Chapter 66

Book:Sleeping with my ex-boyfriend's Father Published:2024-11-19

*Andrea*
I ran out of the restaurant, heading out. I wanted to be far from it. Our car was parked on the side. I walked to the car and placed a hand on it, and the other one was on my chest. My heart plummeted fastly within my ribcage.
I tried to steady my breath.
I still couldn’t wrap my head around the fact that I had just seen Alejandro. He was right in front of me a few minutes back.
I closed my eyes and opened them, hoping this was a bad dream and that I would likely wake up, but it wasn’t, and I wasn’t waking up.
I stood straight and inhaled sharply. I was suddenly aware of my surroundings. People didn’t stare at me, but though my heart was still a bit heavy, I couldn’t help the thought that Alejandro was inside the restaurant.
I was glad he didn’t run after me, I’d have been surprised if he did. But that didn’t change the fact that the father of my child was inside the restaurant.
Maybe I shouldn’t have run away like that. A part of me started feeling stupid for running. After all, we were here for a business meeting.
I should have stayed back and pretended not to recognize him. I felt like a fool.
I flinched when I felt someone’s hand on my back and turned sharply to find Dave behind me.
“Are you alright?” He asked.
I felt even more stupid for imagining that Alejandro may have been behind me.
“No, I mean… yes.” I sighed, ‘I don’t know.” Dave and I have reached the point where I don’t need to be afraid to tell him how I truly feel.
Aside from being my boss, he was a friend I could rely on.
“I just needed a bit of air,” I said, reminiscing how suffocated I felt earlier.
When he still sent me a worried expression, I said, “I didn’t think I’d see him there, so I wasn’t prepared,” mentally. I added that part in my head.
“I know.” He paused and studied my face closely. I didn’t think he’d be there either. If I had known he was the one who was coming, I’d have made sure you didn’t come.” He said, and I could tell he deeply regretted not doing a bit more research before we came.
“It’s fine. I should be able to separate work from my emotions.” I apologize, feeling shitty.
Dave brushed a few strands of hair off my face and sent a soft gaze toward me. “You don’t have to blame yourself. You reacted the way anyone would,” he said, and at that moment, I felt guilty that I wished his hands were replaced by Alejandro’s.
“Do you think you’ll be able to stay for the remaining part of the meeting? Should we just reschedule? I can come up with an excuse, and we can leave.” Dave suggested, and a part of me wanted to say yes. I would appreciate being anywhere but Alejandro’s present.
But I didn’t tell him that.
“You don’t have to reschedule the meeting,” maybe it’s because a part of me still wants to go see him. A part of me wanted to be before him and ask him how he has been.
“I just need a few minutes to put my emotions in check. I’ll be fine.” I said to Dave, and he nodded in understanding.
“Fine then, I’ll allow you to get yourself together,” Dave said.
“Thank you. Ten minutes, that’s all I need.” I said before walking toward the door. Dave trailed behind me.
He went back to sit with them while I went to the restroom.
I stepped into a cubicle and closed the door behind me. Maybe this is what I needed in a secluded place like this.
I stayed there for a while before stepping out. The door made a creaking sound as I opened it.
A lady was in front of the mirror applying lipstick to her already red lips.
I splashed some water on my face, not minding if I washed off the mild makeup I had on.
I had to get my act together. I can’t give my emotions away. My mind reverted to the last time we saw each other. The hurtful words he had said came back to haunt me.
I splashed more water on my face at the thought of it and raised my head to stare at my reflection for some time.
I shouldn’t allow this man to get to me-not again. He was married and had a new life of his own, and so was I. I am not married, obviously, but I have a new life to live and a son to live for.
And I don’t want him to be part of my life.
As I walked out of the restroom, I made a new resolution. I wouldn’t let him get me.
I would not allow him to make me feel bad. I would not miss him. I would behave professionally and get this over with. He didn’t even seem frazzled to see me, so I won’t be either.
………
*Alejandro’s POV*
I stood rooted to the floor as I watched her run past the door. My heart was still pummeled in my chest as I tried to register what had just happened.
After all these years, Andrea was before me. My eyes moved from the door to Dave, who was staring at me with distaste. “Excuse me briefly,” Dave said, looking away from me and going to the door.
“I’ll be back shortly.” He walked towards the door. I had the urge to follow him, to get close to Andrea and hold her. All the yearning I had buried over these past few days came back rushing with full force.
Confusion spread across Jane’s face as she looked between me and the door. Ignoring my need to be with Andrea, I sat, deciding to give them time.
