Love In Between
Chapter 19

They say that time heals everything. I don’t really know if it’s true or not. The wound that Gael inflicted on me still seems fresh to me even though enough time has passed and Emanuel is somehow part of my life now. Maybe it hasn’t been long enough, or maybe that wound will never close….

Almost two months later: November 2017

The advertising department of Gael’s company has asked me to work on another ad campaign to be presented today during the launch of their latest technological device, and to be honest this hasn’t helped much. I kept seeing his name or face at every turn. The only good thing about all this is that I haven’t had to see him personally and let’s just say he hasn’t had the time either, as he has been travelling around Latin America as part of his job.

On the other hand, Emmanuel and I have been getting to know each other for almost two months and the truth is that we haven’t had more than a few k****s. I guess he still hasn’t quite forgotten his late wife, and I haven’t forgotten Gael. One small detail, I have not yet mentioned him by name and surname. I’ve only told him about a man I loved dearly and who hurt me just as much because of my own mistakes.

I finish finalising the details of the graphics that I will use in just a couple of hours at the company presentation, and I save them on the USB that I will take to the venue. I pack my bag, touch up my make-up, and as I’m about to leave the office, Emanuel walks in.

-You look beautiful. – He smiles at me and I smile back.

-Thank you, you’re just in time. – I say once I look at the time on the watch I’m wearing.

I walk towards him and let his arms around my waist as they do every time we meet. -You told me it was an important day for you and I postponed my entire schedule to be with you. I want you to know that I care a lot about you Serena,” he confesses without taking his eyes off me and I am only able to bring one of my hands to his face and stroke his beard.

-You are very special, you know that? – I ask him, making him laugh.

-Don’t you think I’m a fool or a coward for not asking you to be my girlfriend yet? he asks me shyly and I deny.

-No, I don’t think that. I think you’re a unique man, one of those men who don’t exist anymore and who deep down feels guilty for being with me since you had sworn in front of an altar to love her,” I say with a lot of confidence.

His hands come up to my face and he caresses me slowly, “You’re the only woman I’ve been able to k**s after Juliet,” he confesses and it really makes me feel very special.

-And you’re the only one I’ve ever wanted to k**s after him,” I admit and k**s him.

-Shall we go better?” he asks mischievously and I nod.

-Let’s go,” I agree.

Like a gentleman he offers me his arm and we walk out of the office to the sighs of some of the women who work here. I feel sorry for Joel to have to witness this, but I guess after my conversation back from Barcelona things have become clear between the two of us.

Emanuel and I enter through the back of the venue to meet the company representatives so that we can hand over the graphs for the presentation. I explain the times and charts at length until I hear his voice. He talks about his nerves and the expectations of the audience with someone, and I don’t dare turn to look at him….

-How’s it going?” he asks suddenly and I know he’s behind me.

-Everything is going excellent Gael. Serena has already brought us the graphs that will go on the screen,” Ivan indicates and with those words I have no other option but to turn to greet him.

-Good afternoon,” I say as I look at his face and I’m doing my best not to let it show how nervous I am.

He smiles when he sees me and then as always he runs his eyes over me, but this time it’s different, for some reason Emanuel decides to stand next to me and take my hand.

-Good afternoon, Serena,” he says a little cooler.

-Nice to meet you, Emanuel Faure,” he says offering his hand and Gael looks at him strangely.

-Nice to meet you, new in the agency? he asks hesitantly and Emanuel laughs.

-No, I’m not a publicist,” he defends himself.

-He’s a good friend,” I intercede, but Emanuel puts his arm behind my waist and brings his lips to my neck.

-Yes, very good friends,” he says, making me feel the temperature rise dramatically.

Gael’s face is hard to describe. It’s as if he’s trying to guess how to react, but Delfina doesn’t give him time to do anything when she hugs him from behind and starts kissing his neck -You left me alone baby- she tells him and I feel like throwing up when I hear her call him that.

-Delfina, we’re not alone,” he explains sourly.

-We’re going to the living room to watch the presentation. Good luck. – I tell him downplaying the importance of the sticky scene that his girlfriend has created.

-Good luck Gael,” Emanuel says and follows my footsteps as he squeezes my hand on the way. -He asks me, taking me by surprise and I can only open my eyes wide as I stop in the corridor.

-What? How come…” I try to ask and he just smiles.

-I saw his face when he saw us holding hands. I saw yours when that woman called him “baby”, which I must admit is repulsive. – He says with a chuckle.

“I don’t even know how to react.

I stand in front of him and caress his face, “Emanuel, I don’t want you to think that…” I try to say.

-Shhh…” He interrupts me. -I didn’t say anything. Serena, you and I have been very honest all this time and it doesn’t bother me that you didn’t want to tell me it was him, I respect that. I just want you to know that things between you and me don’t have to be forced, do you understand? – He asks me and I hug him.

-That’s why I love you so much… you’re too special,” I let him know and I can hear his smile.

-You’re special too. Now let’s go over there and hear what he has to say about his new device; then we’ll continue talking about this,” he proposes and I nod.

**Emanuel is exactly everything that’s right in a man, but is that enough to make me forget all about Gael? There are times when the heart is fickle, and I still don’t quite know what to do about it.