The deception between us

Nelson eyed us both warily after I had given him the devastating news about my sister's illness. Despite the seriousness of the situation, his distrust of Luis José was evident. There was something about him that didn't inspire confidence, and Nelson wasn't that far from the truth.

"I'm so sorry about your sister," Nelson said. I hope everything is resolved. But I imagine they won't mind if I accompany them. Between the three of us we can talk better about April's problem, don't you think, darling? Also, very soon I will be part of your family, so everything that happens with them concerns me.

My hands shook, and anxiety chilled me inside. I felt like my legs would give out at any moment and I would collapse to the ground.

"It's not necessary, Nelson," I replied. Luis José and I have already finished talking. In fact, I was on my way out when you entered the cafe.

Luis José immediately intervened to support what I had just said:

—You're right, Ana Paula. April must be restless waiting for me. I told him I was just going out for a moment, and it's already late.

"But at least tell me if you plan to tell the whole family," Nelson insisted. I think this is too serious to keep hidden for long.

I quickly thought of an answer, I couldn't allow Nelson to say something to April or in the worst case scenario to my parents. How would I explain to my sister that Luis José had the confidence to tell me? Noooo! Do not even think about it!

—We must treat this problem with tact. We can't ignore April if she doesn't want our parents to find out about her illness. So please, Nelson, don't say anything. Besides, I have to go home now.

"Don't go, honey," Nelson said with a smile. Did you forget that we have a pending conversation since last night?

—I haven't forgotten, Nelson, but I don't think it's the right time.

"I think it's the perfect time," he insisted. This coffee shop seems like the ideal place to talk about secrets. Why don't you stay a few minutes with your future husband so we can talk about that pending conversation, sweetheart?

Luis José's expression reflected his annoyance, but he couldn't do anything and risk everything coming to light. He simply said:

-Well I have to go. I leave you to speak at your leisure.

Nelson, sarcastically, added:

—Farewell, Luis José. See you soon and I hope you don't miss our wedding, I remind you that in a month Ana Paula will be my future wife.

Luis José preferred not to say a single word. He forced a smile and left the cafe in a hurry. Nelson forced me to return to the table where minutes before I was speaking with Luis José. He was determined to get an explanation as to why he hadn't answered his calls while he was in Cancun.

"Well, Ana Paula," Nelson said, "can you explain to me what's wrong?" Why didn't you answer any of my calls? Is there something I don't know?

—There's nothing wrong with me, Nelson. I didn't answer your calls because, as you may have noticed, I had a small accident in Cancun and hurt my foot. I felt bad and didn't want to talk to anyone. That's all.

—That's not enough reason to ignore my calls. Also, why did you have to meet your brother-in-law here at this cafe at this time of the morning? It seems like you are doing good things that seem bad.

Despite my nerves, I tried to maintain my composure in front of my fiancé. But there was something in me that made Nelson distrust my words.

"You're making up meaningless problems," I replied. Luis José just wanted me to be aware of April's illness. Don't you realize how serious the situation is? Oh my God! It's about my sister's life.

—No, I don't see the harm in wanting to talk about April's illness, what I don't understand is why they had to meet here in this cafe to talk about something that they could have discussed at home without her realizing it.

—Enough, Nelson! I don't have the courage to continue listening to you.

At that moment, as I tried to get up from the table, Nelson firmly stopped me, grabbing my wrist. He was an arrogant and controlling man who did not tolerate being interrupted.

"We haven't finished talking," he said. You are used to doing things your way, but I want to remind you that in a month you will be my wife, and things will change for you.

—I don't understand why you act like that with me. You should give me an explanation too. What are you doing here in this cafe at this time of the morning instead of being at the buffet?

"It's simple," Nelson replied. I was going to meet a client who has his business nearby. I have nothing to hide, unlike you, who's been acting strange lately.

—For me, this conversation is over. I must return home. I'm tired, I haven't slept well because of the pain in my foot, and I don't want to talk to you anymore.

With the pain throbbing in my foot, I stood up from the chair with the urge to escape the cafe. Limping, I hurried out, leaving behind the aroma of coffee and Nelson's questioning gaze. I could no longer stand his constant stalking.

Nelson sat there, watching me walk away. He looked at his watch and, with a determined expression, took out his cell phone and dialed a number:

—Hello, I'm Nelson. Starting today, I want you to watch Ana Paula 24 hours a day. I need detailed reports of every move, every step you take, and anyone who approaches you.

-Got it boss. Anything else?

-Yeah. Investigate everything about a certain Luis José Simanca. He is my sister-in-law's husband, but he doesn't give me a good feeling. I want that information for yesterday, do you understand me?

—Sure, I'll do my best.

—I hope for results soon. Call me when you have something.

Nelson hung up and left the cafe. He walked a few steps until he reached an old building that was very close. He knocked on the door of one of the apartments and, instantly, a woman came out to greet him effusively:

—Honey, I was looking forward to seeing you. Did you buy something for breakfast at the cafe?

He pulled her close, kissing her passionately:

—I couldn't buy anything. An unexpected problem arose in the cafeteria.

-A problem? What happened?

—I met Ana Paula.

-That? Do you know anything about us?

—No, calm down. Ana Paula would never suspect anything bad about her best friend. Also, I bought this apartment for our meetings. What I didn't expect was to find her there.

—And what were you doing in the cafeteria at this time of the morning and so far from your house?

"I don't want to talk about that, honey." There's something that doesn't add up to me yet, but I'll find out very soon. Let's better order something to eat.

Maribel, my supposed best friend, had shared years of studies with me since school. However, deep inside, she always longed for what I had, that is: my future husband, with his considerable fortune. I introduced them at one of the family parties without imagining that they would later become lovers.

Since then, I still didn't know what was happening between them. But now, with the pain in my foot and the suspicion in my heart, everything was starting to fall into place. Betrayal was closer than he imagined.

(…)