Chapter 9

Nicolas looked at his friend with concern. He hadn't seen her like this. She had been calmer in the last two weeks than she had been in the last few years. Sometimes he even wondered if she was really his friend. The girl who was afraid of new acquaintances. The one who spent all her free time at work. The one who had cried in his arms so recently. She moved on. Why couldn't he?

"Nicolas, what's going on?" - Betty looked at him with obvious annoyance. He didn't realize they stared at each other for a long time. - "I'm talking to you and you act like you're lost somewhere in your mind. Where have you been?"

"I wonder how you managed to get back on your feet so quickly. You seem to be getting closer and closer with Mr. Valencia and I still can't get over Pati."

He watched as Beatriz's laughing face slowly turned into a hard mask. He knew he was trying not to cry. He thought that perhaps not everything in her life was really sorted out yet.

"I'm not sure yet. I'm trying to put my heart together. But because it has been broken so many times, it will never be the same again. Remember Mom's blue vase?" - He nodded in confirmation, until now he remembered what scolding they got for breaking a wedding gift from Mrs. Julia's favorite aunt - "Even after gluing, you could see the traces. There were scratches and missing pieces. I didn't move on. I'm just trying to live. It is hard. I got support from an unexpected side, but I'm slowly getting used to the idea that nothing will ever be the same again. I still love Mr. Armando. However... I am aware that my heart is big enough for someone else. Maybe for Daniel or maybe someone else entirely. You can do it too. Just give yourself a chance."

Nicolas said nothing. He let his mind focus on the papers in front of him. He promised himself that he would think about what his friend had told him. He knew... He felt he was right. He needed time to think about it.

xxx

Marcela smiled to herself. She couldn't remember the last time she had been so relaxed. The fact that she managed to do it despite the absence of her fiancé, who left before she mustered up the courage to break off the relationship with him. Relationships of questionable quality. She couldn't call it a relationship. She knew it would be abuse. Now she had someone else on her mind. And it was because of him that one thought tormented her. How to convince a man to give up polo shirts, knowing that he "glued" to them in his early high school years? Marcela, lost in thought, didn't even notice Patricia Fernandez's appearance.

"I can see from your smile, Marce, that you have planned a warm welcome to Armando. Knock him to his knees to make him forget about that toad." - The blonde threw her hair over her back in a characteristic gesture.

"Toad?" - Marcela replied, slightly confused. She knew what it was, but she thought Patricia wouldn't call Betty that anymore. She must have noticed how close they were lately.

"Yes, our president. Don't pretend you don't know who I'm talking about. What have you planned? I'll help you work out the details."

The sales director recently discovered that despite all her sympathy for this woman, her meddling irritated her greatly.

"First of all, don't call Beatriz that. I know I've used more painful insults against her myself, but I'm trying to mend my relationship with her, and that means you'll continue to see me with her. I hope that more and more" - She wasn't going to mention anything about the growing intimacy between Betty and her brother - "Second, I didn't plan anything. Actually, that's not true. I didn't plan anything romantic. I want to break up with him, although I admit that it would be easier if he broke up with me. I don't know how to start this conversation..."

"Again, I think I heard wrong. You want to break up with him? After all those years?" - Patricia Fernandez looked at Marcela as if the woman had suddenly grown a second head.

"Yes, after so many years. What's the point of investing your time and energy in something that won't last? He doesn't love me and I... I don't know if my love for him hasn't evaporated either..."

xxx

Sandra was having a bad day. Her birthday was in a few days. Another birthday she'll spend alone. This fact has never bothered her, but a recent visit to the gynecologist changed her perspective. She wanted a baby and had just been informed that it might soon be too late. She was looking for a partner. A partner who will accept it. Her temperament, height, quirks... Maybe she was too picky? After all, it's hard to have offspring without a man. It's unfair. The woman has a shelf life. Why don't men have it too?

xxx

The atmosphere in Ecomoda was constantly changing. It was more and more cordial, which didn't go unnoticed by the returning Mario Calderon. Unfortunately, he had to return a few days earlier than Armando due to a pre-arranged meeting. He remembered that the situation had been rather strained by violence when he left because the behavior of his friend. Cracked. Despite the best intentions, he burst and Mario wasn't surprised at all.

Mario and Armando had decided to discuss the trip over lunch. The last thing they expected upon entering was a laughing Daniel Valencia in the company of his sister and Beatriz Pinzon Solano. Just as laughter could escape Armando's attention, after all, he himself used a fake smile more than once in meetings, this couldn't happen with the blush appearing on Betty's cheeks.

"We can go elsewhere." - he tried to support the man standing by his side. - "You don't have to torture yourself."

"Relax. I can't run away from her. After all, we work in the same company."

Both men sat at the table from which they had clear, but discreet views of the Valencia siblings and the president.

"What do you think happened to make them get along so well all of a sudden?" - Armando asked him with a hint of uncertainty in his voice.

"I have no idea. Betty acts as if she is under some kind of potion or spell." - Mario was very anxious when he was in a situation he did not understand. This one definitely fell into that category.

Dinner passed quite quietly. They both discussed the course and expectations towards the future delegation. To Calderon's surprise, Armando only sometimes slightly watched what was happening at his opponent's table. However, as time passed, he became more and more annoyed. Not wanting to lead to a public scene during the day, Mario ordered the bill and ordered his return to the company. Unfortunately, he forgot one fact. To leave the restaurant, they had to go through the main hall right next to Daniel's table.

"Armando!"

Mario Calderon couldn't do anything. When Beatriz was within Armand's reach, Daniel kissed her softly on the lips. Armando's reaction was immediate. He punched the man in the face with a right hook, straightened his jacket, and walked out of the restaurant as if nothing had happened.

He sighed as he remembered that. He didn't know what the relationship between Daniel and Betty was like, but even he could see that the kiss in the restaurant was pure coincidence. As he approached, he heard Valencia saying goodbye to Marcela, giving her a kiss on the cheek, and he did the same to Beatriz. However, hearing the voice of her former boss, she turned around and... Daniel's eyes widened with a comic grimace of surprise. He adored his pal, but even he could see that the fuse of his temper was shorter than that of a candle.

"Sandra, could you give me a phone list? Both mine and Armando's." - he smiled at his secretary. She was scatterbrained, often went to his councils. She was taller than him, but she was solid. She had been one of the few constants in his life in recent years.

"Of course, Mr. Maria."

Calderon took a flat oblong box from his briefcase and handed it to the woman.

"It's for you. You're whispering too loud. Recently, when I came back from a business trip, I heard you say under your breath that I should bring you a gift instead of extra work. As for extra work, I can't change that. As for the gift, I'm sorry I didn't think of it sooner. I hope you like it. I chose myself."

Mario left the surprised secretary with a smile. In fact, he never considered buying her a gift, because he only buys them for his relatives, but after seeing this hand-embroidered shawl, he couldn't get it out of his head thinking that it would be perfect for Sandra.

"I guess I'm getting sentimental." - he whispered as he entered the office.