Episode 20

A week later...

It was Saturday morning, Elisa had arranged to meet Raquel at the mall, and afterward, her cousin would finally get to see Elisa's house and husband.

— Good morning!

Christian — Good morning!

They exchange a sweet look.

Elisa looked wonderful; Christian couldn't hide his enchantment as he watched her sit beside him at the huge table.

She cuts a piece of cake and pours coffee into the cup.

Christian — Are you going out?

Elisa — Yes, I'm meeting my cousin. We'll be back for lunch, I hope you don't mind!

Christian — No, of course not, you can go out whenever you want, and you can bring your cousin or any family here, this house is yours too!

She doesn't say anything, just starts eating, and Sol brings a mouthwatering fruit salad.

Sol — Good morning, Lisa, you look beautiful, are you going for a walk?

Elisa — Good morning, I'm meeting my cousin. Is that fruit salad?

Sol — Yes, do you like it?

Elisa — I love it!

Christian's eyes lit up at her excitement, and he smiled to himself; he wanted to compliment her, but didn't want to be disrespectful or indiscreet.

Suddenly his cell phone vibrates in his pocket, it was a message from Rodrigo saying he had news; Chris hadn't slept properly for a week, waiting for any information from the boy. He gets up to leave immediately.

Sol – Are you leaving already, son? You haven't even tried the salad...

Christian — I have to go, save me some, I'll eat later!

Sol — Are you coming for lunch?

Christian — Of course!

His gaze meets Elisa's once more, and he leaves; she is left feeling a little sad, she didn't know why but she wished he would at least finish having coffee with her.

Sol — He loves my salad, something must have happened for him to leave like that!

Elisa — He's a pretty busy man, huh? What exactly does he do?

Sol — Chris owns a chain of clubs and nightclubs, he also has other businesses on the side, like restaurants and luxury hotels, and a few other things, I don't get too involved in those matters of his!

Elisa — I see, what about his family? I've noticed he doesn't talk much about his parents!

Sol notices a certain interest in Elisa, and it makes her very happy.

— Well, Chris only has you!

Elisa — Doesn't he have any other relatives?

Sol — He never knew his father, he was raised only by his mother and stepfather, who also died a long time ago...

Elisa - Wow... I had no idea!

Sol — You couldn't have known, dear, Chris is very closed off about these matters, he doesn't like to talk about it much!

Elisa — Well, I'm going then, the salad was delicious, Sol!

Sol - I'll make it always then!

(…)

Christian goes to the office to see what his friend had discovered; he couldn't wait to get this cocky kid out of Elisa's life once and for all.

— So, what did you find out?

Rodrigo — I know who the kid is, but I don't know if you'll like knowing who his father is!

Christian — Why? Is it someone I know?

Rodrigo — The old man is an old client of the club, Andre Mendes!

Christian — I didn't know Andre had a son, what's the boy's name?

Rodrigo - Anderson Mendes, 21 years old, he's in the same course as Elisa, well, from what I've been investigating, the kid is a slacker, party animal, almost every day he spends his nights in nightclubs. In short, he's a spoiled brat who lives off his father's money.

Christian — Scoundrel, he only studies to play the good guy, I'm sure he's nothing but a useless good-for-nothing who only steps foot in school to keep an eye on my wife!

Rodrigo — That's right, the kid has several, Elisa must be just a whim for him.

Christian — Stupid, I don't believe I'm tied hand and foot, this kid stays close to her all the time, I have a good friendship with Andre, if I do anything with his son the friendship and the contracts we have will be over!

Rodrigo — Indeed, Chris, you won't be able to do anything about it. Just trust Elisa, if she says there's nothing between them then you'll have to believe her!

Christian — It's not her I don't trust, it's him, but I already have a plan to get him away from my Elisa!

Rodrigo — What are you going to do?

(…)

The cousins spend the entire morning at the mall, going to some stores, having ice cream, and afterward chatting for a bit in the food court.

Raquel — Cousin, have you managed to talk to Aunt Gisele yet?

Elisa — No, and I won't insist... She made her choice, so I won't be the one to interfere!

Raquel — What about Uncle Eduardo, any news?

Elisa — He called me yesterday, said they had been contacted about buying the house, I hope he can sell it!

Raquel — Your life has really changed, Lisa!

Elisa — Don't even get me started, at least living with Christian hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be!

Raquel — You look great, you're different... I think married life is doing you good (smiles), and that's good Lisa, it just shows I was right and you and he are meant to be!

Elisa — Here you go with that story again, I told you he doesn't feel anything for me, and...

Raquel — And you, cousin, do you feel anything for him?

Elisa — No... I mean, I don't think so, I don't know!

Raquel — Are you confused? (Her cousin had a mischievous smile on her lips)

Elisa — Let's not talk about me anymore, tell me about you, how's your love life?

Raquel - You sly dog, changing the subject, huh?

Elisa — Lately my life has been your favorite subject, let's talk about you now!

Raquel — Alright, you're right, let's talk about me... well there's not much to tell, you know everything already, I'm single, dry spell, I don't even know what kissing is anymore, let alone sex... The list is long, cousin!

They both laugh.

Raquel — What about that idiot, you did get away from him, right?

Elisa — Yes, but he doesn't seem to understand what "no" means!

Raquel — He's stalking you?

Elisa — The last week has been impossible, he keeps trying to get my attention at every turn, saying he's in love with me, and I don't know what else to do to make him understand that the feeling isn't mutual!

Raquel — Cousin, want some advice? I think it's time to reveal that you're a married woman now, maybe then he'll leave you alone!

Elisa — Maybe you're right, I better tell him before this becomes an obsession for him!

Raquel — Stupid boy, it's as if a kid like him deserves a woman like you!

They both become pensive, then Elisa looks at the time.

Elisa — I think we better go, it's almost noon!

Raquel — Then let's go!

They go down to the mall's underground parking lot and head towards the mansion. During the ride, Raquel was admiring the view and wouldn't be quiet for a minute, she had never been to this side of Los Angeles. Aisha observed them quite curiously, dying to get in on the subject.

Raquel — Wow, Lisa, you live in a huge mansion!

Her cousin says as soon as they get out of the car. Elisa notices two cars parked in front of the mansion, one she knew was Christian's, the other she didn't recognize.

Suddenly she starts to feel a strange tingling in her stomach, her hands were sweating and she was shaking, she wasn't sure why she was feeling this way... Maybe her cousin was right, and she really was confused!

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