Page 12 of Stronger Than Fate

“What do you have to explain to him?” Sol asked, entering the room with a sleepy face, but as soon as she saw Henry, her expression changed completely and she froze.

“And who is this?” Henry asked, looking at her.

“Another one of my friends, and her name is Sol,” Niky said.

“What is he doing here?” Sol asked, still staring at him with excessive surprise, which caught my attention a bit.

“This is my nosy brother,” Niky said, and Henry shot her a fierce look.

“Everyone out because I need to talk to her,” he said, pointing at me.

“I have nothing to talk about with you. Niky, I’m leaving.”

“What’s going on? Why does he need to talk to you?” Sol asked.

At this point, the argument seemed like a conversation between crazy people. Everyone was talking, everyone was asking questions, and everyone was giving orders. I just wanted to leave.

“Enough!” Henry shouted, and a deathly silence fell. “Niky, allow me to speak with your friend Dalina, I need to clarify some things. Please, leave and give us a few minutes.”

Niky looked at me and I nodded. It was better to end this conversation as soon as possible. Niky took Sol by the arm, although the latter looked at me with suspicion, and they left the bedroom, closing the door behind them and leaving me alone with that arrogant slanderer.

“Now, explain to me why you didn’t tell me you were in your hotel.”

“I don’t give information about my life to strangers.”

“Very well, you’re right. But I need to clarify some things. Who was the guy who was with you the day we met at the restaurant?”

“Why should I tell you?”

“It’s not your duty, but I’m asking you please to help me understand some things.”

“One of my brothers, the middle one to be precise,” I answered.

Henry sighed as if exhausted and ran a hand through his hair as if he were going crazy.

“And the one who was with you at the pub?”

“My other brother, in that case the oldest.”

“My God! Why didn’t you clarify things when I said all those absurdities?”

“I wasn’t interested in clarifying things for you. As far as I’m concerned, you can think whatever you want, and it’s evident that you always tend to think the worst and judge people however you please.”

“I apologize, my behavior toward you was completely inappropriate,” he said, shaking his head.

“I’m not resentful, I can forgive you, but don’t come near me again,” I warned, and walked past him to get out of there as soon as possible because after all that, I felt tears stinging my eyes.

Henry grabbed my arm and tried to get closer, but I pulled my arm free from his grip and looked at him seriously.

“I told you not to come near me, that includes not touching me.”

“Please, Dalina, forgive me. What do I have to do to…”

“The only thing you have to do is stay away from me. I’ve had enough of you. Goodbye.”

“Can you accept my apology?” he insisted.

“I already told you I’m not resentful,” I repeated, and opened the door and left to find my friends who were waiting for us, very attentively.