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CLEO GARCIA Enzo turned around as soon as Isa said what she said. "Baby, Marco explained it wrongly," Enzo said, explaining himself. He tried to sit down beside Isa but she was already getting up. "I need to use the bathroom," Isa said and got up.She was visibly offended. "Fuck you, Marco," Enzo found the time to say before he chased after Isa.r "babe, come on. Let me explain it,” Enzo called after her. Enzo's voice travelled up the stairs until we wren't hearing him again. I was a little offended and uncomfortable. I didn't like that I just witnessed their couples fight, or whatever that was. And Isa had just left like that. It was a bit too much for me. She wasn't over reacting. I would do worse if my man came home and his friend was making jokes about a wife that was given to him. His friend... Marco was still seated. His water bottle was on the side stool close to him. "They left us to be alone," Marco said when i looked up. "Yup." I counter to three, tapping my hee
ISABELLA GARCIA “Terry, I'm sure you can make an exception. Please can you just try more?” I rubbed my forehead in frustration. I already knew where this was going. Terry, Ethan’s father had become nothing but a monster to me. Last two years, I had a feeling he was cheating. He was already treating me like shit and blaming me for Ethan’s sickness then. I stalked him and found out about his mistress, Laura from his office meetings. She was a curvy red-haired and a meanie the first time I ever bumped into her at Terry’s workplace. Seeing them together broke me, so I filed for divorce. Since then, Terry has become nothing short of my worst nightmare. “Can we talk later? I have stuff to get to,” Terry replied sharply. Enzo got down beside me. He gave me the glass of wine and I threw it down my throat at once. My anger boiled but tiredness enveloped me. “When do I tell him you’re coming?” I asked Terry instead of picking the fight he wanted. “I don’t know
ENZO MORETTI Terry and Isa were fighting because of me. I could hear them going at it behind the car. Terry yelled the most. He lacked basic manners and I wanted to throw his face against a wall or something sturdy. “You brought my son with someone I don’t know? What was your plan? To humiliate me?” Terry went at it again. I tried to look from the rear-view mirror but the image wasn't sufficient. Isa said something. All I was able to pick up was Ethan’s name. Unlike him, she was trying to keep her voice low. We were at the parking lot of a movie theater. Isa walked back to the car. Ethan was in the back seat with me. He was almost falling asleep. Poor kid. We’d been out for almost an hour. First, it was a complete problem locating where Terry was. Every time we parked and called him, he would say he had moved to another place. The guy was apparently busy somehow. And now that we had made it, he was still wasting our time. Isa made it to the car. She opened the back
ISABELLA GARCIA We arrived in a convoy of luxury, neat black cars. My nerves were a hot mess. I was this close to asking Enzo if I could return home. The closer we got, the more I wasn't sure if I wanted to be here. I was attending the funeral of the man who Enzo killed. What was more insulting than that? But I looked to my side to see Enzo with an impassive face. He was calm like he had everything under control. When he noticed I was looking at him, he flashed a smile my way. “Nervous?” Enzo asked as the car came to a halt. I nodded. “This is…a lot. Do we have to do this?” “Not really,” Enzo said in truth. “But this is the last chance to pay our respects. And you wanted to see his kid, make sure she's alive. She will be here.” I swallowed. It must be horrible for her to be here. I imagined Ethan having to attend my burial and my heart shattered. I shook the thought away and tried to gather myself. Someone opened Enzo’s door. Enzo got down and turned for
ENZO MORETTI The ceremony came to a quiet end. Because Larry didn't leave any family who had the strength to wail at his grave, he was buried quietly. His daughter and niece watched and occasionally, they would clean their eyes. But they didn't scream and cry out like their heart had been cut off. To them, they’d lost someone they knew and not someone they needed to survive. When I told Isa that Lily was better off without her father, I wasn't lying. At least now that she was in the foster home, she could stay away from drug influences and the dirty life. I closed my eyes for a moment to say my last prayers. “Father forgive me for I have sinned.” A calm settled in me after reciting that. I squeezed Isa’s hand and kissed her cheek. It was the first show of affection all afternoon. People were asking questions with their eyes and this was me giving them answers. This was how I made claim of my woman. “Is it over?” Isa asked, looking up at me. I wanted to take off her ha
CLEO GARCIA I received the email last night. I have struggled to not evaporate with joy, or let out a squeal in the office. I had to let it play out. I had to let my colleagues see my article get published in the New York Times before I burst. Only after then can I show my delight by jumping and shouting with glee. I had spent an extra thirty minutes getting ready today. My eyeliner had to be perfect, as well as my foundation and lipstick. When I walked into the office, I walked with my head high. It was around ten am that the publication got published. Five minutes later, there was a knock on my door. Debbie, a team member poked her head in. “Have you seen it?” Debbie asked, grinning. I played the oblivious game. “Seen what?” I asked. Her mouth hung open. Debbie walked into my office, giving me a look. “What?” I asked. Just say it already, Debbie. It’s getting harder to pretend. Debbie raised her tablet. “You got featured on this week's New York Times
ISABELLA GARCIA “Congratulations!” Echoed in the room as soon as Cleo walked in. Cleo jerked, too startled. She rested her hand on her chest, trying to calm her raging heart. I was laughing, filled with joy and admiration for my sister. One week on the job and shs was getting featured already? That was huge! Cleo closed her eyes and bent forward, her hand resting on her knee. “Jesus,” she whispered, shocked “Congratulations,” Marco told her, placing his hand on her back. He helped her to stand up. Enzo was at the other side of the room, answering a call. He tucked his phone in his pocket and came to meet me at our table. “Congratulation, Cleo,” Enzo said. “Why would you guys do this?” Cleo asked. Her eyes shifted from one person to the next. I was still smiling. “Becasue we love you and are proud of you,” I said, stating the obvious. Her question had even tickled me. I had chuckled before answering her. “I didn't ask anybody to do this for me!” Cleo cried, offended.
