Bittersweet Memories

By Guadalupe C. Claudio

Alejandro Oran, known to his friends as Alex, was not only successful in his business but, also in his personal life, especially with the opposite sex. Since he was a teenage boy growing in Puerto Rico, he had more girlfriends than he could handle. His looks played an important part in his luck and he was not indifferent to the attention he generated among his female school peers.
Natalia was one of his conquest during his younger years but being the studious girl she was, the relationship did not last because school had not been one of Alexs priorities growing up. Natty, as she was known to her friends, was serious about her relationship with Alex, but he had opted for the playboy life style and was committed to no one in particular.
Tired of his flirtatious behavior, she made a decision to end the relationship and her chance to succeed with giving him up, came when her family left the island and moved permanently to United States. As years passed she went on with her life and tried her best not to think about Alex.
But back in the island Alex had always wondered what happened to Natty, but more importantly he wanted to find her. His reasons were a surprise to him after realizing that he was truly in love with her. His strong desire to find her made him make a decision to come to United States and look for her after finding out that she lived in New York. Taking advantage that his company was expanding in Manhattan, he volunteered to come and preside the new branch. Knowing that Natty was somewhere in the city, he started his search and hired a private detective.
Neither Alex nor Natty imagined what fate had in store for them and after arriving in New York, his life took an unexpected turn when he finally found her.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Mar 25, 2017
• ISBN: 9781514440148

Guadalupe C. Claudio

Guadalupe Claudio- Carrero was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico. During her teen years her family migrated to United States where she finished her schooling. She obtained a Bachelors degree in education and taught in various schools in New Jersey. She also worked in community outreach programs for Latinos and has been recognized for her educational programs during the Hispanic Heritage month. Her teaching experiences gave her the inspiration for her first two novels, Bittersweet Lesson and Bittersweet Lies, which tells the story of two teachers, although, in different life situations. Even though her passion is writing, she enjoys being involved in cultural events and hopes to some day have her own Latino folkloric dancing group. Presently she works and lives in New Jersey with her husband, Jose, her two children, Jennifer and Joel and her gorgeous dog Prince.

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Copyright © 2017 by Guadalupe C. Claudio.

ISBN:   Softcover   978-1-5144-4015-5

   eBook   978-1-5144-4014-8

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without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the

product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance

to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

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Rev. date: 04/20/2017

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Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgement

Excerpt

DEDICATION

In Memory of a very special person who holds a special place in my heart, since he is no longer with us. Frank Sánchez Torres, Jr. 1952-1976, RIP (Descanse en Paz)

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

To my daughter Jennifer, thanks for your loyalty, trust and editing of this book. To my son, Joel, for believing and encouraging me to write, and to my husband Jose, for always being there.

To my faithful readers who constantly look for my books.

Special Thanks to: Elizabeth Sánchez Arroyo and Harry Román Arroyo, for collaborating with this author towards the dedication of this book.

BOOKS BY GUADALUPE C. CLAUDIO:

BITTERSWEET LESSON- 2010

BITTERSWEET LIES-2009

LOVE IS MY PROMISE- 2015

MY FIRST, MY LAST, MY EVERYTHING- 2015

BITTERSWEET MEMORIES - 2016

A loving heart is the truest wisdom.

Charles Dickens

EXCERPT

It has been a long time we hadn’t seen each other.

I still can’t believe it. She tried turning to look at other couples dancing.

I hope I haven’t made you uncomfortable with my presence. Alex continued.

No, you don’t make me uncomfortable; it’s only that I’m astonished, that’s all.

Should I interpret that as you are not happy to see me? He insisted never taking his eyes off her.

So you still are with that obsession, aren’t you? Alberto asked.

Yes, I am, was Alejandro’s answer.

Alejandro Oran was staring at the buildings in front of the office where he worked as a vice president of the Arohma Enterprises; a perfume company with headquarters in the island of Puerto Rico and a branch in Manhattan. The company was very successful at both sites and now was looking to expand to other areas of New York and nearby cities.

He was discussing the subject with his boss, Alberto Del Valle, a stocky dark hair man in his forties. Alberto was the president of Arohma for many years and married as many, his main reason for not leaving the company in Puerto Rico and preside the one in New York. He was pleased when Alejandro made the decision to take his place. Alberto served two drinks, offering one to Alejandro.

Look Alejandro, I’m more experienced in these matters than you. I would like to remind you not to mix business with pleasure. It has never worked and you are not going to be the one to change it.

Alejandro, a tall young man in his thirties and with handsome features he had inherited from his Irish mother. He also had her blonde hair and green eyes. He acted as vice president for Arohma for some years and traveled extensively on business between Puerto Rico and New York. Recently, he had decided to take charge as the president of the branch in Manhattan. It had always been his dream to make this happen and now that the opportunity arrived he was anxious to see it done. Alberto took the seat in front of him.

