Olívia

Guillermo
Westminster – Massachusetts

"Do you usually ski?"

"I used to, but after I knew Valentina was coming, I stopped. I didn’t want to be away."

"Tell me about that. I mean, if it’s not an uncomfortable subject."

"It’s not a time I like to remember. I was little when my mother got pregnant with my siblings, but when she was expecting Martina, because of our age difference, I experienced almost everything." I run my hand through my hair, trying to explain it without bringing Layla’s name into it, but it’s complicated. "What I’m trying to say is that my mother loved Martina from the moment she knew she was pregnant, but I could see the same didn’t happen with Layla. So, I was afraid she might try to get rid of my daughter."

"Oh my God!" She looks shocked, but Olívia has no idea what the months waiting for Valentina to be born were like. The anxiety I felt. "Look," she continues, "I’ll admit it must have been a huge shock for her to get pregnant so young, but I can’t imagine a mother not wanting her baby. That’s why I’m not eager to seek out my biological mother."

I nod in agreement but feel my body tense immediately. We’re walking on thin ice now. Secrets, just beneath the surface.

"So, this is the first time you’ve traveled with her?"

"Yes, but my little princess had so much fun today that I plan to come back when the snow arrives."

We’re sitting by the lake. Valentina, asleep in the stroller. She went crazy when we took some pieces of bread to feed the fish. I swear, my little girl is the smartest kid ever.

"Why not?"

"What? I think I got a little lost."

"Why have you never traveled with her?"

"Circumstances, I guess. Life goes on, you know? Daily routines, responsibilities. You’ll never hear me complain about overworking, but I feel guilty most of the time, like I’m not giving Nina the attention she deserves."

"You’re a wonderful father, Guillermo. By the way, your whole family adores Nina. I’m sure she’ll grow up knowing how loved she is."

"Would you like to come back when the snow starts falling?"

She looks down at her own hands.

"Do you think it’s a good thing for me to become so present in her life?"

I walk over to Olívia and pick her up, sitting back in the chair with her in my arms.

"Can I answer the opposite?"

"How so?"

"I don’t think it’s a good thing for you to go anywhere far from me. Far from us."



Boston
Hotel Caldwell-Oviedo Tower

"Returning to Boston was a reality shock. In the little universe we created over the weekend, everything felt right, like it hadn’t in a long time, but now that we’re back at work, the tension has returned.

As I walk hand in hand with Olívia through the hotel lobby, I notice heads turning, discreetly, to watch us pass.

It’s her first time back in the routine after the grotesque episode she was a victim of, since on the day of the press conference, as soon as we finished with the media, she decided to work from home.

During our time in the mountains, we came to an agreement that she would start focusing on what she loves. Olívia loves cooking and everything related to gastronomy, and I told her I thought it was a waste to hide her talents behind a job that didn’t stimulate her. After much discussion, she decided to apply to Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts next semester. It’s a highly respected culinary school worldwide.

She’s scared but also very excited about the idea and even sent Julien a message sharing the news.

They developed an unlikely friendship, since our chef tends to be irritable with most people. When he complimented her from the first day they met, it was like witnessing a miracle. So, when Olívia later told me that Julien had invited her to do kind of an internship in his kitchen, I wasn’t surprised.

I noticed she was worried about the debts she’d incurred to pay her mother’s medical expenses. That’s why she hesitated to start college, even with the Caldwell-Oviedo Group covering the scholarship.

I had already solved that problem, but with the storm we were involuntarily part of in the past few days, I ended up forgetting to reveal this secret. When I told her everything was paid, she got angry and told me I had no right to pay off her debts without discussing it with her first. Of course, she was right. I apologized but admitted I wasn’t sorry. I just wanted to free her from that enormous burden.

Olívia would never have been able to pay off the installments with her salary, or rather, it would have taken her many years—maybe a lifetime.

She was upset for a few hours but eventually forgave me.

There are many good things in our country, but the healthcare system is not one of them. Even with excellent health insurance, if you or a family member falls ill for an extended period, the chance of accumulating thousands of dollars in debt is huge. That’s what happened to her. She owed about half a million in medical expenses.

"They’re staring at me," she says as we walk.

"Don’t lower your head. Look them in the eye too."

"I’m not that brave."

"Don’t let them see you’re afraid. Some people live to smell fear in others." I stop her and hold her face. "You’re very strong, little rocket."

To my relief, she starts to laugh.

"What did I say wrong?"

"Nothing. I’m just remembering the reporters’ faces when you called me that last week."

She wraps her arms around my waist and rests her head against my chest.

"Thank you for being so amazing."

"I was the one who got you into this mess."

"No, Guillermo, it was that crazy woman. And speaking of which, how are things? Did the accomplices confess?"

"One of them, the woman, Charlotte, handed over a message exchange between her and Kathleen. Apparently, she wasn’t the first person my ex-secretary asked to participate in the scheme—just the only one who agreed."

"But why? I never did anything to her!"

"Who knows? Some people don’t need a reason to be cruel."

"That’s a bit beyond cruelty. I could have been arrested and facing charges while they both knew I was innocent. What kind of human does something like that?"

"A selfish one. Without conscience."

"And now, what happens?"

"She must have read the news, but I’m not sure if she knows that one of her accomplices turned herself in. She was called to my office today. The lawyer will be present, as will Charlotte. First, I’ll terminate her employment contract, then we’ll take legal steps to ensure everyone is punished."

"What time will she come? I want to be part of that meeting."

"Are you sure about that?"

"You bet. She played with my life, Guillermo."

She won’t escape before I say everything I think about her.