Total pages in book: 115
Estimated words: 110351 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 552(@200wpm)___ 441(@250wpm)___ 368(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 110351 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 552(@200wpm)___ 441(@250wpm)___ 368(@300wpm)
After a few more clarifications and assurances, the meeting begins to wind down. As we stand to leave, Javier extends his hand towards me.
“I’m glad we had this conversation,” he says sincerely. “You’re everything Santiago said you were, and more.”
“Thank you,” I reply, shaking his hand, my nerves tempered by a small flicker of hope.
As we step out of Javier’s office and head over towards the elevator, I glance at Santi, my thoughts still racing.
“You okay?” he asks.
“I think so,” I say. “It’s just... a lot to process. Although you’d almost think I’d be used to that by now.”
“You’re stronger than you think, you know. And I promise you, I’ll be with you every step of the way.”
I nod, leaning into his side as the elevator doors slide open. It hums softly as we begin our descent, and I can feel the weight of the meeting still hanging in the air.
“You’re quiet,” Santi remarks, his voice low but teasing. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
I smile at him, though it feels a little forced.
“I’m fine, honestly.”
Santi raises an eyebrow, his gaze never leaving me. “If there’s anything you need to know more about - any questions that you have - you know you can talk to me about them, right? Or even Javier. You can go to him at any time.”
“I guess,” I murmur, though my mind is still processing everything.
I try to remind myself that this could be a good opportunity, a chance to reclaim control of my story.
But something about the entire concept feels unsettling.
The elevator doors open, and we step out into the bright lobby. The rush of air conditioning is a relief after the warmth of the meeting room, and I can hear Santi’s footsteps falling perfectly in line with mine as we walk toward the exit.
His strong hand reaches out to me, and I smile as our fingers intertwine.
“Have you thought about what you want to focus on first?” he asks.
“I don’t know,” I admit. “Honestly, I haven’t thought that much on the actual story side of things. It seems so weird.”
Santi gives my hand a comforting squeeze. “Well, this isn’t all on you. We can figure it out together. So long as you want my help, I’ll be right there with you.”
His words are calming, but the unease still lingers.
We step outside, and the city streets are buzzing with their usual energy, packed-out on account of the weekend. People bustle past us, hurrying to their destinations as a street band performs music somewhere in the distance.
It’s all a bit much for me to process right now, and I’m more than a little overstimulated.
“I think we should go home,” I say, glancing up at him. “I could really do with a quiet night.”
Santi smiles at me, his green eyes softening. “Of course,” he says, the warmth in his voice making my chest flutter. “My place?”
I nod, and as we make our way back to his penthouse, I can’t help but wonder if this really will be a turning point for me. Both Santi and Javier seem confident that it will all work out fine, but I’m worried things won’t be quite that simple and straightforward.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
“You’ve been avoiding me.”
The words come through the phone with the familiar, no-nonsense tone.
I can almost picture my mother standing in her kitchen, one hand on her hip, the other holding the phone up to her ear.
I hesitate, guilt flooding through me as I glance at my phone screen.
"I haven't been avoiding you," I tell her. "I've just been... busy."
"Busy? Or avoiding the questions I've been asking?" she presses.
I sigh and flop back on the couch, staring up at the ceiling.
"Okay, fine. Maybe a little bit of both."
She’s quiet for a moment, but I can hear the soft clink of something being set down in the background - probably her tea cup.
"So, what's been going on then? You’ve hardly answered my calls, and every time I ask you something, you get all distant."
"It’s just... everything’s happening all at once, Mum. And it’s a lot to keep up with myself, never mind try and explain to anyone else."
“What’s a lot?” she asks, her tone softening now that I’ve admitted the truth. "You haven’t really explained it to me. I know about the rugby player, but what’s with this media attention? Since when were you being photographed?"
I sit back up slightly, the words tumbling out before I can stop them.
“Santi and I... people know we’re together, and the press just won’t leave me alone. It’s so weird - I know nobody knows him at home, but I guess he’s kind of a big deal here. People are interested in him, in his life. So, they’ve been making up stories about me - about us. It’s like I’m not even me anymore. I’ve just been... his girlfriend. And it feels like my whole life is being twisted into something I didn’t ask for."