, but I guess it's nothing good. For a couple of minutes, they moved away as usual to give me and Alex time to say goodbye until next day.

"Do I have to worry about what Marcos said?" Alex asked, and I denied, because he didn't have to. "No, really. I'm not going to do anything I haven't been doing in recent months." I assured "I hope so, I don't want her to do anything to you."

"She won't do anything to me, don't worry." I stated, or at least it was really my fault. "I won't, but I don't want to say goodbye to you now." He said with a pout on his face "We have to do it; we have to go home."

"I know, that's what kills me." He said and a hint of guilt appeared in my chest for not telling my family I'm with him. "Don't worry, I will soon tell my family I'm with you." I assured him, "You don't have to tell them yet."

"I have to do it; I'm not going to keep you hidden all my life. Furthermore, the rumor that is not so rumor is beginning to be said more frequently, I prefer they find out from me than from a stranger." I affirmed, because I know they would take it much worse if they found out from other people "As you wish, beautiful. If you want, I can help you."

"No, it's not necessary, I can manage on my own." I assured, "Well, let me know if you need anything." He asked and I nodded "I will." I confirmed, even though I wasn't going to do it. First, I wanted to know the extent of the anger they may have at home. Before I left with the rest, we kissed and everything was going well until I heard some voices that shouldn't still be here, much less see me kissing Alex. I separate myself from him and look over his shoulder to see how my siblings looking at me with surprised faces.

"Don't tell me your siblings are there." He asked and I nodded "Shit, what do we do now?" He asked with nervousness in his voice "They didn't see your face, if so, I'm sure they'll know who you really are. You should leave." I said, "I don't want to leave you alone with all the problems."

"Don't worry, my siblings are easy to convince, nothing will happen, now go." I asked and he moved away from me so he could see me. "Are you sure?" He asked "Sure, leave before Maria sees you."

That was a lie. My sister, María, was the most difficult person to convince, especially when it came to boys. I'm sure she would tell my parents, but I'm going to have to manage to keep them from saying anything. Mario, on the other hand, is easy to convince, but bad luck for me, there were both of them. For being twins, they differed in many ways, especially in character.

It didn't take long for my siblings to approach and I could see in Maria's face she had seen everything, I just hope she didn't see who Alex really was, because then I would have a problem.

"Are you going to tell me why you didn't tell us you have a boyfriend?" They asked, annoyed, "I just don't have it." I said as confidently as I could, "Oh sure, Mario, you saw her kiss someone, right?" my sister asked Mario "Yes, I have seen it." He stated, "I was saying something in his ear, is it that you guys don't do it with your friends or what's wrong?"

"That wasn't telling someone something in their ear, don't try to trick us because mom and dad will find out about this." my sister assured me and I rolled my eyes. "Nothing was really happening. If you don't want to believe me, that's up to you." I said seriously, "María, what Gabriela says is a possibility."

"Don't start Mario, what we saw is true." He protested, "Gabriela would tell us she has a boyfriend if that's the case, right?" He asked and even though I don't like lying, at this moment I had to do it. "Of course, I would tell you."

"You, see? You don't need to make up stories in your head." Mario scolded our sister "Ok, tell me a single time when Gabriela told us she had a boyfriend? In case you find it, I'll believe you." she asked Mario, crossing her arms over her chest. "Alex. She said it." he responded quickly.

At that moment my siblings turn to see me. They knew very well this is one of those things I hate to talk about, or at least as far as they know right now. I still don't like to talk about it too much, but it wasn't I get defensive just by mentioning Alex.

"Sorry Gabriela, I didn't mean that." He apologized. "I know, but it's the truth at the end of the day, right?" I asked, shrugging my shoulders, "This time I'll listen to you Gabriela, but don't think with that things are going to stay like this. I plan to investigate what's happening and if we can trust what you say."

"You'll see it's true, but let's go before Marcos comes looking for us or Mom gets worried." They both nodded and we started walking, and good luck to me, it seems for the moment there's going to be a truce with this thing about my boyfriend. I didn't think it would be that easy to half convince María, I would have to tell her, the sooner the better, for that I had to get my parents, my siblings and my grandparents together, since the rest of the family is a little more complicated since they lived abroad.