Do you know who he is?

Do you know who he is?


Robert and Jared fell silent for a few minutes as they looked at each other, standing in front of the bedroom door, surrounded by all the flowers.

"My job here is done," Jared said. He knew that Alice had been hurt by what happened earlier when he said she was just a friend. How could he say anything else? Complicating the situation she was in? Was that the reason, or... could he not tell his best friend that he was in love with his wife?

"That's evident," Robert replied.

"I want my job back."

"And you'll get it. You'll be back on Monday."

"What about her?"

"Who? Dayana? She'll return to her position. Don't worry; it's only been a couple of days since she took your place. It's not that big of a deal. Were you upset?"

"I don't know, I was concerned about how unqualified she is."

"I know, I got carried away a bit, and then I didn't want to change her."

"About the punch I gave you..." Robert touched his face. "I really care about Alice, Robert."

"Let's talk outside," Robert said, touching his shoulder, and both of them navigated through the flowers. They reached the backyard, near the side garden.

"I know you must have felt pressured with the things I said the other day about my plans with Alice," Robert began. "I admit I may have gone too far in expressing my thoughts that way, but I won't do such a thing. I want us to have a child, and I've been pressured in many ways. I bear a burden that I can't tell you, Jared, or anyone. But I need a child with Alice; that's all I can tell you. For that, our marriage has to work, and it would be easier if she falls in love with me and stops thinking about that other man she loves. I'm sorry if I scared you and that upset you; I know you care about what happens to her because you're her friend, that's a fact, it's normal that you care about her well-being. I'm sorry if I startled you or made you feel uncomfortable with my confession; I didn't want to put you in an awkward situation. Did you tell her anything about what I said?"

"I didn't tell her anything, but I should have, it was the right thing to do because... it's not right for you to use her."

"I'm using this marriage, Jared, not Alice. This marriage isn't about love, and we're both aware of it; Alice agreed to marry me."

"Maybe because she had no other choice. Perhaps she wants a divorce."

"Did she tell you that?" Robert asked anxiously.

"No, she didn't tell me. But if you don't love her, and she loves someone else, why continue with this marriage?"

"Do you know the man Alice loves? Has she told you? Will you tell me who he is? I need to know," Robert insisted, his frustration growing.

"From what I know, I can't tell you, Robert," Jared replied.

"I won't pressure you to tell me now, at least not for the moment. But there will come a time when I'll be desperate, and you'll have to help me, Jared."

Robert entered the house first, satisfied that Alice would join him for their wedding anniversary celebration. He wanted to see if she liked the things he had prepared.

He walked down the hallway full of flowers and reached the door, knocking gently. Alice opened the door, and as she did, Robert nearly popped his eyes out of his head at the sight of her. She looked stunning, like a different wife, not the one he knew. But it was her, the one he had been trying to downplay, the one who made him feel inferior, small, and insignificant: Alice Taylor, radiant and beautiful.

"What?" Alice touched her body, puzzled by her husband's look, which left him speechless. "Does it not... suit me?"

"You're..." He didn't want to say it, he wouldn't say it, but his expression gave it away. She looked beautiful! She had rendered him speechless! He couldn't say anything!

"You're ready," he finally said. "We need to take the other things I got for you because I want us to spend the entire weekend. We'll go on a yacht to a beautiful place." Robert's eyes couldn't move away from her.

"I'm sorry, Robert, but today is the most I can give you. I can't spend the whole weekend."

"And what about deciding later? Let's take your things, and if you don't want to stay, we can come back. But it's better to be prepared." Alice agreed and packed the items Robert had bought for her. Then she walked back to the door under Robert's watchful eye. The dress suited her very well, the shoes were the right size, and Alice seemed comfortable in the outfit. She looked very natural.

Facing Robert and dressed like that, Alice looked like a Taylor again, just as he remembered her: imposing, beautiful, and attention-grabbing. But she was different now, and more appealing to his eyes.

"What I see, I like," Robert thought.

"Then shall we go?" Alice asked.

"Say goodbye to Jared. When we return, he won't be here anymore. Give me your things; I'll take them to the car. I'll wait for you there." Robert took everything and left first. Alice turned back to Jared's room.

She knocked gently, and he opened the door, packing his things. It seemed strange to see her in this new light, with her figure emphasized by the clothes. It was very different. Even though she could have much better things, her body was still adjusting, and Alice had a lot to recover. But she still looked great, very different. To Jared, who had always seen her as beautiful in a different way, it was strange to see her like this. It was her new appearance.

Alice entered and closed the door. She sat on the bed and placed her hands on her knees.

"I thought you might say it, admit it out loud. Do you remember at the hospital? I spent years believing that you felt nothing for me, and I found out that you did only because you thought I was asleep, Jared. And today, when Robert brought it up, I imagined you admitting it, saying yes. But it never happened. 'She's just a friend.' I never thought a sentence could hurt so much, more than you can imagine."

"Is that why you chose to go with him? Because I said you're my friend?"

"Because you don't choose me!"

"I can't. Not yet."

"And what are you waiting for?"

"You're his wife."

"You're the man I love, and I still believe you love me, Jared, despite your words. I want to think that the wait won't be forever because someday I'll be a divorced woman, and then I don't want it to be too late for both of us."

"Just give me a little more time," Jared pleaded. "It's more complicated for me."

"Why?"

"He's my friend, my boss, the one who has always helped me. How do you expect me to say I'm in love with his wife?"

"And what

about before? I wasn't married, and we got to this point, Jared. You can't make excuses; we both know they only limit us. Be more specific."

"I need that job; I'm being honest with you. I can't afford to lose it. I'm not a millionaire like you two." Jared caressed her hands and then moved up to her face, wiping away her tears. "The position I'm in right now doesn't allow me to lose what I have, Alice. I'm sorry; I hurt you, and I had to witness your pain caused by my actions. I'm sorry. If it were different, everything would change, but this is the situation we're in, and it doesn't seem like it's going to change anytime soon."

"What if you had another job just as good as that one? What if things changed faster? Would you be able to tell Robert how you feel about me?"

"Yes, things would be very different."

Alice could solve that part of the problem, and yes, she planned to get a divorce. The union between Jared and Alice didn't seem too far off for her. She gave Jared a quick kiss on his lips, got up to leave.

"Thank you, Jared, for everything. I hope things start to change, and then you make up your mind." He released her hand, and she left with her husband.

Alice would solve Jared's job issue; she could do that. Would she be capable, at some point, of telling Robert that he was the man Alice loved and that he loved her too? Inside that car, Alice felt a bit strange. It was clear that her sudden decision to go with Robert was only part of her anger and pain at Jared's response. However, that didn't change her decision to get a divorce; her plans were still in place. She wouldn't give Robert advance notice again; she would only act. He wouldn't know until it was nearly a done deal. Her priority was to help Jared find another job, and for that, she needed her sister Sofia's assistance. It was time to start changing some things.