She continues, “I wanted a baby with you, and you made it clear you hated babies. Now look at you… why didn’t you tell her the same? Or were you waiting for ‘the one’? Now that I realize you need something, I won’t give it to you because I want you to understand how it feels to do something knowing how badly it affects someone else,” she tells me before taking a sip of her drink.
She smiles, a sad smile. “You know what? I’m not beating around the bush, and I don’t care if you’re going to shoot me inthe head or not. I’m not doing it, and that’s final,” she says, her voice cracking.
I exhale.
“And I genuinely wanted to make you happy by signing it, regardless of what you did to me, but when I think about it, you never once considered my feelings. So why should I?” she adds.
I stare at her for a moment and accept that this is it. I’ll just call it a day and leave. I can’t say I didn’t try, right? I get up, picking up my phone and the folder. “Ah, sorry fi waste yuh time,” I say simply as I walk away.
Before closing the door behind me, I give her one last glance. She’s sobbing, looking away with her hand over her mouth. I can’t deny it; I feel guilty. And she’s right; I never considered her feelings.
58
Rosa Negra
I squeeze lemon over the lobster and take a bite, stunned by what Zara is implying. Her expression shifts instantly, catching me off guard. I notice her smile widening and her eyes sparkling.
“Wah yuh up to?” I smirk.
“Why don’t you try again with a different approach?” she asks with a smug grin.
“What approach, Mami?” I inquire, intrigued.
“I mean, I trust you,” she replies with a smile. I can’t help but smile back, realizing what she’s hinting at. It amazes me that she’s offering this, considering her own insecurities.
“Act like you’re into her, get her to sign that paper,” she shrugs. I look at her, trying to detect any sign of humor or playfulness, but she appears sincere.
“You sure?” I ask, raising my brows, and she nods affirmatively.
“Yes, I’m sure. Think of it as a test. You’re working on your loyalty while I’m addressing my insecurities. But right now, it’s not about us; it’s about you getting that document signed, so just go for it without overthinking,” I listen intently as she speaks.
“You wah see how it go though? Because mi could a make Genius set up something and mek you see it enuh, so you know say mi nah do nothing wrong,” I suggest, and she smiles.
“That would be cool, babe, but if mi a watch you, wah the sense in that? Go ahead and let me see how you handle this,” I am taken aback.
After a moment, I nod. “But how yaw go believe?” I ask.
“It’s on you to be honest, babe,” she replies.
***
“Alright, Mami,” I say, meeting her gaze, and she responds with a warm smile.
Her insecurities makes this shit unbelievable…
“I love you, and mi nah go do nutt’n weh me know yuh wouldn’t like,” I promise her.
She beams at me. “I love you more.”
After my call with Zara, I returned to my hotel room, in deep thoughts. I might have love for Talia, but a Zara have man heart. I roll off the bed. I need something strong to drink. After going through the selection of tequilas in the fridge, I decide to call room service and order Hennessy.
“¿Puedo sugerir fresas cubiertas de chocolate con el Hennessy?” the lady asks.
[May I suggest chocolate-covered strawberries with the Hennessy?]
“Normalmente te aceptaría esa sugerencia, pero por esta noche con un Hennessy basta,” I reply.
[Normally, I would take you up on that suggestion, but just the Hennessy will do for tonight,]
