Cuando Mi Amor Llega Tarde Novels & Stories

Adira It was late when I finally got back to the hotel - almost 11 back home. Still I had promised so I sent a message to Valentine to see if he was still awake. Hey, sorry I know it's late. I just got back to the hotel from our shoot if you're still up. Moments later my phone rang and I smiled when I saw Valentine's name pop up. "It is never too late to talk to you tesoro. How was day 1?"

Years ago, she had stood outside the boys’ dorm all night in the pouring rain while waiting for Shane. She remembered clearly how hard it rained that night. She stood there in the storm with a guitar she had carefully chosen for Shane. The rain soaked her thin shirt and drenched her face. She fainted before Shane showed up. After that, she told herself it was not the end of the world. Loving someone who did not love her back was not the worst thing that could happen. Just as she decided to give up, Shane finally gave in. He said he would give their relationship a try. That was how she finally got the man she had wanted for so long.

That night, I stood on the balcony and let the freezing wind whip through me until morning. It was then I finally understood— He didn’t love me anymore.

But that’s how emotions work—sometimes they’re irrational, not governed by logic. She drove back to her apartment. As soon as she changed into her loungewear, the doorbell rang. With a sigh, she walked to the door, still feeling a little gloomy. Charlie stood outside. “Why didn’t you wait for me to come home with you?” Candice stepped aside to let him in. “My work hours are over. You didn’t inform me that we were working overtime.” She walked into the kitchen, and he followed her. The next moment, he pulled her into his arms, and a passionate kiss engulfed her. She felt her legs go weak and was swept off her feet...

“You are still her. Just bruised. And bruises fade. I promise.” We stay like that for a while, until her breath steadies. When I stand, I check my phone and see Damian’s missed call, along with a voicemail icon. My chest tightens. I excuse myself to the small dressing room at the back of the boutique, close the door, and press play. His voice fills the tiny space. “Hi love, it is me. I will be late tonight. Something came up at the office. Nothing bad, I promise. I just need to stay for a bit and sort through some things. I miss you. I love you. I will call again later.”

“You’re such a terrible liar. How many people in this city have a hundred million in cash? Who do you think you’re fooling?” I held back my anger. “Give me ten minutes. If the money doesn’t arrive by then, do whatever you want to me.” “Fine. Ten minutes it is.” Leo started the timer on his phone and raised his voice to the crowd, “Everyone heard that! If he doesn’t get a hundred million dollars here in ten minutes, I’ll strip him down in front of everyone as punishment.” People erupted in cheers and jeers. When I finally got my phone back, I quickly called my mom.

My voice breaks, low, searching. He looks at me as though the words hurt to hold. “I’m sorry,” he whispers. “I was late.” Late? The word rings in my skull, echoing through the chaos around us. Late for what? I want to ask, but my throat feels caged. I force myself upright, step by step, until my feet find the muddy ground again. “Late about what?” I manage, though it comes out more breath than voice. “I arrived here late,” he says again, his voice a shudder, almost a confession.

“He wants a lot of things. Doesn’t mean I’m giving it.” Papá leaned forward, his eyes softer now. “El amor no siempre llega en el orden correcto. Pero cuando llega… no lo ignores.” Love doesn’t always arrive in the right order. But when it does… don’t ignore it. My throat tightened despite myself. “And tú,” he continued, tone dipping lower, “tienes miedo.” And you… You are afraid. I looked away, jaw clenched. “I’m not afraid.” He pressed his lips together and nodded slowly. “Sí. You are.”

Just not in the way he probably hoped. “I can’t wait for the opening. Two more days.” “Two more days,” she repeated. “Are you okay? You sound off.” “I’m fine, just tired. I’ll call you later, okay?” “Okay. Love you.” The words hit her like a truck. He always ends their call with those words but she’s never said it back, never. Kira’s mouth went dry. “I’ll talk to you later came in place of I love you too.” She hung up before he could say anything else.

I thought about the contract and the condition I had given her. Then I thought about Pedro’s words, when he said that she had suffered enough and she deserves to be happy. I thought about what I had said to her. ‘I am attracted to you. I want to see if there is something real and I will wait.’ And now she was coming. She was coming to tell me what she had decided. I checked my watch again and noticed that she was late. Or maybe I was the one too early, because I had arrived twenty minutes before the agreed time.