Chapter 299 - Men of Character - meters
Guadalupe
"This little girl pushed me!"
The first slap was heard. Patricia was a strong woman, facing off like a fighting rooster.
"Are you going to lie?! You know this apartment has cameras. Just tell your boyfriend to check them, and he'll know the truth." Selene turned red.
"You're a liar!"
The second slap was even harder than the first. Alfredo smiled and looked at something on his small computer.
"Selene, are you calling Patricia a liar?"
"To you, she's a brat, immature and annoying." This was getting uncomfortable. Rino's cold stare was frightening.
"She knows it. I've told her myself on several occasions. Now get out of my apartment, and rest assured you won't get past the reception again. Lupe, Patricia, let's go get that ice cream." These men were terrible.
"You promised to take me!"
"That was before you said I was your boyfriend and tried to hit my nieces. Believe me, I'm not kicking you out because I'm a gentleman."
"But I'm a woman."
Patricia said, grabbing her by the hair with a force that left us both stunned. She dragged her to the door, kicked her out, and ended up with a piece of the wig she was wearing. I saw her wince in pain after the kick.
"Are you okay?"
"You guys go ahead. I'm going to lie down." We watched her leave and walk carefully.
"She got hurt," Alfredo said. "She was already healing." I noticed some concern; he was just like my Güerejo.
"Maybe, but at least she had the satisfaction of dragging her rival. I couldn't do the same with that idiot Marcela. Now let's get my ice cream and find my mom. Then you can check how Patricia is doing."
"That sounded very suggestive," he said as we got into the elevator.
"I think I said it very directly. Look, I'm carrying two of Arnold's children. Don't you think I know him well enough to detect certain things?"
"Lately, you refer to Arnold with affection."
"I've never stopped loving him, but that doesn't mean I'm not angry with him for not telling me what was going on." His phone rang, and I smiled, knowing it was my Güerito.
"Tell me... they're fine... Yes, she's eaten breakfast, lunch, dinner, and every two hours she asks for something different. Right now, I'm taking her to get an Oreo ice cream... Yes, she's listening to me talk to you... No, she doesn't want to talk to you... I'll tell her... Yes, Inés will be here soon. In fact, I'm going with her to pick them up... the surgery is still on the same date."
They decided to tell him my C-section was in three weeks, not one, to prevent him from coming to this country where he could be killed for something his father did.
"I'd say she looks like a ball with legs." I punched Alfredo, and he smiled. "Yes, sir, with my life, you tell me every day." My heart was pounding. How I wished he were here. They stopped talking. "You forgave him, didn't you?"
"A long time ago. When there's no more anger, you can see the details. They were going to do something important the day I arrived with the mariachis. The way Arnold protected me and handed me over to Miguel to get me out of that place confirmed that he cares about me.
"Then I got angry that he didn't tell me, and I remembered Mr. Roland's story with Veronica. He pretended to be dead. It wasn't surprising that my güerito pretended to be married.
"Then the letters I received from the girls asking for forgiveness, seeing you appear and disappear for something. Taking care of me, putting up with me."
We got into the car. I only had a coat, no hats or gloves, not even a scarf. We arrived at an ice cream shop.
"Are you sure you want ice cream in this weather?" Inside the car was warm because of the heater, but outside, everyone was bundled up. "Wait here."
He went out and came back with my ice cream. Then we went to the airport. I stayed in the car, but I got out when I saw my mom and started crying. Her hugs were so comforting. Then Inés's.
"Wasn't Mr. Simón coming?"
"They're very busy," Inés said happily. "Lupe, you look beautiful. Pregnancy suits you well."
"Is this all the luggage you brought?" Alfredo asked.
"Yes, dear." Inés kissed him. "I'm so glad you're part of this group they've created. It makes me very happy."
"I think you need to fill me in on a lot of things."
Those beautiful black eyes of that lovely woman looked at me intently. She stroked my belly and gave us two kisses.
"I'm their grandmother. I already want to meet Dimitri and Deidamia." How does she know that's what I want to name them?
"There are cameras in the apartment, right?" I looked at Alfredo.
"Yes," Inés answered. "And Arnold only has access to your room. Are you still mad at him?" I shook my head. She flashed those perfect white teeth. "Then you deserve this." She handed me a memory card. "Watch it and we'll talk tomorrow."
