*MILENA*
Taking a deep calming breath,I asked.
“How much are the cost of the bags?”
“Sixty-eight thousand dollars.”
So he spent sixty-eight thousand dollars on bags?!
It pained me so much that he has been squandering so much of my money and I had no idea.
Does he think I pluck money from trees?!
I literally have to work so hard.Sometimss I work until my neck and back hurts so bad.
I have worked so hard to have this much money and I do not even squander my own money because I know the value of it.
Yet,he feels no remorse on spending them on his mistress.
I felt like tearing off his face with my nails.
“Well,tell him that I’m not settling any damn bill!He should be more than capable of spending whatever amount on his wife!He bought the bags from you not me so go meet him for your money!”With that,I hung up.
I felt so angry.
How dare the both of them?!
*****************
*ARTURO*
With a smile on my face,I had my bath and got changed.
I couldn’t stop thinking about Lena and how gorgeous she was.
Plus,she had such a good vibe.If I wasn’t careful,I could see myself falling fast for her.
I grabbed some juice from the fridge,feeling guilty for having her cook for me again.
She didn’t seem to mind though but I felt I was taking advantage of her hospitality so I thought bringing something to the table like some juice would make me feel a bit better.
I walked up to her door and rang the door.
I rang it again but there was no answer.
As I knocked on the door,it gave way.
Her door wasn’t knocked?
The two of us might be the only ones living on this floor and I’m definitely no danger to her but I still have to tell to always lock her doors.
It was just the normal security precautions,I’m sure she just forgot to lock it.
Or she left it open for me on purpose?
I might be getting way ahead of myself but it doesn’t hurt to be delusional once in a while.
“Lena.”I called as I walked into her house.
I heard her phone ring and she answered.
She was in the kitchen.
I decided to just wait in the living room to give her some privacy but I could clearly hear her voice and make out the content of the phone call.
I wasn’t trying to eavesdrop or anything.
It seemed like some couples were trying to take advantage of her kindness.
I was familiar with being used by my money and it seemed Lena had a similar problem.
I felt bad for her and a few more walls of my heart tumbled down.
I also felt bad standing here and listening to her conversation.I didn’t know if I should go out and then start knocking until she opens or just walk into the kitchen.
It was a sticky moment of indecision until I heard her crying.
My indecision faded and I hurried into the kitchen.
Milena was standing by the stove,her hands on either side of the hot stove as for a moment I was concerned that if she moved her hand,she would get burnt.
Her head was down and her body shaking as sobs racked her body.
I moved closer to her and gently moved her away from the hot stove.
“Milena.”I cooed.
“How….why….”She choked out and I pulled her into my arms.
I could tell she needed all the comfort she could get.
I didn’t know what this was about but I just wanted her to feel better and stop crying.
I didn’t say anything,I just rubbed her back with my hand while she cried.
I didn’t know how long we stood there but I knew that I would stand here and hold her for as long as she needed.
Eventually,she stopped crying and by now my shirt was wet.
She didn’t let go of me and she just leaned fully against me.
I was glad to be of good comfort to her but I couldn’t help but wonder what had happened to her.
She seemed so sad,so hurt and broken after answering that call.
Who were those people?
I had lots of questions but I had no right to ask.
I could only wait if she decides to share or not.
If she doesn’t,it was still okay.
Lena pulled back from me and walked over to a tissue box,she grabbed a handful and blew her nose in a quite unladylike manner.
Still,I didn’t mind.
“Thank you for lending me a shoulder to cry on.I honestly didn’t want to cry and I hate that I did…”
“It’s okay,Lena.We all cry sometimes.You do not have to hate yourself for it and trust me,it doesn’t make you any less of a person.”
Damn!
I never knew I had such words in me.
I was happy that cheered her up because she smiled.
“Thanks, Arturo.I don’t think I can cook right now.Should we just go to the cafe down the street and have breakfast there?”
“Sure.Do you want to walk there or should I get my car?”
“I should walk.I think I need it.”
I nodded and we walked out of the house.
The ride down the elevator was quiet.
I didn’t think she wanted to talk at the moment and I didn’t want to force her to.
I kept a protective eye on her throughout our walk to the cafe.
She really seemed deep in thoughts and I tried not to let my curiosity get the better part of me.
But I really wanted to know her.
I wanted to know this woman
We arrived at the cafe and I opened the door and guided her in.
I made sure she got seated,comfortably and then the waitress came over to get our orders.
I didn’t fail to notice the way the waitress checked me out as most woman do.
I ignored her flirty looks.
“What can I get ya?”She asked.
She had gum in her mouth as was chewing in a weird way as she waited for my reply.
“Two black coffees,two bacon and eggs,with hash browns and toast,please.”
“Coffee now?or with the meal?”
“Now please.”
She fucking winked at me and walked off.
Seriously?
