Mi Carino (30 page)

“
I’m so excited.”

He reached across the table and took her hand. Marcella felt light with happiness as he kissed her knuckles. “You’re not only beautiful but intelligent and talented. You deserve this success.”

“
This is not just your typical find. We’re making history. I’m going to be part of it. I want you to come to be by my side. We’ll have it in two weeks I think.”

Diego sat back.

“
C’mon Diego. I’m there for you when you need me. I expect you to be there for me.”

“
I am here for you. Always.”

“
I want you to meet my friends.”

“
It’s not time.”

“
Diego.”

“
I said no. That’s final.”

“
Final?”

“
Final.”

“
Marcella?”

She tore her angry eyes from his to find Richard standing at the table. The sight of him at that moment stunned her. Instead of Richard staring at her he looked at Diego with a recognition she didn’t quite understand.

“
Richard what are you doing here?”

“
I um, Mr. Andes. We meet again.” Richard said.

Marcella frowned. She looked from Richard to Diego then back again. “You two know each other?”

Diego glared at Richard but said nothing.

“
I didn’t mean to interrupt. I was just surprised to see you… I had no idea you knew Diego Andes?”

“
What’s going on?” Marcella asked the men. Richard recovered and returned his gaze to her. He gave her another sweet smile. Diego stared on expressionless.

“
Ah, nothing, forgive me. Can I speak to you alone Marcella?”

Diego’s gaze swung to her, his lips pressed into a thin angry line while he waited on her response. She smirked at him, the hurt over his refusal to attend her event still burned hot in her gut. “Not now Richard. Call me sometime. You have the number.” She lied.

Richard frowned not understanding. But she didn’t look over to him to explain further, instead she kept her gaze trained on Diego, and his remained locked on her. Richard mumbled something neither of them heard then walked away. “Now, what’s nice on the menu tonight to eat?” Marcella said trying to recover.

“
So you wouldn’t introduce me to your friend?” Diego said through clenched teeth.

Marcella shrugged. “What does it matter? You don’t want to meet my friends. You don’t care anything about the people in my life. I’m sure you’re even less interested in an old lover. Wait. You two knew each other. Oh never mind, just one of your secrets. You have yours… and I have mine.”

Diego’s brow winged up. “Lover?”

“
Yes Diego. Lover. Jerk. Like you, they’re both the same.” Marcella said bitterly.

Diego’s jaw tightened and his lips pressed into a thin angry line. Screw dinner. She was sick of this. She was sick and tired of it all.

“
I’ve lost my appetite.”

“
We aren’t done Marcella.”

“
Go to hell Diego.” She grabbed her purse and marched toward the door.

Outside she searched for a cab. She walked over to the valet, and asked for a cab, when Diego emerged and approached with hurried steps. “We can discuss this matter later. Come with me.”

Marcella ignored him.

“
Let’s go.” He reached for her hand. She snatched it away. A cab arrived in front of her just in time. Diego glared at the driver and he turned and got back into his car. Diego seated possessed an intimidating manner. His six foot six, broad shouldered, upright stance, could be quite menacing. Even the valet stepped back. She put a hand to her hip and tilted her head up to sneer at him. “Feed Ginger. I’ll pick her up in the morning. Good night.” Before he could react she entered the cab and closed the door. The cab driver pulled away. Marcella didn’t dare look back.

The cab ride was short. She paid him and hurried inside the sanctity of her place. She prayed when she got in she’d find Susan waiting. She desperately needed her friend. Wiping her eyes with the back of her hand she fiddled with the key lock, it engaged and she released the dead bolt, throwing the door open. 

“
Susan? Susan?” she said going through the empty loft. She went to the guest room. The bed appeared un-slept in and the drawers hung open. The closet had nothing but hangers. Her friend had left.

Marcella closed the door and started to shed her clothes. Tears ran down her cheeks. In her panties and bra she sat on her sofa and stared straight ahead. Finally when the tears stopped she decided on a shower and then a nightcap, in the right order. On her way to the bedroom she noticed her phone blinking in her purse. She immediately grabbed it and played the message.

YOU HAVE 1 VOICE MESSAGE. FIRST MESSAGE TODAY AT 4:40 PM: Marcella, it’s Susan. I tried calling you several times but you don’t answer anymore. Hope you are at least checking your voicemail. I moved my things out yesterday. I shouldn’t have been squatting in your place. Anyways, I hope you get this message and we’re okay. Sorry about the tantrum the other day.

