Chapter 64

AURORA.

As Lola and I settled into a conversation that evening in our small cozy living room, a question hung in the air. I’d been wanting to bring it up with her ever since two nights ago when I’d made my decision after speaking to Abuela, but what with everything that had been happening with Nathaniel and me, it just never seemed like a good time. It was Lola who eventually broached the topic, her voice carrying a mixture of curiosity and concern as she asked, “Are you really giving up on selling the copyright, Aurora?”

I met her gaze with a somber nod, feeling the weight of my decision settle upon me once more. “Yes,” I replied, my voice steady but tinged with resignation. “It just didn’t feel right.”

Lola's next question touched on a subject that had been lingering at the periphery of my thoughts. “Is it because you’re worried about seeing Mateo regularly?” she inquired, her words spoken softly as if treading on delicate ground.

My response came without hesitation, my thoughts on the matter clear. “Not really,” I admitted. There was nothing between Mateo and me anymore. It didn’t matter if I saw him every day but I’d rather not anyway. “I just want any opportunity that comes my way to be as a result of my own abilities, rather than through anyone’s connections.”

I felt a deep desire for independence and a longing to prove myself, to stand on my own merits and carve my own path. The prospect of relying on Mateo's connections was not one that appealed to me. I wanted to earn opportunities through hard work and dedication, to find success that was wholly my own.

With a sense of purpose, I continued, sharing my intentions with Lola. “I plan to participate in the bidding for the film and television project rights at the film company,” I explained, telling her about the new bidding that came up weeks ago in the production company before my work had been chosen. I wasn’t entirely convinced Mateo had not had a hand in it and I wanted to be sure this was all me. “And I hope to earn this opportunity through my own merits.”

“I can understand that.” Lola nodded, giving me a small smile. “And I have no doubt you’ll do well on your own.”

“Thank you, Lolita.” I returned her smile and then paused. “I meant to tell you something. I found out who Thane is.”

Lola’s jaws dropped. “No,” she gasped. “How? Who is he? Did he come to you or did you go to him? Did he tell you why he didn’t reach out? Tell me everything!” Now she was resting on her heels, her eyes shining with wonder.

I laughed at the look on her face, knowing that if I played with her a little more, she would pounce on me. “Alright, I’ll tell you. It’s my boss,” I said, a small smile dancing on my lips. “Nathaniel.”

Lola blinked for what seemed like an eternity, shell-shocked. “What?”

“I’m serious. Apparently, he’s known for a while now. He confessed it to me on Valentine’s Day.”

“Jesus,” Lola breathed, falling back on her butt. “I did not see that coming.” Her mouth formed a surprised ‘O’ and she seemed to be reeling from the information I’d just given her. Then all of a sudden, she was smiling. Then she was grinning. A large grin that almost split her face into two from the middle. “You're married to a wealthy man?” she exclaimed, her voice filled with genuine astonishment.

I nodded, unable to help the rolling of my eyes even if I’d tried. “Yes, Nathaniel is a successful businessman,” I confirmed, and even though it was flattering that the man I’d married was a billionaire, it didn’t matter to me because I was not interested in his money.

Lola's face lit up. “You know,” she began, “I think I saw him once at the hospital, the day you forgot the pills at the pharmacy. He was walking out of your grandmother’s room and I remember thinking it was weird because you hadn’t told me your grandmother was having any visitors.” Her brows furrowed as she tried to recollect the details. “I had no idea that was him. Damn, he’s hot.”

As she continued, Lola's expression shifted from puzzlement to amusement. “Oh, I remember now!” she exclaimed. “Justin once told me a young man accosted him in the hallway after accusing him of sleeping with another man’s wife, which is very odd because Justin prefers men,” she chuckled. “Now that I think about it, that was probably him.”

I couldn't help but burst into laughter at the absurdity of that situation. “Oh, Lolita,” I chuckled, “that was a case of mistaken identity. Nathaniel mistook Justin for my lover. He apologized though.”

Lola joined in the laughter, finding the entire scenario amusing. “In his defense, I would too. Justin is a fine man,” she teased. “But I must say, it is absolutely absurd that he did not recognize his own wife.”

“Well, I didn’t recognize him either.”

Our laughter died down. “It feels like something out of a dumb rom-com: Boy and Girl get married but don’t recognize each other. Years after, Boy hires Girl to be his assistant even though they’re married. They spend half a year in each other’s company before one of them finally realizes they’re married.”

“Ugh,” I groaned at the sound of Lola’s laugh. “When you say it like that, it does sound stupid. How did I not see it?”

Lola chuckled. “So, what do you plan on doing about all of this?” she asked. “I mean, there’s Winter, Mateo and now this?”

I shrugged, smirking. “The same as before, I suppose. I just have one more admirer.”

Lola, always quick with her wit, teased me in return. “One more admirer who happens to be a billionaire and is your husband,” she quipped, her eyes sparkling with amusement. Then her tone shifted to one of marvel. “We used to dream of becoming wealthy after selling novel rights,” she mused, staring up at the ceiling, “and now Aurora has gone and married a billionaire.”

I leaned in, my expression serious. “No,” I said earnestly, “I still want to become wealthy on my own.” I did not want to be branded as the woman who became rich by marriage. Till the day they died, my parents had taught me the importance of hard work and independence. Constantly hoping someone would swoop in and save me was not a characteristic I’d grown up with. I’d been taught to fight for myself, work hard and be my own person. Just because I’d married a wealthy man was not going to change that.

Lola met my gaze with an equally serious look, and there was a depth of understanding in her eyes as she replied, “Then let's do it. Let’s work hard together.”

At that moment, as we made this silent pact, it felt as though our dreams and aspirations were given new life. Lola and I had always shared a vision of success, one that was rooted in our own efforts and achievements. Now, I felt even more determined to carve my own path, to prove that I could achieve the wealth and success I had always strived for, regardless of the circumstances that life had thrown my way.