She jumps. “I-I don’t have a camera,” she stutters. I could coerce her into signing the documents, but I can’t. If I do, she’ll report me, and there’s no way to deny it, especially since a few people saw me here. I even used my ID to enter the building.
I’m not even from Mexico.
That would be dumb.
I hiss.
And my attitude earlier probably made her even less inclined to sign it.
“Will you sign it?” I ask her in a calm tone, and she stares at me longer than necessary.
“Please?” I add softly, and her expression softens. Finally, she sits down, pulling the folder toward her. I sit beside her, and as she reads the document, I can’t help but realize that, despiteeverything, I’m still in love with her. I thought those feelings had faded, but they haven’t.
My mind wanders to what Uncle Orion was explaining when I caught him with my mother. Is this what happened between my mother and Uncle Orion? I’m not trying to hurt anyone intentionally; it’s just how things are unfolding. I know I love Zara more, there’s no question about that. I’ve always had feelings for Talia that I simply didn’t understand.
But my love for Zara is overwhelming. She’s therapeutic, gradually healing me from all the trauma and internal battles I’ve faced. Aside from my favorite place that brings me peace, no one else, except Zara, can provide me with that comfort.
I need her just as much as I need oxygen.
“You heard that?”
“Nickoi, your phone is ringing,” Talia says, pulling me from my thoughts. She glances at the screen, and I pick up the phone when I see it’s Zara.
“Hey, Mami,” I say, standing up as Talia disappears down the hallway, likely giving us space to talk.
“How is Mexico treating you?” she asks, sitting on the bed while fixing Zahira’s hair, her eyes focused on something in her hand.
“Everything’s good,” I smile, glancing at my daughter. “What’s she watching?” I ask, and Zara looks at Zahira with a smile while breastfeeding Zahir. I smile at Zahir, then Talia sits down.
I need to wrap this up before it causes more problems…
“She’s watching Chip and Potato,” Zara says with a smile, lifting the iPad for me to see.
I chuckle.
“I’ll call you back later because I have some things to wrap up,” I say, and she nods.
“Okay, babe, later.”
After hanging up, I find Talia still reading the documents, pen in her hand. I assume she’s okay. A few minutes pass, and it seems like she’s just staring at the paper rather than reading it. My brows furrow when she drops the pen onto the document.
“I don’t think I’m going to do this,” she says solemnly.
“What?” I ask, eyebrows furrowed.
“You heard me, Nickoi,” she replies, staring into my eyes. I look away, facepalming before meeting her gaze again.
“I just told you how important this is,” I say, and she nods. She shifts a little away from me, and I sigh. Jealousy is creeping in, all because of the phone call.
“Yes, I’m aware that you need me to sign this document, and that’s exactly why I don’t think I will,” she says angrily.
“Just because you know I need it, you won’t do it?” I ask, and she shakes her head.
“No matter all that happen, my love for you, it tells me to sign it for you. But… everything I want with you, you give to her. You cheat on me, you make babies with her, you marry her, and never, not one time, you think of my feelings. Not once… you don’t care about who you’re hurting. We had something too… but you, you jump with all your heart into that with her, like I was nothing.” she explains, and I remain silent.
I don’t know what to say.
Just be quiet.
