Touched by Emotion
Enrico
Another day at the nursing home, and I still had no idea how to help Joseph regain his normalcy, allowing me to return to London with a sense of tranquility. The team boss had already called me, asking for my return as soon as possible, as we needed to test the car for the next stage of the Formula One World Circuit, and in just three days, the whole team would depart for the next country where another race would take place.
However, I couldn't see a short-term solution to this problem unless Joseph wanted it, which, at the moment, seemed highly unlikely. Returning to London and moving on to the next destination, knowing that my father was facing this situation, was completely out of the question. I wouldn't be able to focus or stay calm to face a race when my mind could only think about what was happening in Seattle.
Rachel didn't even cross my mind, or at least I tried to avoid thinking about her. After another day of not being able to change my father's situation, I decided to visit Sarah. I needed to talk to someone who was a friend, and Hannah was out of the question, as after the complete failure of our previous night, I had concluded that it was better to maintain only friendship. Just remembering her perfume made my head throb.
"You have a serious problem on your hands, my friend," Sarah commented after hearing the whole story about Joseph.
"That, I already know," I said ironically. "I need you to help me with some idea or suggestion of what to do, since I can't just leave him in this situation, Sarah."
She just looked at me analytically, without adding anything, and we ended up laughing after a few minutes of absolute silence.
"You're not helping me at all!" I complained with a smile to soften the impact of my words.
"Sorry, Enrico," she seemed genuinely sad now. "I'm distracted."
"What happened?"
Sarah's expression hinted that there was something quite serious behind those words, but she seemed undecided about whether to tell me or not, from what I could gather.
"Tell me," I insisted and then tried to joke, saying playfully, "Unlike you, maybe I can help you."
My attempt to lighten the mood worked, and Sarah laughed quite a bit at what I said, even managing to infect me with her smile.
"I believe you won't like what I have to say..."
You're just making me even more curious," I complained with a smile.
I've always felt comfortable with Sarah, and there has never been any physical attraction between us. We were essentially good friends, and having her in my life was very valuable.
"Take me to the garden," she requested, looking around cautiously. "Everyone will be arriving soon, and I don't want them to hear what I have to say."
Sarah could move perfectly in her wheelchair alone, but I understood that she was eager to leave the living room, as Maíra and Mary had gone upstairs a few minutes ago to get ready for dinner, something my friend had already done before welcoming me.
When I mentioned that I would like to visit her, Sarah invited me to have dinner at her house. I hesitated for a moment because it was evident that Kael did not appreciate my presence near his fiancée. However, desperate for a conversation, I ended up setting aside my concerns and accepted the invitation.
Kael Graham would have to deal with my presence, after all.
Now, in the garden, Sarah studied me attentively once again before cautiously starting to speak.
"It's about Rachel," she began. "And I know how much you can't stand her and said you want to cut any ties with my sister."
Sarah was right; I had clearly expressed my aversion to Rachel and my decision to distance her from my life. However, between saying something and doing it, there was a significant gap that was sometimes discouraging. I simply couldn't stop caring.
"Go on," I asked Sarah.
She complied with my request, and what she told me left me shocked, almost without a reaction.
"And about the story that she's out of money... how did you find out about that?"
"Ryan investigated what was happening with Rachel," she explained. "According to my brother, she had nowhere to sleep last night and was lucky to find a girl in the restaurant who let her stay at her place, which is just a one-room apartment."
"Restaurant?"
"Yes!" She confirmed my fears. "I believe I didn't mention it, but she's also working at the hotel's restaurant because she didn't have the money to pay for accommodation."
When Sarah mentioned the hotel's name, I was sure that the girl called to clean up the spilled wine and pick up the pieces of the broken glass was indeed Rachel. This caused a painful tightness in my chest, something beyond my comprehension.
"How did Rachel manage to spend two million dollars so quickly, without making a single extravagant purchase?" It was a rhetorical question. "Just with hotel stays and parties?"
"I don't know because she doesn't usually promote, only participate in those champagne-filled parties and other things that we both know are common in those environments."
Sarah was right; this was more consistent with Rachel's behavior.
"So, how did this happen?"
— Ryan believes she was robbed — Sarah disclosed — and I suspect Shirley. But he's waiting for the investigators' response.
It was impressive how Rachel had hit rock bottom so quickly. Or maybe it wasn't that surprising. She was just reaping the consequences of her poor choices and selfishness.
"And you?" I asked, curious. "How do you feel knowing that your sister is in this situation and that you have the power to help her?"
"I'm not happy about what's happening to Rachel, Enrico," Sarah said what I expected to hear. "But I also have no intention of helping her in any way. She needs to learn to fend for herself because all of this is a result of her own choices."
Log in with Google Account
Chapters
Favorite
Settings
