by Marie Easton
After he left, I stood there for I don’t know how long. Javier’s words stung on many levels. It hurt knowing he’d connected with another woman so deeply that they shared a child together. It hurt that it was apparent I had trouble accepting him, and it hurt that Javier didn’t feel the same connection to me.
I skipped eating pizza and went to bed. My heart hurt. The flood of emotion I felt kept coming in waves and I wondered if I’d drown in them this time.
~ ~ ~
During the next couple of weeks I submerged myself in work. I made a change in the original plans for the showroom and partitioned off part of the waiting room, making it a children’s area that was hi-tech complete with touch screens, movies, and video games. I sent it over to Steven’s office and immediately got a phone call in response.
“Kayla, it’s Steven.”
“What can I do for you?”
“Why are you making a major structural change in the plans this late in the project? Did Fuentes approve this change?”
“No, I just made the decision.”
“Well, don’t you think you should get approval first? This will delay the project and cost more money.”
“I'll run it by him.”
“When will I know if it's approved? I'm going to need to order more materials and bring back the electrician.”
“I’ll give you the official word tomorrow.” I hung up the phone and called for a courier to take the revision to the JVF Automotive offices.
“Rafael, can you take my calls for the rest of the day? I don’t want to be disturbed.”
“Sure thing.”
It wasn’t more than two hours later and Rafael came into my office. “Mr. Fuentes is on the phone. He insists on talking to you.”
“Tell him I left for the day.”
“All righty, then.” Rafael left the office.
I decided to finish my day from home so I packed up my things and got ready to leave.
Rafael caught me before I left. “I don’t know what you did to him but he sounded very annoyed.”
“He’ll get over it.” I kept walking.
~ ~ ~
The next day the courier came back and dropped off the response from Javier. He’d signed the plans and put a note on it that stated no more changes were permitted. I handed the papers back to the courier and had them sent to Steven. He’ll be thrilled.
“Here’s your coffee, Sunshine.” Rafael sat in the chair across from my desk. “What are your plans for the holidays?”
I shrugged. “Nothing for Thanksgiving, but I’ll be going to stay with my sister through Christmas and New Year’s for the wedding.”
Rafael looked at me with concern. “Sugar, I don’t like this grim, serious Kayla. You haven’t smiled in weeks, but you’re producing projects like a little machine. I’m exhausted.”
The thought of making him tired made me laugh a little. “Sorry, Rafael. I've been focused on finishing the showroom and trying to get ahead before I leave town.”
“Has the situation with Mr. Fuentes changed at all?”
“Nope. We haven’t talked since the night he came to the condo."
“So what are you waiting for?”
“What do you mean?”
“Why haven’t you gone to spend time with him and meet his boy?”
I shrugged. “I’m not sure that’s what I want.”
Rafael looked at me and sipped his coffee. “You can get mad at me if you like, but I’m going to tell you what I think. You spent six years mourning the idea of a perfect love and relationship, the fairytale all girls concoct in their heads. Then, a glimmer of hope happened and a piece of that fairytale arrived at your door, but it’s been damaged because of the past. I think you do love him, but you’ll force him to go away because you won’t accept that he tried to love someone else. Let me ask you one thing. Did you know all of Steven’s past, intimate relationships before you got involved with him?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because, it didn’t matter. Whoever he had been with before was no longer an issue. That isn’t the case with Javier. He has a child with another woman. That doesn’t just go away.”
“You’re right. That won’t go away, but I think a man who puts his child before his personal happiness is a person with a huge capacity for love.” Rafael stood and left the office.
I sat and thought about what he said. Why don’t I have a huge capacity for love? Why am I so selfish? I decided to go to the construction site and get out of the office.
I walked around the site and went inside. Steven must have already been there because the new space was drawn out on the floor. I stood staring at the chalk lines when someone came up beside me. I didn’t look to see who it was.
“A play-room. What made you add that?” Ricardo asked.
“I’m not sure. It just seemed right.”
“Javi will like playing in it when he comes to visit his dad.”
I stayed silent.
“I have to say I’m surprised,” Ricardo said.
“Surprised about what?”
“That you don’t like kids. You always seemed so fun-loving. I thought you’d be a natural mother.”
“What makes you think I don’t like kids?”
“Well, you haven’t spoken to Javier since you found out about Javi for one.”
“It’s complicated, Ricardo.”
“Is it?”
I turned to look at him. “It isn’t Javi that’s the issue. It’s knowing Javier had a family with someone else. It’s knowing all of the ‘firsts’ in life aren’t his ‘first’s’ anymore. I’m disappointed and sad, that’s all.”
“Cecilia was just looking for a sugar daddy, someone to take care of her. She took advantage of an angry, broken young man.”
I looked at him and saw the dislike of her on his face. “If you thought that, why didn’t you tell him?”
