Love In Between
Chapter 21

-Let’s get out of here. – I ask Emanuel when I reach his side.

His look says it all. He doesn’t understand anything at all. Why are you like that? What’s wrong? – He asks worriedly.

-I say angrily as I start walking towards the exit, and for some reason he laughs at my words.

-Me too?” he asks when he reaches my side and looks at me with an innocent face and in the middle of my anger he makes me laugh.

-Okay, you’re not… You’re different, but the others think that because you’re a businessman with a pretty face you can go through life looking for someone to f**k, even though you have a girlfriend,” I complain, and I really don’t care about anything at the moment.

-That’s what Gael proposed to you,” I hear him ask me, and fortunately he’s kept it down.

I stop in my tracks in the middle of the anteroom and stare at him. -I’m sorry Emanuel… it’s just that… Forget it. – I say, getting caught up in my own words.

-Serena, look at me. – He speaks, taking my face in his hands. -You can say anything you want to me, trust me. – He asks me and it hurts me a lot not being able to fall in love with him.

-It makes me feel so helpless that he treats me like this. I know it’s partly my fault because I was the first one to tell him that there was no need for so much formality or commitment, but I fell in love with him like a fool and he only sees me as a woman with whom he can have a good time in bed. I am so angry that he is like that – I confess as I feel tears slowly running down my cheeks.

Emanuel deserves more from me than this stupidity, but I guess the heart doesn’t rule – Don’t feel bad. He’s probably blind; otherwise I don’t understand how he can pass you by. –

-It’s not that he doesn’t get over me, he doesn’t fall in love with me, which is different. – I interrupt him and he smiles.

-I know, and what I mean is how blind he is to himself. He doesn’t realise it, but he’s dead in love with you, otherwise he wouldn’t have reacted the way he did when he saw us together,” he explains and I deny.

-That’s only because he thinks that someone else is taking his place, typical male reaction. – I explain and for some reason he laughs.

I don’t understand anything, he hugs me, squeezes me against him, and k****s my hair -Typical reaction of a man who is in love and he doesn’t even know it- he expresses with a lot of confidence and I can’t understand his attitude.

I pull away from him hesitantly and look into his beautiful eyes, “Emanuel, I’m sorry, I really wanted things between you and me…”.

-Don’t say it, I know what you mean, but don’t worry,” he comments.

-I just don’t understand why I can’t fall in love with you, you’re so perfect,” I say frustrated and he smiles.

-Thank you for the compliment, but I guess it’s the same reason why I can’t forget my wife, even though she’s no longer with me. The heart is not in charge Serena. The good thing is that you still have a chance for him to realise what’s really going on with you. -He says, taking me by surprise.

-What are you talking about?” I ask confused.

-Serena, that’s what I’m talking about. We’re going to make Gael jealous so that he finally realizes what’s really going on with him. – He proposes, and boy did I not expect this to be what he would say to me.

-You’re crazy,” I exclaim with a chuckle, and he denies.

-No, I’m not, trust me. – He asks me and I nod, still a little confused.

-I trust you, but what are you going to do,” he asks with a whisper.

-Let’s start by going backstage and let him see what he’s missing. – He says and without further ado takes me by the hand to go back into the room and go there.

-But what excuse do I have to go back there? I ask worried.

-Ask Ivan if he needs anything else; simple. – He proposes and I can’t believe I’m doing this.

We go backstage again and as Emanuel has proposed I make up a conversation with Ivan about future projects, until he tells me he has to go to settle some business.

-I ask when I return to him.

-And now this,” he says and without further ado starts kissing me as if he was the man of my life.

“F**k… Why can’t I fall in love with him?” I ask myself, but my authorial reflection is interrupted by a fake cough that interrupts our k**s. As we pull apart, I find Gael staring at us with his arms crossed. -I’m sorry, but as you know, this is no place to k**s in such a way. – He grumbles.

Before I can say anything to him, Emanuel grabs me by the waist and pulls me against him. -I’m sorry Gael, you’re right,” he says firmly and then looks at me, “Honey, are we going home,” he asks and I can only play along.

-Yes, let’s go,” I say trying to sound as confident as I can and without another word, we both turn around to leave under Gael’s watchful eyes.

“He who is not jealous is not in love.”

“Saint Augustine”