Love Confession

Love Confession
Santiago

After a good meal, Orely and I meet up at the seaside, where the sun is shining and illuminating the landscape. The air is fresh, and a gentle breeze on our faces is pleasant. We walk along the sand, hand in hand, enjoying the moment, letting the sound of the waves crashing on the shore wash over us. We exchange knowing smiles and sweet nothings. It is a beautiful day, and one that somehow strengthens our bond.

Arriving by the rocks, we sit down and the warm waves caress our feet, while the soothing sound of the water creates a serene atmosphere. And then, as planned, I tell her about Teresa, whose real name is Maria, how she has changed her name to cover her tracks, how and why she is with us in Italy, her new role in my organization, spying on Mercedes, my mother-in-law. It is only today that she learns that she is Andrés' mother. Attentive, Orely turns to me, a slight concern in her eyes.

"You think those two are plotting behind your back to bring you down? Just thinking about it, I can't imagine what would happen next," she assumes.

I lift her face with my thumb, giving her a touching look.

"Hey there, sweetie, don't worry, I have got it under control. You know me, I am not just anyone, am I? I have got to find out what she is up to and then unmask her for all to see, especially my father's," I declare, speaking tenderly to her.

"As you can see, you mean a lot to me. I am not hiding anything from you, and by discovering Teresa's maneuvers, or rather I should say Maria's, you have really helped me greatly and I thank you very much for that. The fact that you are with me brings me good luck in a way," I continue, gently caressing her cheek.

She does not say anything to me, but she rubs her cheek in my hand to show that she supports me. This gesture reassures me and makes me feel better.

"And this morning? It was her again," she resumes suddenly.

"No, this morning it was the case of the twin brothers, you remember?"

"It was one of them who kidnapped me."

One of the brothers escaped, but my men are looking after him. He won't get far, my network has already intercepted him, it's just a matter of time. I know that when you hear this, you think it is taken on incredible proportions, but it will be over very quickly. It is actually the two of them who were involved in your kidnapping. One of the brothers escaped, but my men are taking care of it. He won't get far, my network has already intercepted him, it is just a matter of time. I know that hearing this makes you think it is taken on incredible proportions, but it will be over very quickly.

She rests her head on my shoulder and, facing the sea, I gently caress her back. There I am, beside her, the words stuck in my throat and my heart beating a hundred miles an hour. I am overcome by a mixture of euphoria and fear, but I finally take the plunge and tell her how I feel about her.

"The time we spend together is the best time of my life. I have never felt or experienced this with anyone. The depth and turn of my feelings for you show that I am nothing without you. Every moment spent away from you seems insipid and every day you give meaning to my life, my lucky charm. I love you Orely."

I feel an intense nervousness and vulnerability that I have never experienced before. And here I am, someone who fears nothing, yet in front of this beautiful, refined woman, I feel exposed, as if my heart is about to leap out of my chest. This resentment makes me anxious and excited at the same time. I feel a strong emotional pressure to share my most sincere feelings, which can be both liberating and frightening.

I look at her, desperately searching for signs of reciprocity, trying to decipher her emotions and thoughts. I am waiting impatiently, like a moron, with sweaty palms, for a reaction from her, for what she is going to say, and this uncertainty amplifies my stress, more than you can imagine. I am aware of the risk involved, but I couldn't stand it any longer, I had to tell her. 

Staring at the horizon, where the blue sky stretched to infinity, dotted with a few fluffy clouds, my impatience grew. A question I asked with all my heart, and an answer that would change my life. I sink my feet into the wet sand, feeling the gentle caress of the waves licking my ankles. Every time a wave recedes, the sand slips between my toes, like a fleeting embrace. Without realizing it, I begin to splash the water around me lightly, letting my thoughts drift away with the drops flying into this great natural lagoon.

I was hoping that time would go by quickly, but it seemed to dilate and each passing second seemed very long.

I can't help but feel deep anxiety, my newly revealed feelings not knowing what to think. Every thought seems to gather like dark clouds in my mind, clouding my judgment and making every breath harder. I stare out at the vast blue horizon of the sea, my gaze lost in the immensity, desperately seeking an escape from my inner torments. The waves, with their ceaseless movement, remind me of the flow of my emotions, sometimes calm, sometimes raging. The fresh, iodized sea air fills my lungs, but fails to soothe my tormented spirit. On the contrary, it seems to intensify my discomfort, with each breath of salty air reminding me of the depth of my dismay.

I even begin to think whether the sea, with its wild, untamed beauty, might offer me an answer, or at least a moment's respite. The white sails of the boats in the distance float gracefully, but to me they're just inaccessible symbols of freedom. I feel like a castaway on this beach, trapped between my desires and my fears, unable to take the first step towards an uncertain future. The cries of the seagulls, rising and mingling with the sound of the waves, echo in my mind like an echo of my own doubts.

And after a few seconds of suspense, she looks me straight in the eye, without hesitation, moves closer to me, her lips first brushing mine in delicate softness. Then, carried away by the passion that unites us, she kisses me ardently, as if time had stopped around us.

Breaking away slightly, she plunges her gaze into mine and murmurs with palpable intensity: "I love you too".