Chapter 91

GABRIELA

I left Ana in bed and as soon as I was going out the door to go with the others, I heard her call me, which made me sit down on the bed next to her again. "What's wrong princess?" I asked curiously, "Now that you are going to marry Alex, are you going to stop being my mommy?"

"What? Of course not." I assured "Even when you have children with him?" She questioned, "Not even like that, I love you so much and you are my little girl, my daughter, you will never stop being my daughter no matter if Alex and I have children." I answered sincerely, "Mommy, can I tell you something?" She asked and I nodded "Of course."

"I miss dad, the other day I dreamed he was with us." At that moment she started crying and I hugged her. We stayed like this for a couple of minutes until I separated her to wipe the tears her face. "Princess, it's normal you miss your father, I do too. He will always be with us, and do you know why?" I asked and she denied "Because we all loved him very much and he will always be in our hearts. As long as he's there, he's alive, you just won't be able to see it or hug it, but it'll be there."

He's crying for a couple of minutes until she broke away and looked at me. "You're not sleepy now, are you?" I asked, knowing the answer "No. But I'm sad." She confessed "And what do you think if we both go together to buy ice cream and take a walk?" I asked, knowing it would be something to cheer her up. "Just us?" The little girl asked "Sure, don't you want to spend time with Mommy?"

"Yeah." Ana said sitting on the bed, "Well, come on." I said with a big smile on my face. Ana got up, put on her shoes and we went down the stairs. As soon as we walked out the door and went to the nearest ice cream shop, which was about a ten-minute walk away. When we get to the store and buy the ice cream, we go to the park next to the beach, where we are going to play after finishing eating the ice cream. While we're playing, I notice some guys who are on the beach looking at me, and if it were any other time they would make me uncomfortable, but at this moment it's the thing that mattered least to me, until one of them decides to approach.

"Hello beautiful, would you like to spend some time with us? This way we can get to know each other and we will do whatever comes up." said the guy "No thanks, I have more important things to do than be with people like you." I admitted, "Come on, woman, we don't want you to be alone." said another of the boys, "I'm not alone, I'm with my daughter, so if you'll excuse me, leave me alone."

"It looks like you need a wiggle, and a boyfriend." muttered another boy, "First of all, I don't need a wiggle, and if I did, it wouldn't be with any of you, and second, I'm going to get married." I raise my finger, letting them see the ring Alex had given me a couple of hours ago and he stares at it for a while. "If that's true, it doesn't give you what you need."

I was going to answer him when I heard footsteps approaching us, so I looked at where Ana is before looking at who was approaching us, but when I saw it's Kevin I relaxed. "You should learn manners before talking to a girl like that." Kevin said next to me in a threatening tone. "And who are you?" asked the first boy. "The one who's going to break your teeth if you don't leave her alone, that's me."

"I was just talking calmly to her man, nothing more." He said, raising his hands in the air, "Yes, of course, I didn't hear what you just told her, get out of here and stop ogling both you and your friends or I'll take care of taking the eyes off each of you." He threatened and I laughed. "It's okay, calm down, man, we'll leave her all to you." They said, starting to walk in the opposite direction and as soon as I turn to see my cousin, I see he has a big smile on his face.

"Despite being a single mother, you still have all the guys behind you. It's weird you didn't hit them." He admitted and I denied, "I didn't see it as necessary, and I can assure you I don't want to go back to the cell." I confessed, "You were locked up and no one tells us anything?" He asked surprised. "No one knows except Alex, Marcos and Carlota."

"You're a very bad girl Gabriela." my cousin joked "Shut up, I had my reasons." I assured "Reasons I suppose you'll explain to me." He commented and I nodded "Another time. Now tell me how you found us." I asked as I'm curious how he done it "Because I'm an awesome guy."

"Don't be stupid and tell me man." I said, "Okay, since you weren't home and Ana wasn't there either, I figured you were out, and I remember when we were little, we both came to this park to play, so I came to see, and it turns out you were here. But how is little Ana?" Kevin asked with a big smile on his face. "I'm a big girl." the little girl protested, "True, my fault, what do you think if we go home? Grandma will start looking for you and we will eat in a while."

"We don't want grandma to get angry, let's go, we'll come back later if you want." I said, "Then I'll play with Marcos." The little girl admitted, "Well, let's go before he's the one looking for you all over the house." We head to Kevin's car and before I get into the passenger seat, I put Ana's seatbelt on and make sure she's securely fastened before heading to the front seat.

