Chapter 5 Our first meeting.

Narrated by Camila Sáez

I kept checking my phone constantly, eagerly awaiting a message from Leonardo. He had managed to infiltrate my mind in an astonishing way that I never imagined could happen. In the blink of an eye, we went from complete strangers to knowing each other better than our own families.

"Calm down, Camila. It's probably nothing. He must have arrived at the university, and he'll message you when he can". I told myself over and over again, hoping to believe it and to dispel the fear that he might suddenly stop talking to me.

Damn fear, it clouds my thinking. Leonardo has told me countless times how beautiful I am, but I still can't quite believe it. Not to mention, he's never seen me in person, which makes me doubt the sincerity behind his words.

Leonardo's Message: "Hello". he wrote.

Leonardo's Message: "I was a bit busy with university projects, but I'm done with that now. I'm all yours for the rest of the vacation". he added. I smiled at what he said, but I didn't want to read too much into those last words. I didn't want to be the one imagining things that weren't there.

Camila's Message: "Hello, I missed you". I mentioned, but I immediately regretted those last words. I wasn't sure how he would react to what I said, but I hoped he'd take it well.

Leonardo's Message: "I missed you too". he replied, attaching a heart emoji. I breathed a sigh of relief for not sounding like the fool of the year.

Leonardo's Message: "But I can talk to you now, and you've got me all to yourself, unless my father makes me work at his companies". he added.

Camila's Message: "Um, I don't think he'll do that all the time". I wrote. The truth was, I thought about my days without talking to Leonardo, and they seemed unbearably long.

Leonardo's Message: "Don't worry, I'll find a way to talk to you". he responded. The idea of emotionally depending on this man scared me, but I couldn't deny that his words and the way he made me feel had done me a world of good.

Camila's Message: "You're the best, Leonardo". I replied, smiling at the screen. How could I think otherwise? He always found ways to make me smile, and for someone like me, with all my insecurities, those gestures meant a lot, even if they were few and far between because nobody truly understands how I feel.

Leonardo's Message: "And you're the most beautiful". he mentioned. He wasn't here, looking at me, but it felt like he had said that while gazing into my eyes. My cheeks turned as red as a tomato.

Camila's Message: "If you say so". I replied, smiling, my cheeks burning with embarrassment.

Two months later.

I was about to see Leonardo. It turned out that the university that had accepted me was the same one he attended. Coincidence? Maybe not. I couldn't help but put on a silly smile every time I thought of him. It was as if my whole body was broadcasting the truth: I liked Leonardo... I really liked him.

I got off the bus, looking around. I had never been to this place before; everything was completely new to me. I knew Leonardo. I had seen him on video calls many times, but he wasn't here, and my mind started playing tricks on me, as it always did. What if he changed his mind? What if he doesn't show up? What if that was his way of saying he wanted to end our relationship? I didn't know.

"Hi". I heard that voice behind me. I looked in the direction of the voice. His tone was completely masculine, and my body froze. I tried to respond, but my voice failed me, so I smiled timidly, hoping that would solve my situation.

"H-hi". I stammered, hoping that was the best I could manage. I felt embarrassed, which, in turn, caused my cheeks to turn red. He smiled and came closer. I didn't know what he wanted to do. What if he wants to kiss me?

"Let's go to my place. It's really hot here. The sun is scorching". he mentioned after kissing my cheek. That act almost melted me. I didn't know what was happening to me. I had mentally prepared myself for this meeting many times since we planned it, but nothing compared to reality.

"Okay, but won't your parents mind?" I asked, fearful of the answer. He was the only person I knew in this city, and I couldn't just turn back. I had told my parents that I was coming for a university orientation and similar things, so it wasn't all a lie; I would be getting to know the place where I would be studying.

"Don't worry, I'll handle it". he said. I didn't know exactly what that meant, but I trusted him. If I didn't, I never would have come this far. I wanted to think many things, but I wasn't sure if I was ready to let myself get carried away by hope or if I was prepared for another disappointment.

Adrián had been distant ever since I mentioned I was coming to this place. I suppose the part that bothered him was when I told him that a guy would be showing me around the university. But we had made it clear that our relationship was just that of friends, almost like siblings, and that wasn't going to change.

"What are you thinking about?" he asked. "Don't you like my company?" he added, obviously that wasn't the real issue.

"I really like it. I was just thinking about how huge this city is, and I don't even know my way around". I commented, lying, of course.

"You've got me to guide you; I'll be your compass, at least for this year". he said, smiling, and he took my hand. Why does he do that? My heart started pounding from the nervousness, and my hands, as usual, began to sweat, ruining the moment.

"Thanks". I said, trying to withdraw my hand before it got even more damp, but he didn't let go. You're so stubborn! Your hand is going to end up wetter than a soaked paper towel! "Leonardo, are we almost there?" I asked, trying to change the subject. I wanted to find some way to pull my hand away. My whole body was sweaty, and my cheeks were still flushed.

"Just a few more minutes". he said. A couple of cars stopped abruptly, and he had to let go of my hand to shift gears and brake without causing an accident. Thank goodness! I wiped my hands, trying to make it inconspicuous, but come on, he definitely noticed.

"We've arrived". he added after making a turn down who-knows-what street. I hadn't even paid attention.

"Um, I think I'm even more nervous now". I confessed, causing my body to freeze again. Why did these things happen to me? He smiled and got out of the car, then walked around to my side and opened the door. I thought these kinds of things only happened in movies, but I was wrong.

"Don't worry, nothing bad will happen. My mom has been waiting for us; she knows about us". he said. For a moment, the word "us" resonated in my head as if it meant something more than just friends, but then reality hit me. He and I were just friends.

"I understand". I replied, trying to control what I had inadvertently sparked.

We entered the house, and his mother welcomed us right away. I wasn't sure if they would like my presence; after all, they had never seen me before, which could make anyone suspicious.

"Hello, dear". Leonardo's mother mentioned. "I'm Martha". she said, smiling, and I nodded.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Martha". I replied. She smiled, and then Leonardo took my hand again.

"What manners". she mentioned again. "No one has called me "Mrs." I guess around here everyone thinks they have enough power that they've lost what's most important: respect". she added. I didn't know what that meant.

"Yes, Mom. Camila is a special woman". Leonardo said, I suppose they understood each other well. Suddenly, his mother burst into laughter.

"Of course she is. To pull my son out of the miserable life he was leading, you must be more than special. By the way, thank you for that, dear. I owe you so much". she said, and I didn't understand what she meant.

"Thank you, Mrs., but I'm not sure what you mean by that". I said, being as honest as possible. I wanted to understand what was happening here, but I didn't want to make anyone uncomfortable.

"Before I met you, he used to go out every night. Sometimes he wouldn't even be home; he'd be out with his friends, partying all night. And the worst part was that he went from one bed to another with different women. But then you came along, and everything changed". she mentioned. I was dumbfounded; I had no idea about Leonardo's past life.

"He never told me anything about that". I said, looking at Leo. I had thought about telling him in a similar way, but I never did.

"It was one of my secrets, but my mom spilled the beans". Leonardo mentioned, his eyes fixed on me the whole time.