Page 111 of Until You Came Along
“What are you going to do?”
“Nothing for now. I want to think a bit. I’m still afraid they might do something to him. Besides, when our father’s sentinel tried to remove him by grabbing his arm, Hermes tried to punch him, but couldn’t, and this Amin guy forcibly removed him. I couldn’t see anything else because our father pulled me into the suite and closed the door.”
“I never thought he would go this far.”
“Tom, maybe it’s better if we stay in a hotel tonight. It’s the middle of the night and I’m still a bit scared. Early tomorrow we’ll go to the apartment, I’ll ask the doorman for the key, and we’ll change the lock,” I suggested.
“We’ll do that if it makes you feel safer.”
“Yes; it makes me feel safer.”
Tom hailed a taxi and I gave him the name of a hotel located on the waterfront, near my apartment. We stayed in the same room because I didn’t want to be alone. As soon as we entered, I went to take a shower and then put on the robe provided by the hotel. Tom also went in to bathe and, when he came out, I was waiting for him sitting on the bed; we needed to have a long conversation.
“Come, sit here,” I said, patting the bed beside me. “If you’re not too tired, I’d like us to talk.”
“I’m tired, but with the adrenaline rush I’m not sleepy. I know we have many things to confess.” He sat next to me and gave me a kiss on the head.
“Why didn’t you tell me you were gay?”
“Because I wanted to protect you. He found out because he always had us watched and he made me break up with my partner and repress everything I felt. If I didn’t do it, he would put you in danger because he threatened to hurt you.”
I covered my mouth in fury and indignation. My brother had to suffer to prevent that man from hurting me.
“I’m so sorry, Tom. I feel terrible that you had to suffer like that.” I moved closer and hugged him tightly, and he returned my embrace.
“Don’t worry, I got used to the life I have, hiding and repressing what I feel when I like someone. I understand clearly that I can’t live the life I want.”
“But you can’t do that, you’ll be unhappy your whole life. I can’t allow it.”
“Relax, I’m fine. I also need to tell you about him. When his threats started becoming harsher, I realized that at some point that man could actually carry them out. I needed to have something to be able to confront him, so I hired the best investigators and managed to discover his double life. I kept his secret until today, but as you heard, I was cautious and have everything well organized. If anything suspicious happens to us, everything will come to light. When you called and told me about your forced marriage, I knew it was time to confront him. I’m grateful I had the clarity to do something like this, otherwise we would be at that man’s mercy.”
“Thank you, Tom. I have no words to thank you for all the sacrifice you’ve made for me. You’re an amazing brother.” I hugged him again, crying with sadness for him, my soul ached thinking about everything he had given up and how unhappy he would be.
“You don’t have to thank me. You’re my family, I love you with all my heart and never, listen to me, never will I allow anyone to hurt you.”
“And I won’t let you be unhappy either. I love you, little brother.”
“Now tell me the whole story with this Darwich guy.”
I began telling him about our complicated beginnings and we ended up laughing about all our adventures. From the stain on his shirt to all the subsequent arguments. I also told him about Hermes’ story with his previous girlfriend and the anguish it had caused me that he thought I had done the same thing to him. Itold him about Baco and he genuinely smiled hearing about my friend’s antics. My brother listened to me with great attention.
“Call him tomorrow and tell him the whole truth.”
“He won’t want to listen to me, I’m sure of that. Even his family must hate me by now, they must think I deceived them and that Hermes is suffering another disappointment because of me. Even my friend must have erased me from his life. I don’t know what to do, maybe it’s best if I leave his life forever, that way I’d also be protecting him from that monster we have for a father. It wouldn’t be a bad idea for me to go live with you in Miami.”
“Don’t give up on your happiness. You love that man and, from what you’ve told me, he loves you very much too. You have both your happiness in your hands, don’t give up on it. We’ll find a way for him to listen to you.”
“I don’t think I’ll manage it. You can’t imagine the devilish temper he had when I met him, well, you probably got some idea from everything I told you. Now that he must be despising me and hating me with all his being, I don’t want to imagine what he’ll do when he sees me.”
“We’ll have to find a way, but I assure you we’ll succeed. Now let’s go to sleep because my eyes are closing.”
“Mine too.”
Tom moved to his bed and soon I could hear his steady breathing, a sign that he had fallen asleep. I wasn’t so lucky; I couldn’t stop thinking about Hermes and the pain I had caused him. I wasn’t sure if it was better to leave things as they were or to tell him the whole truth.
Chapter 11
"It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped"
