Page 61 of Stronger Than Fate
“I haven’t told them the details yet,” I interrupted.
“We were just talking about that. I asked an acquaintance to find out everything he could about that woman. Today I received a report and learned that she works at my company, which I was unaware of. The problem is that I suspect she’s not happy about our relationship, and I’m genuinely concerned for Dalina’s safety.”
“Safety?” my brothers asked, completely bewildered.
“Better sit down and I’ll tell you everything that’s happened,” I indicated.
They took seats in the armchairs facing where Henry and I were sitting, and I began my account. My brothers looked at Henry seriously, though they remained attentive to what I was narrating. Once again, I listed everything that had happened and the latest information provided by Henry. When I finished, they both looked at each other in surprise.
“When were you planning to tell us about this situation? This is serious,” Bastián said. “That girl isn’t well.”
“I don’t understand how we didn’t notice her fakeness. We need to expose her,” Lolo affirmed.
“Now you’ll understand my concern. I don’t know her and maybe I’m overreacting, but I don’t think anything is too much when it comes to Dalina’s wellbeing and safety.”
“I agree with you and I ask that you keep me informed,” Bastián requested.
“Stop, stop, stop,” I said, agitated. “I think this is all an exaggeration. Now I realize she must be jealous and I understand she hasn’t acted properly, but you’re taking this situation down a path I don’t agree with,” I affirmed, completely annoyed by the dimension this issue had taken.
“What do you mean by ‘all this’?” Henry asked, looking at me seriously.
“Your attitudes,” I responded.
“We can't just sit back with our arms crossed and act like nothing happened,” he responded.
“I agree with what he says, little one. You have to admit that Sol is acting in bad faith and hasn't been honest. She hid from you that she worked at your boyfriend's company and she's behaving like a psychopath.”
“I don't support you on this either, Dali,” and in this case it was Lolo who spoke.
I exhaled in defeat, knowing clearly that if these three men agreed on something, I had little chance of convincing them otherwise.
The intercom in my office rang. I got up to answer it, and Bastián's secretary informed me that he had a call, asking if she should transfer it to my office or if he would take it in his own. When I asked him, my brother decided to take it in his office and Lolo decided to accompany him, but not before asking us to keep them informed about everything that happened with Sol. When they left, Henry sat down beside me.
“This now warrants talking to the personnel department at my company to get that woman out of there as soon as possible,” he stated, looking at me seriously.
“Whaaaaat? Absolutely not! I don't want her to lose her job!” I exclaimed, horrified.
“This is not up for discussion. I cannot have someone in my company who has acted in such a dishonest manner. I'm not one to fire people who work for me—I only do it when they commit some serious offense—but I consider honesty and loyalty to be the main characteristics of a human being, and your friend doesn't have them,” he stated in an authoritative tone.
“Please, Henry, don't fire her. She's not like that. I'm going to talk to her; it's the only way to resolve this situation. I need to look at this situation beyond the impact of this momentand consider everything we've experienced together, the shared memories, the anecdotes that unite us. Besides, arguments are also part of friendship, right? I'm going to initiate a reconciliation. We have many more reasons to fix this than to distance ourselves,” I stated confidently. I cared a lot for Sol, and while her attitude had hurt me deeply and I didn't justify it, now that I understood she might be in love with Henry, I could begin to understand her, at least a little.
“You're not going to talk to her. Actions speak volumes about people, and you'll agree that her attitude is that of a disloyal person, even disturbed, I'd say. A friend doesn't cause you unnecessary suffering. She hurt you, she disappointed you, and that's enough to distrust her and not want to see her again.”
“I don't want to take such an extreme measure until we've talked. But this is a matter between Sol and me; no one else needs to intervene,” I stated.
“Don't be stubborn!” he warned, looking at me very seriously.
“Henry, she's my friend and I'm going to go. I have to do it. Besides, I'm going alone,” I stated, giving him a warning look.
“Don't even think about it!” he exclaimed.
For a few seconds we challenged each other with our gazes, Henry with his brow furrowed and me trying to rival his seriousness, though that was almost impossible.
“Please stop giving me orders,” I said, trying to sound calm.
“Very well, if the meeting happens, I'll take you and wait until you finish your conversation with that girl. And you'll make sure she knows I'm waiting for you. No further discussion.”
“Do you realize what you're asking me? We assume she's jealous of you, and you want me to tell her that I'm with you and you're waiting for me? I don't think the conversation will be very comfortable or sincere after I tell her that.”
