*Alejandro*
I made sure to drive Anna home before going home. She waved until I drove out of sight. The time spent with her can be considered my happiest moment, and I didn’t want it to end.
The clouds were dented with thick gray clouds that moved to settle over the sun, inviting the cool evening breeze. My grip around the car steering wheel tightened when I remembered the call I had received.
*YESTERDAY*
The call was from Rosa. She told me something I had not expected to hear. “Nora is here. Lucas brought her over.” She had said.
I was quiet, trying to analyze my thoughts. The last time I spoke to Williams, he said she was getting better. “Should I prepare a room for her?” Rosa asked, jolting me back into reality.
Nora may be Lucas’ mother, but she is no longer my wife. We had gotten a divorce and had gone our separate ways, though Lucas had not forgiven me.
I was glad Rosa, my housekeeper, called me. I massaged my temples, feeling a headache building. “Give me a moment; I’ll call you back,” I said.
I dialed Lucas’s number. It rang, and he didn’t take it. I dialed a second time, and it connected on the fifth ring. “Hey, son.” I greeted, trying to sound cheerful. I wanted to ask him if he knew about this.
“Yes?” He said dryly. The tone he used pricked my heart. “How are you?” I asked. It would not be right to go directly at him. “I’m alive and well.” He said, and I wondered if I had ever done anything to make him feel I wanted him dead.
“I wanted to check up on you,” I said. I couldn’t bring myself to ask him why he brought his mother to my mansion. It was still his mom, after all. “Okay.” Before I could say anything else, the line disconnected.
I sucked in a breath as I tried to picture how it would have been if I had not broken his heart when he was young. I called Rosa back. “Prepare a room for her,” I said.
*PRESENT*
The blaring of horns behind me brought me back from my reverie, “Move your fucking car.” Someone yelled. And I realized that I had been there blocking the path.
By the time I got home, it was already 8 pm. I stepped out of my car and walked towards the entrance. Rosa was already at the door waiting for me. She walked towards me.
“Welcome, Alejandro.” She said I smiled at her, “Rosa, you look as amazing as ever,” I told her. Her smile widened, “oh well, you and your words.”
Rosa was like a mother to me. She may be the housekeeper, but she was more. She had known me for a long time, and I was very happy to have her.
When I first found out that Nora cheated on me, she was the one who comforted me. She has always been with me and has stayed by my side.
“Where is she?” I asked. Rosa walked behind me, her hair packed in a bun. A line of gray hair beautified her left side.
“She is in the sitting room.” I gritted my teeth, and a wave of disgust settled in my stomach. Why was she here?
“Why is she here?” I asked.
“She didn’t say. Lucas brought her over.” Rosa said. She sounded as confused as I was. The sitting room was brightened by a bulb which was in the middle of the room.
Nora was seated in the sitting room, her eyes pinned on the TV, watching a show that I recognized as her favorite. A glass of juice and her favorite cookie was on the table. It’s funny how I still remember some of her favorite stuff.
She stood when she saw me.
Rosa bowed and walked away, giving us the privacy we needed. She had both hands holding each other in front of her. She blinked as though she wasn’t expecting me to be back so soon.
“Alejandro.” She said softly.
“Nora,” I said flatly. I took one step and then another. I sat on a sofa opposite her. “How is your health?” I asked. It was something any human would have asked.
“I’m okay.” She said, slowly sitting, crossing one leg over the other.
“You’ve not changed at all, ” she said, her eyes roaming over me. “Mind telling me why you are here?” I asked. She straightened and squared her shoulders. Elegance emanating from her.
This was one of her charms, one of the things that made me fall for her. She always kept a poise expression. But I soon realized that those were a facade; she wore them on the surface.
“Well,” she began. “You know I was just discharged from the hospital.” She paused and held my eyes.
“So?” I asked, raising a brow. We had no obligation to each other. I was not going to have her at my house just because she was admitted to the hospital, and she was aware of this.
She could always go back to her house or stay at a hotel. She could stay anywhere but here. She wrapped her hands around the glass and brought it to her mouth. She dipped the drink slowly.
I waited patiently for her.
I pulled off the tie I was wearing and settled it on the side of the sofa I was seated on, making a mental note to take it with me to my room.
Nora placed one hand over the other, “You see, the thing is…”
“Mom.” A voice interrupted. I heard footsteps, and soon he came into view. “Lucas,” Nora said. She stood and walked to him. She pulled him into a tight hug. When they finally released each other, Lucas said, “How is your health? How are you feeling? Have you eaten? Is there anything you want?” He asked all at once without allowing her to answer.
