Page 43 of Stronger Than Fate

“You received roses?”

“As you can see,” I said, walking to my desk and taking the gift casually, though I knew a major interrogation awaited me.

“Who sent them to you?” he asked, approaching the roses in search of some clue, but the card was already safely tucked away.

“They were sent by a friend, and I don’t have to give you any more information. I don’t ask you about all the girls you date.”

“So it’s someone you’re dating,” he said, looking at me accusingly.

“That’s right.”

“Why didn’t you tell us you were dating a guy?”

A guy? They were in for a big surprise because Henry was nothing like a young guy; he was older than both my brothers.

“We’re just getting to know each other,” I said.

“Are you in a relationship?” he asked, surprised.

“You could say that.”

Lolo picked up the phone from my desk and pressed the button that connected him to Bastián’s office. I looked at him trying to appear offended by this intrusion, but the truth was, it didn’t surprise me at all and, besides, it gave me the opportunity to tell them about Henry.

“Bastián, can you come to Dali’s office now?”

…

“Nothing’s wrong, but it seems our little sister has something important to tell us.”

After he hung up, he looked at me again.

“Bastián is coming here so you can give us details about your little boyfriend.”

“I don’t understand why we need a family meeting. You’re overreacting.”

At that moment, Bastián entered my office and also froze, staring at the roses.

“Why did someone send you roses?”

“Because she has a boyfriend,” Lolo said.

“You have a boyfriend?” Bastián asked, looking at me with surprise.

“That’s what I told you,” Lolo pointed out.

“Can I speak?” I asked. “If you really want to know about Henry, sit down and calm that anxiety, please!”

“Henry?” they asked in unison.

They were already testing my patience, they were so annoying! But I knew their intentions were good, they did it because they loved and cared for me. Those two could be a nuisance sometimes, but what they were willing to do for me definitely outweighed everything else.

“That’s his name,” I said.

They both sat around the conference table and I walked over there.

“We’re seated now, you can start telling us about this guy named Henry,” Bastián said, and Lolo nodded.

“First of all, Henry is not a guy, he’s older than both of you.”