"Je bent een goede moeder. (You're a good mother)" Kevin commented, and I rolled my eyes "Thanks, now let's go home." He smiled and we headed towards the house. It didn't take us long to arrive and when we arrived and entered the orchard where everyone was, I noticed Alex at first and then my gaze went behind me when a hand rested on my shoulder.

"I knew I had a beautiful little sister, but I never imagined seeing you in heels, I thought you hated them." Carlos said with a smile on his face. "And I still hate them, but it's good to see you here." I answered sincerely, "I'm glad to be here too. I must congratulate you on your engagement to Alex, I'm happy for you."

"Thank you." It is at that moment I realize he's a little sad, and I honestly don't know if I should ask, but curiosity gets the better of me and I end up asking him. "Is there a problem?" I asked curiously and a sad smile appeared on his face. "You can't miss one, right?" He asked and I denied, "You know you don't, but tell me, come on, you know I'll listen to you." I said sincerely "Later, first you should enjoy your day." he commented, and I denied "I didn't get married as far as I know."

"But you will. Besides, this is a great day too. The boy you've had a crush on for years asked you to marry him, that's a reason to be happy too." he pointed out and I nodded "And I am." I responded with a big smile on my face "I'm glad for that." He said, "Come on guys, get to the table, it's time to eat now." With that we sat at the table, and obviously I sat next to Alex, who puts an arm over my shoulders and kisses me on the forehead.

During the meal everyone laughs and pokes my cousin at me, but I respond as normal. Kevin's friend seemed to be having a good time, and at one point during the meal Alex leaves a hand on my leg, which makes me blush a little and which I'm more than sure Kevin noticed but I ignore and I intertwin our fingers.

I had a really good time during the meal, and from time to time I couldn't help but stare stupidly at my fiancé, just like I'm doing right now. I still couldn't believe he asked me to marry him, everything was so surreal that I thought I was in a dream, but it wasn't a dream, everything is real. I would marry my favorite man in this world, the one I love more than anything in the world and who, luckily for me, also loved me.

"Je zult kwijlen zolang je met dat dwaze gezicht naar je velaofde Gabriela blijft kijken, het lijkt erop dat je je verbeeldt wat je later hebt achtergelaten, wat ik onderbrak voordat ik je ging bellen. (You are going to drool if you continue with that stupid face looking at your fiancé Gabriela, it seems you're imagining what you left for later what I interrupted when I went to call you.)" My cousins, uncles and my mother laughed, and I turned in their direction. I grab the first thing I see on the table and throw it at his head, causing the laughter to intensify.

"Zoek een vriendin Kev. (Find yourself a girlfriend Kev)" I commented "Ik maak me alleen zorgen dat je niet met je vriendje vrijt met je ogen zoals je nu doet, minder met je dochter voor je, je zult het meisje traumatiseren. (I only worry you don't make love to your boyfriend with your eyes like you're doing now, especially with your daughter in front of you, you'll traumatize the girl.)" he responded, and I rolled my eyes "And you want to be my cousin favorite? You don't deserve it Kev."

"You adore me, and we both know that." He said and I denied even though it's true "You supposed, but if you are happy like this, believe it." I answered, "Of course I'm happy like this, but I know it." After that conversation and the laughter everyone had, we ate dessert until Carlos came out of the garden and it didn't take long for me to get up to follow him.

"Where are you going beautiful?" Alex asked next to me "Don't worry, I'll be with Carlos for a bit." I said, "Do you want me to come with you?" He questioned and I denied, "Not now, but as soon as I get back with Carlos we're going to go for a walk" I said, and he nodded. "Yeah" I gave him a short kiss on the lips, went to find Carlos, whom it didn't take me long to find. I approach him without making too much noise so as not to disturb him and I sit next to him waiting for him to speak, because he looks very thoughtful.

"Did I tell you how beautiful you look?" he asked without looking at me "Something like that you could say. What's wrong with you, Carlos?" I questioned, trying to understand what's happening to him. "I'm leaving." He said simply and I frowned "What?" I asked, a little confused. "I'm leaving, Gabriela."

"Where are you going? You can't take the guys, Carlos." I said and he denied "I won't take them with me, I'm going alone. And I'm going to the other side of the country." He commented as if it was no big deal what he wanted to do, "Why?" I questioned, "Because of my mother." He responded, "What of your mother?"

"I have to help her recover, Gabriela. I know that my siblings hate her, and I can understand to a certain extent why she did what she did. My father humiliated her by cuckolding her and bringing Marcos into the house so she could raise him as if he were her son when he wasn't." He said and I denied, because I'm not understanding "But…" I started and he denied "I know it's difficult to understand Gabriela, especially for you, but she's my mother and I can't abandon her, not with all her health problems."

