Emilio’s words cut deep and there was no reason for him to say such cruel things to me. He must have seen me already falling apart and yet, he still had the audacity to insult me.
I didn’t know if I was more mad at him for insulting me, or that he never even asked me my side of the story. He didn’t even know I had met Nikolas before yesterday, and now he never would. I could only imagine how that conversation would go. And adding in the fact that Nikolas had my phone number would send Emilio into overdrive.
By the end of the day I was beyond frustrated. I called Violet and she helped calm me down, and I started to gain some control over myself again.
It was eleven o’clock that night when Emilio’s knock broke the silence. I got up, walked over to the door, and just stood there. I wanted to fling it open, yell at him, push him, and get his attention to let him know he hurt me and that he was an inconsiderate ass.
“Lily,” he spoke softly. “I know you’re there. Open the door.” He paused for a moment, and so did my heart.
“Lily, I know you’re on the other side of this door. I’m sorry for what I said last night. I was being an ass. I was mad, upset, and scared.” He sighed and banged his fist lightly on the door frame. “Please don’t be mad at me. I can’t stand it when you’re unhappy with me. Please just open the door so I can stop apologizing to it.”
I watched his shadow shift under the door and then I heard him slide down it. I placed my hand on the door and then I did the same thing.
“All I want to do is protect you and every time, I hurt you. I hope this time I didn’t push you too far.”
But he did.
After last night, I had made up my mind. It was going to be Lucas. I couldn’t let Emilio hurt me anymore. I had known Lucas for almost a year now and not once did he ever hurt me or say any cruel things to me. He was there for me last night, just like he always had been.
With Emilio, I didn’t know what I was going to get, but with Lucas, I knew that even if he did have a bitter side, it would be nothing like Emilio’s. I was tired of living in fear. I feared Emilio might hurt me, emotionally, physically, or mentally.
“Please still go out with me tomorrow night?” he pleaded.
I hesitated for a moment. What was the best way to let him down gently? Because even though he had hurt me, I didn’t want to hurt him.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered just loud enough for him to hear me. I prayed he couldn’t hear the trembling in my voice. I quickly stood up and headed to bed.
It was hard doing that to him. I knew he really was sorry about last night and I knew I’d forgive him, but for now I was mad. He had hurt me enough over the last three years. I was done with it, and he needed to know I moved on. My guard would be up from now on and I would not be putting it back down.
***
Friday morning I woke up and made my way downstairs to find Dante eating breakfast and Emilio was nowhere in sight. I was thankful for that. I didn’t want to see him right now.
“Good morning,” I said.
“Good morning,” he replied.
“Where’s Emilio?” I asked. I wanted to make sure I wouldn’t be caught off guard if he quickly appeared.
“I don’t know. He left late last night and hasn’t been home since. Did something happen between you two?” he asked.
“Yeah,” I sighed. “I’ve decided to put a stop to whatever relationship we had going on. It’s not healthy for either of us.”
“Finally! That ship should have sailed three years ago.”
“I know, but after the other night and what he said to me, I can’t do it anymore. I’m not going to be torn between Emilio and Lucas anymore. I know Emilio is bad for me and Lucas makes me better, so the logical thing is to be with Lucas,” I said as I took the seat next to him.
“Lily, while it may be logical to do that, is your heart telling you the same thing?” he asked.
“Yeah, it is. It’s tired of getting hurt all the time. It needs to heal and I think only Lucas can do that. I feel different around him. He makes me happy, and when I’m with him, I feel new again.”
“I’m happy for you, Lil. I just want what’s best for you. But always remember if your head and heart are in conflict, always trust your heart. It’ll lead you where you need to be,” he said.
“Wow, isn’t someone a poet,” I laughed.
“No, I just know what you’re going through.”
And with that he stood up from the table and kissed the top of my head. I knew exactly what he was talking about. Maybe he should follow his own advice, go with his heart. I know it would lead him to Violet.
“Oh and by the way,” he said coming back into the dining room, “what are your plans for tonight?”
“I don’t have any.”
“Okay. Emilio gave me these tickets. He said the show is tonight and we can have them if we want them.”
“Tickets, where? When did he give them to you?” I asked, eagerly.
“Last night before he left. I haven’t opened the envelope yet, so I don’t know what they’re for. It better be good and not any of that lovey-dovey shit.”
I opened the envelope quickly and pulled out the tickets. My face and jaw dropped when I saw what I was looking at. It was to a Broadway play. But not to just any Broadway play, the Broadway play.
“What is it? What are they?” Dante asked excitedly.
“They are tickets to The Lion King on Broadway!” I smiled.
***
I was still in shock as I looked up at the letters all lit up.
“I can’t believe I’m here seeing The Lion King! I wonder how he got tickets so quickly."
“I think he said something about his friend gave them to him,” Dante said.
“I can’t believe he was going to bring me here.”
“Yeah, well we should get inside. The show starts in fifteen minutes,” he said as he stuck out his elbow for me to take. He was such a gentleman.
