The Line Between Us - Alejandro Balde Love Story

Chapter 24: The Sting of Jealousy

The studio was buzzing with activity as I arrived for the photoshoot that morning. Models, photographers, and assistants moved in every direction, adjusting lights, checking outfits, and setting up for the day. I squeezed past a few people, searching for Alejandro in the chaos, trying to remind myself that this was just another job.

But my heart betrayed me. It had been racing since I stepped foot inside, and the knot in my stomach hadn't gone away since last night.

I finally spotted Alejandro near the center of the studio, deep in conversation with the photographer. He was laughing about something, looking impossibly handsome in his fitted jacket, his smile easy and relaxed.

But then my eyes landed on her—a tall, stunning model with long, dark hair, standing right next to him. She was dressed in the same fashion line we were shooting for, her eyes trained on Alejandro as if no one else existed in the room. And worse, he seemed completely comfortable around her.

The knot in my stomach twisted painfully.

I stood frozen in place for a moment, watching as she leaned closer to him, her laughter soft and flirtatious. She reached out, touching his arm lightly, and Alejandro didn't pull away.

My chest tightened, my breath catching in my throat. I didn't even realize how hard I was gripping my bag until I felt my fingers digging into the leather.

I told myself to stop staring. To look away. But I couldn't. Something ugly and unfamiliar was growing inside me, something I hated admitting to myself—jealousy.

I had no right to be jealous. Alejandro wasn't mine. We weren't anything.

But still, seeing him like that—with her—made something snap inside me.

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to move. I needed to get out of here. Away from the noise, away from them. My heart was pounding, and I could feel the sting of tears forming in the back of my eyes. I didn't want anyone to see me like this—vulnerable, hurt.

Just as I was about to slip out the side door, I heard someone call my name.

"Isa!"

I froze, recognizing the voice immediately. I quickly blinked away the tears and turned around to see Berta weaving through the crowd toward me.

"Hey, where are you going?" she asked when she reached me, out of breath but smiling. "I was looking for you!"

I forced a smile, hoping she couldn't see through me. "I, um... just needed some air."

Berta raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced. She glanced around the studio and then followed my gaze until her eyes landed on Alejandro and the model. A slow grin spread across her face.

"Ah," she said knowingly. "So that's what this is about."

"What?" I replied too quickly, heat rushing to my cheeks. "No, it's not about... that."

Berta crossed her arms, giving me a look that said she wasn't buying it for a second. "Isa, I've known you for too long. You don't have to pretend with me."

I opened my mouth to argue, but the words didn't come. Berta was right, of course. I couldn't deny the way I felt anymore. It was all so clear now, like a light had been switched on inside me.

"I don't know what's wrong with me," I muttered, shaking my head. "I don't have any right to feel this way. We're not even... we're just..."

"Friends?" Berta finished for me, her tone amused but gentle.

I sighed, glancing down at the floor. "I don't know. I guess. I just... seeing him with her..."

"You care about him," Berta said softly, the teasing gone from her voice now.

I swallowed hard, my throat tightening as I nodded. "Yeah," I whispered. "I do."

Saying it out loud felt like admitting some deep truth I had been trying to avoid. But now that it was out there, it was impossible to take back. I cared about Alejandro. More than I wanted to. More than I was ready to admit.

Berta smiled gently and placed a hand on my shoulder. "There's nothing wrong with that, Isa. You're allowed to care about him. And from what I've seen, he cares about you too."

I shook my head, still feeling the sting of jealousy in my chest. "I don't know, Berta. I mean, look at him. He could have anyone. Someone like her."

"Someone like you," Berta corrected, squeezing my shoulder. "You're not just anyone to him. And deep down, you know it."

I wanted to believe her. I wanted to believe that Alejandro saw something in me that he didn't see in anyone else. But it was hard to shake the feeling that I wasn't enough—that I'd never be enough for someone like him.

Before I could respond, I felt a presence behind me. I turned, and there he was—Alejandro, standing just a few feet away, his eyes locking onto mine the moment our gazes met. He didn't say anything at first, but the look on his face was enough to send a shiver down my spine.

He walked over to us, ignoring the model still hovering nearby, and smiled warmly at Berta before turning his attention back to me.

"Hey, Bella," he said softly, his voice sending a wave of warmth through me.

I blushed, the sound of his nickname for me breaking through my jealousy and softening the knot that had formed in my chest.

"Hi," I managed, trying to keep my voice steady.

Alejandro's eyes searched mine, and for a moment, it felt like we were the only two people in the room. The noise, the models, the photographers—all of it seemed to fade away.

"You okay?" he asked, his tone gentle but concerned.

I hesitated for a moment, wondering if he could see the jealousy written all over my face. But instead of lying, I nodded and smiled. "Yeah. I'm okay."

He didn't look convinced, but he didn't push it either. Instead, he reached out and brushed a strand of hair away from my face, his touch so light it made my skin tingle.

"I'm glad you're here," he said softly, his voice just for me.

My heart swelled, and the jealousy that had consumed me just minutes ago began to melt away. Maybe Berta was right. Maybe I wasn't just anyone to him.

Maybe, just maybe, I was enough.