Episode 14

A Decision.

Lorenzo

I hastily exit the place, luckily when I reach the exit, I find Miss Smith sitting on a fountain at the entrance, crying.

"What are you doing here?" I ask as I approach her, my hands trembling. She starts wiping the tears from her eyes.

"I wanted some fresh air." she says and I nod. "I felt overwhelmed by so many people." she explains.

I take a seat next to her and she looks at me, puzzled.

"That couple, they were the same ones from the club a month and a half ago, which caused her to have the same reaction as now." she looks up and stares at me in surprise. "I never believed her stomachache excuse." I say, feeling even more sorry now. "I know it might be bold of me considering I am just her boss, but can I know who those people are and why seeing them affects her so much?"

She sighs and looks up at the sky. - They are... my husband and the woman he loves. - she answers, and my eyes widen in shock.

"Your husband?"

"Yes, that man over there is Tomas Johnson, my husband, and she is his girlfriend."

What the hell is going on here? How can that idiot over there be her husband and that woman his girlfriend? She must mean his lover.

"I'm sorry to tell you this, Miss Smith, but I don't understand a damn thing you're telling me." I mutter, and she smiles, then sighs again.

"It's a complicated and, I must say, embarrassing story." she comments, lowering her gaze. "But... I suppose it would do me good to tell it to someone who is not involved in this mess." she says, then goes silent for several seconds before starting to narrate her story and the reasons why she married that man.

"I married him believing that with each passing day, my unrequited love would become mutual. But that hasn't happened, and honestly, I highly doubt it ever will. I'm pathetic." she finishes and sighs.

Damn, all of this is a fucking mess!

I look at her, feeling sorry for such a beautiful and intelligent woman suffering because of a fool who is nothing more than an immature brat.

"Don't beat yourself up, Miss Smith. Love is beautiful, but when it's not reciprocated, it fills us with unbearable pain, and we can end up doing crazy things."

"Have you ever been in love and not had it reciprocated, Mr. Salvatierra?" she asks.

"Yes, when I was 17, I fell in love with a 40-year-old woman. She was the one I lost my virginity to." I confess, and she blushes. "She was married, used to cheat on her husband, but I was an inexperienced young man and thought I was special. I was madly in love with her, didn't care if my life was in danger, her husband was somewhat dangerous, rumored to be involved with the Mafia. I also didn't care about damaging the friendship I had with her son. And not even when I found out she had other lovers did I distance myself. I was madly in love for two years, completely blinded. We've all done crazy things and seen ourselves as pathetic at some point because of love, Miss Smith. Don't punish yourself too much."

And I also believe that Miss Smith was manipulated by her best friend. But for now, it's best to keep this thought to myself.

She sighs and nods.

"Have you ever thought about getting a divorce?" I ask, and she nods. She remains silent, her gaze distant. "Yes." she whispers in reply.

"Mr. Salvatierra, are we done then?" she asks, getting up.

"Yes, I believe that's enough for today." I say, also standing up. "Let me take you home." she smiles.

After several minutes of driving in silence, I stop the car in front of Miss Smith's house.

"We've arrived." I say, she unbuckles her seatbelt and smiles.

"Thank you so much for everything." she says. "For bringing me here, listening to me, and sharing your story with me."

I smile at her.

"There's no need to thank me, Miss Smith." I get out of the car and turn around, opening her door.

"Have a good night and an excellent weekend, Mr. Salvatierra."

"Likewise."

She walks past me and heads towards the house. I can't help but stare at her silhouette. As she enters the house, I let out a sigh and get into the car.

She's married, but her marriage is a charade. Maybe I can...

No, Lorenzo, don't try to play with fire.

Vivan

The next day I wake up around nine in the morning, it's Saturday, but today Mr. Salvatierra gave me the day off. I get out of bed and take a shower, then I put on a short-sleeved dress with a straight neckline, which has a kind of corset at the waist, in cream color, and white sneakers. I leave my hair loose, don't put on any makeup, and I leave the room heading towards the kitchen where I find Carmen organizing the pantry.

"Did you just come back from the supermarket?" I ask, and she nods.

"What would you like me to make for breakfast?"

"Make me a cup of coffee, scrambled eggs, and two toasts," I tell her, and she nods.

"Is he up there?" I ask. She stops, looks at me, and nods.

"Alright, call me when breakfast is ready, please."

I leave the kitchen and head upstairs. I stop in front of Tomas' room and knock on the door. After several seconds, he opens it and furrows his brow at seeing me.

"What do you want?" he asks, irritated.

"I want a divorce, so tell your lawyer to handle all the paperwork," I say, turning around.

"Wait," he calls, and I look at him.

"Are you serious?"

"Yes, I don't have to keep putting up with all of this. I don't want to be a laughingstock anymore. You and your little lover don't have to worry, you'll be free soon."

I continue on my way and go to my room. As I enter, I exhale the breath I've been holding, and a tear escapes my eyes, but I force myself not to shed another.

I quickly search for my computer and turn it on. It's better if I start looking for a place to live once I divorce Tomas. I don't plan on going back home to my mom.

A while later, I decide to go out for a bit and clear my mind. I don't like going out alone much, but today I will. I change shoes and decide to wear light brown ankle boots. I tie my hair in a low ponytail and apply some sunblock, foundation, blush, and pink lipstick.

I grab a crossbody bag, also in the same color as the boots, and leave the room.

"Oh, Carmen, it's your weekend off!" I exclaim, and she nods.

"Very well then, I'll eat out today. I hope you rest," I say.

"Thank you, miss."

We both leave the house, get into the taxi I called, and I pay for both rides.

I walk through the place, looking at shop windows and buying a few things that I like, making sure not to overspend. I pass by a jewelry store, and a beautiful jewelry set catches my attention.

I'm so focused on it that I get closer to the shop window and accidentally bump into someone passing by.

"Oh my God, I'm so sorry, sir...," my words trail off as I lift my gaze and realize I've tripped into my boss. "Mr. Salvatierra!"

"Miss Smith, what a coincidence to run into each other here," he says to me. I look at him in surprise and smile.

"Yes, and to bump into each other," I comment. "I'm sorry, I was distracted looking at the jewelry set," I say, pointing to the necklace and earrings. He turns to look at them.

"They're very beautiful, undoubtedly they would suit you well and enhance the color of your eyes," he tells me, and I feel my cheeks blush. I lower my gaze in embarrassment.

"Well, they must not be cheap," I comment, then I raise my gaze. At that moment, I notice how he's dressed. As expected, he's not wearing his usual formal work suit; today he looks more relaxed, wearing dark blue jeans, a white t-shirt, a pearl white blazer, and white sneakers.

I must say, that style suits you very well. Well, with how handsome he is, I highly doubt that anything would look bad on him. I'm sure he would even look good in a loincloth. The image of my boss in a very short loincloth pops into my head, and I blush at the thought.

But what are you thinking, woman? He's your boss!

"No, definitely not cheap. That stone is sapphire," he tells me, and I open my eyes in surprise.

Oh my Wednesday, how much could this cost? Probably at least half a year's salary.

"Well, it's nice," I say.

I wonder if there's another store with cheaper jewelry in this mall.

I turn around, ready to leave that expensive place, but then I remember my boss is right beside me, and I can't afford to be rude.

"I'm going to keep exploring the place. It was nice seeing you, uh..."

"Are you with someone?" he asks me. I stay silent for several seconds, then respond.

"No, I'm alone."

"Me too. If you don't mind, we can explore the place together," he suggests and looks at me expectantly.

Is it a good idea to spend this time with my boss?

Ah, how bad could it be?