Love In Between
Chapter 2

Who would have thought that leaving you a note with my name on it would make such a difference? The night I left you in your apartment completely knocked out from the large volume of alcohol you had consumed I had the wonderful idea to leave you that note. I did it with no other intention than to be polite. I didn’t want you to wake up and ask yourself a thousand times how did I get here?

I don’t understand how I got it out of the car. I don’t understand how I managed to get him up here. With great difficulty, I go to his room with him practically crawling and I manage to lay him down on his bed. I watch him settle in and practically start undressing in front of me and I don’t know what to do. He takes off his shirt, his belt, his shoes, all without even opening his eyes. Lucca definitely shouldn’t have let his friend drink so much, let alone being who he is.

I stand at the end of the bed and watch as he lies on his stomach, revealing every perfectly worked muscle he possesses. I didn’t even know there were so many muscles until now. Quietly, I would spend a night with him for the sheer joy of it….. -Serena, shut up! Do you think a man like this will pay attention to you,” I say to myself.

I take one last look at the monument of a man on the bed and leave the room like a coward. I look in the kitchen for a piece of paper and a pen to leave him a note.

“Gael,

It was a shame to meet you in that state, but your friend Lucca had an emergency and asked me to bring you home. I’ve left your car parked across the street and the keys are hanging by the door. Don’t drink so much, especially not for love…. It’s not worth it.

Serena Hauser.

PS: Don’t worry, you didn’t spend the night with me. I just brought you here,”

I go back to the room, leave the note on her bedside table next to her cell phone and leave to get out of her life for good this time. I can’t tell Sara about this. If I do I know she will insist that I tell her where Gael lives and if I can get her a date. She’s in love with him… I don’t blame him, he’s handsome… but… In love? This man doesn’t even know she exists.

Arriving at the hotel room where we are staying, I close the door carefully so as not to make any noise and get ready to sleep even if it’s for a few hours.

…]

July 9.

I am completely disoriented when I open my eyes. I look around and Sara is not there. She’s probably already gone to fulfill her exercise routine, as my best friend is strict with her exercise. I look at the clock on the bedside table and boy, have I slept; it’s already noon.

I try to stand up, but my body doesn’t react the way I want it to and I decide to let my legs dangle for a few moments while I grab my cell phone from the nightstand. Looking at the screen I don’t understand what has happened, I have a message from Gael via Instagram. -No… this can’t be true How did he track me down? It can’t be the same Gael from last night.

I open the message and I can’t believe it, if it’s him… He has the little blue checkmark next to his name indicating that it’s his official account.

@GaelMartí

Hi Serena Hausser, thank you so much for doing what you did last night. I have already spoken to Lucca and everything is in order. PS: I love your photos, and yes… you are right, love is not worth drinking for.

I read the message over and over and I think I’m having a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that you wrote to me.

@SerenaHausser

You’re welcome, but how did you replace me?

I write with a lot of nerves.

“Typing” It says on the screen and I can’t believe he’s answering me so fast.

@GaelMartí

There are not many women with that name and surname. Actually, you are the only one and when I sent your picture to Lucca, she confirmed it was you. Let me tell you that you are beautiful can she invite you to dinner tonight?

-This has got to be a joke- I say out loud.

“Wasn’t he just getting drunk out of disaffection?”

I guess there’s nothing wrong with me going to dinner with him, is there?

@SerenaHausser

I understand… You can, what time?

I write and smiled like a stupid girl.

-Oh Serena… What are you getting yourself into?” I ask myself and my subconscious gives me varied answers.

@GaelMartí

Shall I pick you up at 9? What’s your address?

“Not a good idea…”

@SerenaHausser

I’d better meet you outside Lucca’s bar. It’s just that I’m in a hotel in the tourist area and it’s not a good idea.

@GaelMartí

Okay, see you at nine.

He responds immediately and I plop down on my back on the bed.

“F**k… this can’t be true.” I think and laugh to myself like I’m crazy.

That conversation was the most unreal thing in this world to me, but there was nothing unreal about it; Gael Marti had really invited me to dinner.