ISABELLA GARCIAI fell asleep on the couch in the living room because I was waiting for Enzo to come home.I opened my eyes, a little confused at first.I had never slept in the living room so my brain took a little time to process where I was.As soon as I understood, I sprung up. I checked the windows and confirmed that it was dark outside. The wall clock told me that it was the early hours of the morning. Ten minutes past three am. Where the hell was Enzo?I went upstairs, taking the stairs two at a time. My heart raced and my mind wouldn't stop thinking of the worst.“Please be upstairs,” I whispered the prayer to myself. I did this as I climbed the stairs. Deep in my heart, I knew it was unlikely for Enzo to be upstairs. If he had come back earlier, he would have woken me up so we could move to the bedroom together.He would have never let me sleep on the couch. Just as I expected, he wasn't in the room. I went for my phone immediately and called.Taking breathing exercise
ENZO MORETTII got upstairs, washed my face and towel-dried it. A knock sounded at the door. I went to open it, thinking it was Isa, but it wasn’t her."Room service?" the lady and gentleman announced with cordial smiles."You ordered breakfast for two," the lady said.I remembered. I stepped aside and let them bring the food inside. As they were leaving, Isa appeared behind them.They exchanged polite greetings before she stepped in. The door was bolted, and I headed straight to the medium-sized breakfast table to eat.Isa walked over. For a second, I thought she was going to sit with me, but she only checked her food, picked it up, and went to the dresser.That was where she preferred to eat. At least six inches away from me."You only ever talk about Cleo. I didn’t even know you had a mum," I said, making a move to break the ice between us.The tension in the air was heavier than anything I had experienced.The truth was, my brain wasn’t ready for this conversation.We were meeting
ISABELLA gARCIAJust like the rest of the attendings, we made our way to the next room. This one had a more intentionally designed space.It resembled a sports field. The chairs were arranged around the stage, and an elevated surface stood in the middle of the hall with a pulpit-like structure set up nearby.A new host took the mic, tapping it lightly as people moved around the space. Enzo and I led the way and sat on one of the high-back seats.I didn’t understand why the seats were so much compared to the attendings in the hall. There were plenty of people before, but as we had moved to the next room, which was much larger, the gaps between groups became even more noticeable. It was like evryone didn't join us to the bidding room. Empty seats remained unattended to while people moved in small groups of twos and fours. We sat down, and a tray of champagne was served to us almost immediately. The staff moved quickly, acting as if they weren’t there, slipping through the empty spaces
ISABELLA GARCIA “Did you mean what you said last night?” Enzo asked as soon as he killed the engine. He had an event to attend and had asked me to come with him. He asked a week ago, and I promised I would go. After everything that had happened yesterday, I wished I could back out, but I had given him my word. My presence in his life had disrupted things for him, no matter how humble he was about it. The least I could do was try to fix what I could while I was still here. But I knew we were finally going to have this conversation about what I said. With Bobby’s situation, there was no time last night. He was doing better now, thank God. Still in recovery though which was why Enzo was driving. He didn't want to give his job to any other person. I think he didn't trust any other person. “Going to my mum’s? Yes. I meant it, and I’m sure you understand why. Ethan… he can’t handle something like that, physically or mentally,” I said all at once. I was in the passenger seat, wearing
ENZO MORETTI I stood by the door as Isa put Ethan to sleep. It wasn’t much of a bedtime story tonight. Ethan talked about what his dad’s death meant, and Isa held him close. I didn’t want to disrupt them. If it were up to me, I would have waited outside, but Isa asked me to stay. She wanted me here. “If you want me to stay with you tonight, I can do that,” Isa offered as she tucked the blanket around Ethan. Ethan clutched his pillow, lying on his side as Isa brushed his forehead gently. “No, thank you,” Ethan murmured. Isa bent down and kissed his forehead. She lingered there, pressing her cheek against his for a moment. “I love you,” Isa whispered, so softly that I barely caught the words. “Call me if you need anything.” Isa said and straightened. “Goodnight,” Ethan told her. Isa watched him for a few seconds, then let out a quiet sigh and stepped back. She turned off the lamp which was the last source of light in the room. Even the blinds were shut. My eyes adjusted to t