The show was spectacular! I sat on the edge of my seat the entire time. I don’t think I ever got rid of the goosebumps that popped up once the first note was sung. I cried on several occasions just from the pure beauty happening on the stage. I was sad when the cast took their final bow.
“There are no words to describe how beautiful and amazing that was,” I said as we walked out of the theater. I was in complete utopia as we headed back toward the car.
“Eh. It was alright.” Dante smiled, looking in my direction.
My jaw dropped and I punched him on his arm. I knew he was joking and just trying to provoke me. I kept punching him until he caved. It took a while, but he finally took it back and told me it was a good show. I accepted that answer with an additional punch. The show wasn’t just good, it was amazing!
We arrived home a little after ten and Emilio was there. I hadn’t seen him since the other night and I didn’t know if I wanted to. I planned on thanking him for the tickets. I had wanted to see that play for as long as I could remember, and he had made it possible.
I made my way into the living room and took a seat next to him on the couch. I took several deep breaths before I spoke. I hoped he wouldn’t realize how nervous I actually was.
“I just wanted to say thank you for the tickets. Tonight really meant a lot to me,” I said.
“You’re welcome,” he said keeping it short. I couldn’t tell if he meant it or not. “Now it’s just something to cross off your bucket list.”
“Huh?” I said turning to look at him. “How?”
“How did I know that?” he questioned me. “Because I remembered. You made it when we were fourteen. It was number five, Broadway play- The Lion King or any other, but The Lion King would be amazing…, that is what you wrote.”
“How in the world did you remember that?” I asked.
“Lily, I remember a lot of things. Some more than others, but always the good things between us,” he said as he turned off the TV, rose from the couch, and headed out
of the living room.
“Emilio, wait,” I said running after him. I didn’t know what else to say, but I didn’t want to end our conversation there.
He turned to face me. It was as if I could see straight through him. I could tell he was sad and hurt, and that made me feel awful.
“Lily, listen.” He paused like he was trying to collect his thoughts. “I’m not sure how to say this, but I don’t think I can keep on lying to myself anymore.” He took another deep breath before he looked me straight in the eyes. “I think… I think I’m falling in love with you…again.”
I couldn’t have heard him right, could I? Did he just say he was falling in love with me?
“I know it sounds crazy, and I know this is coming out of the middle of nowhere, but living with you in the other house and this house, I can't deny how I feel about you anymore. I should have told you this sooner, back when I almost lost you, but I'm telling you now. You should know where I stand.”
I looked at him, a million thoughts racing through my head. Why now? Was he serious? There was a time I wanted to hear those words, and I never thought I would again. And being here right now, I just couldn’t believe they had actually escaped his lips. I tugged on my locket, contemplating what exactly I was going to say.
“Well, are you going to say anything?” he asked with concern in his eyes.
“Emilio, I…,” I didn’t know what to say back. I shook my head trying to connect my thoughts to make a complete sentence. “You can’t tell me things like that Emilio,” I said as I started backing away from him. “I’ve moved on.”
He grabbed my hands and pulled me in close. “I want to be with you. I honestly do. But the timing is just never on our side.”
“The timing is never right with you. You completely shattered my heart Emilio. It took me months to try and get over you. Do you know how hard it is for me to be around you each and every day? It isn’t fair to me when you to say things like that. If you really wanted to be with me, then nothing should keep you from that. Lucas can give me his whole heart right now and for some reason you can’t!”
“It’s not that easy Lily. You wouldn’t understand the complexity of us being together. It’s so much more than you could ever imagine.” His eyes were pleading with me, pleading for one more chance.
“That right there Emilio is the problem!” I was starting to get angry and my voice was starting to rise. “What in the hell is so important that it keeps you from me?”
I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes, but for once I refused to cry. I refused to let him see how bad this conversation was tearing me apart. I felt like I was reliving our conversation from almost four years ago.
He sighed in defeat.
“I can’t,” he said frustrated. “I can’t tell you Lily. Dante already gave you hints. You have to figure it out on your own and then decide for yourself.”
“I have racked my brain a million times and I have come up with nothing!” I said more irritated than I had ever been before. “I can’t keep doing this Emilio. I hinted to you the other night that you’re too late, and now I’m telling you. Whatever we could have had, it’s gone. I’ve moved on, and I suggest you do the same.”
He stood there for a moment with his hands in his pockets, staring at the ground. When he finally looked up at me, my breath caught. He had a single tear running down his face.
“I’ll never be able to move on from you Lily. You’re it for me,” he said as he turned away and headed upstairs.
This was the first time he had ever walked away from me after a fight.
Chapter 22
The last couple of weeks had flown by. The end of March was approaching and all four projects were coming to a close. Everything was finished except for the final paperwork and closing documents. I even had a congratulatory lunch for all the team members that had worked so diligently on the projects. Without them, there would be no way the projects would have been done this early.
Emilio and I hadn’t spoken to each other, except in passing, and some nights he didn’t even come home. It was hard on me at first, but since I turned all my attention toward Lucas, it got easier.
Lucas and I had spent every day together. If we weren’t working we were usually doing something else. We didn’t care what, as long as we were together.
