When Sandra came out, Umberto leaned on Albina taking her fingers without letting go. He was afraid she would disappear again.
As she finished talking to Macos, Albina saw Umberto’s sparkling eyes. He was staring at her.
Albina laughed and stroked his hand.
-Why are you looking at me like that?
Umberto was excited and not as confused as before.
-Albina, you’re back at last.
She was glad and took his hand. It wasn’t easy to see Umberto behaving like this.
-Yes. I’m back and now I’m by your side.
Umberto lowered his head, looked at the intertwined fingers and couldn’t help laughing. He was behaving very sweet and gentle, without the indifference of before.
Albina watched people chatting and drinking. Then, she felt tired.
She did not rest on the plane because of the excitement of returning. After returning and seeing familiar people, she started to feel sleepy.
-I’m going to the bathroom,” Albina said softly in Umberto’s ear and went out.
When she left, Umberto looked at Macos.
-Why do you know Albina is back?
Macos was drinking. He was surprised and reached for the photo to show him.
He zoomed in on a small part of the photo and Umberto saw Albina’s profile.
He thought Macos was capable of running a detective agency.
Umberto handed the cell phone back to Macos and went to find Albina. He had no intention of chatting with the others.
It was a serious club with good security, but there were people of privileged class. He was afraid Albina would run into bad guys.
When she came out, she saw Camilo approaching.
-Did you find out anything about Sandra?
-I asked the manager. That woman was swindled. She owes the club tens of thousands of euros and was forced to stay here to pay the debt.
Umberto took out the tobacco and put it in his mouth, but suddenly remembered that Albina didn’t like the smell of it, so he threw it in the trash.
-It’s very strange. That woman definitely had some intention with me,” he laughed coldly and looked at Macos. They didn’t achieve their purpose, so they’ll keep doing something. We just need to wait for it.
Albina wiped her face and wasn’t so sleepy anymore. She dried the water on her face and went towards the room.
She remembered what Umberto looked like. His gaze was soft. They hadn’t met for three months, and he treated her better than before. She felt a little uncomfortable, but she loved the feeling of being missed by someone.
Albina searched for her room. Some rooms were completely closed, and others had glass doors, through which she could see the profile of the customers.
It was almost nine o’clock at night, so the rooms were filling up with people.
When he wanted to go back, he saw a familiar profile in a room.
It was Santiago.
They said he was busy, so why was he here? He was not here for a birthday party, but for another party.
Besides, there was a woman next to him.
She couldn’t see the woman’s face clearly, but she knew it wasn’t Ariana.
Albina took a deep breath, pulled out her cell phone and called Ariana.
There was no answer. But when she wanted to hang up the phone, she answered.
-Albina?
Ariana sounded confused. She seemed to have been awakened by the call.
Albina frowned. The woman next to Santigo was not Ariana.
-Are you sleeping?
Albina felt discouraged. She saw Santiago and the unknown woman, and thought about many things.
-Yes, I came home very late. I was so exhausted that I slept after the bath and almost missed your call. What’s wrong?
-I’m back.
-Really? Where are you? Did you just come down? -Shall I come and get you now? I haven’t seen you for three months. I miss you so much.
Ariana was excited. Her voice was soft as if she were an innocent child.
Albina looked into the room. Santiago and the woman hugged each other in the commotion. She wanted to cry for Ariana. Then she turned her head away. She couldn’t look at him anymore.
Ariana was talking excitedly, and Albina knew she couldn’t hide it from her.
-I have to tell you something, but don’t be sad.
The laughter disappeared from Ariana’s face, she lowered her head and answered serenely.
-Of course. I’m listening.
-I’m in a club to participate in a birthday party with Umberto and Macos, but I saw Santiago. He is at another party… with another woman. And they were behaving intimately. I think they are not just friends.
After saying that, Albina stopped her breathing.
Ariana remained silent. After a while, she said:
-Can you take a picture?
Her voice was indifferent, but Albina noticed that she was trembling.
Albina felt sad. She took a picture of Santiago and the woman, and even recorded a video. Then, she sent them to Ariana.
She reviewed them and said in a soft voice:
-Thank you for telling me all that.
Albina frowned.
-Do you know this woman?
Albina could guess something from Ariana’s attitude.
-Yes. It’s her first love, Natalia. Something has happened these days.
She briefly explained what happened to Albina and said:
-Who would have known that they would meet after so many years? It is not easy to forget one’s first love.
Ariana laughed when she finished her words.
Her laughter made Albina feel sad.
-What do you want to do? Do you want to come now? I’ll help you. If you don’t want to do it personally, I’ll come in to reproach you.
-Calm down,” Ariana noticed that Albina was angry, and hurried to calm her down. I know how to deal with it. You don’t need to pay attention to that. Go on with the party, don’t get upset about my business.
Albina pressed her cell phone and leaned her head against the wall.
-You’re more important than the party.
Ariana sat down on the bed. She thought she could stay calm and endure everything, but she started to cry because of Albina’s words.
-Albina…
She sobbed and cried, even her lips were trembling.
She didn’t want to cry, so she put her hand over her mouth so as not to cause noise. Then the crying stopped and only the sobbing could be heard.
Albina felt sorry for her sobbing.
-I’m going to your house.
-NO! -Ariana refused, “Let me work it out on my own. I don’t want you to see my sad condition. I can handle this.