Chapter 79

GABRIELA

I know Marcos had the right to be angry, I understood it, I really did, but that didn't give him the right to speak the way he spoke to Carlos, because what he did was because of the tumor he had and not because he was jealous or anything.

I was following him until he stopped and turned in my direction. "Leave me alone, Gabriela?" He said and I denied "No, because you and I have to talk seriously." I responded, crossing my arms. "I have nothing to talk to you about, I made things clear." He protested, "Of course you made things clear to me, but that doesn't mean you have to talk to your brother like you talked to him about what happened that day."

"He knew all this time, you thought of telling him before me." He said in a hurt tone, and I denied, because it hadn't been my intention. What's more, I didn't even tell him much of the things. "Sorry to tell you, but I didn't tell your brother anything. I don't know how he found out about that, and I really don't care at this moment, the only thing I hate is you spoke to your brother like that. It's not his fault you found out from him."

"No, actually I found out from Carlota." He confessed and I frowned trying to understand what was happening "Carlota?" I asked, confused. "Yes, she told me the day of the exhibition because I blamed her for treating Clara badly." He responded, "I know, and no matter how much I tried to avoid it, I couldn't keep quiet. "You should know what Carlota is like when she is angry."

"I know, and I know I shouldn't have spoken to my brother like that, but it just came out on my own." He responded and I nodded, because I already knew that had been the case. "Well, you're going to apologize to him right now, I don't want him to feel bad for something that he's not technically to blame for. After you do that, I'll leave you alone."

"Wait, you're not going to tell me anything about what I told you?" He asked surprised and I denied, because I didn't have that intention. "No, because at the end of the day you are going to continue believing what she tells you." I answered honestly, "So everything you told me, is it true?" He asked and I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know what Marcos told you, and I honestly don't think it matters much what I tell you."

"Of course it matters, you are my sister Gabriela, and you are one of the most important people in my life." He said and I knew he meant it sincerely. "So is Clara." I pointed out and he nodded "Yes, so does she, but I haven't known her all my life. Tell me what is happening with them so that Carlota cannot see them in front of them." She asked, "I'm sure Carlota told you everything, there's no need for me to tell you anything else."

"I want you to tell me." He quickly responded, "But I don't want to talk about it, Marcos, understand me." "Then answer two questions." He said simply and I nodded even though I don't think he wanted to answer them. "I'm sure I'll regret answering them later."

"It's nothing bad, really, I just want to know if it's true." He assured and I nodded again. "Well, ask." I said, "Is it true that Sara kissed Alex?" And I had to remind myself, I really tried to forget about that moment because at that moment I still thought that she was my best friend, or at least I didn't fully want to believe what Carlota had told me minutes before but seeing that hurt me in some way.

"I can see from your face it's true." He said and I sighed, the last thing I want to talk about is that "Really Marcos, I don't want to talk about this." I responded "Okay, answer last question." He insisted and I nodded. "Is it true when Clara spoke to you, she told you they always hated you? That they were only with us to know things about you?"

"Marcos…" I started to say, but he raised his hand and shook his head. "Okay, I know everything I needed, but let me tell you something. You didn't need to protect me, I'll be fine." He assured, "I didn't want you to find out like that, Marcos, and besides, you don't deserve to feel like that, you least of all should suffer for anyone, much less because the person you love hates me."

"But the thing is, if that person I love can't accept you, then they can't be part of my life. It may sound like I'm in love with you and all, but as I always tell you, you're my sister and I'm not going to let anyone hurt you, that's more than clear to me." He said and a small smile appeared on my face. "I think Clara is not as much like them." I confessed and he frowned. "What do you mean?" He asked curiously, "If she hated me like she says, she wouldn't have warned me the worst is about to come. I don't know what she meant yet, but she wouldn't warn me about that or tell me they were her family."

"What if it is a strategy?" He asked and I denied "I don't think so, but I don't really know what to expect from life anymore." I said sincerely, "I'm sure everything will be fine soon, I will be with you at all times." He responded with a smile on his face "Thank you, I really appreciate it, as will I."

We gave each other a hug and started walking towards the house laughing. Now I could understand why he was so angry these days and hardly spoke to me, but at least he talking to me, and that was what mattered to me, that and he didn't get upset about Clara.

When we got home, I could notice the tension, and both Alex and Carlos were looking at us with worried faces, which made us laugh. "Oh, I'm glad to see you find our concern so funny." Carlos said, rolling his eyes. "You just have to see each other's faces, it's funny." my best friend pointed out "So the next time you have this face I have right now I will laugh at your face too."

