CHAPTER 58

It had been two weeks. Two weeks since Antonio and I broke up. And two weeks since I took up mother duty. Diego was a really good child. Despite all the things he had been through with his mother, he kept smiling and living life like the happy kid he was.

Aliyah was really helpful too. She came from time to time and bought gifts for Diego. She even brought Harry with her once. She was supportive and basically everything Antonio was not.

Not once did Antonio try to call me or anything. He kept living his life like he had been before me. Even though I was hurt, I had to be better for Diego.

Diego and I were out for lunch when Aliyah called me asking if I was free for the evening. It was a Saturday.

"Yeah, why?" I asked her.

"Well, I want you to accompany me to some boring thing I want to attend. Diego can come too," she said.

"Wear something fancy and shiny," she advised and I nodded my head.

"Alright ma'am, where are we going though? And what time?" I asked her.

"Well, it's a charity function. I'll come pick you up by six," she said. She sounded excited, too excited.

"Okay mama, see you at six," I told her and hung up.

I looked at Diego and smiled as he gulped down his food in a hurry.

"We're going out," I told him with a wide smile on my face. He smiled and did a happy dance in his seat.

After lunch, Diego and I rushed home to get ready for the function.

I dressed Diego in one of the suits Aliyah and I had gotten him while upgrading his wardrobe. That day, I had also gotten myself a long sleeveless silver gown that flowed freely. I remember how Aliyah insisted that I get it. The dress was really pretty and perfect for a fancy occasion.

I put on light makeup and wore a long black wig instead of my natural hair. In conclusion, I looked good—too good for the world.

True to her word, Aliyah walked into my apartment at 6 pm sharp, looking exotic in her short red dress and bright red lips.

"Who made you so beautiful though?" Aliyah asked when she saw me.

"I should be asking you," I smiled at her.

"Aliyah," Diego called and ran to her, hugging her legs.

"Oh, Prince Charming, is that you?" Her accented voice asked, making Diego laugh.

"You guys are going to shut the house down," Aliyah said and we laughed. We took a couple pictures when we got outside—because we looked too good not to—then we got into the car and went on our journey to only God knows where.

We got to a beautiful dome-like structure. It was very pretty and had different lights coming out of it.

"Woah," Diego's tiny voice said in awe. Woah indeed.

"Let's go," Aliyah smiled and we entered the building.

Something about the building looked familiar. Maybe it was the aesthetics, or the lights, or the pictures that were hanging off every wall, all in black and white.

It took a few seconds for me to register what was going on. When I finally did, I shot Aliyah a deadly look.

"I knew you wouldn't come if I had told you. I'm sorry, but you guys have to make up. He's been so horrible, and you? Don't even get me started on the way you force a smile on your face every day. If it doesn't work out this time, then fine, that's on me, I'll apologize deeply, but for now, just smile and act like you really want to be here," Aliyah said. I didn't bother replying. I carried Diego in my arms, hugging him to me.

"I think your daddy is here," I said in his ear.

He looked at me with no emotion on his face. Then he started dancing on my body.

"Hey, calm down," I smiled at his energy. He stopped dancing and hugged me tight.

Nothing special was happening at the time, and we were free to look around, so I did with Diego in my arms. I remembered Aliyah telling me about a studio launch that Antonio was having. I guess this was it. Most times, I forgot he was a photographer on the side, a talented one at that.

My attention was caught by the clinking of a glass coming from the speakers in the building.

"Attention everyone," some man said. I walked back to the event area. The guy had a green suit on; it fit him perfectly, and his hair was gelled back to perfection.

"And now, the moment you've all been waiting for: we invite to the stage the man of the hour, the very talented Antonio Rivera!" The man said, and people clapped as well as screamed in excitement.

Antonio walked to the stage in slow motion, slaying me and taking my soul with him with every step he took.

He was in a black velvet tux, and his hair was styled perfectly in a bun. Everything about him screamed perfection.

"Hey, you good?" Aliyah asked from behind me.

"Yeah, I'm good" I smiled at her.

"Diego, that's your daddy," Aliyah smiled at him, pointing at Antonio.

"Hi, good evening everyone, thank you for being here," he started.

Diego tapped me and asked, "Is he really my daddy?" With wattery eyes, I nodded, blinking as fast as I could to push the tears away.

"I have a final piece that I'd like to show everyone. It was inspired by someone who taught me a lot and made me realize that letting your heart love someone isn't a bad thing. This piece is my best work yet," Antonio said and the audience clapped.

"It was really the first time I got to feel that way, and as embarrassing as it is, I wouldn't have it any other way," he added and everyone laughed.

I was frozen in place as a curtain was dropped down from behind him, revealing a big frame of a face—not just any face, my face, raw and bright.

The audience went wild, clapping and screaming as Antonio smiled lovingly at the frame.

Tears flowed freely from my eyes as I remembered what I said to him, how I didn't believe that he loved me.

I'm sorry...