There was a sigh.

Garrett gave me a few days off. My mom is getting worse and my sister… well… nevermind. I hope you and Mr. Roses are having a good time. Happy for you girl. Well, call me, or I’ll try you again. Love you. Bye

Susan’s mom was getting worse? She didn’t even know. She barely spoke to Susan lately. Hell she barely paid attention to anything lately. Marcella dropped her head on the wall and closed her eyes. Sadly she hung up the phone and went to shower. In fact she showered until her skin itched with dryness and wrinkled like a raisin. She slipped on her robe and padded out of the bathroom wet. Exhaustion had left her mentally wiped.

She soon heard hard bangs of someone’s fist at her door.

“
Who is it?”

“
It’s me Marcella. Open the door, I want to talk to you.”

She stepped toward the door but stopped. “Then talk.”

“
Not through the door
nena
… open up,
por favor
.”

Marcella shook her head no, as if he could see her through the door.

“
I will only stay if invited. First let’s talk,” Diego said, his voice earnest.

Crossing the room, she first put the chain on the door to open it just a crack. He flashed her the smile that usually made her smile and stepped in closer. “Can I come in?”

“
Talk.”

“
Marcella, not through the door.” he frowned.

“
Just as I figured, you don’t want to talk.” She closed the door, on him. She expected him to knock, bang, kick in protest. He didn’t. She looked to the peephole and saw him as he turned to walk away. Marcella nearly opened the door to call him back but stopped herself. She went to the phone and dialed his number, but again stopped herself. She dialed Susan instead. No one answered. Then she tried Garrett, to see if he was okay. The only person who knew Katchner agreed to the showing was Diego. And telling him had been pointless. After several rings and no answer she hung up. Marcella paced the floor. There came another knock on the door. She frowned. She lifted from the sofa once more. “Who is it?”

“
It’s me. I’m back.”

Marcella went to the door and opened it with the chained lock. He showed her a ratty rose. It came from Andy the vagrant pushing them up and down the sidewalk. Marcella shook her head no.

“
Let me in.”

“
No.”

Diego threw down the flower, like a petulant child. His nostrils flared. She closed the door in his face. Waited, waited, and then checked. He left. This time she went to the balcony door. She moved aside the blinds to look out into the street. He soon emerged from the front of her building and crossed the street headed for his car. He stopped and banged his fist on the hood of his car. His head turned, his eyes cut back over his shoulder and for a minute she thought he saw her. But his gaze swept the surface of her loft then dropped away. Eventually he sped off.

Marcella released the breath she held. The phone in her hand rang. She looked down at the number and saw it was Susan. “Hey!”

“
Hi.”

“
I’m so glad you called me back,” she sniffed, her voice choked down the last of her sob forming. “I’m so sorry. I’ve been acting like a bitch. I didn’t know your mom was sick again, I’m sorry.”

“
It’s okay, hey, are you crying?”

“
No, yes, I mean, I don’t know. How’s your mom?”

“
I’m heading there now, got a late start. They want to put her in a hospice but we’re keeping her home. She’s better with us.”

“
I’m so sorry Susan, I should have been there for you. I’ve been selfish.” She looked back at the closed blinds then put a hand to her brow. “I’ve been caught up.”

“
Oh Marcella stop. It’s okay. You have always been the faithful friend. I nearly moved in on you and wore all your things, without any complaints from you. So what you met a guy and it was good for you. I get it. Now tell me what’s wrong. Why are you crying?”

“
Diego.”

“
You two have a fight?”

“
That’s the least of it.”

“
Honey, what is it? I know you haven’t fallen in love with the guy yet?

“
Love? No. Deep like.” She lied. Her heart beat so fast she couldn’t hear her own thoughts. If she had fallen in love then she was in danger—the worst kind of danger—heartbreak city here she comes.

“
Marcella, I saw it weeks ago. You got it bad.”

“
Oh Susan, I don’t need this shit! I should have stopped it sooner. I should have resisted. It was supposed to be light, no commitments, just fun. But as soon as it started it’s all I wanted of him. All of him.”

“
Resisted? Is it that bad or that good?”

“
You don’t understand. This man, he, he’s complicated, infuriating, spoiled, secretive, and mean.”

“
Wait? What kind of mean? He hit you?”

“
No he isn’t violent. I don’t think. He’s just indifferent to all the things that would matter in a relationship. Like open communication, honesty.”

“
So he’s lied to you?”

“
Not exactly.”