From where I sat, I could see Andrea. I couldn’t see her face, just her back. I wondered if she hated seeing me so much that she had to run outside.
“We should give them some time,” I said when Jane still looked confused. Dave was with her now.
“Alright.” She said, and we both sat in silence, waiting for them, the reason we were here today. The hair in my hand stood as I watched Dave brush something off her face.
Anger surged through me, and I wanted to walk out and break his hand in two. How dare he touch her. But I refrained myself. We were in different positions right now.
A thousand thoughts crossed my mind.
How has she been? Has she been eating well? Was she okay? Did she miss me? I wanted to pull her in for a hug.
Why was I meeting her now after all these years? How was she? Why is she here at this restaurant? And most of all, why was she with Dave? Was she his secretary now?
After a few minutes, Dave walked back into the restaurant, but Andrea was not with him. I had seen her walk in, but where was she?
“My assistant needs a little time to fix something, hope you wouldn’t mind?” Dave asked.
Assistant? She was his assistant? Oh wow.
I could tell he was trying his best to ensure this meeting was successful. It was clear he didn’t expect I’d be the one to come discuss with me.
His face contours in an emotion I couldn’t describe, but he tried to mask it.
Since he acted as if he didn’t know me, I decided to do the same.
“I didn’t expect to see you here. ” Oh, he was finally speaking. Me neither. But I didn’t say that. I wished I had taken more time to look into this company or asked Jane for more information on who would be meeting me today.
“Guess I am full of surprises,” I said, watching him closely. He just stared back at me. “You are right. But I’m truly not a fan of surprises.”
“You think I care?”
He was about to say something but stopped when he noticed Andrea coming. She had a bold look on her face. Each step seemed carved out of profound boldness.
“I’m sorry I kept you all waiting,” she said, taking her seat beside Dave.
“It’s fine,” Dave said with a slight smile, and I wanted to wipe that stupid smile off with a slap.
We began the meeting immediately.
Not once did she give me a look. She was so focused on her job as his assistant that it almost got me worked up. I wanted to speak to her.
It was still surprising that she was seated across from me, and I couldn’t pull her into a hug.
She has grown older.
No, I don’t mean she is now old, but if getting more beautiful and mature could count as old, then that’s what I’m referring to.
She reeks of elegance.
At some point, I almost lost focus on the meeting because I couldn’t take my eyes off her.
“I think we have come to an understanding, Alejandro,” Dave said after the meeting.
“You leave my designers alone, and in return, we’ll work together on a project,” he said.
“Of course. But I wouldn’t drive them away if they come running to me because you are unable to keep them.” I warned.
“That’s not happening,” Dave said confidently.
We’ll see about that.
After concluding the meeting, we shook hands, and they stood, ready to leave. Andrea stood beside him, bowing slightly. For the first time since she returned, our eyes met briefly before she looked away, ignoring me completely.
I watched them leave first.
I feared I would want to stop her and pull her back, demanding an explanation for what happened those years. That’s what my heart wanted to do.
But my brain warned me that that was wrong. I should probably just let her be. My brain and heart went to war as I watched them leave the restaurant.
“Sir, aren’t we leaving?” Jane asked.
I felt like I had awoken from slumber. I took one step, and then another, and another, until I was outside, walking briskly towards them.
Just as she was about to step into the car with Dave, I stopped her, gently pulling her right arm.
She turned and bristled out of my touch.
She brushed where my hand were and raised her eyes to meet mine. She had a firm look when she asked, “Is there something you want, Mr. Costa?”
My head went blank immediately. All the words seemed to elude me as I replayed her melodious voice in my head.
“Well, I…?”
“If there’s nothing, I’ll get going. Thanks for a successful meeting today.” She said and entered the car.
I stood rooted to the ground as the car zoomed off.
“Sir,” Jane called, bringing me back to my senses.
“I think this is yours.” She handed me the toy car that may have probably fallen from Andrea’s hands.
“Do you know that lady?” She asked; her question surprised me. She has never asked anything personal, always sticking to her professional side.
“Let’s head back to the office. We don’t want to be late for our next meeting, right?” I asked and walked towards my car, ignoring her question.
We headed back to the company, but I couldn’t concentrate all through the meeting. I kept zoning out. Jane kept nudging my hand.
I had to dismiss the meeting.
I had thought my life was back to normal. I came here to forget about her completely, so why did it feel like my life was just starting again?
Now, all I want is to see her again. All the feelings rushed back to me.
I picked up my phone and dialed a number I hadn’t called for years.
Now I want to know all about her.