Chapter 47

"Please… tell me everything went well. How is my grandfather?" I asked, trembling as I tried to keep my composure.

"It was a complicated surgery. We had to remove part of the affected liver. This means that his lifestyle will have to change drastically so that he doesn’t lose the rest, but he can live a full life." I let out a sigh of relief, feeling the weight lift off my shoulders. I turned to look at Mr. César, but I only saw him walking away. My smile faded, and I spoke, ignoring him.

"Can I see him?"

"I think it would be best if he rests for the entire night. Tomorrow, when he wakes up, you can visit him and bring him some clothes and toiletries." A bit disappointed, I nodded, thanking the doctor again.

"Don't thank me; this hospital is supported by Mr. Montenegro. He's the one you should thank for its efficiency." Since when was Mr. César a philanthropist interested in helping a simple hospital? This was the first time I found myself curious about him. I touched my lips, and my heart skipped a beat. I clutched my chest and murmured in fear,

"What is happening to me…."

♡

The car ride felt heavy and tense. Mr. César hadn't said a word or asked any questions; it was really uncomfortable. I glanced at him for a second, and he seemed deep in thought with his typical serious expression. I could never figure out what went on in that head sculpted by the gods. Confused, I sighed, unable to stop thinking about why he kissed me again, and this time, there was no excuse. And the worst part was that I… I… didn't try to stop him like the last time he kissed me, when I felt so much anger. This time was different; something inside me didn't feel as disgusted. I leaned my head back, trying to push all those thoughts away. None of this was going to help me; it would only bring more headaches. Regardless of what happened… I had to thank him as was only fair—without him, my grandfather wouldn't have been operated on.

"I… Mr. César, thank you so much… for transferring my grandfather and allowing the operation, for…" That hug came to mind, and my cheeks flushed. "Thank you for comforting me… You didn't have to, and yet, you did… You've taken care of me tonight, and I don't know how to repay you."

Hearing no response from him, I fell silent, consumed by my thoughts. Why had he been kind to me and now was acting cold? I didn’t understand. What had I done wrong this time? It felt like he was doing it on purpose, as if he were playing with my mind. I looked at him sincerely and said,

"If it weren't for you, I don't think I could have managed… Your presence helped me a lot. I had to tell you that because my grandfather is all I have. So… I don’t understand why you're so angry."

"Angry? Why would I be?" he said coldly, dismissing me. Once again, I felt stupid. Why did I bother being sincere and a little kind when he was always unpleasant and annoying? How foolish I was… He always looked at me with that coldness, just like when he kissed me the first time, using the stupid street girl… as if I didn’t have feelings. I wanted to pretend nothing had happened, but I still felt a warmth on my lips, and my chest swelled just thinking about how good it felt. So why did he kiss me again? I needed to ask him; I didn’t want to feel used again. I looked at him angrily and said,

"Why did you kiss me?" He looked at me in silence, and this time I didn’t look away. I wasn't going to let this man have so much influence in my life.

"Do you really want to know?"

"Y-yes, I'm asking you."

"Then why do you hesitate?"

"Because I don’t understand; you confuse me in so many ways."

"I know this might be a mistake for you again, and it might mean nothing to you, but it doesn't for me! So don’t do it again."

"Why? Because you love my brother unconditionally, the same one who left you for someone who looks just like you." A painful ache filled my heart, and I looked at him with anger.

"So what if I like him? That doesn’t give you the right to use me whenever you please. Don’t kiss me again, or… or… things… will get confusing, and there will be misunderstandings."

"Misunderstandings? What kind of misunderstandings do you think could happen?"

"W-well, you know! T-that feelings might get mixed up, that I might confuse things that aren’t there, that you might show a preference when there isn’t one. Those kinds of things need to be avoided."

"Why? Are you afraid of falling in love with me?"

"What are you saying?"

"If you’re worried about those things, it's because my kiss stirred something in you. Let me ask you again, did you feel something when I kissed you?" My face heated up from the tip of my nose to my neck; I was sure I looked like a spicy red pepper. Why would someone who didn’t care about anything at all be interested in whether I liked him?