I loved spending time with him. He always made me laugh and held my hand. No matter what we were doing, anytime we went somewhere, he was always showing me off to everyone around. Our relationship finally had the chance to blossom.
“Are you ready to go?” Lucas asked as he stepped back into the room. I took my last look around the building.
Every piece of furniture, décor, and tile were in all the right places. The new office space was my favorite of the four places I had just finished. It was so elegant. I couldn’t wait to see the look on the new owner’s face. It was one of the best pieces I had done. I loved being able to have free reign and let the space speak to me.
“Yes,” I said as I took one more look around before I turned the lights out. “Are we grabbing some dinner here in the city?”
“Sure,” he said as he opened the door for me and I took a step out onto the sidewalk. “What do you want?”
“Anything, I’m starving.” I smiled back at him before I locked the door.
We decided on one of our favorite pizza shops not too far from the office. It was just a short walk away, so we headed that direction. Lucas threw his arm over my shoulder and pulled me in. I loved how he always kept me close.
We were almost to the restaurant when I heard someone behind us. I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck stand. I wonder if Lucas felt it too.
“Well, well, well, what do we have here?”
Lucas and I both quickly spun on our heels to face him. His spine chilling smile spread across his face. I could tell he was pleased he had “ran” into us.
“I bet Emilio is not happy about this.”
“Nikolas?” I said taken aback. He was a little hard to recognize at first. His hair was longer and he had facial hair now.
“You look surprised to see me, which is odd since I’m sure they have told you we like to keep tabs on you,” he confirmed.
“I think it would be in your best interest Nikolas if you just turn around and walk away right now.” Lucas’s voice was steady but stern. “You need to look around you. This isn’t exactly your kind of place.” He tilted his head from right to left.
“Oh, would it now?” Nikolas paused for a moment before he continued. “So, you’re the new bodyguard huh? Lucky man getting to escort her around all day. I must say, though, you’re a little smaller than the other one. What was his name again?” A smirk pulled at his lips as he let out a chuckle. “Roman?”
Before I could even respond, everything slowed down as Lucas swung and hit Nikolas square in the jaw. Nikolas stumbled back for a second and his friends took a step toward us, but Nikolas waved them off.
“That wasn’t very nice Lucas, now was it?”
“Don’t ever speak his name to her again you piece of shit,” Lucas huffed out.
“Okay,” Nikolas said as he popped his neck. “What about Emilio’s then?”
I swear if I could have moved I would have already decked that man twice, once for Roman and once for Emilio.
“What about Emilio?” I smarted back. Lucas stepped in front of me to guard me.
“I’m surprised he is letting you frolic below your class.” He nodded toward Lucas. “I guess Emilio doesn’t care what trash you land in as long as you eventually come back to him in the end.”
I saw only red.
“Don’t you ever speak to me again!” I screamed as I jumped for him. Lucas’s arms grabbed me around my waist and pulled me in tight. “How dare you? Who do you think you are? You don’t know me! You don’t know anything about me!”
I was struggling against Lucas’s arms. I heard his voice, but I didn’t listen to anythi
ng he was saying. “And furthermore if you ever speak Roman’s name in my presence again, it will be the last words you ever say! I will cut your tongue out of your mouth!”
“Lily!” Lucas’s voice shouted at me. “Stop!”
I started to turn around and say something, but then I realized I had an audience.
“Nikolas,” Lucas growled at him. “You better walk away now, or it’s going to get ugly. You ready for that?”
Nikolas looked around for a moment deciding on what he was going to do next. My chest was rising and falling rapidly. I felt like I was going to throw up. I was definitely not getting pizza tonight. I lost my appetite.
“One day you will let your guard down, and when you do,” he said as he shook his finger at me, “you will regret it.”
“Don’t hold your breath,” I spit back. He just smiled at me.
“By the way Lucas,” Nikolas said right before he punched Lucas in the face, sending both of us falling to the ground. “Don’t ever hit me again. And Lily,” he said smiling at me, “tell Emilio I said hello.”
I scrambled to get up when Lucas’s arm wrapped around mine and held them tight.
“Let go of me,” I whispered harshly at him, but he didn’t. He pushed himself up off the ground with one arm still holding tightly to mine. “What the…,” I started to say something, but the look in Lucas’s eye stopped me. His lip was bleeding and he was not happy.
“You can’t lose your temper with him Liliana,” he finally spoke before he spit blood on the concrete, “see what happens when you do?” He turned to me and slightly grinned. Was he trying to joke with me? My blood was still boiling, and he was joking with me.
“What?” he asked.
“Are you seriously making a joke right now?” I stared at him.
“Kind of.” He shrugged. “The alternative sucks,” he said as he spit again.
“Do we need to go now?” I asked out of habit.
“Nah,” he said as he grabbed my hand. “We’re safe around here.” He smiled. “Well, you are at least.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked confused. I could tell he was uncomfortable with the question, and that made me want to know more.
“Well, I know you have been designing a long time for your father, but I didn’t know if you ever fixed up any of these buildings. He owns a lot of businesses on this block, so if someone were to pick a fight with you here, it wouldn’t be very wise,” he explained.