*Andrea*
I drove Austin home myself. Since they had already been here to pick him up, I figured out it would be better to just take him home.
Alison lay on the sofa when I walked in with Austin. He said a greeting to her before proceeding into his room.
“You brought him home again today, ” her eyes shifted to the clock. “But it’s not yet time,” I dropped on the chair.
The event a while ago was tiring. I stood; I needed to quench the burning within me. “Is something wrong?” Alison asked.
“No,” I opened the water bottle I had just taken out of the fridge.
I walked with the bottle to take a seat on the couch in front of Alison.
“You won’t believe that Alejandro and Dave went to Austin’s school at the same time. Both claim to be his father and request that he come with them,” I still couldn’t wrap my head around it.
It wasn’t something that happened every time.
“You can’t blame Dave. He has always been like dad to Austin,” I leaned into the chair.
Sigh.
She was right. It wasn’t like I blamed him. I couldn’t bring myself to do so. Dave has done more for me and Austin more than Alejandro has ever done.
“I know. He picks him up from school sometimes. I have nothing against him. What I don’t understand is why Alejandro had to be there too.”
“Did you tell Dave about Alejandro?” She asked.
“He has not been here for some time.” He went on a two-day business trip, so I have not had the chance to tell him.
I wanted to have a chat with him and tell him myself. “But he must have figured it out himself,” Alison said, returning to her earlier position.
“I plan to tell him today,” I said and stood. “I’m heading back to work; I have a few things to settle. I will be back later than usual.”
“Why? Have plans with Alejandro?” I placed the bottle of water on the table, “with Dave. I have to tell him.” I left and drove back to work.
“What happened to Austin? Is he all right?” Harper asked as I took my seat. I took off my cotton jacket and hung it around my chair before sitting on it.
“Yes. There was a misunderstanding about something. I got it all settled.” I explained, and she looked relieved.
“The Iron lady came out a while ago and demanded your presence; I think you should go see her.” I threw my head backwards. Can’t this woman take a break?
“What does she want me for?’ I asked. “I have no idea.”
I didn’t go to her office immediately. I had to mentally prepare myself for whatever she was about to say.
When I walked into her office, she was on call. I stood in front of her, eyes moving around the office.
“I had to call you because I got a message to allow you to leave early from work today.” She gave me a look that I couldn’t quite understand.
I guess Dave may have met with her and spoken to her.
“Is everything fine?” She asked, and I squinted my eyes, surprised that she cared. “Hope you haven’t gotten in trouble?” Before I could reply, she said, “I don’t mind you getting in trouble; just don’t drag our group into it,”
Worried my ass.
Such a woman can never be worried she was just a pain in the ass. I bowed slightly and excused myself when she waved me off.
I got off work earlier than I should have that day.
As I exited the office, I saw Dave standing at the end of the hallway.
My heart beat rapidly within my ribcage. I promised I’d give him a fair explanation. I inhaled sharply and walked forward.
“Have you been waiting for long?” I asked when I got to him. We walked outside together.
“No. I just arrived,” he said, leading me to his car. “I came with mine.” I didn’t stop walking, though.
“I know. I’ll have it driven home.” I stepped in when he opened the car for me. “All right.”
“Where are we going?” I asked when he drove off. “Let’s have dinner together,” he said, and I nodded. I was starving too.
The drive to the restaurant was the most awkward drive I have ever had with him. He didn’t speak much and kept his eyes fixed on the road in front of me.
I was uncomfortable, so at first, I tried to bring up anything to talk about, but he didn’t speak much.
“I made a reservation here,” he said as he pulled in front of the restaurant.
“This place is nice,” I said.
“Have you been here before?” He asked, and I nodded, “With Alison,” a smile came down my lips as I watched him.
We stepped inside-a heavy smell of the various meals hung in the air. Knives clicked with forks. I felt out of place as I was still dressed in my work clothes while other ladies were dressed the way they should.
“I can never get enough of this place. The last time I came, I had steak. It was so good,” I’ve always wanted to come back since then, but I have not been able to make time.
“Me too.” We sat at our designated table.
A waiter walked towards us and handed us a menu.
My eyes scanned through it.
“What do you want to try this time?” He asked me.
“Anything you want,” I said, and he nodded and placed an order for both of us.
As we ate, we spoke about those around us. The lady at the side seemed to look around the restaurant occasionally-the drawings on the wall and every other thing that was discussable.
I felt like I’d got my Dave back.
He was a good friend.
The waiter brought chocolate cake as dessert.
After eating, I knew it was time to talk. I was about to speak, but he beat me to it.
“Wanna go for a drive?” He asked.
