Entangled in Silence

~~Elena~~

I sat down at the café near the street, scrolling through my phone while I tried to exercise patience, Mariana was always busy. Being the only child, she often spent time at the hospital helping her dad, who was a surgeon.

“One iced café con leche ” I said.

“Two, please,” a familiar voice added.

I looked up, it was Mariana, still in her lab coat.

I chuckled softly. “Why are you still wearing that?”

She shook her head in frustration,as she pulled out a chair in front of me, and sat down.

The waiter dropped our cups on the table, and Mariana quickly took a long sip, still on her upper lip.

I watched her with a smile,I could feel how exhausted she was.

“I’m really exhausted. I don’t want to be a doctor. I want to be a model, just like Valentina Morales,” she said.

As soon as the words left her mouth, she snapped the chair closer. Our eyes met, and we both knew exactly what we wanted to say.

This sudden meeting was about Alejandro.

She took another sip before clearing her throat.

Why is she so dramatic? I wondered.

“Elena, you’ve made a rare and dangerous mistake,” she said.

I nodded, knowing she was right.

“We tried to stop you… but don’t you know Alejandro Rodríguez?”

I shook my head. Seeing him at the bar was my first time.

“That’s surprising,” she added.

“Every family from our high school knew the Rodríguez family. They usually grow a company if they invest in it.”

Of course, my parents didn’t. My mom grew up in France—she married my dad after his business proposal there. Together, they opened a small company, most of their clients still in France. Most times I stayed with Grandma, since they were always away on business trips.

“But you’re a big fan of Valentina Morales,” Mariana leaned in. “How come you don’t know her boyfriend?”

My stomach tightened. I had wished it wasn’t true, but now my doubts were cleared.

“So… they’re both dating?” I asked in a disappointed tone as I took a sip.

“Don’t tell me you love him,” she said, studying my face.

“No, I don’t,” I replied, though I wasn’t even sure I trusted my own words.

“You’d better not get too entangled with the Rodríguezes. They’re too complicated.”

She didn’t need to tell me that-it was obvious. From the old man down to the maids, every one of them had strange characters.

“I heard you’re living there now?” she asked.

I nodded.

“Your uncle is a bastard,” she muttered.

“Yes, he is,” I agreed with another nod.

“So, how are you feeling over there? Did you see Alejandro?” she asked.

I hesitated as the picture of last night flashed through my mind. The memory pressed against me, heavy and unshakable. I took another sip, trying to buy time.

“No, Elena.”

“What?”

“No, Elena,” she repeated, narrowing her eyes. “Don’t tell me you had sex with him again.”

“No, I didn’t!” I said quickly, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear shyly. “Not at all.”

“Then why are you blushing, Elena?” Mariana pressed, leaning closer. “This isn’t you. Where’s my high school friend, the one who never fell for any man?” she said dramatically.

“Please, stop it. People are here,” I muttered, glancing around.

“So what happened?” she asked, like a mother scolding her teenage daughter.

“It was just a casual kiss, nothing more. We’re at home, and if anything happens, my grandma’s life would be threatened,” I said firmly.

“But why would your uncle do that to his own mother?” she asked, frowning.

“Grandma is my dad’s mum. Uncle Javier is my step-uncle.”

Mariana gasped, covering her mouth with both hands, her eyes wide.

“He’s evil,” she whispered. “I’ll talk to my dad, maybe he can help.” But even as she spoke, I could hear the doubt in her voice.

Here in Madrid, the rich only recognized the rich. I knew Mariana’s father wouldn’t do anything unless it benefited him. Mariana was different, though. In school, she was the one who treated everyone the same, no matter their family name.

“My dear, I think I might be leaving now,” I said, pushing my chair back.

I needed time to prepare, to face going out with my so-called fiancée.

“Wait, Elena,” she said, urging me to sit. I obeyed, though reluctantly.

“Where are you going? We’re not done talking.”

I groaned in disbelief. “What else is there to say?”

I sank into the chair, spreading my hands wide as if to say, What more do you want from me?

She glanced around the café, then leaned closer, her voice dipping into a whisper.

“Elena, what happens when the secret between you and Alejandro comes out?”

The question caught me off guard. For a moment, unease curled in my stomach. But then I reminded myself-Alejandro was a man with too much pride. After his behaviour this morning, I doubted he would ever come looking for me.

I exhaled slowly.

“No one will ever know,” I whispered.

For a moment we sat in silence. Then she tilted her head, lips curling into a mischievous smile. I knew that look-it always meant trouble.

“Elena… How is Alejandro in bed? Is he as commanding as he looks?”

“Seriously?” My voice cut through before she could finish.

Her laughter exploded, sharp and unrestrained, drawing stares from across the café.My cheeks burned as I reached across the table and squeezed her hand, desperate to quiet her.

“Alright, alright…..sorry!” she chuckled, still grinning.

I stood abruptly, pushing back my chair, and she followed, slipping into her lab coat with infuriating ease. After settling the bill, she joined me at the door, her teasing smile lingering as we stepped out-leaving me with the uneasy weight of her question.

We slid into the car, me in the passenger seat, her behind the wheel.

The drive was short; the Rodríguez mansion stood close to the café. Still, she managed to keep teasing me the entire way, her laughter filling the car.

When we rolled up to the gates, I leaned over and gave her a quick peck before stepping out.

“See you, sweetie,” she said with a wink, then drove off.

I walked through the gates just as Carlos was coming out of the house.

“Where have you been?” he asked, his tone sharp. I didn’t bother answering.

He scoffed. “Anyway, go wherever you want, I don’t care. I gave your dress to the maid. I’ll come pick you up later this evening.” With that, he brushed past me and left.

I walked closely to the door and I took a deep breath before opening the door.

I pushed open the door and froze. My mother-in-law stood in the hallway, waiting as though she had been planted there for my arrival. Her eyes locked on mine, with disgust and cold.