'I don't care!'

She told herself.

'I really don't.'

Trying her best to not recall any intimate moments that they had shared. Surprised, she had actually given in. Feeling foolish because that was someone's partner. Lola seemed nice, Mila thought to herself. It wasn't her fault that she put her trust in someone who proved to be unfaithful. So, she had come to terms with the regards that she had been one to pass time on his business trip. He didn't have a wife like she thought or accused, he had a girlfriend. He seemed so surprised and in utter shock when he saw her. Mila had assumed a man like him was unbothered by adultery. She had not expected him to be flabbergasted and uncomfortable with the situation. She felt shameful as she passed his security, they were clearly aware and had seen her walk out of his bed too many times. No one had said anything. Mila had always thought of herself as an unbothered person but... truthfully, she felt some sort of betrayal.

"I honestly do not know what Andre wants from me..." Della expresses with a sigh after getting off a phone call with her ex-husband. Mila's thoughts had been too occupied to even function or eavesdrop as she always did.

"The man is clearly still infatuated with you. This co-parenting won't cut it for long." Mila assured her friend, putting on a facade that everything was perfectly fine. She watched as her friend scrunched her face in disapproval. Deciding to ignore the remark, Della could sense that Mila wasn't as talkative as she usually was. It was concerning, she had always been one to talk none-stop about anything, now she was quiet and too observant of the walls.

As soon as Della was about to speak, Mila interrupted with a random thought. "Wealthy men are only a call for trouble. They think they own everything and everyone. They can have you today toss you on the next..."

"Is this about that—"

"No!" Mila dismissed.

"Well it looks like it is since I didn't have to say his name for you to know who exactly I was speaking of." Della shrugged. Mila scowled at her, clearly in-denial.

"One thing for sure is I'm going to get my eggs removed before I commit a big mistake. I'm done with birth control!"

"...hey... is everything alright?"

Mila shook her head. "It's just such a pain in the ass taking pills just so a cheating bastard can hit it raw." She let out a sarcastic laugh.

"Mila... please start from the beginning?"

"....that-guy-the-rich-guy-from—"

"Yes, I'm well aware of whom you're talking about?"

"...we met up a few times, things happened. Turns out he has a girl friend who came to surprise him and I had to set up the romantic setting for them so that was pretty fun."

Della smiled lowly.

Mila cringed at her friend.

"Am I missing something? Was there something funny? Why are you smiling?" Mila panicked as if she knew what was coming.

"...well knowing you my friend, you never care for such. Relationships and titles never stopped you before."

"Well this was different, the lady seemed really nice." Mila shrugged, carelessly shoving her uniform in the locker. She waited for Della to finish getting dressed before they walked out together. Mila made them rush as fast as they could through the lobby not wanting to encounter anyone that she wouldn't want to see in that very moment but lucky for them, they had to sign out at the reception; it was such a drag.

"You should confront him, if it's bothering you." Della suggested.

"I'd rather just avoid him and pretend we never met him. I don't want to—" Mila stopped talking when Della looked at her expectedly, hinting for her to look behind her. At first Mila stood there confused until Becca the receptionist said "Evening, Mr Molinero. Anything I can do for you? The suite has been cleared. We're so sorry for the inconvenience. She had informed us that you knew she was coming in and she had the keycard; your PA had given it to her so we only assumed... it would be well received."

Mila stood there stiff, she wouldn't turn around. She refused to turn around. She couldn't, her jealousness and hurt would just expose her. She did not want to put much thought or care into it. Besides Alfredo was allowed to come down to the lobby and go about his day as much as she was. Granted they both led different lives with different circumstances.

"Thank you, no worries it is all forgotten believe that will be all." Mila heard his voice steady and unfiltered, it was intimidating. It was very close, too close. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath in, hoping he would turn to walk away. No sounds footsteps came, but the open area was still bustling it was a busy evening after all. With some going towards the hotel restaurant, some towards the spa and others headed up and others out; dispersed movements from all around.

"Wow... would you look at the time, it sure is going by quickly." Mila mumbled looking at her $4 watch from Amazon. A whiff of his colon making it known, her nostrils filled with dominance. Her skin tingled uncomfortable with the situation. Della nodded awkwardly in agreement. Never having seen her friend so petrified and afraid of a situation.

"Evening ladies." Alfredo finally made himself known when he realized Mila wouldn't turn around to give him any sort of attention. Julio walked right behind as if he was Alfredo's shadow. He gave them a subtle nod. Mila felt embarrassed, her cheeks almost rose red. The look Julio gave her was knowing of everything that had occurred between her and the man in-front of her. Her throat dried up. Della was friendly and nice enough to distract Alfredo. Mila kept silent. She could feel Alfredo's eye on her. More than anything she was thankful, they weren't alone. Mila wondered if him and his girlfriend were already done with their romantic evening.

"May I steal your dearest friend for a second?" Alfredo said confidently. 

