While you were Sleeping

8. Deal

When they made it back to the car it was almost two o'clock. Valentina jumped into the driver seat and waited for Juliana to join her in the passenger seat.

"There you go," she grinned as she set the stuffed panda on Juliana's knee. Juliana had refused to carry it back to the car arguing that it was Valentina's, and therefore she should carry it.

Juliana gave her the same exasperated look she had given her in the shop. "I am only holding it because you are about to drive! I am not keeping it!"

"Uh huh, whatever you say," Valentina knew she was pushing her luck but she loved winding the woman up. "You buckled in? We need to get to the hospital ASAP; we're running a little late."

Juliana nodded and off they went.

*

The hospital carpark was busy, it took a while to find a parking space as visiting hours were well underway. After such a fun morning together, the hospital seemed to sober the atmosphere between them. The two women walked in an awkward silence to Guille's room.

Valentina quietly pushed the door open and was surprised to see the visitor sitting by Guille's bed, she quickly turned to look at Juliana, unsure of what to do.

"What's wrong?" Juliana peered into the room to see a young woman sitting by Guille's bed, stroking his face affectionately. "Who's that?" she whispered, looking into Valentina's suddenly worried eyes.

"Um..." Valentina turned to look at the unexpected guest.

The woman turned and stood when she noticed someone was at the door. "Hi Valentina," she greeted shyly, "I know I shouldn't be here, but when I heard what happened, I had to see him," she reached for Guille's hand as her eyes filled with tears and she began to sob.

Juliana turned to look at Valentina in confusion as Valentina looked back and forth between her brother's ex and his current girlfriend, while Renata continued to sob.

UGH! she didn't know what to do.

"It's okay Renata, I know it's a shock," Valentina moved towards her and gave her a quick hug. "The doctors say he's going to be okay."

Juliana watched the interaction as she lingered by the door, not wanting to intrude.

Renata took Guille's hand in hers. "I can't believe he's in a coma, I heard what happened on the news, I wanted to be here for him but I didn't think your father would let me," she stroked the side of Guille's face. "That's why I came at lunch, I didn't think anyone would be here," she turned to face Valentina again, "I'm sorry."

Valentina glanced at Juliana, who was uncomfortably lingering by the door, then turned to look at Renata, it was obvious Renata still loved Guille and she suspected her brother was still in love with her too, but her loyalty was to Juliana, wasn't it?

"It's okay Renata, I won't tell dad," she promised. She felt sorry for the woman. "I'm really sorry but you know you shouldn't be here."

Renata hesitated for a moment, she seemed surprised by Valentina's words. "I know, but I love him, Valentina. I haven't stopped thinking about him and then this happened! I couldn't stay away any longer," she burst into tears again.

Valentina cringed at Renata's confession, she turned to look at Juliana, but for some reason there was a smile on the woman's face. "Juls?" The woman was startled as if she had just pulled her from a daydream. "Are you okay?"

"Yes, yes, I'm fine. Why don't we give Renata some time with him?"

Valentina's eyes widened. "Are you sure?" Juliana nodded reaching for her hand. "Renata, why don't you sit with Guille for a while. Juls and I will go for a coffee. Can I bring you anything?"