My chest tightened as I watched them. Lucas does the questioning, and Nora answers. I felt jealousy creep into my heart as I watched them. Lucas seemed oblivious to my existence, and that tugged my chest, leaving a painful footprint on it.
When they were finally done with whatever they were doing, Lucas finally acknowledged my existence with a bow before sitting on the same sofa as his mother.
I wanted him to care so much for me. I wanted to have the relationship Nora had with him. He was her son as much as mine.
“So? Why are you here? I know you have just been discharged, and I am happy about that, but I see no reason why you should stay here. We don’t want rumors going around now, do we?” I asked.
“I’m sorry I bother you?” She said.
That wasn’t the response I wanted, and I was sure she knew this woman would never change; she was still a manipulator, “why are you staying here, Nora?” I asked. “Surely you can stay in any hotel of your choice.”
“I had asked that she stay here,” Lucas said, making me raise a brow. Shouldn’t he protect her from me just the way he is hiding from me? He should do the same for his mother.
“She can’t stay in the hotel. That will be too far. She may have been discharged, but the doctor advised that she’d be watched.” He said. He paused to look around, “and this seems like the best place.” He said.
I was about to ask what happened to his penthouse. He should take her to his penthouse and live with her; after all, she was his favorite person.
“You know how much I love my privacy. I’d have taken her to my penthouse, but I can’t. And the mansion has many rooms. Surely, she can stay in one of them.” Lucas said.
“That’s very thoughtful of you,” I said.
“I know, right?” Lucas smirked, and then he continued, “We could also have breakfast and dinner together as a family.” He added.
“Family?” I asked, and he immediately understood the underlying meaning of my word.
“You are both my family.” He said, and I nodded.
I thought for a while. I can turn her out. Tell her to go find somewhere to stay that there was no room for her in my house, which was true. But then, I turned to Lucas, who was waiting for my decision.
I had not been the best father to him. Now, he wants to have breakfast and dinner together. Surely, it won’t be right to deny him what he asked for.
This was a chance to mend my relationship with him. I would not allow it to slip through my fingers. Never.
“Fine. Since Lucas has asked for it.” I said. Nora smiled. “But that will be until you are well enough to leave, and it shouldn’t be long,” I said.
“It’s fine with me. I’m sorry for intruding on your space. But please know that it wasn’t intended. I’ll leave immediately when I get better, and when Lucas is satisfied, I can take care of myself.” She said.
“Fine,” I said.
I stood and walked away.
I wanted to throw her out of my house but held myself back. I have given Lucas my word. I would not go back on it.
Later that night, I had a small chat with Rosa. “Do you think I made the right choice? I could have had her stay in the hotel close by.” I said.
“What if she used this as an opportunity to crawl back into my life?” I asked, though I knew this was impossible. I already have my eye on someone.
Anna.
She was now the woman I wanted. And a part of me felt like I was betraying her. Yes, she has never been here to the Mansion and may not find out about Nora, but I still felt this was wrong. Maybe that was why I was in front of Rosa, seeking validation.
“You made the right choice, Alejandro.” She said.
“And if she doesn’t want to leave?” I asked.
“You are a man who knows what he wants. I am sure you will be able to get her out when the time comes. And it is for the best. You had dinner with Lucas in this mansion for the first time in ages, and it was not as awkward as it has always been. The air around you guys was less tense.” I didn’t think Rosa would notice.
“You noticed?” I asked.
“Nothing passes by me.” She said.
“If her being here means you will get your son back, then I see no reason why you shouldn’t have her here.” She said.
And she was right. Having Lucas was what I wanted, and I would do anything to have a father-son relationship with him.
Nora would leave the house after a while, and I would have my son and Anna by my side.
The next few days were busy. I had meetings after meetings. But that didn’t stop me from having a pleasant time with Anna. We had sex everywhere and anywhere.
I didn’t tell her anything about Nora. We spent the evening together in her house, or sometimes we went out to have dinner. She had the most wonderful friend, Alison, who always welcomed me whenever I came.
I felt Anna was a blessing in my life. I found myself smiling more and living more, and this was all because of her.
Anna was in my office when one afternoon, Santiago, one of my directors, knocked and stepped in. “Someone is out looking for you. And she is causing a ruckus.” He said.
The word ‘she’ registered in my brain, and I hope it wasn’t who I thought it was.
“Who is she?” I asked.
“Your wife. I mean…” he rushed to correct himself, “your ex-wife.”