Lucrecia was getting ready to go out and get test, but she was stopped at the door by her father and Guzman's parents who were in their house…She was surprised to see them and Guzman in their living room.
Guzman's mom got up from the sofa and came to greet her. She hugged her and kissed her cheek.
''Lucrecia, my dear… I missed you so much. You don't visit at all anymore.''
''Well, since we broke up I saw no reason to.''
''Oh, that's just a phase… He will grow out of it an realize his mistake. Men always do.''
''I honestly have no time for excuses anymore.''
She didn't like Lucrecia's answer, but tried to continue convincing her not to give up on relationship with Guzman.
''You make an excellent couple... I hope to hear the good news in a few years of you getting married and having a baby.''
Having a baby… Having Guzman's baby… That's when a plan formed in her head. It will be Guzman's baby.
She was pretty sure she was pregnant. She knew it was Valerio's baby and she knew she had to take a lot of measures to make sure this baby is born safe. But before anything, she had to talk to Valerio about all this. Her father suggested they all go for dinner. The other family accepted. Guzman took her coat and helped her put it on. Just as she was getting her hands into it, Valerio showed up. Lucrecia saw his face and wanted to tell him everything, but she didn't get the chance. Her father spoke first.
''We are going for a family dinner. We don't know when we would be back.''
He left the house and Lucrecia was fighting the urge to run after Valerio and tell him it's not what he thinks. But she didn't she knew she had to do this and make sure this baby has a father that would remove any doubt from Valerio's paternity. She and Guzman dated before, they had sex…they had sex at the time she got pregnant so it wouldn't be hard to lie about him being a father.
As expected, dinner was a torture. Their parents were not discreet trying to get them to be a couple again. Both Guzman and Lucrecia felt pressure and uncomfortable. It was clear that it had to do with something business related and it was clear to Lucrecia it was something like that after Guzman went away with his father for a moment. They spoke and it looked as they were arguing about something. Guzman looked angry and he was waving his hands when he spoke and looked very angry and disappointed. After they came back, he changed his behavior toward Lucrecia. He was very attentive, talking to her and being nice. She knew what the fight was about. His dad gave an order to fix the relationship and now he had to do it. After dessert he offered to drive Lucrecia home and she said yes. Two could play this game. They got into his car and he started it. He was smiling at her, being nice and if she didn't know better she would have believed him that he cared and wanted her back. She was tired of listening to his excuses and things so she just closed her eyes and kissed him when they stopped at the traffic light. He was surprised by this, but accepted the kiss. He looked at her in surprise.
''What does that mean?''
''It means that maybe I don't want to go home…''
''And where do you want to go?''
''Our spot?''
''Sure…''
He took her to the place where they usually went to hook up. They had sex there and then they went to the club. People were surprised to see them together. They had no idea there was even an option of them being a couple again. He just broke up with Nadia and Lucrecia took him back like nothing happened. Lucrecia made sure that everyone sees their PDA and that word spreads like wildfire about them being back on. She needed this. They were making out in the corner of the club when someone's presence caught her eye. She saw Valerio watching them and such pain and disappointment in his eyes. She closed her eyes and continued kissing Guzman. It's for the baby…Forget about Valerio now…Don't let them see you sad. That evening she went home with Guzman and following morning his parents saw her leave their house early in the morning. She got home and had few moments to get ready for school. When she was leaving the house she saw proud looks on her parent's faces and she felt sick. They got what they wanted. Valerio was sitting with them and she saw the way he looked at her.
''I am glad to see you and Guzman had a good time last night. I always knew you would work things out.''
''I am glad you are happy mother.''
''And you are not?''
''I am just sleepy and tired… See you after school.''
''See you honey…''
Her father didn't speak at all but she could see he was happy about the events. At school, everyone knew about her and Guzman being back on. She knew it by the way they talked and looked at her. So, she did it. She was back in the gossip circles and everyone saw them together in the club. So, step one was completed. She had sex with him and their relationship was known. Guzman held her hand at school but he often let go of it when he saw Nadia pass or when Nadia was close. Lucrecia noticed it right away, but this time she didn't care. She had more pressing issues than Guzman being in love with Bedouin girl. She put on her fake smile and pretended to be perfect girlfriend never happier to be back with Guzman. A lot of girls came to her and told her that they were hoping two of them would get back together. Some said that their relationship was very romantic and nice and Lucrecia couldn't believe load of crap she was hearing. She wanted to tell those girls not to look for boys like Guzman, not to let anyone make fool of them and never let anyone make them believe they are not enough or good enough. But she couldn't do it. She had her agenda and she needed those girls to make their relationship more real and appealing to people.
