CHAPTER 20: EVERY STARTUP COSTS

CHAPTER 20: EVERY STARTUP COSTS
"I love you too, my little grasshopper," I smile at the nickname he's given me since I was little.

Luck turns his gaze back to the road and starts the car, taking us away from that street. While Luck drives, I look out the window and think about Harry, Imanol, Camila, and Amanda.

"Should I give up?" I whisper almost inaudibly.

"Should I give you a shock to stop being so foolish, or are you fine like this?" my conscience says, and I truly get scared every time it speaks up.

"Madam, we've arrived," says Luck, and I look at him.

"Thank you, Luck," I get out of the car and enter the building.

Upon reaching the apartment, I see Valentina and two other women cleaning and preparing dinner.

"Valentina, who are they?" I ask.

"Welcome, madam. They are Mrs. Amanda's employees. She sent them to help," Valentina says.

"Is Amanda coming to dinner too?" I say with a serious tone.

"No, madam, but Mrs. Amanda appreciates Miss Camila and her father," I see. "Thank you, Valentina," I say and walk towards the stairs. "By the way..." I look back to see Valentina. "I have an important guest too, his name is Jery, and he'll be here at eight. Please let him in."

"Yes, madam," she nods, and I smile before turning around and climbing the stairs.

I reach my room and throw myself on the bed.

"Why did I invite them?" I ask aloud. "Why? Ahhg!" I say and kick the bed.

I get up and turn on the music at full volume. My favorite genre is rock, so it might be a bit noisy.

I lie down and close my eyes to enjoy the music. After I don't know how many minutes, I fall asleep.

"Madam!" I hear someone's voice in the distance. "Madam Alison!"

I open my eyes and realize that the music is still playing at full volume. I get up and pause the music.

"Madam!" Now I can identify the voice, and it's Valentina's.

I run and open the door. When I do, I find Valentina standing in front of me, and suddenly Harry passes by behind her.

"Harry!" I try to get his attention, but he just keeps walking toward his room. I run after him, and before he can close the door, I manage to stick my foot in and prevent him from doing so.

"But what...?" Harry looks at my foot and then at me.

"Harry, I...

"Take your foot off. Stop looking at me and look back at my foot.

"No. Do you need me at dinner?

"Take your foot off," he says with an angry grimace.

"Yes or no?" Harry sighs and runs a hand through his face but doesn't respond. "Answer, damn it! Or do I not belong at that dinner?"

Harry looks at me in surprise and clears his throat.

"Wherever I am, you belong there," he looks into my eyes for three seconds and then looks away.

"It doesn't feel like I belong here, it doesn't feel like I belong to you," I say. Harry looks at me with melancholy and sighs.

"I don't think I belong to you either. I guess someone else already occupies that place.

"No. I tried to explain, but you..."

"It's getting late, go get changed," he takes a step forward and pushes my foot. "In case you're wondering, this dinner is just business, nothing personal," he says and then closes the door.

Tears fill my eyes and suddenly I remember Ana's evil plan. I rush to my room and look at the clock, it's seven. I immediately grab my phone and call Ana.

"Ana, abort the mission, abort.

"What? What are you talking about? Are you drunk?" she asks confused.

"No, I'll explain later. Just, just tell Jery not to come, it's pointless now.

"I don't understand, you wanted to play.

"I know, but I misinterpreted everything. Please, tell him not to come. Thank you so much, I love you, goodbye," I say nervously and hang up.

I rush to the bathroom to shower and get ready for the dreaded dinner.

After a few minutes, almost an hour, I'm ready. I put on something elegant and boring, just the way my mother likes me to dress. I stand up and look at myself in the mirror for the tenth time. I fix my hair a bit, and as I'm doing that, I hear the doorbell.

"Damn it," I say aloud and leave my room.

As I step out, I come face to face with Harry, who is wearing an elegant suit, making him look very attractive.

"Shall we?" he asks, extending his arm for me to take, which I do, not wanting to give Camila the satisfaction of seeing us angry.