Don’t worry Alberto, I’m not a child. I know what I am doing.

So tell me, what made you change your mind? You always talked about it but you were never serious.

Yes, I know. But I have been thinking thoroughly lately and I think that I should’ve done it sooner. I just hope I’m not too late.

Are you referring to your ‘business of the heart’? Alberto asked.

Yes I am, he said walking to the windows.

The ‘business of the heart’ Alberto was referring to was Alex’s long lost love. A girl he met during his teen years. She had been his obsession since he realized that he made a big mistake. He let her walk out of his life more than a decade ago and then realized that he couldn’t forget about her. She was in his thoughts constantly, but it wasn’t until a few years back that he admitted to himself that he was in love with her. What he thought all those years to be a memory had resulted in being love, plain and simple love. And now he was determined to find her. He was aware that she lived in Manhattan, but that was all he knew. He had lost contact with most of their common friends and he didn’t know of her exact whereabouts.

So, your decision is final, Alberto continued.

Yes, it is, and believe me, I am going to miss all of you and also this place, but mostly my beautiful island, Puerto Rico.

And when would you be leaving? Alberto asked forlornly.

Tomorrow, I should be on my way by this time. I will be on my way to whatever destiny has in store for me. I’m going with Estremera, he is familiar with the personnel and the Manhattan area. I’m going to need his help in the beginning.

So, I guess everything is set.

Yes, I don’t foresee any problems. Up until now everything has been working fine. I don’t anticipate inconveniences, Alex said finishing his drink.

We’ve been very lucky I tell you. The hardest part would be working with the relocation. We are not completely new in the Manhattan business area so there shouldn’t be too many concerns as far as expanding to other sections of town, Alberto reassured him.

Yes, it will be great for the company, besides I hope to reach Europe very soon. I think it’s time, Alex asserted.

Yes, I agree. I always had the same idea, but you also know how it goes. You have to be able to make sacrifices and have the right contacts. That’s why I think it’s great that you have decided to take this opportunity. I trust you and I know that you will excel in your performance.

I understand that our personnel in New York is very efficient and has great potential. I plan to take advantage of that.

So, you are planning on living in the city?

Well, that depends on my other business.

Does she live in Manhattan? Alberto asked understanding Alex personal motives. He was aware of Alex’s long time obsession. He also knew that Alex’s decision had been made on that obsession. The woman he had fallen in love during his adolescence was still part of his life.

Yes, but I don’t know exactly where.

Are you sure that she is ‘the one’? he dared to ask.

Yes, and I will pursue this until I know otherwise. It’s like torture.

Well, I wish you all the luck in both missions, Alberto said getting up from his chair.

Thanks man, I’m going to need it. I’ll be in touch with you as soon as I get settled.

Have a safe trip.

Goodbye. They hugged and Alex left.

That morning, employees for an insurance company in Manhattan were at work. Among them was Eduardo Iriarte, a lawyer for the company. He was engaged in a conversation with Ignacio Beltran, Eduardo’s long time friend. They met in college and had continued their friendship post graduation. They even went to work for the same insurance company Eduardo had worked for the past ten years. Ignacio moved on and worked in several places before landing a position with Arohma Enterprises. Now he was in charge of their public relations in the Manhattan office, and the times he had contacted the Headquarters in Puerto Rico, had been by phone and mainly with Alberto.

Ignacio was a handsome man with brown hair and brown eyes. At thirty years old, he had managed to stay single. Eduardo, bless with good looks, had hazel eyes and chestnut hair color. He was also in his thirties and married. They were at Eduardo’s office, which was nothing more than a cubicle with an old desk, a couple of file cabinets against one wall and a small book shelve by the wall behind his desk. There was also a small window that gave a view to an alley. Every time Ignacio came to visit him, he felt as if his friend was working from jail. Eduardo sat at his desk, dressed in shirt and tie.

Do you remember the office building that I mentioned to you before? Ignacio was saying to Eduardo.

The new one your company is buying?

Yes, that one. Well, looks like one of the presidents of the company is arriving here today. He is coming to move our offices to the new building and hire more personnel.

Ah, that sounds good, Eduardo said setting down the papers he had in his hands to look at his friend.

Yes, especially for our public relations of our perfume industry.

Then you won’t be working in the old building any more?

No, precisely tonight we have a meeting to meet the new president. How I wish you would come to work with us.

No man, I’m fine here. Besides, what am I going to do there, the same thing I’m doing here? Eduardo retorted.

What a question. You know that you would have a better future there. It is a much bigger and successful company.

No, leave me here, I feel more secure. Even though we know that the word ‘secure’ doesn’t exist anymore. Besides I’ve been working for this company for some time now and starting a new job, the way the economy is nowadays, would be ludicrous. But I wish you luck in yours.