Can’t she see that I’m with someone?
Granted,Lena and I were just friends but the waitress didn’t know that.
Lena could be my girlfriend and she has to respect that.
The thought of Lena becoming my girlfriend suddenly felt so pleasing.
I shook my head and stared at the woman in front of me.
And still looked so sad.
Unable to stop myself,I took hold of her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.
She looked up at me and offered me a weak smile.
God.
I just wanted to make her feel better.
*MILENA*I really didn’t want to cry.I thought I did all the crying in my old home.I just wanted to start anew in my new home and new job.But I just had another wave of Dante and Rissa’s betrayal.I just couldn’t understand how they could do such a thing to me when I’ve been nothing but nice to them.I looked at the hand currently holding mine in the restaurant.It turns out I really needed a friend right now and I was glad I accepted his offer of friendship.Though he didn’t ask why I cried or anything,his presence had been really comforting.I slowly took my hand away from his because I felt his hold was getting too personal.“You must have heard my phone call conversation.”I let out.He grimaced and nodded.”I…em…I heard a bit.I had rang the doorbell but you didn’t answer,plus,your door wasn’t locked.You should lock your door all the time.”I sighed.”I must’ve forgotten.”He offered me a small smile.I bit my lower lip and probed.”Do you ask any questions?”He must be curious as t
*MILENA*As we headed for the building,Arturo held my hand.I didn’t stop him and I also didn’t mind his familiarity because it felt so nice to have my hand held by a man.I can’t even remember the last time Dante held my hand.I realized that the last time Dante had shown me true affection was when we newly got married.I felt like punching myself for not noticing all the signs that he had fallen out of love with me.Arturo’s warm hand distracted me from my thoughts.I stared at him wondering what he does for a living.Maybe he was an office worker.But being in a condo as expensive as that,he might be a CEO or CFO.I shook my head.It was none of my business.It wasn’t as if I wanted to have anything to do with him except that we were holding hands right now and I was suddenly thinking about how good it might be to be in his arms,how good he might be in bed.Maybe we could be neighbors with benefits.No strings attached.I really missed having a man hold me, touch me in all of the places
*MILENA*He stared at me obviously surprised by how rudely I had interrupted him.I wasn’t jealous when I saw the host hug him or anything.Or when he received a call and I heard the name ‘Paula’ from his lips.Either way how brightly he looked when he spoke to the person who was obviously a woman on the phone,I assumed he might have something with her.I knew it.Arturo was too handsome and too hot to be someone who would take anyone seriously.I might be wrong and I might be jumping into conclusion.But the last thing I wanted to happen to me again was to be foolish and let any man play me.Dante wasn’t even as handsome and Arturo,yet he still broke my heart.So Arturo would not be any different.It was good that I know now that he was a playboy.At the very least,I’d never have feeling for a playboy.“Is everything okay?”He asked me.I nodded.”Yeah.Let’s go eat.”We left the art exhibition and got back to the car.Then we headed off to have lunch.I glanced at him.He was on his phone
*MILENA*Oh God.I think I’m losing it.I’m heartbroken and I’m at the same time a horny mess.I took the seat Arturo had pulled out for me and lowered myself into it,thinking that I should probably give up on asking him to be my sex buddy.The woman stood by the table,until we were both seated and she handed Arturo the menu,not giving one to me.“You can get me your specialty and instead of wine,make that two coffees please.”He said.I frowned.Don’t I get to order?“Alright.”She had a smile on her face and still hadn’t paid any mind to me.Is this where he brought all his women?It seemed it wasn’t so special that I was here.It felt like the woman was used to it.“What’s the specialty?”I asked him,curiously.“When I dine in,I get the chef’s mix of the day,it’s a little sample of all the meals she’s experimenting with and I get to tell her if I think it’s great or not.It’s always great though.Her food tastes heavenly.”“Do you always bring all your dates here?”“This is a date?”He ask
*MILENA*Arturo still looked unsure about taking me right now but I was in too much pain to think this through.I closed the distance between us, stood on my toe and pressed my lips against his.He responded,immediately and kissed me back,deeply.He pulled back and cupped my cheeks.“Are you sure about this,Lena?Are you sure you want this?”I nodded.I gasped when he carried me into his arms.Desire...desire like never before washed over me.He walked into his bedroom and kicked the door close then he lowered me down until I was standing.He pulled my body against his and kissed me.I wanted his hands,his tongue,his lips and body all over me.He kissed me, fervently,this time as we kissed,his hands roamed my body like he was trying to study every curve.He ran his hands up my sides just before he broke the kiss and brought my blouse up,bottons and all.I held my hands up and let him slip it over my head.He tossed it aside and moved forward to kiss me again.I could feel my nipples st