When she got home, she noticed her parents were not there. She saw that as a chance to talk to Valerio. She went to his room and found him smoking pot.
''We need to talk.''
''No, we don't…''
''Yes, we do!''
''No, I don't want to listen to excuses why you got back to Guzman. I don't want to listen to more stories you want to tell me. You make me sick Lucrecia! You make me sick how you can humiliate yourself that much and take him back and actually be happy about it… I can't stand to look at you right now… You know, dad was right….I should have stayed in Chile after my mom died.''
She was on the verge of crying so she left the room before he could see how much his words pained her. That was the moment she felt so abandoned and alone. Now she knew she had to protect her baby by herself and do all in her power for it to be born and safe. She googled places that did specific genetic testing she needed and she found one in Barcelona. She remembered she and Carla wanted to go there so many times and have their shopping spree and fun around the city. Well, now was the time. She called Carla and told her that they need to go to Barcelona for the weekend. She lied to her that she needs some girl time and shopping and Carla was in. Her life was crap at the moment too with all the Samuel things, Polo things and constant bickering with her dad. She informed Lucrecia that her dad said they could fly to Barcelona on his jet after school day was over on Friday and she loved the idea. She had to put her plan in motion as soon as possible. She made an appointment at the clinic on Saturday morning and she now just had to get something with Valerio's DNA on it. She waited for him to go out and stole his tooth brush. She put it in a plastic bag and hid it in her bathroom.
Next day during breakfast, she informed her parents about going away with Carla and they were happy about it. Her father asked if Polo and Guzman were going and she just said no.
''Dad, it's girls weekend. There is no need for two of them.''
''But it's better to go with your boyfriends.''
''Well, no… This way we can gossip about them… And she and Polo are not together anymore. She is seeing Samuel.''
''Oh, the boy that accused Polo and Carla's father.''
''Dad, we both know they had something to do with the murder and accident Christian had.''
''Lucrecia, he is your friend's father. Don't speak in such a way.''
''Dad, she said it first.''
''Doesn't matter. You shouldn't speak that way about him. He is our dear friend.''
She didn't say anything to that she just continued eating. She had no interest in arguing. She was tired of it.
Friday afternoon came and Lucrecia and Carla were sitting in private jet on the way to Barcelona. Carla was excited about shopping and being alone with Lucrecia after so long. They had to catch up, especially about her and Guzman being back on after all the things that happened. Since what happened with Polo and Samuel and Marina's murder she didn't have much people around her. Polo turned to Cayetana, Samuel was avoiding her at school or when he was sober and the rest was afraid of her. Both Lucrecia and Carla knew they feared her for a reason. She was an ice queen and dangerous person. For some reason, Lucrecia was not afraid of her. She knew they were in a way members of the club that would cover for one another without many questions asked. They grew up to be like that. She was even thinking about telling her about her predicament. Carla might be a bitch, but she was smart and resourceful one.
Around nine o'clock dinner was served at the balcony of their Barcelona penthouse. They had beautiful view to the city and Lucrecia couldn't take her eyes of all the city lights.
''Do you want some wine Lu?''
''No, water will be good.''
''Water? We are away from our parents and have the best wines in the world at our reach and you want water?''
''I know… But I can't drink….''
''Why? Is something wrong with you? Are you sick?''
It was now or never for Lucrecia. If she wanted Carla in on the secret, she had to tell her now.
''I am pregnant.''
Carla was silent for a moment and then started laughing.
''I didn't see that coming.''
''Neither did I. I was sure we were careful.''
''How far along are you?''
''Eight weeks… About eight weeks…''
''So, that places it around….''
''The fake benefit…''
''But I thought you and Guzman didn't have sex for some time around that time…''
''We did… But it was miserable…''
''It got you pregnant.''
Lucrecia looked at the floor and bit her lip.
''Is he the father Lu?''
''No, he is not.''
That got Carla to smirk…
''So, you had someone on the side? I like it! Guzman treated you badly… I just hope that the other guy was better.''
Lu smiled…
''He was… He was amazing to me… He always was….unless he wasn't.''