"Thank you," I say, and we start going downstairs.

Upon arriving downstairs, I see Camila and her father sitting in the living room. They both look at Harry with happiness, but when they see me, their faces turn to disgust.

"Good evening, son," Mr. Smith says.

"Good evening, Mr. Smith, and Camila," Harry smiles at both of them and greets them with a handshake.

"Good evening," I say, and they only give a half-smile.

"I'm delighted that you invited us to your home. It means you still hold us in high regard," Mr. Smith says with a wide smile.

"Of course, Mr. Smith," Harry forces a smile.

"Don't call me that, call me Jacob. We're family," he looks at Harry and takes his daughter's hand, and they both smile.

"Family," I think to myself, and I stop when I hear Camila calling me.

"Allison, could you accompany me to the bathroom?" I look at Camila's horrible face and nod.

As I stand up, Camila takes me by the arm, and we walk to the guest bathroom.

"Ali, I like you, but you married the wrong man, dear," she says strangely.

"What? I'm sorry,"

"Harry has been in love with me since we were children. That kind of love never disappears," she looks at me expectantly, and I can't believe what she's saying.

"And why aren't you his wife then?" I ask, surprising her.

"Ma'am, excuse me, I wanted to ask you something about the menu," Valentina appears by our side.

"Of course," I look at Valentina and nod. "If you'll excuse me, I have some matters to attend to," I say with a chilling serenity that would frighten anyone.

Camila looks at me nervously, and I walk away with Valentina towards the kitchen. As we arrive, I sigh heavily, and one of the women there hands me a glass of water.

"Thank you," I smile and take a sip. "What is it that you needed?" I say, looking at Valentina.

"Sorry, ma'am, it was nothing," she looks at me, not understanding, and furrows her brow. "I saw you were uncomfortable while talking to Miss Camila, and I overheard part of your conversation, so I decided to intervene. I apologize," she says, lowering her head.

"You're my angel, did you know that?" I put my hand on her shoulder, and she raises her gaze. "You did nothing wrong. Thank you, I was uncomfortable. Thank you very much, Valentina."

"No need to thank me, ma'am. I'm at your service," Valentina says and smiles.

"Valentina, have you seen..." Harry enters the kitchen.

"Were you looking for me?" I look at him, and he nods.

"Let's go, dinner is being served," he nods, and we leave together.

"You missed it, we were waiting for you," Camila says with a smile.

"I was taking care of some matters in the kitchen, my apologies," I say, looking at the two hostile figures sitting at the dining table.

"You're too young to take care of a house. Is that why you brought her to this apartment, Harry?" Mr. Smith says, his tone dripping with malice.

"Dad!" Camila exclaims with a mocking laugh. "Don't be rude."

"Can we start eating?" Harry says, looking at the table.

"Go ahead," Mr. Malicious Smith says.

Throughout the dinner, they talked about business, topics in which I had no part. After finishing, we went to the terrace to have tea and cookies.

Harry gets up as his phone starts ringing, and Camila immediately follows him. I try to follow them, but her father stops me.

"Stay, I want to talk to you," he looks at me with arrogance. "You're taking Camila's place."

"Excuse me?" I ask, surprised.

"Camila and Harry were meant to be together, and they will be together. They just need a push and a few obstacles out of the way."

"In this case, I'm one of those obstacles, aren't I?" He smiles and moves closer.

"You're smart. Enjoy it, and then ask him for a divorce."

"He's mistaken if he thinks I'll do that just because he tells me to," I say, and I immediately stand up.

I walk in search of Harry, and just as I reach where he is, I see the worst scene, one that I never wanted to witness. Harry is sitting on one of the armchairs, and Camila is on top of him, holding his arms and kissing him.

"Harry?" My heart races and fury fills my body. What the hell? Am I jealous?

"You're jealous?" Camila questions, laughing with amusement, and all I want to do is

"Punch her with a chair," says my annoyed conscience.