"I understand, but do you have to go to the other side of the country for her to get better?" I questioned, trying to find solutions so that he wouldn't have to go to the other side of the country. "So we can both improve." He admitted, "What's wrong with you?" I asked, worried something happened to him. "I can't forget you, that's what happens to me, and even though I'm happy you're happy with the man of your life who loves you more than anything in this world, it hurts me."

"Are you going to the other side of the country because of me?" I asked hurt, "It's not your fault Gabriela. I'm the one who fell in love with you and the one who is in love even though I know I have no chance with you, I love you more than anything, and I don't want to screw up your relationship with him. Also, as I told you before, I'm leaving for the sake of my mother, so she can recover and be the woman she was before and whom I remember. Unfortunately, it turns out the best clinic is on the other side of the country."

"Did you tell them?" I questioned and he denied "No, not yet. I don't know how to tell them, they will be angry as soon as I tell them I'm leaving, and even more when they find out I'm going to help our mother." He responded, "But you have to tell your siblings." I insisted, "I think it's better they don't know the reason why I'm leaving; I don't want them to get angrier than they already will be."

"So, you'll tell them you left like you did last time? They will get angrier if you give them that reason." I said, knowing neither of us would like that answer. "No, I'll tell them my boss has asked me to go there to open a new branch." commented "Which is not true."

"Not at the moment, but I will do it as soon as he starts the procedures." He admitted, "And how do you plan to live there?" I asked, "I already have an apartment and for the moment he will make me work in one of his companies while the project doesn't start." He responded "Then you're leaving…" I muttered more to myself than to him "Yeah. Take care of my siblings, and check on Marcos, he's been a little strange lately, I guess you know."

"I know the reason, but we're no longer in charge of that. You're going to promise me something Carlos." I asked for "Whatever you want." He quickly responded, "You will call your siblings at least once a week so they don't worry, because they will, and whenever you need something, anything, you'll call me, I'll be there to support you."

"I know, but let's not talk about sad things today, it's your day." He said and I shrugged. "It's no big deal." I responded "Yes, it is, you will get married." commented "Let's not talk about me getting married, it's not necessary." I answered since I knew it's not something he liked. "Will you always be so good to me?" He asked, "I don't understand." I said confused for a moment. "I know you're avoiding talking about getting married, so I don't feel bad, but really, it's not necessary, I'm happy for you and Alex, you deserve to be happy."

"And we are." I assured "Can you do me a favor then? Well, two." He asked, "Sure, tell me." I responded, "First of all, in case Alex makes a mistake, anything, just know he doesn't do it on purpose, he's just an asshole sometimes and does things he shouldn't, he loves you more than anything in the world. I can see the love he has for you, but don't leave him under any circumstances, unless you don't feel for him what you feel right now, which I doubt."

"I won't leave him; you know that. What is the second favor?" I asked curiously, "Would you let Ana spend the rest of the afternoon and morning with me?" He questioned and I nodded. "That's not what Carlos is asking, you are her brother, and you don't have to ask my permission to spend time with your sister."

"I know she's my sister, but you are her mother, she loves you as such and that is what you will always be for her, so yes, I must ask your permission." he commented and I denied "I keep telling you that's not necessary, take her. This afternoon she wanted to play with Marcos. Spend time with them and tell them what's going on, at some point they'll find out. It is better they find out from you than from someone else."

"I know, but I can't tell them, they will be angry. I'll tell them I'm leaving for work." He insisted "But it isn't entirely true. I don't want your siblings to be angry with you Carlos." I answered honestly "Don't worry, they won't." He assured even though we both knew they would. "And when are you leaving?" I asked "In two days. This is our farewell."

"I'll miss you, Carlos." I admitted, "I'll be back." He assured "But you don't know when." I pointed out and he nodded with a sad smile on his face "Exactly. But I'll be there whenever you need me, you're my little sister, don't forget it." He responded, "And you are my big brother."

We got up from the ground and hugged each other, a couple of tears escaped my eyes, because Carlos is leaving partly because of me, and that felt bad, but I appreciated his sincerity and I hoped he would find what he's looking for and help his mother, she was a good woman when we were little, that must still be there, I'm sure. "Don't cry because I'll come back, and you'll have me around bothering you as always." He said, letting out a small laugh. "You better come back, because I'm capable of going looking for you myself wherever you go." I threatened, "I know."