Yes, Ignacio remembered how long his friend had been working for that company. He could’ve also been there if it would’ve not been for his ambition. He wanted more and always felt that it was better somewhere else. He was determined to find it and once he did, he was grateful. That was why he wanted Eduardo to follow him, but Eduardo was content with his present life. Maybe because he was happily married and other things didn’t matter to him. But Ignacio wasn’t giving up on his friend yet. He was determined to make him see reason, even if he had to do it through his wife, of whom he was very fond.

You should think about Natty, he pressured.

Natty is happy with my work.

Oh come on, every woman likes success. Eduardo got up from his desk and picked up the papers he had previously laid down.

Let’s leave it like that for now.

Ok, but think about it and let me know. Well, let me go now. I have a lot of things to do and this relocating move worries me. I’ll see you later, he said walking towards the door.

Goodbye Ignacio.

That evening Eduardo was at home talking to his wife Natty. They had been married for eight years and the subject of children had never been discussed, maybe because she never felt ready for motherhood and on the other hand, she loved her career. She was successful in her decorating business and in some ways very independent. She possessed a natural beauty complemented by her brown eyes and her brown hair as well as a tan complexion she had inherited from her mother.

How was your day today? she asked Eduardo.

Like always, I’m not too busy now and it usually slows down around this time. Ignacio came to see me today, he added.

Oh and how is he?

Very excited about his work, especially now.

Why?

Well, he told me that one of the vice presidents of the company he works arrives here today. He is coming to move the personnel from the old building to a new one the company purchased here in Manhattan. Ignacio is attending a meeting tonight to meet this man.

He must be very excited.

He is so excited that he had insisted that I go with him tonight to see if I change my mind about going to work for the company.

And what do you think about that?

I don’t know. Besides I would like to know your opinion.

Eduardo, all I want is to see you happy. The rest is up to you.

I don’t know. You know how difficult it is to change jobs, especially nowadays. Big companies are merging, leaving people without jobs. Of course this perfume company is a very successful one and their reputation is very lucrative. However, I would need to think about it more carefully.

The doorbell rang and Rosa, their housekeeper, went to answer it. Ignacio greeted her and stepped inside to greet Eduardo and Natty. He was dressed informally, something he didn’t do very often. Especially after he started working for his company.

Hello Ignacio, how are you? Natty greeted him.

Fine, Natty and you? he said giving her a kiss.

I’m fine thank you.

Hello Ignacio, ready for tonight? Eduardo asked him.

Yes, and I am very anxious to finally meet this mysterious person.

You are going to meet him tonight? Natty asked Ignacio.

Yes, and I’m going to talk to him about you, Eduardo.

What are you going to tell him? Eduardo asked.

I’m going to recommend you.

Well, thanks. Would you like a drink? Eduardo asked Ignacio.

Yes, thank you. Eduardo left for the drink giving Ignacio the opportunity to talk to Natty. He knew that tonight was too soon to convince Eduardo, but he could find out Natty’s feelings towards the matter.

I think that it would be a good idea if Eduardo would consider the job offer. That way you two would be together again, Natty said to Ignacio. Eduardo returned with the drinks.

You see Eduardo; I told you that Natty would support my idea. It would really be an advantage for you. You know the reputation of the company.

I’m going to need more time to think about this. You can’t make decisions overnight. I have been working for this insurance company for some time now and I just can’t pick up and leave.

Of course not, I understand that. But you should start thinking about it. Especially now, that we are going to be hiring new personnel.

That’s right Eduardo, that wouldn’t be overnight. It would probably take time to get organized and to interview new personnel before they start hiring, Natty added.

Well, I better start going. I don’t want to be late for my first meeting. It wouldn’t be good for first impressions, Ignacio said finishing his drink.

That’s right. Well, have fun, Natty said.

Thanks. He kissed her on her cheek and said goodbye.

Goodbye Ignacio and I promise you that I will think about it. Eduardo told him as he was leaving.

Alejandro Oran arrived in Manhattan and checked into a well-known hotel. Resting on his bed, he stared at the ceiling while thinking.

‘How I wish I could stay resting the rest of the night, but not a chance. I barely have time to eat something and head out to the meeting. Such a bother, but what can I do? It’s a must.’

Later on that night, the Arohma Enterprises employees gathered at the building presently owned by the company in Manhattan. Ignacio was among them. Alejandro arrived and was greeted by some of the employees. He talked to some of them and then approached the microphone to start the meeting.

