Chapter 32: A Good Guy

Chapter 32: A Good Guy
MERA

“Do you have a minute?” Camila asked as I stood up from the dining table after lunch. We had not spoken since two days ago, when she overheard me and Camilo. Ava had been at the house before Camilo left, and I was a nervous wreck the entire time, expecting her to burst into my room and confront me. However, she didn't.

“Yes, I do." I sat back down. 

"I am disappointed in you and Camilo," she began. "You have put me in a bad position. If Ava finds out the truth, she will hate you. I don’t want to have to choose between two people I care deeply about. I know you’re not a bad person, Mera. So I believe you made a mistake. As a result, I am prepared to move past what happened. I will not tell Ava, and I will not ask you to, either. But I need you to promise me that it will not happen again."

“It won’t, Camila. I swear."

“Good. Because now I’ve involved myself in your situation by keeping this from her. But you’re like a sister to me, too. Please don’t make me regret it.”

“I won’t. I promise.”

“I believe you.”

"Thank you, Camila," I said, as we stood up and hugged, relief washing over me. As we pulled back from the hug, I asked if she didn’t want to join Lorenzo and me at the game. I was looking forward to going now that we had spoken. Camila, however, was not a sports fan and declined.

She suggested that we go to the club later, her, Ava, and Lorenzo. Camilo was away on business and would not be back until the next morning. I agreed and went to my room to change, calling Lorenzo to confirm the pickup time.

••••

HOURS LATER

“Come on, stop sulking. We are still up two to one," Lorenzo nudged my shoulder. “We-” he continued, but was interrupted when his phone rang. I could tell it was Camila. 

I took out my own phone and began scrolling through the photos my babysitter had sent me earlier of Noa and her at the park. 

My baby grew to look more like Logan every day. My heart clenched at the thought of him, and I pondered what I would tell Noa when he eventually asked about his father.

“Earth to Mera!” Lorenzo's voice brought me out of my reverie. And he frowned, taking note of my expression as I apologized for zoning out.

“What were you saying?”

“They left us.”

“What?”

“Yeah, they said we took too long.”

“Yeah, right? They knew the game ended at 6 p.m.”

“I know. They are just being brats," Lorenzo said, explaining that Camila and Ava had gone to the club without us and that we would meet them there. “Do you want to talk about it?” he suddenly added, making me look at him. 

"About what?"

"Why were you looking at Noa like that? Is there something wrong with him?"

“No… I was thinking about his… father,” I whispered the last part, but he still heard me and said I never talk about him. "I never talk about a lot of things," I responded with a dry chuckle, and he gave me a sad smile.

"True," he said with a nod.

“There is not much to say about him. Except that he is-"

“An asshole?" He finished for me, and I had to laugh.

"Yeah, that pretty much sums it up," I replied, chuckling. "Sometimes I worry about what I will tell Noa when he gets older and starts asking questions. I am afraid he will resent me."

“Not if you’re still this cute.”

“Lorenzo…” I playfully hit his arm. “This is serious.”

“I know. I’m sorry; I like seeing you smile,” he said, glancing at me before turning his eyes back to the road. “Why do you think he’d resent you?”

“Because of how he came to be,” I told Lorenzo the entire story of how I became pregnant, but I left out Logan's name and anything that hinted at who he was. Lorenzo came from a wealthy family, and wealthy people were often acquainted. I didn't want to take any risks.

“He’s your son, Mera. He's going to be as intelligent and strong as his mother. He'll know who is to blame." I smiled at him, grateful for his support.

“I’m glad you came back. You’re a good guy.”

“Thank you,” he said with a smile, and just then, we pulled up to our building and exited. "I'm going to change quickly," he said as we entered the house, to which I replied that I would take a quick shower and do the same, rushing to my room.

I took a quick shower, as promised, but a small scream escaped my lips when I turned around after closing the bathroom door to find Lorenzo sitting on my bed--not expecting anyone to be in my room.

"Shit! Lorenzo… don’t do that. What are you doing here? Are you done?” I asked, clutching my towel tightly as I walked to the mirror. 

However, there was no response. "Lorenzo?" I called again, but I still received no response. So I shrugged, realizing he most likely stepped out again after seeing I was not done.

Just then, I dropped the hairdryer and bent to pick it up, but froze seeing Lorenzo's reflection in the mirror, standing right behind me.

"My God, Lorenzo! Are you trying to kill me?" I gasped, turning to face him. But then I noticed something different about his eyes; the way they swept over my body made me uneasy in a way I'd never felt around him before.

“Are you okay?” I asked, trying to mask the nervousness tightening in my chest.

“You’re really beautiful,” he said softly. “I can see why Camilo was tempted by you.” My heart skipped a beat, surprised by his words.

“Wha—what?” I stammered, taking a step back, only to collide with the dresser, and he closed the gap, invading my space.

"I know you are screwing him." Our faces were mere inches apart, and my face paled.

“Camila told you?”

“No, she didn’t. And I'm kind of disappointed. I thought we shared everything. I heard the two of you that day at the office… when you were falling apart over his engagement.” His words confused me. Camilo and I only started talking after Lorenzo left.

"I forgot my phone," he explained. “And went back for it, and that's when I heard you two… And, well, I couldn’t help myself. You see, Mera, I am not as clueless as Ava. I see right through you."