“I did. Several times. It didn’t matter. He was determined to mask the pain of losing you and losing the life he loved.”
I thought about this and my heart hurt. “He really did love me.”
“No doubt about it.”
“What do I do now? He can’t forget the last few weeks, can he?” I looked down at the ground.
Ricardo put his hand on my shoulder. “You’ll think of something.” He turned and walked away.
Chapter 29
Thanksgiving morning, I stuffed the turkey, preparing to put it in the oven. Rafael and Antonio were coming over for turkey dinner later in the afternoon. I already had Christmas music playing because this celebration kicked off the holiday season for me. I looked forward to going home soon and for the first time in weeks I felt at ease. After putting the turkey into the oven, I showered, dressed, and then started preparing other parts of the meal.
A few hours later the doorbell rang. I answered it and Rafael and Antonio came in full of energy. Both in sweaters and jeans, they are such a perfect couple.
“Hola, chica,” Rafael said, in his flamboyant high-energy voice.
He kissed my cheek and Antonio followed. He held my dress and he handed it over to me.
“Not too much turkey today for you. I’m not letting the seams out of this masterpiece.”
I pulled the plastic off in order to see it better. It was truly breathtaking, floor length, plum chiffon material with a halter neckline. The back of the dress was fitted with lace leaving a keyhole where the fabric connected at the back of the halter behind the neckline.
“It is beautiful, Antonio. I will wear it proudly. Thank you, my sister will love it.”
“She’d better. It’s one of a kind. Wear your hair stacked so everyone can see the dress in its entirety. “
�
�Will do.” I went to my room to hang it up. When I returned I opened wine and we put the finishing touches on the meal.
When we finished eating, we were all tired and full. We sat in the living room talking and laughing about past events.
“Let’s go to a movie,” Rafael suggested.
“What movie?”
“No clue. Let’s just pick it when we get there. There are tons of new releases on Thanksgiving.”
I didn’t really feel like moving but I agreed. We cleaned up and left for the theater. When we arrived, we stood there looking at the marquee trying to figure out what we all wanted to see.
I let Antonio and Rafael argue and looked around while I waited. I froze as I saw a little boy wearing a flat cap, polo sweater and jeans. He cuddled a toy and met my stare. Those brown eyes penetrated my soul. Holding his dad’s hand, Javi looked back at me.
I broke off our staring contest and walked over to them. I said nothing to Javier but knelt down to talk to Javi. “Hi, I’m Kayla. What’s that cool toy?”
“Optimus Prime.” A little voice answered. He held up the toy for me to see it better.
“Wow, does he transform into a truck?”
He nodded.
“Will you show me how?”
He let go of Javier’s hand and began twisting and turning the robot until it was in the shape of a semi-truck.
“You're good at that. Is Optimus Prime your favorite Transformer?”
He nodded again.
“Mine is Bumble Bee. Do you know why?”
He shook his head, no.
“Because he turns into a car like your daddy used to drive.”
He gave a big smile that showed off his dimple and again my heart melted. He looked just like his father.
“What movie are you going to see?”
“The Adventures of Pandas”
“Let me know how it is. Maybe, I'll see that one if you think it’s good.” I smiled back at him.
I stood up and looked at Javier. “Happy Thanksgiving.”
“Happy Thanksgiving.” He grinned back at me.
“Enjoy the movie. It should be a good one.” I turned to walk away.
“You could join us if you want,” Javier said behind me.
I turned back around and looked at him for a short moment before answering. “I’d like that,”
I stood in line with them as we talked and laughed with Javi. When we got inside I asked Javi, “Did you save room for popcorn and candy?”
He looked up and smiled again. “Yep.”
“Me too. Let’s pick out some good junk food.” By the time we were done we had popcorn, gummy worms, and slushies. We entered the theater and picked a spot where Javi could see the screen. We munched on our snacks while we waited for the movie to start.
“How old are you, Javi?” I asked.
He held up three fingers.
“Three! Wow, you are a big boy.” I looked up at Javier. “Do you get to have him through Sunday?”
Javier looked at me and pursed his lips a little. “He’s going to stay with me permanently.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Really? Do tell.”
“We can talk about that when we aren’t being listened to.” He looked down at Javi.
“Understood.”
Javier really was good at this parenting stuff.
“I’m going to need some decorating advice for his new room.”
I smiled. “I’ll take that project free of charge. Besides, I’m good at spending your money.” I giggled and threw more popcorn in my mouth.
Javier laughed and said, “That’s true. Veronica taught you well.”
We looked at each other over Javi’s head and I wanted to drink in that stare. The distance and heartache of the last few years didn’t seem to matter when I gazed at him. I still wanted him and loved him. The lights dimmed, the movie started and we turned our attention to the screen.