"If you really think that will happen, that's up to you. But the truth is, I don't know what you thought we would do," I said sincerely. "You could be killing each other, and we wouldn't find out until it was on the news. I can already imagine it, two lads dead because of a minor argument." Carlos said and both Marcos and I rolled our eyes. "Dude, you're exaggerating." Alex said next to him, "Hey, it's a possibility, or at least I would have been left without a brother, Gabriela is very dangerous when she gets angry."

"I'm not that bad, besides, it's the only way you'll really leave me alone." I defended myself, "Oh, excuse me ma'am for offending you like that." Carlos said exaggeratedly and trying to contain a laugh, "Ma'am? I'm younger than you" I said, "Okay, excuse me, miss." We started laughing and it was at that moment I realized Ana wasn't anywhere in the house, which is weird.

"Guys, where's Ana?" I asked. "In her room, why?" Carlos questioned. "She's quiet and it's not normal for her to be so quiet." I murmured more to myself than to them, "Don't start worrying, I'm sure nothing is wrong with her." My best friend's brother responded, rolling his eyes. "I'm going to see if she's alright."

"Gabriela, don't exaggerate, she must have fallen asleep." Carlos insisted, "I'm going to go see." I assured him and he raised his hands in the air. "As you wish." With that I left the room and headed upstairs to see what she's doing, because the fact she's so silent meant she's either up to something or sick.

When I entered the room, I could see her sitting on the floor cutting and gluing things on paper. "What are you up to honey?" I asked curiously and leaning on the door frame "Don't look! It's a surprise, mommy." She said quickly, trying to cover whatever she's doing with her small body. "Okay, I'm not looking." I turned towards the door and heard her quickly putting everything away.

"You can turn around now." She said, "What were you doing?" I asked curiously "Nothing, you'll see. Is Marcos still angry with you?" the little girl asked, and I shook my head with a big smile on my face. "Everything is fine now. Don't worry about it anymore darling." I asked, "So can we make something to eat, I'm hungry" Ana said, and I nodded. "Come on, what do you want for dinner?" I asked, "I don't know, what if we make a cake?"

"That's not dinner, but we can do it anyway, for dessert, do you think?" Ana got up from the floor, took my hand and we went downstairs. As soon as we headed to the kitchen the others did too. We had a great afternoon, at least what was left of it, and as soon as we said goodbye, Alex and I went to my house. I decided Ana would stay one night with her brothers; she must spend time as siblings.

"You look a little nervous, beautiful." my boyfriend pointed out next to me, "I'm not." I quickly responded, "Don't try to trick me because it doesn't work." Alex answered with a raised eyebrow. "Okay, it's not that I'm nervous, it's just it will be weird not having Ana at home, that's all." I finally said, "She will be fine, you yourself insisted she had to stay with her brothers." He answered and I nodded, because I already knew that. "I know, and I still think she needs, it's just it will be weird. It's complicated to explain."

"That happens to you because you have her like a daughter. Your relationship is beautiful, I love seeing you two together." He said with a big smile on his face "I don't do anything that parents don't do I think." I responded and my boyfriend denied, "Quite the opposite, beautiful, you do everything every child of the world would like to have as parents."

"It's not easy being parents, I knew it from the beginning, but now having to take care of Ana I have realized how difficult it really is." I admitted, "Well, it doesn't seem like it's difficult for you." He answered and I denied, because it really is "Well it is, but it's worth it." I assured, "Of course, sometimes I can't help but think about what one of our children will be like."

"Me neither, just imagining a mini-Alex all over the house makes my hair stand on end." I said with a big smile on my face "I hope for the best." he half asked, and I nodded "Obviously." I responded, "So would you like to have children?" He asked curiously "Of course. I adore children and I love you more than anything, as I already told you, I love my mini-Alex."

"And I love my little princess, I can't settle for just having the queen." He flirted and I rolled my eyes. "Overkill." I mumbled, but with a big smile on my face, "I'm serious." He assured and I nodded because I know he's serious. "Hey beautiful, would you like to go see my grandmother tomorrow, she wants to congratulate you personally on the exhibition."

"She already did it." I said a little confused. "As it should be, I mean." My boyfriend responded quickly, and I frowned, because I'm not understanding right now. "I don't understand." I said, "I'm just telling you what he told me." He responded, "Okay, but tomorrow I had to meet Ana because the boys were going out."

"Okay, we'll take her. After all, she'll have to meet her great-granddaughter, right?" He asked, "Maybe, but then what are you, her stepfather?" I questioned, raising an eyebrow. "No, I'm just her friend, you're the mother." He responded, "You adore her as much as I do." I pointed out and he nodded "Of course I love her; I have a great time playing with her."

"As I told you, I don't know who's more childish, Ana or you." I said, letting out a laugh. "But you love me that way, beautiful." He pointed out and I nodded, approaching him. "And I won't stop doing it." I assured him and gave him a kiss on the lips.