"Veronica, this is my son, Juancho. And Juancho, this Veronica —my girlfriend," Don Joaquin introduced us earlier.
Suddenly I was mute and lost my voice.
After he introduced me to his only child, we immediately sat down at the table and ate. Don Joaquin and I sat next to each other and in front of us was his only son.
I caught him glancing at me. I was about to be cut into small pieces by the blade of every glance he gave me.
God! I did not expect this night to be awkward and bizarre as ever!
"Darling, are you okay?" Don Joaquin took my hand.
"W-What? O-Oh, yes. I am fine, Don Joaquin. Thanks," I smiled sparingly.
I couldn't fully swallow the roasted beef. I quickly swallowed the contents of a glass of wine.
Their eyes were fixed on me.
"You seemed distressed," commented his son. I glanced at him. "What could be the reason for it?" he asked with a smirk.
"Juancho," Don Joaquin looked at his son.
"I-It's okay, Don Joaquin," I stood up from sitting. "Excuse me," I said and left the table.
I immediately went to the restroom and locked myself in it. I walked over to the lavatory and turned on the faucet while looking at my reflection in front of me.
Everything Don Joaquin said to me about his son is true, that his son is academically capacitated, street-smart, charming, good looking, brawny, charismatic, and the next "Don Joaquin" if he passes away. Because he is Juancho Gutierrez!!
My fucking ex-boyfriend for Christ's sake!
There's a knock on the door. I narrowed my eyes at it. Please, I hope...
"Are you okay, darling?"
I breathed a sigh of relief. "Yeah, I'm fine, Don Joaquin. I'll be out in a minute," I said. I fixed my hair and took a deep breath.
Why am I nervous anyway?
When I opened the door, Don Joaquin's worried face appeared to me. "Is there any problem?" his question. "No-Nothing. I just wanted to urinate. That's it," I said quickly. "Come on, let's eat again," I invited him.
As much as possible, I wanted things to be seamless and to enjoy this night.
And that's the set-up. We continued the dinner. We are voiceless and focused on munching the food.
Gulping, breathing, and the collision of utensils on the plate can only be heard. I closed my eyes for a bit and reminded myself to keep my composure.
I know that Don Joaquin sensed or felt what I am feeling right now. I broke the silence. "Uhm... Juancho, what are you currently doing now?" I asked him.
Juancho smirked. "Basically eating dinner. Why? Is not it obvious?" he philosophizes.
Don Joaquin was tongue-tied. "Juancho. Watch your mouth," he said.
"Why? What's in my mouth? Your girl asked me what I am doing currently and so, I answered her. It's true that I'm eating dinner. And if she's asking for a particular answer then she should have set her questions straight to the point," he said with a shrug.
Don Joaquin was about to scold him again but I stopped him. "It's okay, Don Joaquin. Juancho is right—"
"I'm always right."
I want to stab him with a dinner fork now but I don't want to because his father is there. So I faked a smile and nodded weakly. "As you say so. Anyway, Don Joaquin said to me earlier that you had this attitude since you broke up with your ex-girlfriend?" I raised my eyebrows.
"Ha! Dream on!" he answered with a laugh.
Juancho looked at his father, irked to filth. "Dad!? You didn't tell her, did you?" he narrowed his eyes at his father.
"It's true. I told her. And it's true that you've changed since you broke up with your previous girlfriend," said Don Joaquin.
"Correction she didn't change me! I changed for myself. I just used him as a sex toy," he stared at me with venomous eyes.
"What? You didn't tell me that before. You confessed how much you loved her and how much it tears you apart when you two split up," Don Joaquin took my hand and stared deep into my eyes. "But I won't leave, Veronica. And she won't abandon me either, right, V?"
And what better way to make someone die inside is to kill them with kindness and love. "Of course, Don Joaquin," I kissed him on the lips that lasted for five seconds. I heard a soft cursing and because of that my ears were clapping with great joy and satisfaction.
"You two are disgusting, Dad!" Juancho said cringing.
"Disgusting? Aren't you the one who's disgusting for playing someone's heart? You don't make it cool or handsome, Juancho. And to conclude, you disgust me. Douchebag," I flashed a condescending smile, indicating that I was mocking him..
"Haha!" he laughed mockingly. "Me? Disgusting?" he pointed to himself.
"Obviously. Who am I talking to?" I philosophize with him.
"You're disgusting, Veronica!" he shouted.
"Enough, Juancho," said Don Joaquin.
"How pathetically disgusting are you!? Really? You're going to hit someone older than you?! And not to mention, my Dad is twice your age and yet you managed to stick with him—oh! Right," he clapped in the air with a scornful laugh. "You're a gold digger by the way. You are a leech! Where you benefit, you will cling and absorb!"
I couldn't hold back and quickly landed my hand on his cheek. I was not satisfied so I gave him a couple of slaps.
He was about to punch me when Don Joaquin stopped him. "Juancho! Stop it!" he shouted as hid me behind him. "What the fuck, Dad!? Are you really going to side with your whore over your own blood and flesh!?"
"She's not a whore, Juancho!"
"Yes! She is fucking is—"
"I said enough!!"
I was almost deafened by the force of Don Joaquin's shouting. We all fell silent.
Ameila suddenly came out holding her chest. "W-What happened?" she asked nervously.
"That's none of your business, Ameila. Go back to the kitchen right away," ordered Juancho firmly.
Ameila quickly walked back to the kitchen.
I was catching my breath and my muscles were shaking with so much anger at the man named Juancho.
You bastard!
Don Joaquin's cell phone suddenly rang. When he opened it he cursed in the air. "Damn," he looked at me. "I'll be back quickly, darling. I'll answer this call for a bit," I nodded. "And you!" he pointed at Juancho. "You better sit your ass back down. We will talk more," Don Joaquin declared earnestly.
He answered his cell phone that had been ringing for a while. "Hello?..." and he walked out.
Juancho and I stared at each other.
There was silence and he sat back.
His eyes were full of anger staring at me.
But I, smiling triumphantly and sat back in my seat earlier. I took the red wine glass and poured another wine. Of course, I know Don Joaquin will side with me over him.
As I took the wine until I poured it into the red wine glass, I did not stop looking at him. I slowly drank the wine with demure and class. Because that's who I am.
"Did you fucking plan all of these, Veronica?" his jaw clenched.
"No, I didn't but based on what I'm seeing, I might come up with a plan," I teased.
"You crazy bitch-"
"No. Am I crazy? As far as I know, you are obsessed with me and almost go crazy when I can't be with you,"
He was silent. His fist clenched. "Just knowing that you are planning something bad for my Dad will really spill blood, Veronica. I am ready to kill my former… loved one if necessary," he threatened me.
Did he really think I was scared?
"Very promising, Mr. Juancho," I clapped in the air. "Like your promises to me. Where are they by now? oh Gone! And if you ever think that you can shake me, well, hit me with your best shot. Because I am looking forward to distroy you," I cut off what I was going to say leaned closer to his face.
The face that used to make me happy.
The face that used to be different brings joy when I see him. But now, when I see him, I feel hatred, sadness and anger.
"You're nervous. Because sooner or later, I'll be your step-mother and I'll return all the pain you gave me, dearest... ex-boyfriend," and I stole a kiss from him on the lips.
As I pulled my head away, his lips were quivering. I smirked and left him alone.
Ciao adios! My wrath is yet to come.