Lean on Me

Part One - Chapter Twelve: Brotherly Advice

Fernando smiled playing with his children, he couldn't believe that it had been six weeks since he had last seen Cassidy; he knew that it was stupid but he found himself missing her.

Fernando had done everything to stop himself from calling Cassidy, he knew that he had no right to speak with her after he had asked for them to take a break; the footballer sighed as he watched Nora and Leo for a moment.

“How long are you going to make yourself unhappy for?” Israel asked sitting down next to his brother, he knew that Fernando was trying hard to save his marriage to Olalla; but it was clear to see that Olalla had no interest in saving their crumbling marriage.

Israel was surprised that he was the only one that had confronted Fernando about this, their parents spent the nights whispering about how unhappy their youngest son seemed in his marriage.

“I don’t know what you are talking about,” Fernando denied before he pushed himself to his feet, he was being stupid but he didn't want to admit to his family that his marriage was failing.

Israel sighed following after his brother, he wanted to help him and unless he got Fernando to open up then it was going to take time for him to admit that there was something wrong.

“You can tell me anything,” Israel said resting a hand on Fernando’s shoulder to stop him walking, he knew how stubborn his younger brother could be and he hoped that the younger man would be able to talk to him.

“What do you want me to say?” Fernando said looking at Israel, they didn't have to worry about Olalla since she was inside with their mother and sister unable to hear them.

“My wife forced me to move from a club that I loved to save a marriage that I don’t think can be saved, she’s still acting weird and I don’t know what to do anymore,” Fernando said leaving out the part about Cassidy; he wanted nothing more than to hear her voice right now and it frightened him.

Israel stared at his brother, he knew things hadn't been right for the couple but he could see that it was starting to take its toll on him; he wondered how much more that Fernando would be able to take.

Fernando was due to start preseason soon and he would be flying back to London in a couple of days so that he could return to training.

“How about Nora and Leo stay with us for the rest of the summer so that you and Olalla can work things out?” Israel said hoping that maybe all, his brother needed was some time alone with his wife; he had a feeling that one way or another, this would help him.

***

Olalla pursed her lips looking at Flori and María Paz, they were aware that there was trouble between her and Fernando but she hoped that they wouldn’t figure out that she was cheating on him.

Olalla knew that she was risking a lot with her affair but she couldn't bring herself to stop, she had grown to love George and she didn't want to let him go; he was the reason that she had insisted on the transfer to London so that she could be closer to him.

“So how is London?” Flori asked preparing dinner, she glanced at her daughter-in-law knowing that she was hiding something; she hated to think what Olalla was doing when she left the house but she had a feeling that she knew what was going on.

“London is amazing,” Olalla said smiling as she thought about all the sights that she had seen with George since she had moved closer to him; she was taking big risk since she had to make sure that the paps didn't catch her with her boyfriend but he was worth it in her mind.

María Paz looked at Olalla, she had seen how distant her brother’s marriage had become and it made her wonder why their marriage was failing; Fernando was doing everything right but it didn't seem to be enough.

“And how are things with Fernando?” María Paz asked trying to figure out what his wife was hiding but it made her wonder why Olalla had been so distant with the family since they had arrived.

Olalla nibbled on her lip as she felt a stab of guilt, she knew that Fernando didn't deserve what she was putting him through; she was looking for reasons to elevate her own guilt about her affair and she knew that George was preparing to ask her to leave her husband.

“Things are fine,” Olalla said softly they could see through her, she didn't want to admit her affair since she knew that there would be no sympathy for her; she was going to break Fernando’s heart and she knew that he would never forgive her for this.

Flori looked at Olalla, she didn't believe the younger woman for a moment; there was something going on and she wanted to know what it was.

Olalla looked away from her mother-in-law and down at a magazine, she was going to need to make a choice and soon about who she wanted to be with.

***

Cassidy grumbled as she sat alone in her apartment, she missed Fernando and wished that he would call her; it was a lot to ask but she needed to know where they stood.

Ever since Fernando had asked for them to take a break, Cassidy didn't want to think of things as being over between them; she cared about Fernando and she knew that he was just trying to make things easy for her.

The last six weeks had been horrible for Cassidy and she was beginning to wonder what she would do if Fernando didn't want her anymore when he came back from spending time with his family.

Cassidy had spent hours staring at the pictures of his holiday in gossip magazines and it was clear to see that he wasn’t happy; she felt pathetic and a little stalkerish.

Cassidy sighed as she moved out of the living room and headed for her bedroom, she paused remembering the nights that she had spent with him in the apartment; it made her heartache as she realised that they might never do that again.

Cassidy carefully reached for her mobile and dialled the familiar number, knowing that she had to be carefully; even if Fernando was back next week she just needed to hear his voice.

“Nando… I know that we said no contact but I need to speak with you, I miss you,” Cassidy said as the call went straight to voicemail; she could be causing him trouble but she needed to hear from him.

Cassidy set down her phone ending the call, she licked her lips hoping that Fernando would call her back; she swallowed knowing that she had to now wait to hear back from him.

Leaning back on her bed, Cassidy closed her eyes praying that he wouldn’t wait to call her back; she had a feeling that it was going to be a long wait.

Fernando would be spending time with his family back in Madrid and with his wife, Cassidy knew that he would be focusing on working on his marriage and she hoped that for his sake and his children’s it all worked out; she would let him go if she had to.

Cassidy opened her eyes as she realised that if Fernando made his marriage work with Olalla, that she would let him go to be happy because she loved him; she was going to get hurt one way or another.