Chapter 33

ALEX

Marcos and Carlota were a few steps away from us, but I could tell Gabriela was somewhat tense. It's not I wanted to leave her side, but I know they had to talk about their things and I didn't want to bother, I know Carlota didn't like me at all, and after everything I did to her best friend, it's normal she can't stand me, but Gabriela wanted me to stay there, next to her, and if she asked me to, I couldn't say no. I could see how Carlota was looking at me, and from her face she's not happy I'm by Gabriela side. 

"What are you doing here? How did you find me?" Gabriela asked, I could say a little annoyed "Because you always came here when something bothered you or you wanted calm." Gabriela said nothing, as if thinking about what Marcos had just said. They were looking at each other until he looked away from Gabriela to listen to something Carlota was saying, to which I paid more attention, because her opinion mattered. 

"Is the same Alex, you showed me in the photo?" Carlota asked, and I could see how Gabriela was playing with her hands, a sign she was nervous about something "It's the same one, why do you say that?" Gabriela inquired. "It's different to see him in person." She assured, and a small smile appeared on my face "I told you, but you don't listen." 

"But you know, there's something in his gaze I don't know." She hesitated and I could see how Gabriela tensed "That's what has changed, you'll notice, give him a chance." I don't know what was happening to Gabriela, I don't know if she was listening, or if she was thinking too much about something, I just know it's not normal for her to go so long without saying anything, but it didn't take her long to speak. 

"You'd know he's changed if you gave him a chance to talk, even a little." Gabriela said, after taking a breath of air, "It could be he changed, but I'm not convinced, besides, as far as I know, he can talk, or has he gone mute?" 

Carlota was right in what she was saying, I didn't even trust myself sometimes, I was afraid of hurting Gabriela again. If I wasn't sure myself, how can the rest be sure that I won't hurt her again? How is Gabriela going to be sure? I'm not going to let Gabriela argue with her again, she didn't like to argue, much less with a friend, so it was time to intervene, aside from the fact it was me they were talking about. 

"You're right, Carlota." As soon as I say those words, Gabriela turns to look at me, and I can see she's wondering what I'm doing, but it's something I have to face, it was because of my bullshit I lost her. This time I'm going to do things the way I should and never mistrust her again in our life. 

"In what exactly?" she asked, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow. "It's not to trust you. I myself don't feel sure being with Gabriela. I'm afraid of hurting her again at some point. But I assure you I will do everything in my power to make Gabriela happy. You have taught me in that year how wrong I have been and what I did to Gabriela. Thanks to you and Gabriela, I have changed. I know I'm not the person Gabriela deserves, and I know you don't agree with what I say, but it's all true, I love her, I love her with all my heart. I promise if I hurt her again or if Gabriela asks me to, I'll leave her alone and you'll never see me again in your life, but let me try one more time. I swear I won't do anything to her." 

Both Carlota and Marcos stared at me, but I didn't look at them for long because I went to look at Gabriela, mostly to see if she believed what I said. In her eyes, I could see a special shine I had never seen before. We stared at each other for a couple of minutes until Carlota got closer to us, only a step away. From there she could give me a good slap, and that's what I was waiting for until she stretched out her hand in my direction. Gabriela and I looked at each other, perplexed, not understanding what was happening. 

"My arm gets tired Alex, just so you know." She joked and I took her hand and shook it, of course I was freaking out a bit at this moment, and from Gabriela's face she doesn't understanding anything of what Carlota was doing either. "Why are you doing all this?" 

"Because you wouldn't say what you just said before, which shows me you've changed, on the other hand, Gabriela would kill me if I didn't understand you, although what I said to you most likely wouldn't matter and, lastly, it seems to me a good deal to do whatever I want to kill you, I have to execute a plan in case you do the slightest harm to Gabriela." 

"He's not going to do anything to me, and you won't do it to him either." Gabriela assured, and Carlota laughed, "Well, we'll talk about that over time. But I want to apologize, Gabriela, I shouldn't have treated him like that. I shouldn't have spoken before I knew for myself, he had changed, I'm stubborn and I know sometimes it's not easy to put up with me, but I care about you, that's why I can be a bit of a bitch." 

"You could say you almost reach the category of a bitch, but that's not you are, and of course I forgive you." They hugged each other and I could see how happy Gabriela was. After a few seconds, Marcos also joins them and the three of them remain embracing, until Carlota moves away from them a bit and stares at me. 

"Are you going to tell me you don't feel like a hug?" Carlota asked looking in my direction. "I don't want to spoil this moment." I answered sincerely "Don't be stupid and come here." Carlota said this time. And I wasn't going to do it if it wasn't because she grabs my arm and brings me closer to them, making me automatically hug them too. 

The smile on Gabriela's face had widened, and for once in a long time, I felt I once again had those people to trust along with Dani and my grandmother, and the girl I loved, love and will love for the whole of my life. Nobody can avoid it.