Page 100 of Stronger Than Fate

“Waylon was at the bar because I went with him and another friend. But how do you know Waylon?” he asked.

“I didn’t know him, but I heard when the woman mentioned his name while thanking him, I assume she was thanking him for his help because he was the one who got you into the car. That’s what I don’t understand, Henry. If you were with your friends, how can you tell me that someone set you up? Are you saying your friends set you up? Why would they do something like that? I don’t understand,” I said, shaking my head.

“I didn’t understand anything either, but since I remembered I was with them, I called them both. Lisandro couldn’t provide much information because he left as soon as that scammer arrived, but Waylon helped me a bit more because he stayed with us until we left. You need to understand that when the woman came to our table, I was already drugged, they probablyput the drug in the drink I ordered when I arrived, but my friends thought I was drunk, though I don’t know how those idiots didn’t realize I never get drunk on just one beer, they’re useless. Anyway, the woman came to our table and introduced herself as Dalina, my girlfriend.”

“What?”

“My friends knew about my relationship with you, but they didn’t know you, so they believed that woman was you. She not only pretended to be you, she kept giving me alcohol until I couldn’t even stand up and told my friend not to worry because she was going to my house to stay with me. That’s why Waylon helped her get me to the car. The car keys and house keys were with me, so it wasn’t difficult for her to take them. After that, I have no idea what happened because I don’t remember anything, but I know she entered my house because she stole several things and my wallet.”

“I can’t believe it...”

“I’ve already filed a report, they haven’t found her, but it won’t be difficult because there are cameras that recorded her and there are photographs.”

“I also received several photographs of her in your house... you’re both naked in your bed.”

“Holy mother of God! I can’t believe all this!” he exclaimed, furious. “Send them to me so I can submit them as evidence, though it won’t be easy to show them if I’m naked. I’ll figure something out.”

“Alright. Do you have any idea who might have planned this? The person has too much information about us, even my phone number,” I asked, surprised by his story, still unable to understand how someone could go to such lengths to set up this whole scheme, evidently someone who knew us quite well.

“I don’t know the woman, I’ve never seen her before, but we assume she was hired. The mastermind behind all this wasn’tthat woman. Also, the person who took the photographs wasn’t her. That person was also at the bar, but it wasn’t that woman.”

“In your house it was her. It’s clear those photographs were taken by that woman.”

“Do you believe me, Dalina? I understand there were many things against me, but do you believe me now?”

“I suppose so,” I said, with tears running down my cheeks.

“Tell me where you are,” he asked. “I don’t care if I have to go to the end of the world to find you.”

“Henry, I think it’s better if we take some time apart.”

“Whaaaat? What are you saying? Why?” he asked, bewildered by my suggestion.

“I need it,” I whispered, my heart breaking, but I said it with conviction, because I felt it was what I needed.

“That phrase is terrifying,” he stated. “I don’t want that, I don’t want to be separated from you. Is it because you still have doubts?”

“Now I don’t have doubts about what happened. But this situation made me think and I realized there are things I don’t like, I realized that it does affect me that there are many women in your past and around you, women you’ve had sex with and who must still call you and must send you messages, and we both know those messages come with revealing images, they must invite you out... whatever. I don’t know if I can handle that... Maybe you’re right and the age difference affects us or maybe it’s the way we approach life. For example, the other day when we ran into one of your friends, she thought she had the right to sit in my place and start flirting with you, she asked you to call her, she sent you photos of herself in underwear, she didn’t respect that you were with me... and it will probably always be like that. And you...”

“I should have told her I wasn’t going to call her, I should have made it clear that I’m only interested in being with you,” he said, interrupting me.

“But you didn’t. You only did it when you saw I was upset about the message. At that moment I didn’t dwell on it, but the truth is that it hurt me, it still hurts.”

“I’m sorry.”

“I need to distance myself for a while.”

“Don’t you love me anymore?”

“Love doesn’t end from one day to the next, but love isn’t begged for, it’s earned.”

“And I don’t deserve your love?” he asked.

“I don’t know…fate seems to always put obstacles in our path.”

“Fate can go to hell!” he exclaimed. “We are stronger than fate.”

“Are we? Because right now I don’t feel either strong or brave enough to face anything.”