Benjamin seems to snap out of his reverie. Awkwardly, the young man approaches me, grabs my wrist, sending something strong and electrifying through my body.
"Can we talk?" he asks in my ear.
It wasn't like last time, this time he was polite.
My gaze meets his, I swallow hard, but I stay strong. I look at his hand holding my wrist, then I pull my arm away and step back from him.
"Talk? Now you want to talk?" I ask sarcastically.
"Please," he pleads.
"What's going on here?" his father asks.
Since we don't respond, still glaring at each other, the man repeats the question.
"Benjamin, your father is talking to you!" the girl who was coming down the stairs with him says.
He tells them not to worry, that he will sort everything out with me, they don't need to worry.
"She came here to talk to me and your father, so step back and let us talk!"
"Do you want him to leave?" his mother asks.
"No! It's actually good that he's here to hear everything I have to say!"
"Please, I beg you, don't do this!" he says anxiously.
"That's enough, Benjamin! I'm getting annoyed, step back and let the lady speak!" his father says gruffly.
His sister pulls him away from me. Juliana asks me to sit down and they sit on the sofa right in front of me, on the other side of the coffee table.
"Please, go ahead and speak!"
I take the photo of my children from my bag, look at them, and regain my strength, setting aside how he unsettles me.
Benjamin remains standing, arms crossed, while his sister sits on the other sofa.
"I'm Diana Prescott! About three years ago, I was in this condominium, singing at a wedding of one of your relatives! That day, Benjamin and I spent the night together in his apartment and... and that night, I got pregnant!" I say, unable to hold back the tears forming in my eyes as I remember how I was treated by him.
Benjamin puts a hand to his forehead, still with his arms crossed.
"I had just turned eighteen, scared and not knowing what to do, I looked for Benjamin and he refused to accept my pregnancy! He denied that it could be his, but he knew very well that I was a virgin!"
His parents look at their son reproachfully, while his sister covers her mouth.
I tell them in detail the words he said to me that day. The disappointment and anger on the faces of his family members is palpable.
I pick up the photo that was in my hands and place it on the table. As the woman picks up the photo, she shows it to her husband and they both become emotional and surprised to find out there are two.
"God, he looks just like Ben!" the girl says, standing and looking at the photo.
"What are their names?" Miguel asks.
"Ravi and Luna!"
Benjamin remains motionless, he looks at the photo from a distance and I can sense how much it affects him. If I didn't know him well, I would say his eyes sparkled and welled up.
"Luna is beautiful and looks a lot like you!" Helena says. "But Ravi is the spitting image of Benjamin, even his charming mannerisms!" she says, all mushy.
"I can imagine how difficult it must have been..." Juliana says.
"Very, there were times when I needed paternal support, but my sister was always by my side!"
"And what do you want?" Benjamin asks. "After all, so much time has passed..."
"I never wanted your money and I won't want it now, Benjamin! You can rest assured about that!"
"I know women..."
"Shut up, Benjamin!" Miguel says harshly, and the boy's eyes widen.
I stand up, because I needed to speak some truths to this imbecile who won't get off his pedestal.
"You don't know women like me, because if you did, you wouldn't be a scoundrel, coward, and egocentric! What surprises me is that you didn't realize that I am a transparent and sincere person, that is what I value most in my relationships! But of course, you won't perceive a person's character, because what interests you is only the body, physical attraction, momentary things, and honestly, I have come to be disgusted by you! The memories of your words no longer affect me, only I know the reason why I am humiliating myself here and everything I have been through to rebuild myself with two babies, studying and working to fight for my goals! I don't say dreams because you took them away that day with your words and attitude! If I didn't have my sister, I don't know what would become of me, and it's because of her that I'm here!" I pour it all out, tears rolling down my face. "I just found out that the only person who has always been by my side, taking care of me, protecting me, being a mother and friend, is sick, has cancer, and that is terrifying! I don't want my sister to die, I can't lose her!"
I wipe my face with my hands and cry compulsively, losing all composure. I feel soft hands touching my shoulder, I come face to face with Juliana, she smiles weakly and hugs me. In her arms, I felt what I only feel with my sister, care, affection, and protection, it was all I needed.
"I'm sorry... I..."
"It's okay, my dear! Let it out..." she says massaging my back in circular motions.
Helena brings a glass of water, we sit back down, and I take a shaky sip of water.
"I'm sorry for asking, but where are your parents?"
"They died in a fire, Eliza and I grew up in an orphanage, and she is the mother I never had, that's why I'm so scared!"
"Our cousin is an oncologist, maybe..."
"I appreciate your kindness, but the only thing I need is to know if you can help me take care of Ravi and Luna! I received a job offer to be a secretary, with the salary I can take out a loan and pay for her treatment, but I have no one to look after them, I don't trust strangers..."
"Of course, we'll take care of them!" Miguel blurts out.
I glance at Benjamin briefly, but he has a vacant and indecipherable look.
"When can we do the DNA test?" I ask, and everyone looks at me in shock.
Benjamin seems to snap out of his trance with my question.
"With this photo, you don't need any DNA test, my dear!" Helena says.
"I insist that the test be carried out!"
My phone rings, and it's a message from Ana, saying she is worried because Eliza has not left the room.
"I have to go! This is my card, just schedule the test and I'll bring the children! Thank you for your understanding and trust!" I say looking at Juliana, Miguel, and Helena.
I hurriedly leave the house, stop by the company, and speak directly to my boss, asking for at least two days off because I have problems at home. I am surprised to not be fired and to be given the rest of the week off. His only condition is that when I come back, I have an answer.
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