LOVE AND RUIN: RHEA'S REVENGE

Young Gentleman

"I'll miss you too, Pinocchio." Rita said, gently patting my back. I swallowed hard and my heart rate increased briefly. Pinocchio was a nickname she chose to call me because it rhymed with hers - Pistachio. Now that I had begun to lie to her, it seemed very fitting for me.

We stayed in the hug for quite a while. It wasn't up to five minutes but it felt like forever, and it strengthened my resolve. And when we finally broke away, I ached for a do over. She, though, was more interested in telling me about everything that had happened. However, we didn't get a chance to chat cause Diego soon appeared with Finn.

To distract him from us and alert me of his presence, he let out a loud screech, earning them stares from everyone and making Finn panic as he tried to find out what his problem was. I used the opportunity to kiss Rita goodbye, grab my cap and make my way to the escalator. Once I got down, I waited by the exit for Diego and a few minutes later, he rushed over to me excitedly.

I wrapped my arms around him in a hug and gave him a kiss on his forehead. Then I pulled away from the embrace, taking a hold of his hand and we walked out of the mall, grinning from ear to ear.

"You needed to see the look on his face," Diego chortled, "he was just so clueless. I told him I couldn't find my mom but I was having an upset stomach and needed to get to the toilet fast."

"That's creative," I said, stifling a chuckle, "you're a pretty great liar."

"Yeah, don't tell Mom," he replied soberly and I smiled to myself. If Sofia found out I made her son lie, barely would there be any strand of hair left on my head after she finished laying her hand on me. So his secret was safe with me because it was mine too. "You know," he continued, a smile plastered on his face, "Finn's actually very nice. He kept asking if my stomach hurts, if I wanted to go to the hospital, and if I knew "my mom's number" so he could call her. He was even ready to have them announce it on the speaker so she could find me faster. And it wasn't simply because he wanted to rid himself of me, I could feel that he actually cared and he also told me he loved my eyes and joked about trading them for his."

Memories of the past flashed in my head. Where Finn would pretend to be kind. If he didn't show me his true colors that evening, I too would still remain in the belief of his act. "That's sweet of him." I sighed, eager to change the topic lest I let out through the cracks in front of Diego that I had been heartbroken by him. "Let's not talk about him anymore. How does your home back in Mexico look like?"

The smile on his face faded immediately , replaced with a somber expression. "It's big and beautiful but almost everyone else is mean."

I stared at him for a brief moment. This was why he had been withdrawn around everyone else but me. "Oh, well, now that I'm going back with you, no one's gonna dare to be mean to you again."

He nodded, grinning from ear to ear. "Okay, I'll be looking forward to your protection." He turned his head to stare behind us and his grip on my hand tightened as he turned back around. "I know you said I shouldn't talk about Finn but is it okay if I say that he's staring at us at the moment?"

I gently massaged his hand with my thumb, hoping to calm his mind and soften his grip. We were meters away from the mall and Finn was still upstairs buying something fancy for Rita. "There's nothing to be worried about since he's sitting with Rita."

"He's at the door."

Almost immediately, my phone vibrated with a text from Rita:

‘Run! Finn believes he saw you and he's coming to confirm.’

Quickening my pace, I grabbed Diego's hand and headed towards the laundry mart that was right beside the mall. Once we were in, we walked out through the back, crossing the street into the gym. I checked to make sure he couldn't see me anymore then scanned the hall.

It was quite empty but the few people that were there were enough for I immediately spotted a young woman who was dressed in a pair of blue jeans and a black T-shirt just like I was. She had a slim figure like mine and it felt like she was sent there to save me from Finn's eyes. I took off my cap and glasses and walked to her.

"I'll give you a hundred dollars to put these on and walk out of this place with my brother," I said bluntly, stretching out a note to her. She eyed me suspiciously and I continued, "just walk out hand in hand with him and walk back in like you forgot something, I'll take it from there."

She stared at Diego and then back at me, suspicion still evident in her eyes. "There won't be anyone opening fire on me, will there? I don't need the money if it'll cost me my life."

"Not at all. I'm trying to avoid someone and need to make him believe the person he saw isn't me so the most that'll happen is a young gentleman approaching you. If that happens, reply him as rudely as you can."

"Deal," she agreed, snatching the money out of my hand.

I squatted next to Diego, looking him in the eye, trying to hide my guilt for using him again. "Can you help me shake off our tail? Go with this woman to get a taxi and while you're on it, make sure Finn sees you. She'll handle the rest."

"Sure," he replied eagerly, taking her hand and shuffling toward the door.

I press my lips together, staring as they walk out and a little away from the entrance. Diego sees Finn emerge and begin to wave and call out to him loudly. He walks over to them, pausing at the gym entrance and glancing in. I immediately moved behind an equipment, praying he wouldn't see through my plan. My relief came when Diego ran to him and hugged him and then pulled him away from the entrance.

I chuckled silently as I watched them go to the lady. It ended with Finn walking away disappointedly after patting Diego's shoulder. I watched him cross the road then looked in Diego's direction. He had gotten a taxi.

I made my way out of the gym, taking quick steps and got into the taxi with him. I thanked the lady as she gave back my cap and glasses. She didn't stop there though. She gave an unsolicited advice too.

"That young gentleman carries extreme guilt and deep longing. There's nothing that can't be worked out. The love you both have for each other is deep and true. Don't let it slip."