Chapter 74

SERGIO

When I got home and asked about Gabriela, they told me she wasn't there, that she had gone out with Alex, so I ended up sitting in the living room. I wanted to apologize to Gabriela for being hard on her for the simple fact she's with him. I still don't like Alex too much, but Lara insisted he's good for her, and even though she hasn't looked too good lately, when he's there she looked a little better, so I settled for that.

I don't know exactly how much time had passed since I was sitting on the couch when Lara arrives and sits next to me. "Why do you need Gabriela?" She asked with curiosity evident in her voice. "I wanted to apologize to her about that guy."

"So, you realized he's good for her I guess." My wife said more than asked, "I don't know that, I just realized since what happened with Jack and our daughter isn't with Ana, he's the next one on the list that makes her a little better at least." I responded "That's good. Plus, my mother says she has a glow she hasn't had in a while, which is due to Alex."

"I don't know, the only thing I know is that I want her to be happy and if that guy gives her what she's looking for, I'm not going to be the one to take away her happiness." I said, shrugging my shoulders. "I'm sure she'd love to hear that." My wife answered with a smile on her face, "Maybe, but how is she today?"

"Worse than it's been since what happened with Jack. Alex had to bring her because she had fallen asleep at the college and now, he has taken her, I guess, so she can relax a little. Looks like she had a bad day at college." Lara said, shrugging her shoulders. "What has happened to her today?" I asked a little frustrated.

"I don't know, I just know Carlota called a while ago to ask how she and if she was with someone. It had to have been something pretty big for her to be calling asking if she's alone." She responded, "That reminds me of that time when she got sick after Alex left her, she always called to ask if Marcos was there and if he wasn't she was home with her shortly after. I never understood why they did it."

"They were worried about her, you know very well since they met, they didn't separate for anything, and at that moment we know Gabriela wasn't well, maybe they knew things we had no idea, I really don't know the reason, but at least they encouraged her a little." She answered, "I don't know if they encouraged her, but they were with her, that's the most important thing. Sometimes I hate how stubborn our daughter is."

"Look who talks." My wife said, laughing softly, "I'm not that much." I defended myself, "Of course you are, the thing is you don't realize it." She answered, "But I don't have the problems Gabriela has with anxiety."

"Yeah, but no one can take that custom away now, we have no choice but to be there when she needs us." Lara responded, "Even though we don't help her at all, sometimes we make her feel worse?" I asked despite knowing the answer "Still, but she won't even need us."

"How so?" I asked curiously. "From what Carlota said, Alex gets her to relax pretty quickly." She reported "You keep adding things so I have no choice but to accept him." I responded, rolling my eyes and snorting, "You'll have to do it anyway. This time is different from the last time, I highly doubt Alex is going to break up with her."

"You say that because you want to believe it." I pointed out, "No, I'm telling you this because it's what I see, watch them when they come, you'll realize what I'm telling you is true." She responded, "I'll try to pay attention, but it's not easy." I answered sincerely, "It can be seen easily, but I trust you're capable of doing it, even if it's for Gabriela's happiness, she deserves it."

"I know, and it's what I want, but does it really have to be with him?" I asked, more to myself than to Lara. "It's who she loves, we can't do anything about that." Lara replied with a shrug. "I know, I know, that's why I try to accept him."

"I'm sure you'll make it, anyway, you'd have to do it, Gabriela wouldn't allow you to give Alex a hard time. But I'm telling you seriously, that guy has changed, he loves her and will do nothing but love her, stop being so stubborn and allow yourself to see how much they love each other, at that moment you'll be able to get out all that resentment you have against him." With that she left the room leaving me alone thinking about everything she said. I'm almost sure this guy has changed, but I still don't like him for Gabriela, but as Lara told me, I guess I have no choice but to get used to it.

When Gabriela arrived, she was in the dining room with the others, but she practically had no time to say hello because Ana took her upstairs, which she wanted to show her. Alex had entered after her, but had remained standing at the dining room door until Lara told him to come in and sit next to us.

"How is Gabriela?" my wife asked the boy, "Better, I hope now she'll start to improve." He responded convinced "Why?" My wife asked, "Gabriela told me something, and let out some weight, I hope that makes her better because if not, I have no idea what to do to make her better."

"For your information, Gabriela always knew how to handle herself, she doesn't need to have you in her life for that." I snorted "Sergio!" Lara exclaimed "What? That's what I think, but excuse me, I didn't have to talk to you like that." I said, looking at him, "Of course not, Dad, and just so you know, I do need him in my life, so don't start with the usual routine now that I'm in a good mood, please."

We all got jumpy because we didn't expect Gabriela to appear out of nowhere and it's true, she seemed in a good mood. It's at that moment I noticed the two of them as Lara had asked me to. Before sitting next to us, Gabriela approaches him, gives him a kiss and it seems that amazed him.

During the time I was looking at them, I could see he didn't take his eyes off her and seemed to tense up every time Gabriela did, or rather, everything that Gabriela seemed to feel, he felt, or that's the impression he gave me. Another thing that impressed me a little was the fact that whenever Marcos, Carlota or any of us told anything she didn't want told, he would come to my daughter's defense, even though his face showed all the interest to know what it was Gabriela didn't want us to know.

An hour later and after analyzing this guy, I decided it's time to talk to Gabriela. This had helped me realize Alex's is good for my daughter and I had to accept it, if that was what would make Gabriela happy it was something I should accept her boyfriend. It would be difficult for him to earn my respect and I appreciate it, that's more than clear to me.