I felt happy to have them, but I already wanted to be back in the apartment in my room. We showed them the room they would share, said our goodbyes. And before Alfredo left, he couldn't help but ask.
"Carlina, Patricia, are you okay?"
"I treated her, it wasn't serious."
"Did you give her the pain pill?"
Carlina stared at him and nodded. Inés, always so ahead of things, was analyzing the girl. Alfredo left.
"I have a shift, I won't be back for the next four hours."
"God bless you, son," Inés blessed him, leaving Alfredo both puzzled and hopeful. "Are you the one who managed to soften Lobo's tough exterior?"
"I never saw that tough exterior in him."
"You're very sweet, but we'll talk about many things tomorrow. Where's Patricia?"
"She must be asleep. You'll find out some things tomorrow."
"I hope they're all good." My mother didn't stop hugging me and caressing her grandchildren.
We all wished each other sweet dreams. I couldn't wait, so I took the laptop to see what they had sent me. It was many of the operations Arnold was involved in, how much he talked to Lobo about me, how he yelled at his father that he wouldn't touch Marcela.
He told his brothers he was going crazy not seeing me. I couldn't stop crying and felt the urge to talk to him. It was early morning, I needed to hear his voice. Alfredo! I was still dressed when I left the room and he was entering my apartment, it was my apartment.
Arnold had bought it for me and his children, like the one in Blanco, what they are doing to save those children, women forced into prostitution, everything he does to be worthy of his children, how could I not love this man more than I already do.
"Alfredo..."
"Lupe, I..."
"I know why you came." In his hands, he had a bag with medication. "She hasn't gotten up since we arrived. Alfredo, I need to talk to Arnold, please," I looked at him for a moment.
"I'll call the girl who helps them, she's a..."
"I know who she is. Don't worry."
"Okay." He dialed, and I was biting my nails. "Arinka, is Arnold next to you?" Silence. "I understand, when he arrives, tell him to call me as soon as possible... No! His children haven't been born yet." I was happy to know he talked to them about his children.
"Is he not there?" I asked.
"They're on a mission, with Rasca culo and Rata."
"Then it's dangerous if Rata and the group's sniper went." I saw him smile. "Don't go, let's wait to see if he calls."
He sat on the couch, and I started pacing. Half an hour later, I saw Patricia come out of her room, a bit groggy, heading to the kitchen. She didn't notice us, and Alfredo's face when he saw her in that white silk robe. Then I saw him clench his fists.
"Patricia!" She dropped the water jug.
"You scared me! What are you doing here?"
"You know this house has cameras, and all the group members can see you. They're watching you dressed like that."
"So?"
She went to get the mop, and Alfredo headed to the kitchen while I looked out the window. Outside, everything was snow, the cold was immense, but the apartment's heating kept us warm. Rino's phone rang.
"Put something on!" He was annoyed, answered, "Tell me... don't worry, everything's fine..." I took the phone from him.
"Güerito?"
"Renacuaja." I started crying. "Sirena, don't cry or I swear I'll come to get you."
"You can't come, don't do it, please. I'm sorry for being childish."
"And for calling me a filthy rat?"
Like a fool, I started laughing while the tears kept flowing. How I missed his voice, my babies moved in my belly.
"Forgive me for that too. I love you."
"You don't know how happy it makes me to hear you say that. I love you too, my Cinnamon Skin." It was the first time he said it, and I cried again. "I'm sorry for not saying it before, but you are my life, Guadalupe. I swear I'll make up for all these nights I've seen you cry. I love seeing you caress our children."
"Your children make me cry."
"Well, tell my little Dimitri to behave and my Little Mermaid to listen to her mom." He had always been watching me, always been there, taking care of me. "It's almost time, love. Soon, I'll have you with me again."
"Are you going to hang up?"
"I'll call you again tomorrow. Stop eating so much ice cream, you're in Germany at minus three degrees, and your cheeks are going to burst."
"I'm not fat, just big-bellied."
I smiled. It was as if nothing had happened. I needed to hug him, but if I said that, he'd be here, and it would be dangerous.
"Wait for my call, I love you."