Melissa’s POVI was watching Fred fight an internal battle with who he was, who he wanted to be, and who he should become. He seemed to be in agony, and I couldn't help him with this. He needed to make his own choices, his own decisions, or he would blame me later for whatever went wrong. All I could do was stand by his side and offer a suggestion here and there, but I couldn't make the final decision, even knowing that in the end, he would be happy at the hospital."Do you want to talk about it?" I asked."Not now. You insisted so much that I should give the hospital a chance, so now I will. Let's see how this goes." He held my hand and gave me a half-smile. But I knew it wasn't that simple, his head was spinning with so many thoughts, and he turned inward."Fred, I didn't know what Alvaro was planning," I felt the need to assure him."I know you didn't." He stopped in front of Catherine's house and looked at me. "It's going to be a tough year, maybe the toughest of my life.""It'll w
Fernando’s POVI squeezed Melissa's hand in mine before walking toward my uncle, who was already waiting for us at the door. He watched us with satisfaction, as if he had been anticipating this moment for a long time."My dear nephew and niece!" He opened his arms and embraced Melissa and me at the same time."Uncle Alvaro, is it just me or have you always known I'd come?" I gave an awkward smile."Fred, to be perfectly honest, I knew this day would arrive. The hospital is in the Molina DNA. And believe me, you're not the first one who wanted to run from it." My uncle piqued my curiosity."My cousins already ran away." I joked, and he made a face at me, inviting us inside."Those two." He huffed. "Their mother spoiled them too much, and now they think they're fashion designers, but they have frighteningly bad taste. I won't lie just because they're my daughters. And the husbands they chose... neither one has any interest in the hospital. That just leaves you, Fred.""Was that supposed
Fernando’s POVI went straight home. Melissa would be thrilled to hear I had resigned, but since she usually knew things before anyone else, I could only assume she had realized before I did that I was clinging to something I shouldn't. I would talk to her later; I had other matters to handle first.I grabbed my bags from the car and stepped into the elevator, but before the doors could close, someone else entered. Someone I didn't want to see. To be honest, someone I never wanted to see."Good afternoon, Fred." Rafael greeted me with his usual courtesy."Good afternoon." I replied simply.I wanted to leave it at that, but with so much churning inside me, I couldn't hold back for long. As soon as the elevator stopped at his floor, before he could step out, I decided to give him a warning."Rafael." I called out, and he turned. "Stay away from her!""Excuse me?" He looked at me as if he didn't understand."You heard me. Stay away from Melissa!""Ah!" He let out a long sigh. "You have no
Fernando’s POVMy weekend with Mel was so good that I was upset it had ended. We walked around the city, ate at different restaurants, and spent a lot of time in our room. We reconnected, and I needed that more than I even knew.But Monday had arrived and we needed to head back. I dropped Melissa off at Lynx World and went straight to the pharmaceutical company. At lunchtime, I would go home to drop off the bags and grab my phone. I arrived on time and was pleased about that; I valued punctuality."Little Fred, good morning!" I hadn't even turned on my computer yet and Jennifer was already hanging over my desk."It's Fernando, Jennifer, learn it once and for all!" I had to get rid of this pest."Where were you the entire weekend?" She ignored me and continued crossing the line."That's none of your business," I replied."I called you all weekend. It was important." I highly doubted that."Right." I was more interested in starting work."My brother wanted you to explain the report to hi
Rafael’s POVI was always choosing the wrong woman. Maybe I should consider a life of celibacy. My love life could be described as an opera of constant disappointments, ever since adolescence. The most recent one, Melissa Larson. Why did I have to set my eyes on her?I always saw her around the building with Fernando, but then he disappeared. I started running into her alone and never saw his car in the garage. Looking back, maybe it was because of my hours at the bar; I'd leave at night and when I came back the next day it was already past ten in the morning. But lately she'd been walking around alone and always seemed sad. That could only mean they had broken up.Then she started helping my daughter, not just with math. She gave advice and was being a positive influence on Giovanna. As the saying goes, "whoever kisses mine, sweetens my lips," and it sweetened me until it took over my mind. And then came the story about the friend's wedding. How could I not be interested in that woman
Fernando’s POVI hoped I had taken at least some of the worry off Melissa's mind, and I hoped she had forgiven my lie, but I really didn't want her to lose sleep over something silly that I could control. She was tired and breathless beneath me, her face flushed and eyes closed. Her messy hair spread across the bed, our fingers intertwined. I could stay like this forever, but I needed to take care of her.I withdrew from her carefully, feeling an enormous urge to start again, but I needed to give her a minute. I groaned, pulling out of her very slowly. She complained, as if she wanted me there longer. I kissed her face and picked her up, pulled back the thick comforter, laid her down and covered her.Then I finished taking off my pants, grabbed a bottle of water from the minibar and returned to bed, handing her the open bottle. I lay down beside her and pulled her to me."I think I dug my nails in too deep," she said softly."You know I like it. I like when you mark my body, when you'r