Chapter FORTY-THREE

I wonder when Santiago will get here. I check the time on my wristwatch, he is a few minutes late. I am meeting him for lunch. It has been a month since I woke up from the coma. I have fully recovered, and I have resumed work. Once the doctor cleared me for flying, I came back home. I couldn't be in a city where my heart got broken. I miss Stefano every day, I cried for weeks missing him, praying he will come back to me. I prayed that day in the hospital was all a bad dream. Every day when I wake up and don't see a text or missed call from him, I remind myself it was not a nightmare. I spend a lot of time at work these days. It helps keep my mind busy. It helps me think about Stefano less. I come back to earth when I see Santiago walking towards me. "Hello, Sis, sorry I am late," Santiago says, taking his seat across from me. "It's fine; you are always late," I say, chuckling. "I know, but I need to change that, how are you doing?" He asks, the same look in his eyes everyone around me has had since the day Stefano broke up with me. Their eyes hold worry and pity in them anytime they see me. My mom is the worse; she treats me like an egg every time I am around her. I know they are worried about me, but I am fine. It's been a month since we broke up, and I am slowly getting over the love of my life even though I feel it's impossible right now, but I am trying. "I am fine don't mind what Mom says. I am doing fine. I have not cried myself to sleep in two weeks, so I am doing good," I tell him honestly. "I did not say Mom said anything to me. I am happy you are doing fine." "I didn't say you did, but I know, Mom. Thank you for believing me, how are you doing? How are things with Emily" I ask while I wave a waiter over to our table to take our orders. "I am doing well, things with Emily are a bit weird," he says, opening the menu in front of him. "What do you mean?" I ask as I point out to the waiter, the food I want to order and tell him the wine I want. Santiago also orders the food and drink he wants before he speaks again. "I didn't tell you this because of what you were going through, but Emily forgave me," he says, my whole face lights up. I can't believe she finally forgave him. "Really, that's amazing." "Not really." "What do you mean?" I ask, confused. He does not seem happy that Emily forgave him. He should be pleased about it and I wonder why he isn't. "I don't think she truly forgives me. I think she told me she forgave me but didn't mean it," he says, I remember Emily's plan. Santiago must have caught on to it. I totally forgot; I was actually happy they were finally together. "Oh, why do you think that." "The way she forgave me was too easy. I expected her to make me suffer or take more time before she forgives me, but she didn't. She told me she forgave me as soon as I tried to speak with her after we fought about me paying her mom's hospital bills. I expected her to still be angry about it, but she isn't. I don't know why, but I feel like something is not right," Santiago says, I feel my mouth about to spill Emily's plan, but I hold my tongue. Do not get me wrong, I want to tell Santiago about Emily's plan, but I also don't want to lose Emily's trust. I will speak to her about this plan of hers, and tell her how it is not working. I also love my brother too much to see him get hurt. I don't like the way these two people put me in the middle of their love life. It is so difficult; I can't even pick a side. Santiago is my brother; and Emily is a good friend of mine. "I understand what you mean. I will talk to her and find out if she really forgave you or not," I say, hoping to make him stop worrying, I know she didn't, but I plan to change that. "Thank you, Sis, you are the best," he says, smiling. "Of course, I am your only sister," I say, smiling. I hope I will be able to convince Emily to drop her plans and truly forgive Santiago. I hope Santiago and Emily could get their happy ending even though I didn't get mine. After lunch, I go back to the office with the plan to talk to Emily about Santiago. I really hope I will be able to convince her. I walk into my office building after parking my black Mercedes class E W213 AMG. I walk into my private elevator and step out once it arrives on my floor. "Hi, Boss, how was lunch?" Emily says, as I walk past her desk. "It was good, I had lunch with Santiago, can I see you in my office?" I say, before turning my doorknob. "Of course, Boss," Emily says standing up from her seat, following me into my office. "So, how was lunch with Santiago?" Emily asks, as I take my seat behind my desk. "It was good. We spoke about you." "Really, what did he say about me?" She asks, eager to find out. "He believes something is not right about the way you forgave him." "Really? Why? Did he catch on to my plan?" She asks with worry-filled eyes. "He hasn't yet, but I think it is only a matter of time before he does." "No, I need to make him to suffer the way he made me suffer," she says, with disappointment laced in her voice. "Does he really have to Emily? Don't get me wrong, I know what my brother did was horrible, but he loves you, I think he is worthy of your forgiveness." "You are just saying this because you are his sister. Your brother does not love me. He just sees me as a prize to be won!" "I don't think so because Stefano…" I pause for a minute as his name leaves my lips. It has been a month since I mentioned his name. All the memories of how he broke up with me at the hospital come flooding into my mind. I can feel my eyes tearing up, as I re-live the way he told me he does not have feelings for me anymore. "Andrea, are you okay?" Emily says, grabbing my hand to get my attention. I can already see the worry in her eyes for me. "I am fine," I say, wiping away the teardrop that managed to escape my eyes before I continue speaking. 'He told me that Santiago already won the bet before, so he is not after you to prove a point that he can have you. He is after you because he truly loves you," I say, making sure to not repeat his name. "How sure are you guys that Santiago loves me?" Emily asks. "I am 100% sure my brother is in love with you." "Even though he is, how am I going to forgive him for what he did?" "Forgiveness does not happen overnight; it takes time. I believe as long as the person who deceived you is trying to seek your forgiveness. You should always be open to try and forgive that person." "It is not that easy; and you might be wrong." "Emily, it's normal for you to have your doubts if Santiago is sincere or not, I believe he is. You should really think about forgiving him." "I don't know, what if you are wrong, and he is only trying to prove a point," she says, looking doubtful. "Trust me, I am not. Just think about it, you will realize that the feelings Santiago has for you are genuine." "Alright, I will." "Thank you," I say, smiling, I believe Emily will realize Santiago is honest about his feelings and decide to be with him again.