ISABELLA GARCIA “This is so crazy, babe. Are you okay?” I rushed out to Enzo, flinging my bag onto our bed. Enzo sat at the edge of the bed, taking off his shoes. He was shirtless, his back carved into beautiful chunks of muscle that flexed as he moved. He turned to face me, his neck craning. I hurried across the room. I wanted to stop and take off my shoes too, but I needed to be beside him already. Enzo had called me while I was still with Cleo to tell me what Edwina did. Edwina was Terry’s mom. I hadn’t heard from her in months. She never really cared about Ethan and me, but she loved Terry. “I got dragged for answers. I wasn’t beat up,” Enzo assured me as I sat beside him. He held my chin, and I sighed, feeling safe in his warmth. “This is all my fault,” I breathed out. “If I wasn’t with you, you wouldn’t be dragged into this.” Enzo shook his head, his fingers sliding to the back of my head. “This is happening not just because I’m with you, but because of me.” H
ENZO MORETTI Nothing and nowhere is safe. Marco used to say that a lot. He never understood why we were even doing the press meets. To him, it was all fake, and the public could see right through it. “You sat there and spoke about a man you didn’t know, and you think that’s enough? We have to do more,” Marco said, his frustration clear. We finished the press conference at noon today. Normally, that would have been the end of our work for the day, but we still had meetings to handle at the office. It felt like everything was slowly falling apart. Every time we thought we were done, a new issue would come up, forcing us to sit and talk it through. The truth is, I am exhausted. But giving up and complaining would only make things worse. “Politicians are some of the fakest people on earth, but guess who votes for them? The masses.” I made my point with that statement and pulled my phone from my pocket. Isa had texted, saying she was okay. She also asked how the press meet went.
ISABELLA GARCIA Cleo crouched beside me, holding a glass of water. She lifted it to my lips, but I turned my head away, pushing it aside. A few drops spilled onto my chest, cool against my skin, but I didn’t care. My focus was locked on the unfamiliar face before me. I didn't mind the water at that moment. I had my tear-stained eyes on the face I didn't know. “I’m Debbie,” The woman said as an explanation. “We work together. Cleo and I.” Debbie spoke as if introducing herself could fix things. As though knowing her name would make having her here easier. But it wouldn’t. It only made things worse and knowing her name didn't mean I knew her Silence rang out and Debbie stood in the middle of the kitchen as the awkwardness choked every one of us. Cleo moved first. She reached for my hands, and this time, I let her help me up. Debbie hesitated, then stepped back, instinctively giving us space. She had to already know she wasn’t meant to be part of this moment. It wasn't
ISABELLA GARCIA I can get another car. Let Bobby wait with you,” Enzo said firmly. He was adamant about not leaving me alone at Cleo’s house, a place that had once been my home too. He had been so worried about me lately. It was sweet. I loved the feeling of being taken care of, of knowing that I was his priority. But I didn’t want to throw his entire day off just because of my presence. He and Marco had a packed schedule. They had a conference appearance to make and a board meeting to attend. If Enzo waited for another ride, he would be late. “We don’t know who has their eyes on you,” he said, stepping closer. His hands slid to my lower waist, pulling m body against his. I sucked in a breath, my body reacting instantly. Goosebumps rose along my arms and a fluttering warmth spread in my stomach. “She let me in,” I murmured to Enzo, lifting the key above my head to show him. His eyes flicked to it, but the sight barely softened his stance. He was still guarded, his expressio
CLEO GARCIA “It was the worst time of my life,” Debbie said, lifting the bottle to her lips. She took a slow, deliberate sip of water before continuing. “I was just a little girl on the school bus, and people loved to mess with the little girl. I sat at the back, kept quiet, and avoided eye contact. Until…” She raised her fingers slightly. There was a memory playing behind her eyelids. I could just tell in the silence of the pause. I reached for the bottle, and Debbie wordlessly pushed it into my palm. The early morning air was crisp as we walked, the quiet streets a stark contrast to the long, exhausting night we had spent clearing our work schedules. A colleague had celebrated his birthday, inviting a few of us from the office out for drinks. Debbie had brought me along, and afterward, I asked her to come over so we could wrap up some unfinished work. I was ready to make friends with her. We hadn’t spent the night exchanging stories or deepening what we knew about each other.