*ARTURO*I had just finished making the tea when I went to get Lena,just to find her crying so heartbrokenly at the balcony.Her tears made me feel so sad and I just wanted to take it away.So when she asked me to fuck.It didn’t take much debating within myself.I knew she had only said that to momentarily forget about the pain she was feeling.But I was attracted to her and also wanted her pain to go away so I moved her to my bedroom.I had never wanted to please a woman this much better.And each beautiful sounds she made urged me on to please her even more.And when we both came,I laid beside her reeling in how wonderful that sex had been.It was literally the best sex I’ve had in a very long time.I wasn’t the type of guy who slept around,I mostly only had sex with women that I was in a committed relationship with.But right now,I didn’t regret what I just did with Lena.Hell,I wanted to do it again.And I could only hope she doesn’t regret what we had just done.I held her in my
*MILENA*Taking a deep breath,I opened the door for me.He beamed at me and lifted up two pizza boxes“I got us dinner.”I smiled and let him into my house.He strode in and set the boxes on the table.Each pizza had different toppings.“I wasn’t sure what sort of pizza you liked,so I got two with different toppings.I hope I got one at least one right.”Arturo let out.“Well,I’m not really picky when it comes to pizza,I eat most except any one with pineapple.”Arturo nodded.”Got it and it’s noted.”“You say it as if we would be eating together more in the future.”He pouted.”Wouldn’t we?”I laughed,his facial expression was funny.“Well,that depends on how you behave.”I joked.“I would behave any way you want me to,Lena.”There was something about the way he said that and the way he stared at me that made me recall the previous night.I looked away when I noticed that my cheeks were heating up too much.We started to eat and chat.Things didn’t feel too uncomfortable around him.I had be
*MILENA*The next day,I headed up to the pool and did some laps.I kept looking at the door hoping Arturo would walk in but he didn’t.We chatted a bit last night and he told me that he was busy with work.After having a swim,I took a shower and had a light bright.Then I went off to the salon.Two hours later when I stared at myself on the mirror,I was pleased by my look.The hairstyle suited my facial shape and I loved what the stylist had done.I felt the new me transforming,even the subtle highlights shone in the light,it was worth my money.With a smile on my face.I left the salon and headed into the cafe to get a coffee and a sandwich.I deeply felt that I was finally having my life hack together again.Just as I made it home,my phone rang.I brought it out to see that it was my dad.“Good afternoon,Dad.”I began.“Hello,dear.I just wanted to check on you.”“I’m doing okay.”Still a bit doubtful,I asked.”Is Rissa really pregnant?”“You know that child is filled with lies,she claime
*MILENA*After I cleaned up, I was tired, but a good tired. Today was the best day we have had in ages. Dad was in top form. Spouting stuff and Arturo’s Dad could join in on all of it. What Dad or I did not, Hank knew. It was great teamwork, and the laughs were great. I felt comfortable, not at all embarrassed as I screamed at the screen, as those in the room were doing the same thing. I don't think we have ever had a day like this one. I look forward to next week when we can do it all over again.They kept me busy with food and drinks, and I didn't think of tomorrow until the promotion started. Then it was a good feeling when Hank complimented me on my achievements, making my Dad puff up in pride. The compliments meant a lot, coming from a fellow doctor, who would have understood what was involved to have reached this far.The morning came, and it was showing signs of being a good day. I woke up in a good mood and not the least bit nervous, yet. A quick s
*ARTURO*My day started at the pool doing long laps, as I thought about yesterday and how excited Dad was to meet another enthusiastic sports fan. I had no idea how today was going to go. I hoped that Milena was a true sports fan, or my Dad was going to be very sad. He had been building up his expectations all week since I suggested sports day to him.Dad arrived at my place fifteen minutes before the game, hoping the place we were going to not be far. I had not told him exactly where Lena lived, just in our building. Well, I don't think I did.He was dressed in his team's shirt and jeans, the same as me, and was carrying the two cases of beer I had left at his place. I quickly took the beer.“Hi Son. Are you ready to go? I am missing the pre-game announcements.”I moved out of the condo, closed the door behind me, and opened Lena’s door. The smell of food wafted out to greet me, and my mouth started to water at the tasty fragrance. Dad's
*MILENA*The next morning, I woke up with yesterday's phone calls on my mind, so I emailed my lawyer and let him deal with it. I cannot fathom how that person got my phone number, and I am a little worried about who could be doing this. Was it one of my sister's friends trying to get into my head? I would not put it past my sister to do something like that, try and make it all Dante’s fault and that she is an innocent person in this, which I know she isn't.Maybe she did not like me knowing she had married my husband, and thought about making it look like he had done this a lot of times before, and that she was another victim, planting the seeds of doubt.I had a nice long swim before making a quick breakfast, got the television on the sports channel and had it playing in the background, and put some of the finger-food in the oven on low heat to warm up, for when our guests arrived. I was looking forward to spending time with Dad. It had been a while since I had a chance to have a pro
