Chapter 82: Chapter 82

Alejandro

When I returned, Lucas was standing close to Nora's room. “Sorry I kept you waiting,” I said. He smiled and waved his hand. “It's fine.” He said.

Though my date with Anna had come to an abrupt end, I was glad I could spend the night with Lucas. Alone.

“Have you had dinner?” I asked.

“No.” He replied, “Perfect. Let's have dinner together.” I said. “That would be nice. But,” he paused and inhaled. One hand stuck into his pocket.

“I have plans with a friend.” He said. “The doctor said Mom would need company for the night. Could you please stay with her?” He asked.

This was the first time he was asking me anything. He never asked anything from me, and hearing him asked me to stay with his mom, though it is not something I want to do and I wasn't going to do it, I was glad he was asking me something.

I agreed to stay with Nora and watched him leave.

Williams soon came after some time. “What happened to Nora?” I asked him when he sat close to me. “Well, she collapsed. I didn't call you because I didn't want to disturb you or your time with Anna.” He said.

Williams has always been considerate.

“You did well.” I commended him. I would not be here if Lucas hadn't called me personally.

“How did your day go with Anna?” He asked.

My mind reverted to the time I had spent with Anna today. It was the best time. But I wasn't going to give him all the details. “It was nice,” I said.

He nodded and began tapping his foot on the floor.

He did this when he had something to say but was holding back from saying it. “What is it you want to say?” I asked him. He turned to meet my eyes. “Well, it's nothing.” He said, and I nodded.

“If you say so.” I would not force him to say what he is uncomfortable saying. “Alejandro.” He called, and I turned. I knew he had something to say. “You like Anna?” he asked, and I wanted to laugh. As my friend, he knew better.

“What do you think?” I replied to his question with a question. “It's just a fling, right? She is just someone you want to have fun with before leaving the country, right?” He asked.

“Is that what it seems like?” I asked him. The conversation was getting serious. It is not something I want to have in the hospital hallway or outside Nora's room.  But I couldn't just cut him short, knowing he always has my best interest at heart.

“I don't know what it is looking like. That's why I am concerned.”

We stayed silent as a doctor walked passed.

“I am not a child, Williams.”

“That still doesn't answer my question.” He said. One thing about Williams is that he is headstrong and would always want to get an answer, always wanting to know, even if I was trying hard to say no.

“I'm serious about her,” I said. I owe him that much information. Not because I had to buy but because he needed to know so he could give her the respect she deserved.

“So what happens when you have to leave?” He asked. I still didn't understand the reason for this conversation.  Did he want to change my mind?

“Who said I was leaving?” I asked.

“You aren't leaving? Why? You haven't forgotten the plan, right?” He asked.

“What plan? I am staying here with Anna. She may not want to leave, but if she wants to leave with me when the time comes, we'll leave together.” I said.

A woman in a wheelchair led by a nurse walked past, and the nurse said a greeting, to which Williams returned with a smile.

“Fine. I get you're serious with her and all that. What's next? Are you going to get married to her?”

“Yes,” I replied without giving it a second thought. I want Anna to be the mother of my children. I want her to be the one I come back to meet at home.

I want her to be the last person I set my eyes on before I sleep and the first I set my eyes on when I wake up.

“That's not possible. Aside from the fact that she is way younger than you, what's she, nineteen? That's Lucas's age; she is also out of your league.” his voice grew lower with each word.

“We aren't having this conversation,” I said, trying to end the conversation.

“And how about Nora?” He asked, and I furrowed my brows, confused, “what about Nora?” I asked. What does she have to do with this conversation? “And Lucas?” He asked again, and I wondered how that had anything to do with this.

“Lucas is fine with her. He knows I am seeing her. He is the only one I owe anything to. As for Nora? I couldn't care less about her. I owe her nothing. We are divorced, remember?”

He wanted to speak, but a doctor interrupted us.

He bowed in respect. “What's wrong with her doctor?” Williams stood immediately and asked. I remained seated. I had no reason to be here. Lucas was the only reason I would have stayed, to bond with him, and now that he wasn't here, I had to leave.