Micaela was startled and reached out to grab her arm.
-Katarina, don’t be impulsive, Antonio absolutely loves you…..
Katarina looked over there.
-No, Micaela, I realize now that I’ve been dreaming, that he approached me from the beginning for more than that, that he was after my identity, and I knew it very well at the time, I just fell into the whirlwind of emotions too easily. What she loved more than me, surely, was my identity as the only daughter of the Carballo family.
Micaela’s heart flipped for a moment, and Katarina’s calmness made her feel a pang of strangeness.
Micaela, do you remember my mother-in-law? I always thought she started to change her attitude towards me because I wasn’t doing anything, but no, it was after the Carballo family officially became Antonio’s that she started to treat me less and less because I was no longer good for anything! I’ll go meet my mother-in-law myself!
And that truth, basically, is quite clear…..
Micaela withdrew her hand and shook her head.
-Katarina, you should talk to Antonio first….
-He was telling me that he loved me, that whatever I did was absolutely for my own good, that he would never let go of me and that he would take me abroad, far away from here, to live as a happy duo of two.
Katarina interrupted Micaela.
Micaela looked at Katarina, the calmness of her manner, the determination in her eyes, reminded her of what Carlos had said that morning.
-Katarina is the only daughter of the Carballo family, before getting married, she was always a strong woman figure, with the ability to fend for herself for the Carballo Group, only after getting married she was relieved of her responsibilities and burdens, so she is not as fragile as you think, don’t worry, huh?
She now realizes the meaning of Carlos’ words, that Katarina is really, much stronger than she thought?
In the middle of the day, she asked.
-Katarina, do you believe what he says? Their happy duo…
Katarina’s eyes dimmed a little and she looked at the grapes soaked in the water and washed them carefully, lowering her voice a little.
-I used to be convinced, now, shaken, perhaps, it was just a dream she gave me that would not come true….
Micaela, with extraordinarily mixed feelings, also reached out her hand to help wash and said seriously.
-Anyway, Katarina, calm down, Antonio loves you and you love him, don’t be impulsive, whatever his reasons for approaching you, you are in love, and since you are in love, don’t disappoint this deep love, give him a chance and give yourself a chance, isn’t it easier to accept it than to lose each other and get over it together?
Katarina looks at Micaela, who also looks at her sideways, Micaela’s light eyes full of concern.
Katarina nods and picks up the washed fruit.
-Let’s go out.
-Now that the Nunez family is no longer here, we, the Carballo family, are the strongest candidates for the third place in the world, Antonio, take advantage of this opportunity.
Inside, Kimberly can be heard explaining to Antonio at length.
-Look at Mr. Aguayo and don’t fall behind, there is a lot to learn from Mr. Aguayo.
Antonio looked at Katarina, who had come in with the fruit, and nodded in vain.
-I will.
Katarina left the fruit, one on the coffee table in front of Carlos and one on the table in front of her father’s hospital bed.
Marisa peeled grapes for her husband and fed them to him, one by one, and a warmth permeated the air between them.
-It’s getting late, so all of you go to your respective companies without joining me.
Kimberly said with a smile.
Antonio looked at Katarina, his voice as calm as ever.
-Katarina, bring me the folder on the next table.
Not wanting to reveal even a hint of different emotions in front of her parents, she answered yes and turned to leave.
Carlos stood up and took the girl’s hand with his usual, slightly cold grip and shook it a few degrees more, looking at her and asking in a low voice.
-Will you come to the office with me later?
Micaela didn’t have time to say anything before she heard Antonio.
-I don’t think the papers are on the desk, I’ll go get them, Mr. Aguayo, if you’ll excuse me.
Then he went out as well.
Carlos’ eyes sparkled with recognition as he looked at Kimberly.
-Mr. Martinez, get some rest and I’ll see you another time.
Kimberly looked at the couple in front of her and nodded with a smile.
Marisa smiled back.
-Mr. Aguayo, Miss Micaela, looking forward to drinking your wedding wine.
Kimberly smiled back.
-Yes, now I have two wishes, one that the Carballo family will soon have a queen, and another, to see you young people, too, settled and flourishing.
There is a reason Kimberly is so well liked, she values these capable young men and has many compliments for Carlos, before she met Antonio, she also thought Katarina might have a chance with him, but fate is something that cannot be calculated…..
Micaela blushed slightly.
-Mr. Martinez, Carlos and I are due to get married soon too, so get well soon and come be our witness then.
Kimberly laughs even more.
-Yes, yes, I’ll come.
Carlos’ mouth lifted into a soft, slight smile and, after saying goodbye, he escorted the girl out.
Marisa walked them to the door and Micaela offered to tell him not to and helped close the door.
The two left together holding hands. At first, Micaela wanted to stay with Katarina, but she looked at the closed door next door and thought:
-Katarina doesn’t need her company for now….
In the living room, Katarina was rifling through a stack of folders on the desk, which one was she talking about?
Or do you take it all to him?
Just as she was about to turn away, a familiar scent wafted over and the next moment she was enveloped in a wide embrace and clasped tightly.
-Katarina, will you let me explain?
Antonio’s thin lips whispered in her ear.
When Katarina struggled, he hugged her tighter and tighter, and after a good while he stopped struggling and spoke calmly.
-All right.
Relieved, Antonio turned her around and looked at her, head down and unwilling to look at him.
That’s how she was when she was angry, she didn’t look at him, very cold and condescending, just like when he started chasing her, a sense of detachment invaded her….
At this moment she is in his arms, but Antonio feels that there is an invisible wall between them, which makes it so difficult….
Antonio opened his mouth slowly.
-I didn’t lie to you yesterday, I was working late at the office when you called me….. I swear I didn’t touch her.
He grabs Katarina’s hand, lifts it and puts it on the back of her neck.
-Feel it, are there any bags that haven’t come down yet?
Katarina subconsciously stroked it gently, and actually felt a lump on her scalp, which alarmed her, and lightened her touch even more. The pouch was as big as an egg, and seemed to have broken the skin and bled, and the hair inside was stuck together, and she couldn’t help but look at Antonio subconsciously, with anxious eyes….
Seeing his worried look, a strong satisfaction arises in Antonio’s heart….
-It’s nothing, a small injury, it doesn’t hurt anymore. She hit me with a stick when she opened the door, I fainted, she took pictures of us and used them to threaten me to convince Marcos to marry her or she would make them public and let you come and see for yourself, just to show her determination, if Marcos still doesn’t see her he will come for you and separate us, Katarina, we can’t fall into her trap….
Katarina looked at him, and in his eyes there was no hint of hypocrisy.
She couldn’t help but wonder if he was too good at pretending, or, was she really too good at deceiving?
-I’m not lying to you, every word I’ve said is true, Katarina, believe me.
Katarina averted her gaze, this man already knew her beyond words, one look at her and he knew what she was thinking….
-So why did you go to her house? Why did you have to go to her? You knew exactly what she was up to, and you could have refused, so why, give her the opportunity to destroy our relationship?