Santiago was jolted awake by the weight on his chest, and as he opened his eyes, he found Mia staring at him. Brittany, holding Mia in place, leaned over him and announced, "Your mom will be here in 5 minutes to pick me up." Santiago, still trying to find his voice, croaked out, "Wha-uh, what time is it?" Brittany checked the time and replied, "Almost eleven thirty." She playfully teased Mia, saying, "Papa is a lazy stinky boy, huh?" As Brittany's phone buzzed, she informed Santiago that his mom was on her way up, and they were going shopping and for lunch.
Groaning, feeling the consequences of the previous night's indulgence. He sat up, rubbing his temples, and managed a weak smile at Mia. "Hola Princesa" he greeted her with a raspy voice. Brittany chuckled at his condition. "You might want to freshen up a bit before i head out" she suggested, handing him a glass of water.
As Santiago finished lunch and ensured Mia was content with a warm bottle, he retreated to his home office. Seated in his gaming chair, Mia nestled against him with her pacifier, captivated by the colors flickering on the screen. Santiago, equipped with his headset, immersed himself in a virtual battlefield, playing Call of Duty with his friends. The competitive banter echoed through the headset as they strategized and exchanged playful insults.
"Fuck!" Santiago erupted into his headset, frustration evident as he faced defeat once again in the game. The intensity of the virtual battle seemed to spill over into the real world, with Santiago fully engaged in the adrenaline-fueled experience. Despite the setbacks, his passion for gaming and camaraderie with his friends remained a source of enjoyment and stress relief.
Puck, couldn't help but comment on the peculiar sight of a baby staring back at them through Santiago's webcam. "Dude, this is seriously weird," Puck remarked, his voice laced with laughter.
Santiago continued to navigate the virtual battlefield, Mia remained surprisingly calm, seemingly unfazed by the animated chaos on the screen. Santiago's focus shifted seamlessly between the gaming world and his role as a father, showcasing the multitasking skills required to balance his professional and personal life.
Amidst the vibrant colors of clothing hanging on the rack, Gloria's hopeful voice filled the air, "Are you sure you can't stay, a few more days at least for New Year's?" Her eyes scanned the array of options as she awaited Brittany's response. Brittany, thoughtful and gracious, gently explained that her friends were gathering for the occasion.
"The time has flown by" Gloria echoed, her gaze holding a subtle sparkle. "He will miss you, you know. Both of you." The sincerity in Gloria's words resonated, and Brittany felt a warmth within her chest. The mention of Santiago stirred memories of the previous night's emotions, the shared laughter and the unexpected moment that had developed on the balcony.
Finishing their lunch outing and arriving back at the Penthouse, Gloria couldn't help but roll her eyes playfully when she saw Santiago engrossed in a video game, with Mia mirroring him almost identically, both of their mouths agape as the screen erupted with virtual explosions. Brittany, joining Gloria, chuckled at the adorable scene before them.
"Like father, like daughter," Gloria exclaimed, her words encapsulating the amusing resemblance between Santiago and Mia in that moment as she took a sweet photo of the pair.
With Mia peacefully asleep on his chest, both lay on the couch while Brittany unpacked her shopping bags. As she revealed each item of clothing, she initiated an impromptu fashion show, seeking Santiago's opinion on her selections.
"Do you think this is a nice dress for Quinn's house party on Sunday?" she inquired, walking back in the room in the sleek black dress that elegantly hugged her curves. Santiago, momentarily caught off guard by the sight of her in the flattering outfit, cleared his throat and stammered, "Yeah, it looks good."
Brittany, not content with his somewhat hesitant response, teased, "Good?" with a playful quirk of her eyebrow. Santiago, attempting to articulate his thoughts, fumbled over his words before managing, "Well, you know, it, uh, yeah, you look good." His attempt at providing a compliment resulted in a charming mix of awkwardness and sincerity.
Brittany, couldn't help but laugh at his endearing struggle to convey his thoughts, the exchange added a light and humorous touch to the atmosphere. Santiago, tenderly kissing Mia's head, uttered words that hung in the air like a revelation. "I don't want you to go tomorrow" he confessed, catching Brittany off guard. She, however, maintained a gentle composure, acknowledging, "We have to go home at some point."
Santiago's gaze remained fixed on her, a storm of unspoken emotions swirling beneath the surface. Brittany sensed the weight of his unexpressed thoughts, creating a palpable tension in the room. "Plus" she continued, breaking the silence, "I go back to the bar in January."
Confusion marked Santiago's face as he questioned her decision, "Why are you going back to work?" Brittany, as if stating the obvious, reminded him, "I need money, Santiago." The response hung between them, a stark reminder of the different worlds they came from. Determined to support her, Santiago insisted, "I can give you money."
However, Brittany stood firm in her independence, reiterating, "I've already told you, I don't need anything from you." The room seemed to shrink with the escalating tension, the unspoken desires and fears now at the forefront of their exchange.
"Let me help you. It's for both of you, Brittany" Santiago pleaded, desperately wanting to bridge the gap between them. He referred to the advice Will had shared about fathers establishing visitation schedules and providing child support. The mention of a visitation schedule caught Brittany off guard, prompting her to seek clarity. "Visitation schedule?" she questioned, her mind racing.
Santiago, in his attempt to express his genuine intentions, inadvertently stirred deep-seated fears within Brittany. Flashbacks to the unsettling letters from his lawyer flooded her mind. "I need to get a lawyer" she declared, her voice resolute. Taking Mia off his chest into her arms, she left the room.
Santiago, sensing the gravity of the moment, sat up with a heavy sigh and ran his hands through his disheveled hair. There was a tension in the air as he mustered the courage to open Brittany's door. She was in the process of packing her bags, preparing for the imminent departure in the morning. "Brittany" he uttered gently, his voice carrying the weight of unspoken emotions.
"Fuck off Santiago, please," she responded, her tone a mix of hushed restraint and undeniable strength. The room seemed to shrink with the intensity of their exchange. Santiago, understanding the depth of the wounds he unintentionally inflicted, tried to navigate the delicate situation. "I don't want to upset you" he admitted, his voice softening in an attempt to convey his sincerity.
Turning to face him, Brittany met his gaze with a mixture of frustration and vulnerability. "You already have, way too many times since the day after I met you," she retorted, the words hanging in the air like an unspoken truth. Santiago's heart sank as he felt the weight of his actions and the impact they had on the woman before him.
Brittany continued to pack, the room filled with the subtle rustling of clothes and the silent echoes of their unresolved emotions. Santiago, unsure of how to mend the fractured pieces of their connection, stood in the doorway, grappling with the regret that settled heavily on his shoulders.
"I just want to help you" he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, as if afraid to disrupt the fragile peace. Brittany paused, her eyes meeting his, and for a moment, there was a silent acknowledgment of the complexity of their shared journey.