''Oh, so it's something that happened before?''
''Yes.''
''Do I know the person?''
Lu just nodded.
''This is getting exciting! Is he part of our circle?''
''In a way. He is late addition!''
Lucrecia could see gears in Carla's head turn trying to remember who it was.
''Is it Omar? You turned a gay guy?!''
Lucrecia made disgusted face and Carla gave up on that idea. She did like Omar, but not like that. He was cute but far from someone she would be attracted to.
''No, it's not him.''
''I have no idea who is it then!''
Lucrecia looked at her and shook her head. No, Carla had no idea she would dare to go there and actually do it. She knew that the only person Carla didn't even think of is the person she should have mentioned.
''Well, there is only one person left…but that is your brother…and that….''
Lucrecia just lifted her gaze and Carla fell back to her chair.
''Spill! Wait! I need a drink for this.''
She went to the kitchen and picked up a bottle of wine. She opened the wine and took a big sip from it. If Carla needed a drink for this story, she could only imagine what others would need if it ever got out.
''Now, talk! How did it even happen? Did he force you into it and kept blackmailing you?''
''NO! No! He would never do something like that.''
''Lucrecia, how did it happen? What drove you to sleep with him?''
Lucrecia took some of her water and started playing with her fingers.
''It started a bit over two years ago…Somewhere around my fifteenth birthday...and it has been happening since then.''
She could see that Carla was very interested but still shocked. She never saw it coming.
''What about Guzman?''
''Nothing… I never cheated on him… Every time I was with Valerio, Guzman and I were done or on some sort of brake.''
''I still can't believe it! I've seen and heard a lot of things… You know, people like us sleep with pool boys, drivers and poor people they pick up at school…but I've never heard of someone doing it with a brother.''
''Half-brother!''
''I still can't believe it Lu!''
''Well, believe it…''
''So, how does that function at all? Do you date? How does it work?''
''We are still figuring it out. We can't really go public with whatever is happening…so I can't say we are a couple… But what I can say is that we do share deep feelings for each other.''
Carla took some more wine and just kept looking at the carpet.
''Lu, are you in love?''
She lifted her gaze to look at Lucrecia's face and saw her friend is crying.
''Yes, I am… I love him so much that it hurts… He makes me feel so much love, he makes me feel special, loved, needed, wanted… He makes me feel so many things I never believed I would feel. When we are together I know he is with me and not daydreaming about being in bed with someone else. I never had that with Guzman. Ever since he started falling for Nadia, it was never two of us in that relationship. With Valerio it's not like that. When I am with him I feel like the most beautiful and wanted woman in the world. Yes, he is not blind… He notices other women, but he never made a move on anyone or made me feel threatened in any way. When I was in Brazil, we were together… We had two months to be couple…to be happy, to be in love… I was so happy back there and I never wanted to come back to reality and life I was living here in Spain. I would have stayed with him on that tiny island and wouldn't regret being cut off from the civilization and crazy city lives.''
Carla just listened and tried to imagine loving someone as much as her friend loved her br…Valerio.
''And what about Guzman?''
''I need him…''
''Why? You don't love him….''
''I need him as a father of the baby…at least for people to know it's his… If anyone ever learns who the real father is…this baby is doomed. I am scared my dad will hurt the baby if he learns it's his…and hurt him too.''
Carla put the bottle on the table and took a seat by her friend. Lucrecia saw very calculated Carla make her comeback and she had no idea what was going on in her friend's head.
''Ok Lu… What do we do?''
''What do you mean?''
''What do we do to keep the baby safe from your dad and the world?''
''We make sure it's Guzman's…''
''Lu, you know that you must get the genetic test on the baby? You have to make sure it's ok.''
''I will.. That is the real reason we are here. I have appointment tomorrow early in the morning.''
''I am coming with you.''
''You don't have to.''
''I do… You are my friend and you need someone to be there for you. I am part of this now. You told me what happened and made me part of it all. I am coming with you no matter what Lu. Our main goal is to protect the baby and keep you safe too…''
''Ok…''
Carla hugged her and Lucrecia could finally feel a bit safe and fall apart and cry all the tears she kept inside. Carla moved away from her and gave her an evil look.
''Let's make one thing clear… if this works out and a baby is girl, you are naming her after me.''
Lucrecia started laughing and hugged back her friend.
''You've got it!''