Chapter THRITY-FIVE

It's been a few days since I found out what Santiago did. I haven't spoken to him since that day. I am furious at him for toying with Emily's heart like that. I am on my way to pick up Emily from her house to drive her and her mom to the hospital. Emily's car broke down, and I offered to drive them to the hospital, I also wanted to visit her mom. If I was talking to Santiago, I am sure he would have made sure I gave him feedback on how Emily's mom is doing, but I won't. I know I can't be angry at him forever, at least I should punish him a little by not talking to him for a while. I park my car in front of Emily's house and walk to the door to knock. I don't really like the neighborhood she is living in; it looks a little dangerous. I will talk to her about moving to another place. This is not the place Emily used to live when we were in high school. She must have moved places after her dad died. After a few knocks, Emily opens the door. "Hi, Andrea, how are you?" Emily says opening the door. She moves aside so that I can enter the house. "I am good, Emily, and you?" I say, walking into the house. "I am great. Let me get Mom from her room so we can leave, please, sit down while I get her." "Alright." The house is lovely and so homey. The walls are painted white, including the kitchen I can see from here. There is only one long big grey couch, I walk over to it and take a seat. I try my best to not dirty the cream rug under my feet. There are pictures of Emily and her family around the living room, which makes the house homier. "We are ready to leave," Emily says, walking out of the bedroom with her arms around her mom. "Hello, Mrs. Johnson," I say, walking over to help Emily with her mom. "Hello Dear, it has been ages since I last saw you." "Me too, how are you doing?" "I have seen better days but thank you for helping us." Mrs. Johnson doesn't look too bad, but you can see her illness has taken a toll on her. I hope she will get better with time. "It's fine; you don't have to thank me." We all walk outside and get into the car to be on our way. We arrive at the hospital after a few minutes of driving. We walk inside the hospital; I tell Emily to check her mom in while I take her mom to change. After getting Mrs. Johnson in a hospital gown, we walk out of the changing room and meet a very pissed-off Emily. "What's wrong Dear, did they say I can't have my check-up today?" Mrs. Johnson asks. "No, Mom, everything is fine," Emily says, pacing back and forth. She looks like she is in deep thought. "Then why do you look like you want to beat someone up." "Nothing is wrong, Mom, please, excuse me for a minute while I talk to Andrea about something." "Alright, Dear, I will be in my room," Mrs. Johnson says walking away. I can see where Emily gets her habit not to pry. If it was me, I would make sure you tell me what's wrong. Once Emily's mom is far enough not to hear us, Emily speaks. "Did you tell your brother we were coming to the hospital today?" "No, I didn't; why would I?" I ask, surprised by her question. "Then explain to me how my mom's bill has been cleared by a donation under the name ‘Mi Preciosa Flor (My precious flower)'." "Am I supposed to know who ‘Mi Preciosa Flor' is?" I ask confused. "Yes, you should, it's your brother!" "How sure are you? Anyone can be 'Mi Preciosa Flor' even though that isn't a name." "I am sure because that's what your brother used to call me. He would always say that if he found himself in a field of beautiful flowers, I would always be the most precious flower to him," Emily says, I can see her about to tear up a little. "Why won't your brother leave me alone? It has been so many years. I deserve to move on from him, don't I? Why would he pay my mom's hospital bills? Does he want leverage over me?" Emily says breaking down in tears. I don't say anything, as I pull her in for a hug that I know she needs right now. "Emily, I know it was wrong of him to pay the bills behind your back, but I don't think he did it to have leverage over you. Why would he need leverage over you" I say, releasing her from our hug. I don't understand why she thinks of my brother this way. I know what he did in the past was foolish, but for him to pay her mom's bills to have leverage over her is something I don't think he would do. "You wouldn't understand?" "Then make me understand!" "Men like your brother need to have control over women like me. It's in their blood to be possessive over women that don't want them. They would do anything to make the woman who refuses them, theirs. You come from a wealthy family, no man can have leverage over you, it's not that easy for me. Santiago has paid for my mom's medical bills, now he can come for his reward at any time, and it can be in any way." "No, I don't think those were Santiago's intentions." I can't believe the words that came out of her mouth. Do men actually do that to women? I don't want to believe my brother would do that. "Trust me, that's his intentions, but I won't let him have me" "I don't believe he wants to have you that way, but how do you plan to make sure he doesn't have leverage over you." "I will give him what he thinks he can't have, so he will get bored and leave me alone forever." "You want to take Santiago back so that he will get tired of chasing you…You believe he is chasing because he can't, have you?" I don't know why, but I don't believe that is the case, I do not think Emily should either. "Yes, I am going to make him fall in love with me and then break his heart ten times worse than he did to mine." "Emily, I don't think that's a good idea. What if Santiago is telling the truth and is actually in love with you?" I am angry at my brother, but I don't want to see him get hurt. He is still my brother. "I don't believe him; I am going to give him a taste of his own medicine." "I know what he did was wrong, but I don't think you should do the same thing?" "I know I shouldn't, but this is the only way your brother is going to leave me alone." "I think there are other ways." "No, there are not, Andrea, just give it up. I have already made up my mind." "There is nothing I am going to say that might change your mind?" "Nope, there is not." "I really wish you would reconsider this plan of yours, but since you won't, I just want to tell you to be careful. Santiago is a man that does not like to be messed with." "I know, that's why I am going to make sure to break his heart in a way he would never imagine."