Olívia

Olívia
Three days later

Three days, or seventy-two hours, or four thousand three hundred and twenty minutes without Guillermo and Nina in my life.

I try to be strong, as I have been since my mother died, but now it’s different. When she was gone, there was nothing I could do to ease the longing. Guillermo, however, is within reach of a phone call.

As he promised, he’s been giving me space, but Rafe, Joaquín, Gael, and even Martina, whom I haven’t met in person, message me every day to check on me. I know it’s at his request, and it affects me deeply that he cares enough to make his siblings look for me.

I also received a call from Logan and decided to clear things up between us once and for all. I have nothing to offer but friendship, and we both know that’s not what he wants. Whether I’m with Guillermo or not right now, my heart belongs to him, so it wouldn’t be fair to give the guy false hope.

I’ve kept my distance from the hotel since the course is relatively far from Caldwell-Oviedo Tower, but I miss everything: conversations with Julien, even Melissa’s chatter, but most of all, I miss him and Valentina.

Mrs. Isabel also called, and even though she didn’t mention her son’s name, I know she wanted to ask me questions. On one of the calls, I heard Nina fussing in the background, and my heart contracted as if someone were squeezing it.

What am I doing?

I believe he really cares about me. I believe in him.

Even so, a voice keeps repeating that maybe being with me is just too convenient.

I share the same blood as Valentina, and Guillermo has said more than once how important family is to him.

I stare at the phone like an idiot. Deep down, I hold onto the hope that he’ll break our pact and call, but I know it won’t happen. I challenged him. I told him that if he loved me enough, he would give me space, and he’s keeping his part of the bargain.

If there’s one thing I know about Guillermo, it’s his sense of honor.

And as crazy as it sounds, in this moment, I wish he would just come and erase all the doubts from my mind.



The next day

I enter the restaurant where I have lunch every day, near the course, and I think I’m having a vision.

Guillermo.

He’s sitting alone, head down, fiddling with his phone, looking without seeing.

For a moment, I hesitate whether to keep walking or leave, but in those few seconds, as if drawn by a magnet, he lifts his head, looking directly at me.

Seeming to understand my indecision, he doesn’t stand up, which I know, from all the time we’ve spent together, is his usual way of acting.

He’s letting me choose.

Although the coward inside me wants to run, my heart wins over reason, and in a few steps, I walk up to him. Immediately he rises, and his eyes hold me so intensely it’s as if he’s touching me. We’re just a few steps apart now, and everyone else around us disappears.

"Olívia."

My heart cries out with longing, but I try to maintain some control.

"Guillermo."

"Is it time for your lunch?"

Suddenly, I remember when he was at the café. I look around and get the same feeling as that day.

He doesn’t belong here.

Guillermo is here because of me.

Knowing this doesn’t make me upset—it makes me happy. He came.

I know he’s dying to touch me. I am too, and without resisting the impulse, I move a little closer.

His control seems to snap. His hand lands on my waist, and the warm mouth I love so much brushes my cheek.

It’s a chaste kiss, but even so, it says more than perhaps a declaration of love ever could.

When he finally lets go, I don’t want him to move away.

"It is," I finally answer his question. "Will you be having lunch here too?"

He shrugs, and I take that as a yes.

"We could… huh…."

"Of course," he answers quickly.

Knowing he’s anxious too calms me a little. He pulls out a chair for me to sit, and I study every detail of the man who owns my heart. His face looks tired, despite the usual impeccable appearance.

"Are you here by chance?"

"If I said no, would you leave?"

"I wouldn’t. I missed you too."

He closes his eyes for a moment, and when he opens them, he doesn’t look at me.

"You said that if I loved you enough, I would give you space. Being here doesn’t mean I don’t love you. It’s exactly the opposite."

God, what am I doing to the two of us?

"Dinner with me tonight?" I ask.

He had been looking at his hands crossed on the table, but he immediately lifts his head after my words.

"Where?"

"I’d like to see Nina, so if it could be at your place…"

"Yes, she’ll love that. We both missed you."

Before I can say anything, a group of classmates from the course sees me and comes over.

We both stand up, but he holds me by the waist.

"I’ll pick you up at six."

"No need, I can take an Uber."

He doesn’t give me time to continue protesting.

After another kiss on the cheek, he repeats:

"Six o’clock in front of the course, love."

I don’t even bother asking how he knows when classes end.

"Is that Guillermo Oviedo? What is he to you?" one of the girls in the group asks.

I follow him with my eyes as he leaves the restaurant.

"He’s mine."



I come down a little late, and Guillermo is waiting for me, but there’s also a driver outside the car.
I think I’ve seen him at Mrs. Isabel’s house, but I’m not sure. It’s the first time since we’ve been together that Guillermo isn’t driving.

As soon as he sees me, he walks the rest of the way to meet me, and as if in a hurry, he intertwines our fingers and guides me to the vehicle.

"Good evening," I say to the driver, feeling my face burning.

"Good evening, miss. It’s a pleasure to serve you."

As soon as I receive the formal treatment, I understand who he is.

Simon. The man Guillermo considers more of an uncle than anything else, and whose formality annoys him.

I get in the car, followed by him. I’m so nervous that I fumble three times trying to buckle my seatbelt, aware that his eyes are on me the entire time. Without asking, he overlays his fingers on mine, taking the task for himself.

When our skin touches, it’s like electric currents shocking different parts of my body. Instantly, our eyes meet. The hunger for each other reflected there.

My gaze drops to his mouth, and he lets out a husky sound.

"Don’t look at me like that. I’m on edge, Olívia."

My whole body tingles at the mix of threat and promise. Instead of pulling back, I let my tongue run over my own lips.

He presses his mouth to my ear.

"I’m crazy about you. I’ve dreamed of being inside you every night. I didn’t touch myself, didn’t come because I want to do it inside your body. Fill every part of you, warm you with my seed. Don’t tease me if it’s not what you want too."

Unable to respond, I offer myself more to his mouth. My breasts heavy with need.

He nibbles my earlobe but does nothing more, and I squeeze my thighs, unable to disguise my desire.