Good evening everyone. It is a pleasure for me to be here tonight. For those who do not know me yet, my name is Alejandro Oran, I’m one of the vice presidents of this company. From now on we will be working together very arduously. Our company will be in a very busy area of Manhattan and it will be our job to continue with the present performance in the challenging business world. This relocation is what we had planned for many years and now that it is a reality, we have to give it our best. I don’t want to scare anyone but that is the way it has to be. AROHMA is aware of the quality of our personnel and we are very pleased. I commend everyone for your past performance and encourage you to continue with the same effort you have had up until now and more so in the future. Because of this expansion, we will be hiring new personnel. I will be interviewing as early as next week. I will take your recommendations for qualified candidates for any of the positions available. Again, I want to thank all of you in the name of the company for your presence here tonight. I arrived from Puerto Rico a few hours ago and as you can see, I am very tired. So I will see all of you on Monday morning. By then we will be in the new building. Once again thank you and good night. Alejandro attempted to step down but some of the employees stopped him introducing themselves, and among them Ignacio.

Good evening, I’m Ignacio Beltran and I’m in charge of Public relations, he said extending his hand.

Glad to meet you. I was looking forward to our meeting, Alex answered shaking his hand.

Likewise.

So, how is the department doing? Alex continued.

"Well, the statistics are a little below, but I think that the relocation will take care of that.

I’m hopeful. The only thing is that you are going to have more work.

Well, it may sound crazy, but I’m looking forward to that. I think it is the right time.

"Yes, I believe that too. This move will be a great advancement for the company.

Well I’m glad. I’m very happy to work for this company and to see its progress satisfies me immensely, Ignacio declared.

It also satisfies me to work with people that feel like you. It is what the company needs, Alejandro said to him.

As a matter of fact, I wanted to let you know that I have a friend who is a lawyer. I have mentioned to him that we are going to be hiring new personnel. He is presently working for an insurance company and has been there for some years now. He is very competent as a lawyer but the company he works for is not too challenging. I have talked to him about coming to work for this company, but I haven’t been successful convincing him.

Yes, we are going to need qualified personnel. As a lawyer he could do plenty here.

I know, I have explained it to him and he has promised me that he would think about it.

I could meet him, maybe I could convince him, Alejandro suggested.

I’ll see what I can do. Well, it has been a pleasure, Ignacio said shaking Alejandro’s hand.

The same here and good luck with your friend.

Thanks, I’ll see you on Monday. Alejandro nodded and Ignacio left followed by him.

Alejandro returned to his hotel and stopped at the restaurant on the first floor. He sat at the bar for a drink. Coincidently Eduardo and Natty had gone to dinner to the same restaurant. It was their usual Friday night out dinner. They were sitting at their table and Natty was ready to make her order when she looked at the bar. She stared for a moment because she seemed to recognize a person sitting there. Alex turned around as if sensing someone looking at him. She kept looking at him, but he didn’t see her. Natty was in shock. She couldn’t take her eyes off from the bar. She was pale, as if she had just seen a ghost. Eduardo had been talking to her but she wasn’t listening. He continued talking to her but she still wouldn’t react. He touched her and she felt cold so Eduardo insisted.

Darling do you want something to drink? Her lack of reaction had him worried so he shook her adding a little strength.

Darling what is it, are you all right? Suddenly she realized where she was and feared that Eduardo might have noticed. Natty tell me, what’s wrong?

Oh no … it is nothing … I’m ok, She managed to say while turning to look at Eduardo.

But you look pale and feel cold.

I … uh … I have a slight headache, that’s all.

Do you want to leave?

No, darling, I’m fine. Let’s order, ok?

Ok, but I think you should stay away from alcohol tonight.

You are right, I’ll order a tea. She was still nervous and tried concealing her emotional state. She looked back at the bar, but there was no one she recognized any more.

Saturday morning she was at home. She still wasn’t feeling well from the previous night’s episode. She couldn’t sleep all night thinking about the incident at the hotel. She was alone in her room pacing and thinking.

‘Dear God, this can’t be. I must’ve been hallucinating. Of course I was. Alejandro lives in Puerto Rico and I haven’t seen him in years. But why do I feel this unsettledness, why this doubt?’ Her worries continued and she tried veering her thoughts by looking through her decorating books.

Back in his hotel room, Alejandro had also been thinking. He needed to look for her, to find her wherever she was, and as soon as possible. He needed to get the doubt out of his head, so he could have peace. He took his lap top and turned it on logging onto a search website.

There has to be an investigation office around here, he said as he continued looking. Let’s see one close by, here is a close one, Moylan and Associates, yes, that one sounds fine, he finished as he took his cell phone to call the number.

Hello…yes… good morning…I would like to make an appointment as soon as possible… no, Monday is my busy day… one thirty this afternoon? Sounds good… my name is Alejandro Oran… that’s fine, and thank you… goodbye.

Alejandro arrived at the office of Moylan and Associates Investigations at the agreed time.

Good afternoon Miss, I have an appointment with Mr. Moylan, he said to the receptionist.

Your name sir? She asked.

Alejandro Oran. The receptionist called into the intercom to inform Mr. Moylan of