Page 78 of Resolute

Gabo: Hello, brother. How's it going? I’ve been thinking about you. How was your trip to the motherland?

Vicente: I came back a month ago, and you didn’t make the time to check on me? No, I don’t believe even for a second “you’ve been thinking about me.”

I love bickering with my siblings, especially with Gabo since we’re the closest in age.

Gabo: Fine. I’ve been busy living my best life with my girlfriend, but the moment I saw your text, I thought about you and your trip to Chile. Better?

Vicente: Yes. Thank you for your honesty.

Gabo: So how was the trip?

Vicente: Eye-opening. Let’s say—and this is between you and me—Father was right to send me home. I connected with the employees in ways I never could have remotely.

Gabo: Wait—don’t tell me you hooked up with one of the employees there. That’s rule number one of the Godoy Code of Conduct.

Vicente: Right. Just like you followed it when you hooked up with Isa who was an intern at your firm?

I can picture Gabo’s face getting hot and him pacing the floor.

Gabo: That’s different, and you know it. Bella has always been my endgame. From the moment she landed in Bologna, I knew she was it for me.

Ha! I scoff at my brother’s bullshit.

Vicente: Yeah, keep telling yourself that. Whatever helps you sleep at night.

Vicente: But no, I didn’t hook up with anyone in Chile. I listened. I learned. I feel like I’m finally ready to head back south and let Father rest.

Gabo: Wow, man. Honestly, I never thought I’d see the day. But I’m happy for you. Dad told me about his ultimatum, though.

Vicente: Yeah. Don’t get me started. I found someone, though. Her name is Camila.

Just typing her name and telling my brother about her brings a smile to my face.

Gabo: And where did you meet? Are you paying her to marry your sorry ass? I can’t believe this shit. I can’t wait to tell Luca.

Vicente: Don’t you fucking dare tell Luca. You know how much of a gossip he is, and I don’t want Father to know about any of this until I show up in Chile in August.

Gabo: Okay, fine. But tell me the deets. Where did you meet her?

The deets?My brother is dating a twenty-two-year-old, and it shows. I scoff as I continue spilling my guts to him.

Vicente: She’s my assistant.

Gabo: That old lady that looks like a granny? LMAO. I’m definitely telling Luca.

Vicente: No, you idiot. Mrs. Evans retired, and she hired her replacement. I didn’t really meet Camila until I came back from Chile last month. But the more I got to know her, the more I realized she was the right person to marry.

Gabo: How much are you paying her?

Vicente: I’m having a prenup drawn up for everyone’s sake, but I’m really into her, Gabo. This might have started as a marriage of convenience, but I want to be with her. I NEED her.

I leave out the part about her daughter needing better medical care. That’s not the reason anymore—at least not for me. I want to take care of them because they matter to me, not because I’m fulfilling my end of the bargain.

Gabo: Are you sure you’re my brother? This doesn’t sound like my “perfect oldest brother.”

Vicente: Fuck you, Gabo. I’m telling you, that trip and Camila made me see life in a different light.

Gabo: Damn, you’re serious?

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