I stared at him; of course, I would want to go. But didn’t he bring me here so we could talk about Alejandro being in Austin’s school?
“All right,” I said.
He made the payment, and we stepped out.
He drove around, playing music we sang together.
He finally pulled up on a bridge. And I knew it was time to talk. We stepped out. I pulled my jacket closer to myself.
“I’ve always liked this place. When I was little, my mom would always drive us past this bridge whenever we went for a drive, and this bridge was my favorite part of the drive.” He spoke, and I listened, not knowing what to say to that.
I learned that he grew up here in LA.
I tugged the edge of my sleeve, hoping to pull the jacket closer. “I haven’t brought anyone here before.” He spoke.
“Why? You didn’t want them to steal this place from you?” I asked, laughing at the end to lighten the mood.
“Cause I didn’t want to.” He said, “But you are different.”
I turned to look at him, and my chest tightened as I watched him stare down at me with so much love, longing, and pain.
It pained me that I would not be able to reciprocate any of the emotions he showed me.
I was in love with someone else.
“About today.” It was better I told him about Alejandro coming back to my life. I was scared he would confess, and I would have to reject him.
I didn’t want to hurt him.
“Alejandro found out Austin is his son.”
“I figured,” he said
“And he wants to be part of his life,” he nods. “I have nothing against that.” He paused and continued, “But how does he feel?” He asked.
“Alejandro?”
“No, Austin.”
“I haven’t told him yet.” I closed my eyes and opened it. I moved my gaze away from his.
“I don’t know how he’ll feel,” I said.
“I understand.” And that’s what I hated. He understands everything. It would be better if he cursed me out. Tell me I was evil. I had kept him close all this while, knowing how he felt towards me.
He acted like Austin’s dad, and I didn’t try to stop him. Now, I was asking him to stop acting like Austin’s dad because his real dad was here.
“How about you? Do you want Alejandro? Like, do you still want him in your life?” I froze. I had not been expecting such a question.
“I don’t know. I’m not sure what I want; he is married, and I am well…” I paused.
“But do you still love him?” He asked again.
I nodded, “I think I still do.” I had to be honest with him.
He threw his head to the side. I wanted to comfort him, to touch his shoulders, but I didn’t.
When he finally turned back to me, he said, “I think we should head back.”
I didn’t say anything and just walked back to the car.
“I’m sorry,” I said.
“For what?” He turned briefly to hold my gaze, “I don’t know, I just feel like I’ve wronged you,” I said. I couldn’t stop feeling guilty.
“No. It’s not your fault.” The car came to a stop at a red light.
I’ve always wondered what was more painful.
Loving someone where the person doesn’t feel the same.
Or,
Not being able to reciprocate one’s love.
“We don’t have control over our feelings, Andrea. We don’t choose to love or not to love.” I looked at him, my eyes glistening with tears, but I held it in.
“I choose to love you. These are my feelings; you don’t have to reciprocate them. I have my feelings, and you have yours.
“But if I had…”
“It’s fine. You’ll always have a special place in my heart. I just hope Alejandro treats you well.”
The car started moving.
I must be fortunate to have Dave as such a friend.
The car pulled up in front of my house. Another car was already there.
Alejandro was here. My heart skipped a beat at the thought of seeing him.
I looked over to Dave, “do you want to come in?”
“I would have loved to, but I have other plans.” I opened the door, “I’ll come see Austin tomorrow.”
I smiled and nodded.
Alejandro or not, Austin would always remain Dave’s son.
Austin sat on Alejandro’s lap. Father and son had their eyes glued to the phone’s screen, and both were focused on the car race competition that they were watching.
It seemed they didn’t notice my presence until I closed the door.
“Momma, you’re back.” Austin raised his head and said but didn’t stand up from Alejandro’s lap.
I walked towards him and planted a kiss on his head.
“Yes, boy, you seem to be having a good time,’
“You came back quite late, Andrea.”
“I had some things to settle,” I said and walked inside my room.
I took a quick shower and changed into my pajamas. I was about to step out, but I stopped.
I walked to the mirror and took a quick peep at my reflection.
Maybe I should wear lip gloss.
I applied a little; then I wiped it.
What are you doing, Andrea? I scolded myself.
I took a deep breath. It’s just Alejandro. I tried to calm myself, but my hands seemed to have a mind of its own. It picked the lip gloss.
For some reason, I wanted to look the best in front of Alejandro.
Alejandro had just laid Austin to sleep when I stepped out, my lips glistening a little from the gloss.
The sitting room was empty.
I was about to sit when I felt a hand slide into my back, and firm hands pulled me into a hard chest.
“Did you apply lip gloss for me?”