Chapter Five: Dinner for Lies

Was he always this arrogant even back then in highschool and she was blinded by love or he just grew his arrogant wing?

Lucia wondered as she watched Diego leave with disgust in her eyes. She just couldn't wait to get this nonsense surrogacy over with and leave his freaking roof. She doesn't want to be caught in the middle of whatever he has with his spoilt brat of an ex. 

How could he even date someone like that? Eww...wait why was she even overthinking this? 

That's because he's manipulative, forcing her to sign a contract while his ex might be pregnant with his baby...thats why she's pissed. She told herself...nothing else...

She turned and walked back inside.

---

She met Rosa at the door, waiting.

"Miss Gomez. You should eat something before dinner. Mr. Castillo's sister arrives at seven."

"I'm not hungry."

"You said that yesterday."

Lucia looked at Rosa kind eyes and it made her think twice.

"Fine," Lucia said. "Something small."

They entered the kitchen, it was warm and quiet.

Rosa gave her sliced mango, bread, and olive oil then poured a glass of water and left without saying anything.

Lucia sat alone and ate slowly thinking about Alex.

Remembering how he reacted when she told him .He looked so pain she wanted to cry herself.

[How long?] he had asked.

[Until the baby is born. Maybe a year.]

Silence. Then:[ And you're living with him.]

It wasn't a question.

[Alex...]

[Don't.] He turned away, his shoulder tense.[ Just don't, Lucia.]

It hurt her deeply when he pulled away, not letting her touch his arm, and in that moment, her heart felt like it was shattering into a million pieces.

[I love you,] she had said but he hadn't said it back then.

He just kissed her forehead which had deep meaning before she got into Santiago's car.

She hated Diego for coming between them.

She pushed the mango around her plate then suddenly her phone buzzed.

Alex: {I'm sorry about earlier. I love you....This is just a lot.}

She exhaled slowly.

Lucia: {I know. I love you too. I'll call you tonight.}

She put the phone face down and continued eating.

---

By six-thirty Rosa knocked on her door.

"Mr. Castillo asked that you be ready at seven."

"I heard him the first time."

Rosa said nothing and left.

Lucia stood in front of the wardrobe looking at her own clothes in it. Santiago had collected them from the apartment but seeing them here felt really weird like it was so foreign. She felt really uneasy because she really isn't supposed to be here.

She picked a simple black dress. Not because Diego said she should wear something nice but because she didn't want to look like her problem.

She did her hair but kept her face mostly natural. Just mascara and a light lip.

She looked at herself in the mirror for a moment to see how fine she was then went downstairs.

---

Diego was already there wearing a dark navy shirt with a rolled up sleeves and holding a glass of water. He looked up when he heard her coming.

His eyes scanned her once but none of them said anything.

The silence between them was heavy and familiar in the worst way.

"She'll be here any minute," Diego said.

"I know."

"Remember what I said."

"We're friends and I'm staying here. No details." Lucia crossed her arms. "I want something in return."

Diego's eyes sharpened. "Excuse me?"

"If you want me to cooperate fully, act normal and lie to your sister and do whatever you let me call Alex every day without intrusion "

"That's not..."

"Those are my conditions." She held his gaze steady. "You don't just expect me to get just like that so there's a price."

He stared at her, probably amused or angry. She doesn't care.

"Fine," he said. "But it must be private."

"Thank you."

"Don't thank me. It's a transaction."

"Well, whatever "

She walked past him toward the sitting room.

He turned and watched her go but said nothing.

---

Elena Castillo arrived at exactly seven.

Lucia heard her voice before she saw her. Her voice sounded warm filling the entryway immediately.

"Oh my gosh Diego you look exhausted. Are you even sleeping at...."

"Elena."

"Don't Elena me, you look terrible...oh."

She stopped when she saw Lucia was standing in the doorway of the sitting room.

Elena was younger than expected with brunette, bright brown eyes, and smile like it was her signature. She looked like Diego so much but definitely don't have the same behavior.

Her eyes moved between them with open curiosity.

"You have a guest."

"A friend," Diego said. "Lucia. We went to school together."

Elena smiled wider and she quickly went to meet Lucia, grabbing Lucia's hand in both of hers. "I'm Elena. The better sibling. How long are you staying?"

"Uhhh..For a while."

"Oh...that's nice" She turned to Diego. "Why didn't you tell me you had a friend coming? I would have dressed up."

"It wasn't planned," Diego said flatly.

Elena rolled her eyes at Lucia like they'd known each other for years. "He's like this with everyone. Don't take it personal."

Lucia almost smiled. "Yh...I'm getting use to it"

Diego watched them from the doorway.

Something shifted in his expression and was gone before it could be read.

"Dinner's ready," he said quietly. "Shall we?"

---

They sat, ate and talked.

Elena was such a a talkative as she carried most of the conversation but Lucia loved it because she made the house less like hell and a grave yard. She asked questions without making them feel like interrogations. She laughed easily and loudly and made the dining room feel warmer than it had any right to feel.

Diego was quieter than usual though he answered when Elena spoke to him. Poured wine and cut his food but his eyes kept shifting to Lucia.

She pretended not to notice but she noticed.

She noticed the way he watched her laugh at something Elena said. The way his hand stilled on his glass for just a second. The way he looked away quickly when she turned in his direction, like a person caught doing something they shouldn't.

Stop it, she told herself for the second time, It means nothing.

After dinner Elena helped Rosa clear the plates despite Rosa insisting she didn't have to, and Diego and Lucia were left alone at the table.

It seemed like Diego wanted to say something but Elena interrupted by appearing suddenly by the door way saying Rosa won't let her help.

 She sank back into her chair. "So. Lucia. How long have you and my brother actually been friends? Because..." she faced Diego and smirked mischievously. "the way he looks at you is not friend-ish"

The table went still.

Both Diego and Lucia eyes met then Lucia picked up her wine glass

"It's complicated," she said.

Diego looked at her sharply and she met his eyes again with the look of isn't?

Elena looked between them again and smiled curiously.

"Interesting," she said softly. Mostly to herself.