will pass. Safe travels, sweetie. We’ll have a belated party when you get home. ”
“ Thanks, Mac. See you soon. ”
*
The sun made an appearance that day in Valencia. The temperature was fair with a slight breeze. When the cab driver dropped me off in front of the Catholic cathedral, I was in awe. A massive architectural masterpiece with grandeur height, flying buttresses, and pointed archways, it wasn’t the cathedral that had my attention, it was the enormous sea of people making their way inside. I started to think that maybe Elena was famous. The crowd was representative of something one might expect for a celebrity, royalty, or dignitary.
As more people continued to line up behind me, I felt swallowed up by the crowd. Normally my claustrophobia would have consumed me, but feeling lost in the crowd was comforting. I felt hidden and protected. My shoulders relaxed and my fidgety hands stilled as a wave of relief washed over me and eased my anxiety over seeing Quinn. In fact, the chances of making any sort of eye contact with him seemed slim at best.
After I received my program, I was ushered to my seat. Maybe it was fate or divine intervention, but I owed some higher power a debt of gratitude for my seat which was at the back and away from the aisle, surrounded by strangers and nicely hidden from the Cohen family. I double checked to make sure my phone was silenced and then read through the long program. Occasionally glancing up, I scanned the crowd to see if I recognized anyone. The front of the large cathedral felt like the distance of a football field away from where I sat. Checking my watch, I assumed the family would be seated soon, and my heart pounded in anticipation of seeing them, especially Quinn. The music changed and everyone stood as the family made their way to the front of the church followed by the casket. Alexis and Mitch were first with Ethan and Ellen in tow. Next were Chase and Quinn. Chase was on my side of the aisle, partially blocking my view of Quinn. When I got a quick glimpse of his profile, I noticed his bearded face. He kept his head down so I couldn’t make out any expression on it before he passed and then his back was to me until he fell out of view.
After we were seated, I reached into my purse and pulled out Elena’s rosary and wrapped it around my hand.
Do you see this Elena? All of these people are here to say goodbye to you. You will forever be missed.
By the end of the opening rites, I was in my own meditative state. I couldn’t recall what was said or who said it. My mind drifted to a place of comfort, a state of peace. Time vanished in what seemed like an instant. The next thing I recalled was the casket being carried out followed by the family. But all I saw was Quinn. Then, as though he knew precisely where I was in the large crowd of hundreds of people, he looked up as he passed my row and his eyes met mine. It was only for a brief moment, but it was undeniable. He was looking at me and only me.
Desperately, I wished I could skip the burial and get the first available cab to take me back to the villa. I wanted out of Valencia, I wanted out of Spain, I wanted out of the misery of seeing Quinn and his family mourn the loss of Elena.
But I stayed. I promised myself I would see this through out of respect for Elena. As I phoned for a cab, I laughed at myself. How many billionaires traveled by cab to funerals and burials? Probably just one … me. When I was pushed out the front doors by the crowd, I moved to the side and stood in a shaded area of grass, shifting my weight to my toes so my heels didn’t sink into the ground. Suddenly a large hand gripped my arm. I jumped and turned.
“ Chase, jeez you scared me! ” I hugged him. “ Hanging in there? ”
He shrugged his shoulders. “ I’ll be better when this day is over. Anyway, where were you? ”
“ What do you mean? ”
“ During the service, you should have been seated up front with us. ”
“ Uh …
“ Thanks, Mac. See you soon. ”
*
The sun made an appearance that day in Valencia. The temperature was fair with a slight breeze. When the cab driver dropped me off in front of the Catholic cathedral, I was in awe. A massive architectural masterpiece with grandeur height, flying buttresses, and pointed archways, it wasn’t the cathedral that had my attention, it was the enormous sea of people making their way inside. I started to think that maybe Elena was famous. The crowd was representative of something one might expect for a celebrity, royalty, or dignitary.
As more people continued to line up behind me, I felt swallowed up by the crowd. Normally my claustrophobia would have consumed me, but feeling lost in the crowd was comforting. I felt hidden and protected. My shoulders relaxed and my fidgety hands stilled as a wave of relief washed over me and eased my anxiety over seeing Quinn. In fact, the chances of making any sort of eye contact with him seemed slim at best.
After I received my program, I was ushered to my seat. Maybe it was fate or divine intervention, but I owed some higher power a debt of gratitude for my seat which was at the back and away from the aisle, surrounded by strangers and nicely hidden from the Cohen family. I double checked to make sure my phone was silenced and then read through the long program. Occasionally glancing up, I scanned the crowd to see if I recognized anyone. The front of the large cathedral felt like the distance of a football field away from where I sat. Checking my watch, I assumed the family would be seated soon, and my heart pounded in anticipation of seeing them, especially Quinn. The music changed and everyone stood as the family made their way to the front of the church followed by the casket. Alexis and Mitch were first with Ethan and Ellen in tow. Next were Chase and Quinn. Chase was on my side of the aisle, partially blocking my view of Quinn. When I got a quick glimpse of his profile, I noticed his bearded face. He kept his head down so I couldn’t make out any expression on it before he passed and then his back was to me until he fell out of view.
After we were seated, I reached into my purse and pulled out Elena’s rosary and wrapped it around my hand.
Do you see this Elena? All of these people are here to say goodbye to you. You will forever be missed.
By the end of the opening rites, I was in my own meditative state. I couldn’t recall what was said or who said it. My mind drifted to a place of comfort, a state of peace. Time vanished in what seemed like an instant. The next thing I recalled was the casket being carried out followed by the family. But all I saw was Quinn. Then, as though he knew precisely where I was in the large crowd of hundreds of people, he looked up as he passed my row and his eyes met mine. It was only for a brief moment, but it was undeniable. He was looking at me and only me.
Desperately, I wished I could skip the burial and get the first available cab to take me back to the villa. I wanted out of Valencia, I wanted out of Spain, I wanted out of the misery of seeing Quinn and his family mourn the loss of Elena.
But I stayed. I promised myself I would see this through out of respect for Elena. As I phoned for a cab, I laughed at myself. How many billionaires traveled by cab to funerals and burials? Probably just one … me. When I was pushed out the front doors by the crowd, I moved to the side and stood in a shaded area of grass, shifting my weight to my toes so my heels didn’t sink into the ground. Suddenly a large hand gripped my arm. I jumped and turned.
“ Chase, jeez you scared me! ” I hugged him. “ Hanging in there? ”
He shrugged his shoulders. “ I’ll be better when this day is over. Anyway, where were you? ”
“ What do you mean? ”
“ During the service, you should have been seated up front with us. ”
“ Uh …
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