Chapter 7 Annoying Third Parties

The weekend arrived, and Emilia, exhausted by the relentless office routine, promised herself to disconnect, even though her mind wouldn't allow it. She thought of Adrián over and over again: at the dinners, at the conversations that oscillated between the professional and the personal, at the glances filled with a tension that seemed to go beyond a simple work relationship. Something about him attracted her, but it also overwhelmed her. Doubts wouldn't leave her alone, and a growing feeling of insecurity invaded her.

Her mind vacillated between curiosity and fear, between desire and distrust.

Emilia decided that Saturday would be a day for herself: a quiet breakfast, a walk in the park, and then she settled into her couch with a book, trying to concentrate on the words his eyes were reading, but Adrián's face kept hovering in her mind. The attraction was undeniable, yes, but so was the fear she felt of the unknown. The fear of being vulnerable, of repeating the same mistakes of the past, of having her trust broken again.

At that moment, her phone vibrated, interrupting her thoughts. It was a message from Adrián.

Adrián Vega:

"Emilia, would you like to join me for a charity event on Monday night? I think it would be a good opportunity to get to know each other further in a different setting. I'd love for you to come."

Emilia stared at the screen for a few seconds, weighing the invitation. A charity event. She liked the idea, but she also knew it carried an emotional burden she couldn't ignore. She accepted reluctantly, unsure if she really wanted to delve deeper into that world full of expectations, but she finally answered.

Emilia Torres:

"Thanks for the invitation, Adrián. I find it interesting. I accept."

Although her response had been quick, a mixture of uncertainty was brewing inside her. The idea of ​​being around Adrián in an environment so different from the office made her nervous. Was she really ready to play this game? Or was she looking for a distraction to avoid facing what truly scared her?

Monday arrived quickly. The day passed between tasks and more tasks, but her mind couldn't stop returning to the event. Events like this were unusual for Emilia. She wasn't usually surrounded by businessmen, politicians, or powerful figures. What was she doing there? What did they expect of her? And what worried her most was Adrián. His presence had a peculiar effect on her, making her feel exposed and vulnerable, as if her deepest insecurities were being drawn to him.

At the appointed time, she headed to the hotel wearing a carefully chosen red dress, not too flashy, but elegant. Looking at herself in the mirror, a feeling of nerves ran through her. It wasn't the first time she had attended an event of this kind, but it was the first time she had done so with Adrián. A thought struck her: was she ready for this? Was she willing to take a step beyond the professional realm?

When she arrived at the hotel, the entrance was filled with familiar faces: empty conversations, forced smiles. And there was Adrian, surrounded by business leaders. His presence didn't go unnoticed. The moment their eyes met, the tension increased, and Emilia felt her pulse quicken.

"Emilia, I'm so glad you could come," Adrian said with a warm smile, approaching her.

"Thank you for inviting me," she replied, trying to sound calm, even though her heart was pounding.

Throughout the evening, Adrian introduced her to several important people, but what struck her most wasn't the names or the conversations, but the constant tension between them. With every step they took together, Adrian's closeness seemed to foster something more than a simple attraction. There was something deeper, something that overflowed with words.

When Adrian walked away to talk to a partner, Emilia took the opportunity to get away from the crowd. She approached a window in the living room, seeking silence and calm. She looked toward the horizon, but her mind was far away, trapped in confusion. Her life had taken an unexpected turn since she met Adrian. Was she really ready for this kind of life, full of glamour, but also hidden tensions?

Suddenly, she felt a presence at her side. Adrian had arrived silently, standing next to her in front of the window.

"Are you enjoying the view?" he asked, in a soft tone.

"It's breathtaking..." Emilia replied, although she knew it wasn't the view that had her so restless. It was him.

Adrian stared at her, and the silence between them grew heavy, until finally it was he who broke it.

"Do you know what I like most about you, Emilia?" he said, whispering. "You're not like the others." You don't follow the script. You're not predictable. And that... that attracts me more than you can imagine.

Adrian's words pierced her, awakening a mix of contradictory feelings. Something in him touched a nerve.

It was a very deep pain, but it also unleashed an old fear, one that had grown with Mateo. That same feeling of not knowing where she stood, of feeling like everything could collapse at any moment.

A memory from the past appeared strongly in her mind: the image of Mateo. Her ex-husband, her personal storm, the man who had left his mark on her. That pain hadn't fully healed yet, and what terrified her most was that now, Adrián seemed to be a reflection of what she had experienced with Mateo, a dangerous reminder of what she could lose if she didn't take control of the situation.

"Don't make me think this is just a strategy, Adrián," she replied, somewhat stronger than she expected, challenging him with her gaze.

He smiled enigmatically, but his response left an uneasy feeling in the air.

"Don't worry, Emilia. Not everything in this life is a strategy... sometimes, things just happen... naturally."

Adrián's words sank deep into her mind. At that moment, the feeling of being caught between two worlds, between desire and fear, completely invaded her. And what made her feel even more guilty was the thought of failing to live up to her family's expectations. Everything she had done to stay strong, to steer clear of the pitfalls of emotional life, seemed to be crumbling before her.

She struggled not only with Adrián, but also with the weight of her mother's expectations, who had always wanted Emilia to remain strong, independent, and not fall into the same mistakes of her past. But, in that instant, Emilia didn't know if she was doing the right thing. If, by being so close to Adrián, she was failing in everything her family had expected of her.

The internal struggle intensified. Should she move forward, despite her fears? Or should she back down before it was too late?