It's been a few days since I found out what Santiago did. I have not spoken to him since that day. I am furious at him for toying with Emily's heart like that. I am on my way to pick up Emily from her house to drive her and her mom to the hospital. Emily's car broke down, so I offered to drive them to the hospital, and I also wanted to visit her mom. If I was talking to Santiago, I am sure he would have made sure I gave him feedback on how Emily's mom is doing, but I won't. I know I can't be angry at him forever, but at least I should punish him a little by not talking to him for a while.
I park my car in front of Emily's house and walk to the door to knock. I don't really like the neighborhood she is living in; it looks a little dangerous. I would talk to her about moving to another place. This is not the place Emily used to live when we were in high school. She must have moved places after her dad died. After a few knocks, Emily opens the door.
"Hi, Andrea, how are you?" Emily says once she opens the door. She moves aside so that I can enter the house.
"I am good, Emily, and you?" I say, walking into the house.
"I am great. Let me get mom from her room so we can leave, but please sit down while I get her"
"Alright"
The house is lovely and homely. The walls are painted white, including the kitchen I can see from here. There is only one long big grey couch, which I walk over to and take a seat. I try my best to not dirty the cream rug under my feet. There are pictures of Emily and her family around the living room, which makes the house homier.
"We are ready to leave," Emily says, walking out of the bedroom with her arms around her mom.
"Hello, Mrs. Johnson," I say, walking over to help Emily with her mom
"Hello dear, it's been ages since I last saw you."
"Me too, and how are you doing?"
"I have seen better days, and thank you for helping us."
Mrs. Johnson does not look too bad, but you can see her sickness takes a toll on her. I hope she gets better with time.
"It's fine; you don't have to thank me."
We all walk outside and into the car to be on our way.
We arrive at the hospital after a few minutes of driving. We walk inside the hospital, and I ask Emily to check her mom in while I take her mom to change. After getting Mrs. Johnson in a hospital gown, we walk out of the changing room and meet a very pissed-off Emily.
"What's wrong dear, did they say I can't have my checkup today?" Mrs. Johnson asks
"No, mom, everything is fine," Emily says, pacing up and down. She looks like she is in deep thought with herself.
"Then why do you look like you want to beat someone up."
"Nothing is wrong, mom, and please excuse me for a minute while I talk to Andrea about something."
"Alright, dear, I will be in my room," Mrs. Johnson says and walks away. I can see where Emily gets her habit not to pry on things. If it was me, I would make sure you tell me what's wrong.
Once Emily's mom is far enough not to hear us, Emily speaks
"Did you tell your brother we were coming to the hospital today?"
"No, I did not; why would I?" I ask, surprised by her question
"Then explain to me how my mom's bill has been cleared by a donation under the name Mi Preciosa flor (My precious flower)."
"I'm I supposed to know who Mi Preciosa flor is?" I ask confused
"Yes, you should because it's your brother?"
"How sure are you? Anyone can be Mi Preciosa flor even though that is not a name"
"I am sure because that was what your brother use to tell me. He would always say that even if he found himself in a field of beautiful flowers. I would always be the most precious flower to him," Emily says, and I can see her about to tear up a little. "Why won't your brother leave me alone? It has been so many years. I deserve to move on from him, don't I? Why would he pay my mom's hospital bills? Does he want leverage over me?" Emily says and breaks down in tears. I don't say anything but pull her in for a hug I know she needs right now.
"Emily, I know it was wrong of him to pay the bills behind your back, but I don't think he did it to have leverage over you. Why would he need leverage over you" I say, releasing her from our hug. I don't understand why she thinks of my brother this way. I know what he did in the past was foolish but for him to pay her mom's bills to have leverage over her is something I don't think he would do.
"You won't understand?"
"Then make me understand."
"Men like your brother need to have control over women like me. It's in their blood to get possessive over women that don't want them. They would do anything to make the woman who refuses them theirs. You come from a wealthy family, so no man can have leverage over you but for me, it's easy. Santiago has paid for my mom's medical bills, and he can come for his reward any time, and it can be in any way."
"No, I don't think Santiago's intentions were that"
I can't believe the words that came out of her mouth. Do men actually do that to women? I don't want to believe my brother would do that.
"Trust me, he is, but I won't let him."
"I don't believe he is, but how do you plan to make sure he does not have leverage over you."
"I will give him want he thinks he can't have so that he will get bored and leave me alone forever."
"You want to take Santiago back so that he will get tired of chasing you. Because you believe he is chasing you because he can't have you" I don't know why but I don't believe that is the case, and I think Emily should not too.
"Yes, and I am going to make him fall in love with me and break his heart ten times worse than he did to mine."
"Emily, I don't think that is a good idea. What if Santiago is telling the truth and is actually in love with you" I am angry at my brother, but I won't want to see him get hurt. He is still my brother.
"I don't believe him, so I am going to give him a taste of his own medicine."
"I know what he did was wrong, but I don't think you should do the same thing?"
"I know I shouldn't, but this is the only way your brother is going to leave me alone."
"I think there are other ways."
"No, there are not, and Andrea just give up. I have already made up my mind."
"There is nothing I am going to say that might change your mind?"
"Nope, there is none."
"I really wish you would reconsider this plan of yours, but since you won't, I just want to tell you to be careful. Santiago is a man that does not like to be messed around with."
"I know, and that's why I am going to make sure to break his heart in a way he would never imagine in his life."