*Andrea*I placed my hand on my chest as I walked past him. How did he know about the necklace? I looked behind me and then pulled out the necklace from my shirt.Maybe I should have thrown it away that day. He would not have seen it if I had thrown it away.I resumed walking. I excused myself before the end of the event. I went to Austin's school to pick him up personally. When we got home, Alison was behind her laptop, her hair tied in a messy bum and held with a pen.“I didn't think you'd be here,” I told her. She had said she had somewhere to be, which was why I had to pick Austin myself.“I didn't go.” Austin hugged her. “There's lunch in your room,” Alison said as Austin leaped to his room. He didn't allow anyone to help him take off his school clothes. In his words, he was a big boy, and he could take care of himself.After he left, I threw my bag on the couch.“I've seen the news; your design is amazing; who would have known you have this talent?’ Alison asked. “I'm so hap
*Alejandro*They say there comes a time in your life when you feel you've been lied to all your life, a time where you feel you could be thrown into whatever pit and you won't have to budge and if you ask me, that time is now for me.I have never felt so many different emotions at the same time. My chest tightened with each word I spoke to Andrea and each word she said in reply.Austin had been my son. This explains the unwarranted fondness, why I couldn't get him out of my head.I was heartbroken, but part of me was overjoyed. I watched Andrea break down and pulled her in. “I won't ever take Austin away from you, never. You have my word. I want him in my life; you don't need to be out. I want you both in my life.”I had always wanted to be part of Lucas's life when he was little but wasn't because of business trips and how broken I was when Nora left, I didn't want to commit the same errors with Austin.She sobbed in my chest, and I patted her head. When she was done, she pulled awa
*Nora*Alejandro has not been home for two days. His door was locked, and he wasn't taking my call or returning my text.I knew he had other buildings in the city, but I never thought it was necessary to find them, never thought I needed them until now. So I decided to follow him. I went to work with him and stayed at a distance, waiting for his car to drive out of the building. When it finally did, I followed him. He drove mindlessly around the city for a while, and I wondered what was wrong with him.After the day he came home drunk, I knew something was up, but I couldn't bring myself to ask him. What if he doesn't want to talk about it? I didn't want to force it; that's the last thing I wanted to do. So, the next day, I followed him secretly around the city, but I found no clue. After another two days and he didn't come back home, I decided it was time to visit the penthouse. What if he was hiding something there?I was granted entry into the penthouse immediately after I iden
*Andrea*I didn't want to leave Alejandro alone with Austin. But I allowed my trust in Alejandro to get the better of me. Maybe it would be better if they had some time together. Alison walked into my room with me, saying, “I am so sorry. This is all my fault. Alejandro is here because of me. If I had known he was at the door, I wouldn't have said what I said.” I didn't blame her. It wasn't her fault; she was just being a good friend.I pulled her hand, and together, we sat on the edge of the bed. “I don't think you are at fault,” I said, placing my hands on hers. So don't ever blame yourself.” I knew one day he would find out about Austin. I was just pained I wasn't able to hide him for long.“What did he say about Austin?” She wanted to know. I closed my eyes and signed, removing her hands from mine, I pushed some loose strands of hair off my face.I recounted the entire conversation I had with Alejandro to her. She slanted her head to the side, paying vivid attention as I spoke.
*Alejandro*I sat behind my desk, my chair rolling around. If you ask me, I'd say the past few days have been the happiest in my life. I have a son. Not like I didn't have one before, but I have Austin. He was given to me by the woman I love. Anna.Her real name is Andrea, but I still call her Anna sometimes. Regardless of what happens, she'll always be my Anna. My relationship with her has been progressing subtly. I have decided not to rush it. I fear she may shut me out completely if I do.I sent her a message and flowers a while ago, but she didn't reply or anything. I didn't mind. I am sure it made her mind flutter. My life was slowly falling back into place, and I was super glad about that. Andrea was worried about Nora and I knew I'd have to settle it once and get it all. I don't love Nora and I am sick and tired of this relationship we had. I am sure Andrea would want to be with me when Nora is out of my life. I have to talk to my lawyer and get things in place. The nex
*Andrea*I drove Austin home myself. Since they had already been here to pick him up, I figured out it would be better to just take him home.Alison lay on the sofa when I walked in with Austin. He said a greeting to her before proceeding into his room. “You brought him home again today, " her eyes shifted to the clock. “But it's not yet time,” I dropped on the chair.The event a while ago was tiring. I stood; I needed to quench the burning within me. “Is something wrong?” Alison asked.“No,” I opened the water bottle I had just taken out of the fridge. I walked with the bottle to take a seat on the couch in front of Alison.“You won't believe that Alejandro and Dave went to Austin's school at the same time. Both claim to be his father and request that he come with them,” I still couldn't wrap my head around it.It wasn't something that happened every time. “You can't blame Dave. He has always been like dad to Austin," I leaned into the chair.Sigh.She was right. It wasn't like I
*Alejandro*Soft jazz music resounded in the background. Glass clinked as people murmured. I walked towards the booth where Lucas was seated. He had a glass of tequila in front of him. He had his head down; his finger was dancing on the screen of his phone. “Son,” he raised his head, his eyes quickly meeting mine.“Dad,” he called and stood. We hugged, his cologne engulfing me.It was nice to see him extend his hand to me in a hug; it made me feel like I was on top of the world.“How have you been?” I asked, taking my seat, “I didn't know you were back. I got no call or text from you.” I said, signally a barman with my fingers. “When did you arrive in LA?” “I've been in this City for a few days now; as you can see, I'm doing well.” He said. I gave my orders to the barman.Lucas typed on his phone again before placing it on the table in our middle. “I guess you must have been busy?” He asked and I nodded. “I have been, but I'm sorry. If I had known you were around, I'd have made t
*Andrea*Sun rays beamed into the room through the window. I had that window locked, and I squinted my eyes, ‘so, who opened it?’My eyes were yet to adjust to the light flooding the room. I laid my back on the wooden frame, one hand rubbing the sleep out of my eyes.Everything was the same, but a feeling I couldn't put my hand on settled in the pit of my stomach.What happened yesterday? I tried to recall if anything went amiss.Just then, my nose tinged, and I yawned lazily.I turned my head, and my eyes fell on a man who was fast asleep close to me. I almost leapt out of bed; I was about to shout when I recognized him.Alejandro?What was he doing here? And on my bed? I furrowed my gaze. Oh no…I raised the duvet and quickly checked myself to see if he had touched me. But he hasn't; I was fully clothed. How did he get on my bed? I wanted to hit him or do anything just to wake him, but I couldn't bring myself to. Instead, I found myself scouting closer to him; his eyes were close