Page 106 of Stronger Than Fate

“Fine,” she said, defeated. “What do you want to do? Should we order something or go to the hotel restaurant?”

“Whatever you prefer. You’re the guest of honor,” I said, smiling.

“I’m glad to be. I was afraid that… you know, your thing with my brother would ruin our friendship.”

“Don’t worry because I understand they’re different relationships and I won’t let that happen. I’ll probably do everything possible to avoid him at first, and that will include not going to your house, but after I get over it we’ll have to get used to seeing each other.”

Niky sighed in defeat.

“Well, do you want to stay here?”

“Do you want to stay overnight? That way you won’t have to drive in the early morning.”

“Perfect, I’ll stay,” she said happily.

We ordered dinner to be brought up and then decided to watch a movie. As we were getting comfortable on the couch, her phone rang.

“It’s Henry,” she said, getting up from the couch and going out to the open balcony, I assumed to talk privately.

To avoid making her uncomfortable, since I could hear her conversation from where I was, I went to my bedroom. A few minutes later I returned to the living room and she was already sitting on the couch, but I noticed she looked worried.

“Everything okay?” I asked.

“I don’t even know what to tell you. My brother called me by accident. All I could hear was the noise of wherever he was and his voice talking to someone. I guess he’s at a bar or pub. Sometimes I think he’s doing it on purpose to confront the person who had him drugged, but he doesn’t realize the risk is huge. It’s like he doesn’t care about anything. He’s out of control,” she said, shaking her head.

“Your brother is 37 years old, I suppose he knows what he’s doing.”

“Lately my brother is beside himself, it’s like he’s self-destructing, but I’d rather not talk about that,” she said, looking at me seriously.

“If you’re nervous, maybe you should call him,” I suggested.

“I tried, but he won’t answer.”

“Try again until he answers.”

“I don’t think he will, unless…” she said thoughtfully, and I didn’t like the way she was looking at me.

“I don’t know what you’re planning, but please don’t involve me in this,” I stated.

“I was going to ask to borrow your phone. I’m sure if my brother sees your number, he’ll answer.”

“Please don’t ask me to call him,” I begged.

“Just lend me your phone, I’ll be the one talking,” she said, stretching out her hand.

I didn’t like the idea because it felt like I was conspiring with his sister, and I didn’t want him to think I was interfering in his life, but seeing how genuinely worried Niky was, I had no choice but to give it to her. As soon as she took it, she stood up and called him. The first time it rang until it cut off. On the second attempt, he answered immediately.

»“Henry.”

»—…

»“I’m not Dalina, I’m your sister,” she said, frowning.

»—…

»“I’m not going to put her on, Dalina just lent me her phone because my battery died,” she said, looking at me with a wink. “I’m calling because…”

»—…