Ignoring him, Mila gave Della pleading eyes. That begged for her not to let her down. "We were just about to leave—"

"It won't take long." Alfredo mused. "I'd hate to pay her a visit and wait for her on her front door." Clearing his throat. "For as long as it takes. I'm a man of my word."

Mila huffed. "It's fine Della, I will be there in a minute..." 

"Are you sure?" Della asked concerned.

Mila only assured her with a forced smile. With that Della walked off but not too far, conversing with Tim at the far end bar. The atmosphere almost immediately changed. Eying him from head to toe, he did not intimidate her as much as he did at first. She asked herself if he ever wore anything besides funeral black attires.

"...just when do you leave...? are you having trouble checking out because I'm here to help!"

"Eager to get rid of me so soon?" He chuckled, a little amused. Mila frowned, Alfredo knew that wasn't the time to be making any remarks. She seemed fed up and altogether done with the situation. He found bliss in scanning her face, he had to admit that he found pleasure in just being in her presence there was some sort of comfort and playfulness that settled between them.

His lips broke into a smile. "About Lola..."

"No need to explain!" She dismissed. "I'm super glad we can now form a professional boundary between us and no worries, I did not say a word and won't say a word. I'd rather we forget the foolery that has been happening between us. I only ask that you stop entertaining this." Gulping down, she looked everywhere but him. Something about his gestures told her he found the whole situation funny. She didn't. "I work here, please do not embarrass me."

"How do I do that?" Now he was really curious.

"Following me around and making it seem as if you pay for more than just my housekeeping services..!"

Alfredo only suppressed a laugh.

"Yeah sure, it's very funny to you but this is my life and my reputation and—"

"I apologize if I gave that impression."

"Apology accepted now if you excuse me—"

Alfredo was quick to hold her wrist.

"Mila, what are you so afraid of?" He asked yet again. "No, that was not my girlfriend. She is an employee who overstepped a boundary and thought too far of something that had been merely casual from time to time. You certainly can not deny that you've been looking for a way to get rid of me. You're so hell bent on leaving me in the past when I want to do more than just woo you into my bed."

Her throat felt drier than the Kalahari desert. She looked around avoid eye contact. Della gave her an assuring glimpse to do whatever she needed to and take as much time as she needed. Mila wondered if Becca was listening in even though she had already served four people during the time Alfredo had approached them.

"What do you want from me?" She questioned. "One night, you had that. Second night, yes you had that too. Third night, you had that. What exactly do you want me to offer you now? This is harassment."

"Harassment?" Alfredo chuckled in disbelief until he realized, she was serious. "I'm not sure if this is some complicated crossword puzzle for you but I like you Mila. I like you. I'm a man who likes a woman and I want to take her on a date but she won't allow me."

Mila scoffed.

"Please do yourself a favor and go date people who are as well off as you're."

"Is that your concern? That you aren't good enough?"

"Good enough for what? I don't need a man in my life."

"Oh, excellent we have a proud feminist over here."

"You must assume you're really funny... you're not."

Alfredo was getting tired of the back and forth. Defeated, he wasn't sure what was the way forward. He had never been rejected before not even after showing off his expertise of pleasing a woman's body.

Before he could continue, he was interrupted. A phone call from Uncle Benito, supposedly urgent. Mila used this opportunity dismiss herself and run off to get a cab. As Alfredo took the phone call, he watched Mila run as quickly as she could grabbing her friend. A little boy ran behind them, still in uniform. For many reasons something about this amused him.

"I need to know if you will be home for your birthday..." the raspy voice rambled through the receiver. Alfredo imagined, his bald headed uncle sitting on a pool side drinking martinis with a couple of women massaging his shoulders.

"Why is that any of your concern?"

"Don't be rude!" Uncle Benito chuckled. "I only want to give you the best welcome."

"Of course!" Alfredo chuckled sarcastically.

"Are you, perhaps barren? My English is not good but I'm unbothered by what they call men who can't reproduce..." His uncle always knew how to press and ruffle his feathers. "I'm only concerned as to why it would take you this long to simple get a woman pregnant. It is not that hard—"

"I hear you..." He replied not in the mood for an argument. "Perhaps, I'm not one to have children everywhere with everyone like yourself. My child will have a decent mother, a hard working mother who isn't easily pleased by money and—" he pictured Mila and smiled. "My child deserves a mother who isn't in it for who I am and what fortune I hold."

His uncle laughed, behind it bitterness scrambled through. "If you assume a normal woman would want to father the child of a murderer then you're in for a surprise. Regardless, let me know when you will return. I'm quite excited for the reading of the will, time is ticking..."

"You must be pleased." Alfredo chuckled when all he wanted to say was 'fuck you'

"Not at all, it is all out of concern."

"You need not worry then, everything is being handled accordingly." Benito then hung up, he hated feeling as if he was losing. He hated it, more than anything he hated not being in control of things and not knowing what was happening in New York. Granted, he needed a ears there who better than bitter Lola.

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