Six thousand kilometers from your heart

Once Again You

The rain fell relentlessly in Amsterdam, like tears from the sky accompanying the pain in Lucía's heart. Sitting on a park bench, her soaked clothes clung to her body, while the cold wind made her shiver. Memories of Juan Ignacio's betrayal tormented her, and a sense of desolation enveloped her. With her hair drenched and her eyes swollen from tears, Lucía felt completely vulnerable amid an unfamiliar city. She didn't know where to go or whom to trust.

Meanwhile, Juan Ignacio, determined to clear things up with Lucía, walked through the rainy streets of Amsterdam, under the same rain that soaked Lucía. His search was desperate; he felt he had committed an unforgivable mistake and needed to correct it. The conversation with Luis Andrés left him restless and determined to find Lucía. He knew he had to find her, no matter the cost.

However, fate had other plans. While Juan Ignacio roamed the streets, Lucía's life took an unexpected turn. She decided that she couldn't stay drenched and without a place to stay. Her mother had called her a couple of hours ago, and she had to lie to avoid making her worry. This trip had been her idea, and she was the one who had to face the consequences. With tears still in her eyes, she got up and headed to find shelter in a charming and cozy hotel near the park.

When Lucía arrived at the hotel and checked in, the sadness that had engulfed her the whole day made her feel lonelier than ever. She locked herself in her room, undressed before reaching the bathroom, and stepped into the shower. The gently falling water relaxed her muscles, and though it didn't make her forget, it made her feel better. She decided not to unpack her suitcase since she needed to find a permanent place to live, suitable for her university studies and her new job. She knew that Juan Ignacio was no longer an option, but she decided that staying at the hotel for the day was enough and collapsed onto the bed. The bed was warm and comfortable, but she couldn't escape the tormenting thoughts.

The following day, after a good night's sleep, Lucía woke up with renewed determination. She knew she couldn't hide in her hotel room forever. She had to apologize to the gym manager and then find a permanent residence that suited her, both for attending the university and fulfilling her new job. She showered and dressed, grabbed a cappuccino at the hotel's café, and set out determined to face her new life in Amsterdam. She would think about clearing things up with Juan Ignacio later.

Meanwhile, Juan Ignacio, who had spent the night tossing and turning while thinking about what had happened, decided not to go to the gym that morning. Jen, his new girlfriend, had noticed his distance and concern and demanded an explanation. The ensuing conversation was not easy. Jen expressed her fears and desires, revealing how much she wanted him all to herself.

"I don't want to share you with anyone, honey. I'm worried that she might interpret any affection between you two as if you were a couple. After all, you've been friends since childhood," Juan Ignacio, confused and torn between his feelings for Lucía and his new relationship, promised Jen that he would clear things up with his friend and explained to her that he wanted to be with her and no one else, even though deep down, he had doubts.

That same morning, Lucía, armed with courage and determination, returned to the gym. She had left a trail of unanswered questions and was determined to pick up the pieces of her life. Upon her arrival, she encountered the manager, who was in the middle of his training session. He was wearing a sleeveless shirt, and his physique exuded an air of strength and confidence. Although he wasn't overly muscular, he looked very fit, with his pale complexion, blond hair, and clear eyes. Something Lucía hadn't noticed until now.

Seeing the young woman enter the gym, the manager put down the weights, wiped himself dry, and placed the towel around his neck as he approached her.

"Good morning, Miss Toronto, what brought you back to this humble gym?" the manager teased with a mocking smile on his face.

"Good morning, I came to apologize," Lucía began with a furrowed brow and a look of regret. "Yesterday, I left in a hurry, and I couldn't finish signing the contract."

"Oh, I thought you weren't interested anymore. I even started looking for another candidate when you didn't return yesterday," he pointed out while looking at her with curiosity.

"No, I am interested. It's just that..." she hesitated.

"Your boyfriend won't let you work as an instructor," he interrupted, trying to understand what had happened with the couple.

"My boyfriend?... Ah, Juanchi!... No, it's not that, and he was my boyfriend."

"Was?" the manager inquired.

"Yes," Lucía replied. "He was my boyfriend when we were in Toronto. Yesterday, I realized that he had broken up with me, and I didn't even know it. He already had a girlfriend here," she said nonchalantly, shrugging her shoulders as if she didn't care, even though every one of those words uttered out loud was breaking her deeply.

"Wow! I couldn't have imagined that," the manager observed. "Okay, but don't worry. He only comes very early, his routine is an hour and a half, and he starts at 6 am when he doesn't have commitments or recording sessions, so you won't cross paths if you still want the instructor position."

Lucía's face lit up, and she smiled gratefully, nodding her head.

"Great! Thank you very much, Mr. Manager. I promise to give my best."

"Oh, don't call me 'Mr. Manager,'" the manager said. "My name is Mark Jansen."

"Okay, Mark. But don't call me 'Miss Toronto' either. My name is Lucia Alcántara."

"Very well, Lucia. Welcome. As I explained yesterday, your schedule will be in the afternoon, and you can start today. Let's go to my office to fill out your information, finally sign the contract, and get you the keys to your assigned locker to store your things." Mark said with enthusiasm, placing his hand on her back and guiding her to the office.

"Can I practice a little after we finish the formalities?" Lucía asked.

"Of course!" Mark replied.

The gym was now her workplace and a new sanctuary. She had received a scholarship to study almost six thousand kilometers away from her parents, and although her desires had sprung from her love for Juan Ignacio, returning without having fulfilled her committed engagement would make her feel like a failure who went to another country to chase a boyfriend who never truly cared about her. She would not allow anything or anyone to take away the opportunity to work in something she loved and enter one of the best universities, an accomplishment not many could boast about.

After signing the contract and leaving her belongings in the locker, Lucía headed to the training room. She was focused with fluid and strong movements, determined to push forward. What she didn't know was that someone watched her with fascination. Luis Andrés, the gym owner, and Juan Ignacio's music producer, was in the gym that morning, which was unusual for a weekday. He had felt the need to be there, perhaps driven by curiosity about the mysterious girl who had entered Juan Ignacio's life, of whom he hadn't heard anything for two years and seemed to be the cause of his emotional conflict.

From a corner of the room, Luis Andrés watched Lucía as she trained alone on the mat. Her movements were precise and powerful, and her passion for the sport was evident. As he watched, something within him stirred, something he hadn't felt in a long time. A smile appeared on his chiseled face.

After an hour, Lucía felt alive and full of energy. She had released some of what troubled her. Still, she needed to start looking for a place to live. If she spent too many days in the hotel, she would quickly deplete her savings. So, she grabbed her things and Luis Andrés approached her.

Concentrated on her next steps, Lucía was startled to see a stranger in front of her. Before she could say anything, Luis Andrés looked at her with an enigmatic smile and said, "Once again, you."