Javi fell asleep before the film ended, but it was still entertaining. Javier scooped him up when it was over and I carried his Transformer. We walked out to the car and put him in his booster seat.
“I think my ride probably left. Would you mind giving me a lift?”
“Not at all.” Javier answered, and as he opened the door for me to get in.
“I can’t believe you have a car seat in an Aston Martin.”
“I don’t have much choice. He has to sit in one.”
“You may need a mini-van. I think it’s time to trade this bad boy in.”
Javier laughed. “I don’t think so. I'll just buy an Escalade for my family vehicle.”
“Just like that.”
“Just like that.”
I smiled and looked out the window. “So how is it that Javi will be with you on a permanent basis? You didn’t do anything illegal, did you?”
He was quiet for a minute and I looked at him with a moment of fear that maybe he did do something stupid.
“No, I didn’t do anything illegal. Javi will have a better life and more opportunity if he grows up in the U.S. Cecilia is a disaster and not what I want Javi growing up around.”
“She is his mother though.”
“And she will see him often, but I convinced her that Javi living with me was best.”
“How’d you convince her?”
“With the thing she loves most.”
“And that would be?”
“Money.”
“You bought her off?”
“It speaks volumes about her priorities and character, doesn’t it?”
“Wow. I have to say I’m shocked any mother would do that. What if she changes her mind?”
“I wouldn’t give her the money until she signed over custody.”
“Does Javi understand he isn’t going to live with her anymore?”
“He seems to. He may miss her after a little while. When he does, I'll take him to see her.”
“It’s going to be hard making that long trip often.”
“Ricardo will fly us.”
“What do you mean he’ll fly you? Is he a pilot?”
“Yes, he has his own jet. It’s a business expense.” Javier shot me a sideways grin.
“A business expense?”
“Yes. He has to check on the factories in Mexico. Flying commercial isn’t always convenient.”
“How long has he been a pilot?”
“He certified in college.”
“You boys amaze me.”
We arrived at my condo and Javier pulled into a parking spot. “Thank you for joining us tonight. It was fun.”
His warm smile made my heart ache for him even more. I smiled back and realized I hadn’t felt this happy in a long time. “Thank you for letting me join you tonight.”
“I’d walk you up, but I’d have to get Javi out of his seat.”
“I understand.” I paused for a moment, then eased out of the car. “Will I see you both at the grand opening?”
“Definitely. We’ll both be there.”
Chapter 30
I pulled up in front of the showroom and handed the valet my keys. I lifted my floor-length, black crepe halter gown a little as I approached the showroom doors. Javier’s marketing department did a fabulous job creating an evening event, to promote the opening of the showroom.
The cars looked amazing on the rotating showroom floor. On each platform there was a different luxury vehicle. To the right was dark blue BMW 750, center was a pearl Mercedes-Benz S-class and to the left was a black Audie A4. In the front of the showroom there was two stationary platforms that contained a cherry red Jaguar XF and a yellow Maserati Ghibli.
Appetizer stations strategically placed around the room
greeted guests. Tables and chairs surrounded the circle of cars for the dinner that would be served a little later. There was even a bar and a band playing modern jazz. It was a black-tie, invitation only event. For the most part, gentlemen wore tuxedos and women were wearing evening gowns or cocktail dresses.
Palpable excitement filled the main room as magazine reporters walked around and took pictures of some of Phoenix’s most influential citizens in front of their favorite cars. Of course, Javier had sales people tucked away in the offices in case anyone wanted to make a purchase this evening.
I went to the bar and got a glass of Cabernet Sauvignon I spotted Rafael and Antonio coming my way.
“Darling, the place is to die for.” Rafael kissed my cheek.
“Thank you, but I can’t take credit for the party, just the design.”
“Your man is certain to make a pretty penny this evening. I hear he’s going to auction off an Audi after dinner,” Rafael said.
“True. The proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society in honor of Veronica.”
“Well, I hope it sells high then.” Antonio interjected.
I looked around trying to find Javier, but I didn’t see him. I excused myself and wandered over to the play area. As I’d expected, Javi was in there. “Hi, Javi.”
He looked up with his big brown eyes and smiled.
“Do you like being in here?”
He nodded.
I walked in and sat down next to him. “Where’s your daddy?” He shrugged. I couldn’t help feeling like something was bothering him. “Are you hungry? Do you want me to take you to get something to eat?”
He nodded. I stood and offered my hand to him. He had his transformer with him again, but managed to grip my hand with his free one. We walked together and I got him some appetizers. He looked down at the plate and didn’t touch any of the shrimp, ricotta and prosciutto crackers or the sushi-deviled eggs. I didn’t blame him. It wasn’t exactly kid fare. “Would you rather have a Happy Meal?”
He nodded enthusiastically, grinning up at me.