P E D R OI couldn't contain my happiness as we entered the cinema and took our seats. After dragging me off like a bag of potatoes, Selena stopped by a corner and told me to fuck off. It was as if she was running away from someone and wanted to abandon me when she was done using me.I had to remind her that she used me first and it was my turn to return the favour. After making a fuss and fuming, she finally agreed to watch the movie with me and I couldn't help but let out a satisfactory smile, knowing she was right by my side even though it would only last for a couple of minutes.“Stop staring at me,” she snapped, reaching into the bowl of popcorn and taking a generous handful. She shoved it into her mouth, chewing with an exaggerated crunch. She kept her eyes focused on the screen, determined to ignore me.I felt like I'd been slapped, even though she hadn't touched me. I had to admit, I'd been staring. It was hard not to - she was so beautiful, and her every movement was mesmeriz
S E L E N A I wiped the water off my face with the handkerchief Pedro had given me when I came to the bathroom. I looked up at the mirror and saw a face that looked half-dead, pale and drawn. I looked exhausted as if I hadn't slept in days. Crying was not something I usually did, and I was mortified to have broken down in front of Pedro over a movie. But the character in the movie had reminded me so much of my own past experience with Pedro and his ex-lover that I couldn't help but feel overwhelmed. The memories of that time came flooding back, and I couldn't hold back my emotions.It felt like running away wasn't the best option, I felt like I should have stayed behind. But what would have happened? Would my life has been like that character who died for love?“Um,” I took a deep breath, trying to push the what-ifs out of my mind. Whatever decision I could have made, I knew that leaving the city had been the right choice. If I hadn't left, I never would have met Christopher. Meetin
P E D R OI walked into my study, balancing a steaming cup of coffee and a brown envelope in my hands. Carefully, I placed the coffee on the table and pulled out a chair, settling down to review the contents of the envelope. I took a deep breath and exhaled slowly, trying to calm my nerves. I knew this was going to be a long night.As I opened the envelope, I could feel my heart racing. I wasn't sure if I was ready to see what was inside, but I had to face it head-on. The contents of the envelope were the information about Selena that the spy had promised to send me. Even though I had spent a lovely evening with her at the movie theatre, I wasn't sure if I was ready to learn the truth about who she really was. But I knew that it was something I had to do, for my good.What if she turned out to be someone else entirely? What if she was my Selena and still denied everything, even when faced with the proof? I couldn't bear the thought of it, but I knew I had to be prepared for anything.
S E L E N A“Chrissy…” I started to say, but before I could finish, Christopher brushed past me and headed for the stairs. I watched him go, feeling my heart sink. It had been days since our night at the cinema, and he had barely spoken to me since. Even Liam had started to notice the change in his behaviour towards me.I didn't know what to do. I felt like I was losing my best friend like my brother, and I didn't know how to fix it. I felt helpless like there was nothing I could do to make things right again.I followed him down the stairs, my footsteps heavy on the wood. When we reached the living room, I saw Liam sitting on the floor with a sketchbook in front of him, his pencil moving quickly across the page while his babysitter sat down to guide him.Christopher paused for a moment, watching Liam draw on his sketchbook.I watched them from the doorway, not wanting to interrupt, but not sure what to do. I felt like an outsider like I was intruding on a private moment. But I couldn
P E D R O My heart was racing with joy at the thought of seeing Selena again. It had felt like a lifetime since I last saw her at the cinema last weekend.I adjusted my tie, anxiously waiting for the coffee to finish brewing. As soon as it was ready, I grabbed two cups and made my way out of the break room, eager to see Selena again.I rounded the corner and stopped by my office to check myself out if I still looked presentable.I wanted to look my best for her, both polished and professional. I wanted to make a good impression, to show her that I was worthy of her attention. Maybe, if I was lucky, I could even outshine that smug guy, stupid Christopher fucking Andre.I knew it was vain and ridiculous, but I couldn't help myself. I wanted Selena to see me at my best, to know that I was more than what she had seen so far. I wanted to impress her, to make her see me in a new light. I knew it was silly, but I couldn't shake the feeling.I felt a mix of excitement and anxiety washing ove
S E L E N AI've always been a bit hard on myself, but I never imagined I would make such a huge mistake. It's embarrassing and frustrating, and I'm having a hard time forgiving myself. Running away from there when he clearly didn't care for me felt like I was trying to force myself on him, hoping that he would eventually change his mind and want to be with me. It was a desperate and misguided attempt to win him over, and I'm embarrassed by how I acted. I should have respected his boundaries and accepted that he wasn't interested in me.In hindsight, I could see that I was being a bit delusional and ignoring the obvious signs that he wasn't interested in me. I placed my hand on my chest, trying to steady my racing heart. I opened the door and walked into the room, not knowing what was on the other side. I didn't care where I was going, as long as it was away from everyone else. All I wanted was to be alone and collect my thoughts. I hoped that Christopher would forgive me for my mis
P E D R OI watched as Christopher fucking Andre led Selena to his car, a lump forming in my throat. They seemed so happy together, like two puzzle pieces that fit perfectly. And I felt like I was on the outside, looking in. I felt like a failure like I had lost everything. I should have been more honest with her, I should have told her the truth about Louisa. I should have told her that she was nothing to me, that I had moved on. But I hadn't, and now I was paying the price. I felt a wave of regret wash over me, a feeling of what-ifs and could-have-been. Watching Selena get into the car and drive away, I felt like Christopher Andre had won. He had driven her out of my life, out of my messed-up life. And I couldn't help but feel like I had lost. Like I had failed. I wondered if I would ever be able to get her back, to make things right. The door crept open and I didn't bother to check since I had strangely registered her fucking scent in my nostril.“Why did you do that?” I asked,
P E D R O“You don't actually believe what that nutjob said, do you?” Roy said, shutting the door behind him as he entered the living room. His tone was incredulous, as if he couldn't believe that I might be taking Louisa seriously. I could tell he was sceptical, and I wasn't sure what to think myself.“I don't know what to believe,” I said, my voice sounding small and unsure. I was still processing the things Louisa had said to me. They were outrageous, but part of me couldn't shake the feeling that there might be some truth to them.What if my father had truly said that? What if, after all these years of being at odds with the Santos family, they've finally reconciled and want to pair me and Louisa together, even though my father had shut me out because of her five years ago?“Do you really think your father did that?” Roy asked as he sat down on the couch next to me, an apron tied around his neck and the scent of cooking oil wafting from his clothes. He looked at me with concern, c