Divisions

Part 4- Chapter 19

Natalia

The next day

"Good Morning, Ms. Hayes," Mr. Sheldon said, walking into the living room of his cabin.

"Morning, Mr. Sheldon,"

"Do you perhaps want to call someone else today, to keep you productive? I noticed that you left the burner phone in the study last night,"

I thought about what Camilla had said. About Carmen, and second chances.

I had thought about speaking to her for a long time, and I was finally ready.

I nodded, and he handed me the phone.

"Don't worry about running out of minutes, there's always enough," he nodded, walking out of the room.

I strained to remember Carmen's number, and, after a few wrong attempts, managed to reach her.

"Hello?" she said, her voice subdued.

"Carmen..." I began.

"Natalia?" she breathed, shocked. "I came to your room looking for you a few days ago and you weren't there..."

"I'm okay, just lying low for a while. Things have happened."

"Look... about what happened...I'm so sorry, Natalia," she said, and I could tell this was genuine.

"Look, I've had some time to reflect on how I acted, and I also owe you an apology. I mean, you did tell me, right? Even if it was out of guilt, you had the right intentions. I'm sorry that I acted so harshly, and never gave you a chance to explain..."

"No, Natalia. There is nothing you should apologize for. I also did some introspection, and I feel terrible about what I did... I mean, I was the one who slept with your boyfriend. In no language is that acceptable. There was no good reason, no explanation, I just hope I didn't ruin our friendship completely, that you'll still speak to me, even though I don't deserve it," her voice sounded teary at this point.

"Carmen..." I began.

"Look, I'll do anything. Anything to mend the situation,"

I smiled, on the other end, the moment bittersweet.

"At this point, Carmen, I think nothing can really be done. Look, I really do forgive you. We can be friends, definitely, but right now, I think I need more time to heal from what happened, before we can even try to get back to where we were..."

"I understand," she said, her voice forlorn. "But, if there's anything you need, I'll still be here,"

"Thank you, Carmen," I said, sighing.

It felt much better to forgive her, as if a boulder was lifted from my shoulders.

"No problem," she said, and I almost heard her give a teary laugh. "I don't know why I'm crying,"

"It's okay. If you like Ricardo, he's yours, honestly," I said, no judgement in my voice.

"No, no, I've met someone else, there was nothing with Ricardo. Don't you know what happened?" she asked.

"Happened?" I asked, confused. "With Ricardo?"

"Yeah... so you don't know, huh,"

"What don't I know?" I asked.

"He's... he isn't quite as straight as we both thought. Rumor has it that he is with another boy now, and that he is bisexual. I'm so sorry if that hurts you...," she said, quickly.

"No... I'm fine." I said, truly meaning it. In that moment, all the memories Ricardo and I had had together flashed in my mind, and for once, did nothing to me. I was okay, I understood. Heck, I was happy for him, that he's discovered who he is.