Love In Between
Chapter 8

**I deciphered your feelings very well, but not mine. I knew that you still loved her in spite of everything, but I didn’t know how I had changed after I met you.

July 25th

His k****s on my back make me open my eyes to find the sunlight coming through the window in the room. His hands run down my silhouette along the side of my body and I can’t stop thinking about everything we did last night.

-I think after last night you would sleep late,” I comment and listen to his light chuckle as his lips continue to trail over me.

-I still have energy left for you,” he jokes and I laugh.

-Who would have thought it, Martin,” I comment and with his hands he makes me turn over so that I’m on my back.

-Serena,” he says agitated while he slowly approaches my mouth.

-What Gael?” I ask and bring my hands to each side of his face.

-This is our goodbye. I don’t want to hurt you anymore,” he says bluntly and I imagined this would happen. I saw it in his eyes last night as he surrendered in the arms of pleasure.

I can only nod and k**s him hard -Make it the best goodbye ever then- I propose amidst k****s and that’s how we start all over again.

I cover myself with the shy white sheet as I watch him get dressed in front of me. His gaze and mine meet at times and we smile forcibly at each other. -This won’t interfere with our work, will it,” I ask him, referring to the advertising campaign.

He shakes his head, “No Serena, it won’t. I’m sorry about all this. Forgive me for all this,” he answers and it’s not the same Gael.

-Why should I forgive you? We both agreed on this…. Besides, we had a wonderful time,” I comment.

-I know, but what I did last night sucked. I thought I could be cooler. I thought I could f**k you without thinking about anything but my pleasure, but I’ve been an idiot. I can’t get her out of my head and despite everything I want her and I to have another chance. Maybe it will work.

-Easy, easy. I understand perfectly what is happening to you and maybe you should go and try again with her.

-And you? he asks me worriedly.

I don’t understand. -What do you mean? I ask confused.

-Will you be ok?” he finally asks and I nod.

-Don’t worry about my Gael. I’ll be fine. This hasn’t lasted long anyway; neither of us have been romantically involved,” I explain and he nods.

-Of course… well, Serena, anyway if you ever need anything let me know; you have my number,” he says with a shy smile.

-Martin, I won’t call you for s*x if you’re with her,” I clarify between laughs and he laughs too.

-I know, but whatever else you need, just let me know,” he repeats and k****s me goodbye on the cheek.

I watch him leave my room and a few minutes later I hear the front door close. This is the end of all this. Maybe it’s for the best.

3 weeks later: August 15

The proposal for the ads with Gael’s image is already submitted and approved by the company. The photos, the videos, the slogan to be used, in short, everything is ready; it only remains for him to return from his vacation in Ibiza where he is apparently having a wonderful time with his friends and her.

I begin to study proposals for other clients that I have managed to obtain when Ana enters my office to leave me the day’s mail.

-Thank you, Ana,” I tell her and then I think about whether it is right for her to call Gael or not.

-Can you call Gael Marti Enriquez and give him the information about the first photo shoot? I ask her and I don’t know why I formulate it this way, if she is my secretary.

-Of course Serena, just give me the information and I’ll do it, the session will be in the studio here,” she asks.

-Yes, schedule it for next Wednesday. – I ask her and she just nods and then leaves.

I try to go on with my work, but now it’s Sara who enters and stands with her arms crossed in the doorway, “Why didn’t you ask me,” she asks angrily and I can only laugh.

-Because Ana is our secretary and you are a partner in the company. That’s the only reason,” I explain, knowing he means to call Gael.

-I’m not a partner. I’m just a stylist for your company,” he rebuts and laughs.

-I still don’t understand why you haven’t accepted to be a partner.

-Because I want to work with the models and actors, not here. Forgive me, my friend, but it’s the truth,” she explains and I laugh.

If Sara knew that I slept with Gael….

-Okay, but while you fulfill that dream you work here and I don’t want to have problems with Gael and my client because of your platonic love for him,” I explain and she denies.

-Oh Serena! You are so bitter… you need an uncle, what happened with the one in Malaga? he asks and I am in check.

-Nothing. It was just a good night and that’s all. Now go get the model ready for the swimsuit photo shoot,” I scold him and he leaves protesting.

I laugh at his little girl reaction until my cell phone screen lights up as I get a text from him.

**You could have called, couldn’t you? Just because I’m back with Delfi doesn’t mean you can’t talk to me. **

I take a deep breath and decide not to answer right away. I don’t want him to realize that I don’t have the courage to talk to him. I don’t know what’s wrong with me… I guess it’s normal for me to feel this way.

I’m sorry, it’s just that I was in a meeting and I needed you to have the information. It’s the only thing I answer and I put the cell phone aside.

“What is wrong with you Serena? You can’t be this much of a coward.”

And here I thought I was a cold, calculating woman…. You turn out to be nothing but a coward seeing you with her.