*ARTURO*The day was exhausting, and by the time I had taken a shower and climbed into bed, it was midnight, my head hit the pillow and sleep came quickly, all thoughts of what Milena was going through left my mind. Either I was drained, or the ability to turn things off took over. I knew in my early days as a doctor, I would have things go over and over in my mind, making sleep impossible to claim, and I would toss and turn. I have since learned to block those sorts of thoughts out of my mind, and that might be what happened now.It was nearly ten o'clock when I woke, the sun blazing through the window. Last night I failed to close them, which was unusual for me, and I was shocked to see how late it was in the day. Throwing the blankets off of me, I raced around getting dressed. I was supposed to be at my parent's home by eleven and to grab some drinks. This was going to be a close run if I was to make it across town in half an hour at that time of day and I had to think of the best
*MILENA*It did not shock me that Rissa would be waiting outside of Dino's, where Dante was meeting me.Rissa would never be too far away from him, it was like a magnet, she seemed to be attracted to where he was nearly all the time. I am not sure if it was all on Rissa’s side, and she had Dante hoodwinked, or if they were in it together.He seemed to be shocked at the video, and Rissa was her usual selfish woman. Arturo saved me from any further confrontation, which I know would have got a lot nastier if Rissa could get away with it. I was surprised there was not a photographer hiding somewhere, or maybe there was, and I could not see them, but they had little to photograph.The evening was okay. My mind was distracted for most of it, as Arturo tried to take my mind away from the meeting with those two, and some of my sad past was revealed, yet he did not run, he stayed and was strong, and very supportive, though no matter how hard he tried, he could not completely remove that sadnes
*ARTURO*I watched the man enter the restaurant, and he did not seem too pleased to see me. Well, too bad buddy, if Milena needed my support from you, she was going to get it. I had already been told by Milena that she might get emotional, and she needed me to help her stay strong, and possibly help her out of the restaurant if she cried.What I learned whilst sitting there was more than I had expected. This low life before me could do such a thing to this beautiful selfless woman. In the time I got to know Lena and that was not that long, she had already shown she was not a gold digger and went out of her way to help others in little ways.For example, she brought a takeaway dinner at a restaurant we stopped at, and she gave it to a homeless man who was sitting, leaning against a shop wall. He was playing an old guitar for tips, his face lit up like a Christmas tree, when he opened the lid and saw what she had brought him.But this low life had been the one to dim her eyes, and break
*MILENA*After the meeting, I headed to see Mr Green. I gowned up and went in taking a tray of coffee with snacks with me. We restricted who could visit until after the operation, and if the family wished to sit with him, they needed to gown up and no kissing. We cannot risk any infection so close to the operation.“Good morning Milena, all set for Monday?'“Good morning, and yes. I have the media starting to promote it on Sunday, and wanted to warn you of this.”“Well, that will be interesting. I will have to watch the TV and see if I have a good face on.”He chuckled.“I did not think you would want a picture of you. I mean how you are now.”“I think they should come here and take a picture of me, so they can see how I am before the operation and what I am going through, don't you think?”“I will speak to Mr Philips, he is our voice to the people, and see if he would like to do that.”Mr Green was serious. I did not want to get him all worked up, and in the end, I agreed to mention i
*ARTURO*The interviews started and when a woman arrived looking like she was here to sell herself and not her product, I felt Milena stiffen. I knew there was a story behind that reaction. This woman looked at Milena with hatred in her eyes, but when she looked at me, I felt disgusted, like she had just rubbed herself all over me, and was looking at me as if I was her next meal. It was a total turn-off.An ex-friend, or the one that stole her boyfriend? Definitely something, I have seen that kind of reaction many times from my sisters, to smell trouble when I see it.But when a guy walked in, both looked a little shocked but looked more angry than anything once he recovered.His presentation was okay, but that was about all I could say, nothing that grabbed my attention. Most of them were mediocre, until the last one, and we all sat up and took notice. He understood what we wanted to project perfectly, and it did not surprise me when Milena told him he had the job, without consulting
*ARTURO*Tomorrow we have interviews, both Gustavo and I will sit in them, but Milena will be the one to make the final decision. This is the first time the hospital has ever put anything out to the media. We must get the right team behind us, to promote the good and to help us if things go badly.Milena is nervous, this is outside her comfort zone, but she understands the importance of having a good press.“Milena, do you want to walk with me in the morning? Can we talk about the interviews? Or just walk together, and I can keep your mind off it.”I was hoping she would give me an in.Something had not been the same. It was as if she had pulled back.Yes,we had agreed to stop having sex but we didn’t agree to not to be friends anymore.I was not sure if it was because we were working at the same place, and that had made her uncomfortable to be work with someone you had sex with, or if something else was holding her back. I want the Milena I first met back, the one that gave me a lot o