Chapter 201 - Don't Get Off My Pedestal - mdtres
Gustavo
I had Dante, my godson, on my chest. He was getting chubbier every day. It was like Inés or Guadalupe were putting magic powder in his bottles; he was blowing up. I kissed him on the forehead. In a few days, Mrs. Veronica would arrive. I was about to go down to see what was in the kitchen, I was so hungry, when a strong rotten smell hit my nose. I looked at the baby, and that little guy was staring back at me. He wasn't even a month old and already pooping like that?
"Guadalupe!"
The girl arrived with Victoria on her chest. Seeing my face, she knew why I had called.
"You're his godfather, clean him," she said mischievously.
"I don't know how to clean crap," I said.
Ask me to shoot someone in the head or chest, balance accounts or create business strategies, but I had never changed a diaper, not even for my little sisters.
"You'll learn."
She commented with a mocking smile, but look at the little girl who was messing with Mojón, she was quite the joker. In the place where babies are changed, she left me the diaper, wet wipes, cream for his bottom, and powder.
"It's not hard. If the orangutan of a kid learned, how come you can't?"
"You say it like I'm an idiot."
Arnold came in with Enrique on his chest. I imagine Roland had Liam; he always carried one of his kids. He hadn't rested, you could tell how much he missed his wife.
"Wow, you got smart."
I laughed at the Mexican's comment to my friend. I had put Dante on the couch; Arnold came closer, and when I took off the diaper, I wrinkled my nose. For being so small, he pooped like a skunk.
"No offense, but Roland's kids are rotten. Enrique poops the same." I laughed at Mojón's comment. He looked at his godson. "They're precious, but their intestines are rotten."
"Yeah, who would believe it, they're so small."
I felt assured because Guadalupe was supervising my movements. With all the faces I made, I did it. I left his bottom clean, and while Dante was laughing, I was making a thousand faces.
"Well, young man, now you smell like a baby again." I had put cologne on him and held him to my chest again. "You already had your bottle, now your uncle godfather is going to see what he can steal from your grandma Inés."
Our old lady had returned from Cebolla's house. The poor woman was another who never rested. Seeing her face light up when she saw us was priceless because even my mother, old Josefina, would give me affection again. I left the room of the quadruplets, leaving Arnold driving Enrique's godmother crazy, and headed to the kitchen when that voice made my balls climb up my throat.
"Gustavo."
I could have written to her that I didn't want to see her again and that we should leave whatever it was we had, but that was all talk. I turned around, and there she was, the woman who had completely messed me up for over two years. This time I wouldn't fall for that siren body, those delicious breasts, that natural grace, and those brown eyes. Now she would have to prove she loved me.
"Gladis..."
"Can we talk?"
I looked at her. She came closer and kissed Dante. God, this woman always smelled so good, so feminine. At that moment, Mirian came in. She was a married woman I had done a favor for, and I had asked for one in return. Every time she saw me, she smiled. I greeted her back, then returned my gaze to my torment.
"If you're not going to take long, tell me."
Dante pulled at my chest hair, and I winced and looked at him. I saw Gladis smile; she did the same thing.
"Aren't you going to say to him what you say to me?" I looked at her seriously again.
"What do you want?"
"To talk to you."
"Well, talk, woman."
"I came to apologize. I went too far with throwing the phone..."
Mirian passed by again and greeted us again. I saw her enter the kitchen and looked back at Gladis.
"Do you like her?"
"I find her attractive, and I'm telling you to your face, as I always said I would, even though we're nothing now, but so what? We've never been anything." Her eyes welled up, she tried to speak, and crossed her arms.
"Gus, don't fall off the pedestal I have you on..."
She turned and ran to the second floor. Mrs. Consuelo entered with Liam on her chest and shook her head. What could Gladis have meant by that? Roland's mom took my arm, and we entered the kitchen, where Mirian was.
"I did the favor, we're even. I hope Mrs. Gladis doesn't get mad at me."
Mrs. Consuelo put her hands on her hips and scolded me with her eyes. It was better to change the subject.
"Doesn't Roland have the kid?"
"Something came up, and he handed him over to me. However, I must tell you, no matter how playful they are, men always act like children." She was about to speak. "Do you know what Gladis's words mean?"
I scratched my head. I might know the accounting PUC inside out, but I don't understand old women, especially the one who makes my heart race.
"Mirian, get us a couple of juices. When you see Gladis, apologize honestly and tell her everything, especially about making her jealous over a favor you owed this teenager."
"Yes, ma'am." She handed us the juice glasses.
"Look, Gustavo, you need to understand us women. When a man we love treats us badly and degrades us as human beings under the pretense of love, and we put up with the worst for our children, it makes us skeptical, fearful, and bitter. That's our defense against the world. Once we break free from that yoke, and I speak from experience, we create a shield to avoid suffering again. It takes a brave man to wait long enough for a woman to trust again.
"Gladis believes in you, but I bet she tests you as a defense mechanism and to put you to the test." My heart raced. Mr. Fausto entered the kitchen.
"Hello, my dear lady." I saw them greet each other with a kiss on the forehead from Mrs. Veronica's father.
"Now you understand a bit of what she told you... 'Don't fall off my pedestal'? Make her tell you how she feels."
"Do you need to talk to Gladis?" I looked at Dante. Mr. Fausto took off his shirt, leaving him in a white t-shirt. "Give me my grandson, go and fix whatever you've caused."
I didn't think twice; I wasn't going to look for her, but as Arnold says, I was a mess because of her. I handed the child to his grandfather, who showered him with kisses. If kangaroo kids needed family warmth, Roland's kids had plenty, which is why they were so chubby.
"Thank you, Mrs. Consuelo."
"You're welcome, son."
I stopped at the door and went back, giving her a kiss on the forehead just as Roland entered, covered in mud.
"What's with the familiarity with my mom?" he said, laughing. "Father-in-law, how do you allow such rudeness?" Everyone laughed.
"I think your mother just worked a miracle, don't ask me." Mr. Fausto responded, laughing. "In three days, my daughter will be here. We need to prepare a welcome."
"Yes, it's almost time."
I left them talking; I needed to clear things up with Gladis. I climbed the stairs. Would she be in my room or another? I opened the door and saw the suitcase next to the furniture in the room. She was taking a shower... no, she wasn't, I heard her crying.
I took off my clothes, locked the door, and entered the bathroom without her noticing. The boss's constructions were all works of art, and without a doubt, one of his obsessions was the bathrooms, which were spacious. I opened the glass door and entered. Her eyes were red.
"Isn't it too late?" she said with such sadness.
I had never seen her so vulnerable; she had always been proud. I smiled, caressed her cheek, and suddenly lifted her, pressing her against the wall. I held her so high that her delicious breasts were at the level of my mouth, and I claimed them. Slowly, I brought her down to reach her mouth. Gladis's skin was so soft, or maybe my hands were so calloused from years of working on the old Josefina's farm in Córdoba. I loved how she shivered when I touched her.
"Do you think it's too late, Queen? Do you have so little faith in me?" She started to shake her head.
"I was afraid of my stupidity. I don't want to suffer again, Mrs. Josefina." I pulled back a bit. "I spent a few days at your house, with your mom." Her voice trembled. "She told me many things, not in your favor, but to stop being so stupid. She scolds a lot."
"So, you did talk to my mother."
Her legs were still around my waist, and my hands began to roughly caress her body.
"She told me many truths, she confronted me strongly, and she told me what I've seen and know about you."
"And that is..."