CHAPTER FOUR
1131 Words
"I spoke to her," Elizabeth announced.
"Who did you speak to, Mom?" Carlos asked, bending to chair level, and planting a kiss on the woman's cheek. "How was your day?"
"Fine," she said bluntly. "I spoke to the lady." She said again, shaking her head.
Carlos had just returned from the office that night, and all he wanted was food and sleep. But at the same time, there was no way he would leave his mother in the living room when it was clear to him how badly she wanted to talk with him.
"Who is the lady, mom?" He asked, settling on the couch next to her.
"Her number was not saved with her name," Elizabeth explained. She turned to look at her son, and said, "She is a small girl, I can swear on my life."
"I thought so, too. Mom. There is no aged escort unless it started recently."
"I thought so."
"What did she say?" Carlos asked. He had taken interest in the conversation, suddenly, and thought for the first time—a cold bath and warm food could wait until he finished the discussion with his mother. "Did she at least say something? Anything at all."
"Your father walked in and asked for his phone. And I, on the other hand, did not want to have any more conversations with her."
"Oh, s**t," Carlos uttered an expletive. "And you weren't able to get the number. Is that what you mean?"
"I don't intend to, Carlos," his mother said. "Even if I did, there was no such time. Manuel walked in and demanded I hand over his phone. I am almost certain the lady heard his voice."
"Wow!" Carlos scoffed. "How good of dad to have no shame. He did not apologize to you. I don't need you to say that to me."
"Apologize, what for?" Elizabeth questioned, laughing. "His heart is strong, and I'm honestly done with him."
"Are you still getting divorce papers?"
She nodded. "Yes. As soon as possible, very soon."
"You don't have to do this, Mom," Carlos suggested. "We could move out of the house. I would go with you."
"I am the one in trouble, not you."
"You are my mother, the last time I checked," Carlos was not having it, already. "And the last time I checked, I was an adult. I am entitled to ninety-nine point nine percent of my decisions."
"I haven't gotten the papers yet, Carlos. Wait until I do."
Without saying another word, Carlos rose to his feet, clutching his office bag. "Honestly, I had a long day at work. See the time I got home today? It was hectic."
"I prepared something. Take a shower while I microwave your meal, dearest." Elizabeth said, ending the discussion. She watched him climb the stairs that led him to his room, thoughts of what marriage he would have, cramming in her head.
Would he cheat on his wife like Manuel, his father cheated her? Or would it become a vice-versa thing? No! She shook her head, she would not want Carlos maltreating his wife, nor his wife, him.
Unready to have the thoughts, Elizabeth left for the kitchen to microwave his meal.
The next evening, Carlos was at the wheel of his car, while he found his way to the bar. He had closed from work at an early hour, reached home, changed into different clothes, and then headed to the bar.
On his arrival, he was recognized by the man who searched him the first time he visited. "Good day, sir," the man hailed. "I know you are clean, but this is the rule."
Smiling, Carlos let the old man do his job. His hands were raised for seconds and finally, a thorough search was made. Then, he walked past the door and sighted her.
She was turned to his back, attending to a customer who smiled warmly. What was funny? Carlos imagined, wondering what they were talking about. He made his way to the same couch he occupied a few nights ago, awaiting an attendant.
He should go to the waiter like he did the last time. But no, he would not. He wanted her to serve him, his heart raced at the thought of the disappointment he would feel if another waiter came to his side to ask for what he wanted.
In patience, Carlos waited until she finished with the man who still smiled, even after her exit from his table. She veered around, probably in search of a customer that was unattended to, and sighted the man from a few nights ago.
Sofia hurried, increasing her pace in an oblivious manner, to avoid the man sensing the enthusiasm she felt at his presence. She stopped at his front to see him, glued to the screen of her phone. "Good day." She greeted, holding the tray in her hand, in a professional style. She was professional, after all.
He did not take note of her at first, until she called again, waving a hand at him. "What do you want tonight, sir?"
The man raised his gaze to meet her, smiling warmly at her. "Hi, good evening," he greeted. "How are you today?"
"I am very well, how are you?" She questioned in reciprocation.
"I am alright," he said. "I had a tad bit of stress today at work. Do you mind recommending something for me to drink?"
"I think gin is perfect, don't you think?" She suggested, smiling. "It'll help calm your nerves, and you can drive back home safely without getting worried about an alcoholic drink."
"Perfect," he clapped quietly. "You are Sofia." He added, seeing the card on her uniform.
"That's right." She told him, still smiling. "I'll get your drink right away."
In no distant time, Sofia walked from the couch, holding her tray carefully. She did not just have a conversation with the man, whoever he was. She stopped at the waiter's point and gave instructions to the man Carlos had taken his order from, the last time.
The young man walked to the frozen shelf, and back with a bottle of cold gin. Sofia received it on her tray and headed back to the couch, serving the bottle on a small table next to the couch.
"How about I get Sofia's contact?" He asked, taking the bottle of gin in his hand. "Am I breaching my agreement with the management?"
Laughing softly, she said, "No, you are not. I'd scribble down on a piece of paper and bring it to you."
"You should," he said, sipping directly from the bottle. "If it was prohibited, I wouldn't mind disobeying the rules of this bar."
Smiling, she walked away from him and the couch, with the tray in her hand.
- Writer
