Chapter Six: The Rules of Longing

Lucia did as she had said.

She called Alex at ten PM while sitting on the edge of the bed in Diego's guest room. She couldn't possibly sleep in his room. She'd rather sleep in the toilet than beside him.

It rang like three times before he picked up.

"Hey." His voice was somehow like he wasnt really happy. How could he even be?

"Hey." She exhaled. "I said I'd call."

"You did."

Then an uncomfortable silence set in . 

"How's the house?" Alex asked. 

"It's actually very big." She looked around the room with it Cream walls, soft lighting, everything tasteful and impersonal. "But it feels foreign."

"Are you okay?"

The question was simple but the answer wasn't because she is clearly not. She just wanted to go back to the love of her life.

"I'm managing," she said.

Alex didn't say anything at first but she could hear his breathe. She wondered what he was thinking and what he would ask or say next. But when he didn't say anything, she couldn't bare it so she spoke first.

"His sister came for dinner, her name is Elena. She's sweet actually but loud and aks too many questions."

"Sounds like someone I know."

Lucia knew he was talking about her and she smiled. "Don't."

"I'm just saying."

The smile faded slowly.

"I miss you" he added and her heart broke again 

"Alex..." She pressed her fingers to her eyes maybe to stop herself from crying."I need you to know that this is just a job and nothing more. And very soon I'll be back home...to you. That's the plan."

"I know, Lucia."

"Hmm...ok but why does it feel like you're already saying goodbye?"

He didn't answer immediately and his silence told her what words probably couldn't.

"I'm not saying goodbye," he said finally. "I'm just...trying to hold on without holding too tight. You know?"

Her throat went thick. "Yeah. I know."

"Get some sleep," he said softly. "I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Alex..."

"I love you. Goodnight."

The call ended.

Lucia sat with the phone in her lap and stared at the wall looking sullen. If only she had power to disappear and appear, she would quickly disappear to Alex place and come back without Diego knowing.

She lay back on the bed and closed her eyes but sleep did not.

She later fell asleep, somewhere between thinking about Alex's voice and trying not to think about Diego's eyes at the dinner table.

---

She woke up hearing a voice.

It was quite low but sounded urgent and it was coming from somewhere down the hall.

Lucia sat up. The room was dark except for the thin strip of light under her door. She check time on her phone and saw 2:17 AM. 

Who was talking at this time of the morning.

The most sensible thing to do was go back to sleep but curiosity got the best part of her so she stood up and tiptoed to the door like a little girl then opened it slightly. The hallway was empty but the voice was coming from Diego's study. The door was slightly open, a line of warm light cutting across the floor.

She moved quietly down the hall until Diego's voice became clear.

"I told you not to call this number." A pause. "I don't care what she told you. She's not welcome here." Another pause, longer this time. His voice dropped lower. "If she steps on this property again I will involve the police and I don't care how it looks. Are we clear?"

Silence.

Then: "Good."

He dropped the phone hard on the desk , Lucia knew this from the sound.

Lucia stood very still outside the door.

She heard him exhale hard and long and. Who was he talking to? And what was it about? Lucia thought to herself 

Her thoughts were interrupted when she heard his footsteps.

She quickly went back to her room and slipped inside , closing the door gently so it will not make noise and Diego will not catch her. She stood with her back against the door as her heart was pounding hard. That was so close!

Then her mind shifted to the call Diego had again. Maybe it was his ex matter. It had to be about that Anna.

Lucia stood there in the dark and thought about what Anna had said in the driveway. Your time already expired. And the way she touched her tummy deliberately . Maybe she was even faking the pregnancy. Hmm.

The thought arrived fully formed and certain.

Lucia didn't know how she knew. She just did. The way Anna had delivered the news was too clean and timed. A woman with a real pregnancy didn't lead with it like a weapon.

But she doesnt think Diego knows or maybe he even does but doesn't trust it.

She climbed her bed back and cover herself with the cover.

Not like it was even her concern. It wasn't her problem and she doesn't care. She cannot even allow that spoilt brat to give her problem . Let Diego carry his cross himself.

She repeated that to herself until she slept off back

---

Morning came and Lucia came downstairs. She met Diego already at the kitchen table this time around. His Jacket was off and his shirt was looking finer than usual. He was holding coffee and reading something on his laptop.

He looked up.

"You were in the hallway last night," he said.

It wasn't even a question. How did he know? 

Lucia was quite shocked but acted unshaken. " Well.. I heard voices."

"And you listened."

"I heard." She went to the coffee machine. "There's a difference."

He watched her pour her cup and she could feel it. She wondered why she was not shaking.

"Anna called," he said.

"Oh.."

"She won't stop."

Lucia turned around and leaned against the counter. "Is she actually pregnant?"

Diego's expression didn't shift. "She claims to be."

"That's not what I asked."

He looked at her for a moment with a curious expression.

"I don't know," he said finally. "And until I do I can't dismiss it entirely."

"But your gut."

"My gut says Anna is capable of anything." He closed his laptop. "Which is why I don't want her to have access to this house."

Lucia wrapped both hands around her mug. "And yet she walked up your driveway yesterday in broad daylight."

"That won't happen again."

"You sound very sure."

"I am."

She studied him. He was back to being controlled and composed.

"She said something yesterday," Lucia said. "When she showed me that photo of you. She was too calm like she had planned it."

Diego's eyes sharpened. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying it felt like a performance." Lucia shrugged. "That's all I can say for now..."

She picked up her mug and headed for the door.

"Lucia."

She stopped but didn't turn around.

"Why are you telling me this?"

She thought about it honestly for a second.

"Because if she's lying," Lucia said, "then you deserve to know." She paused. "And because the faster you deal with her, the less complicated this whole thing gets."

She left before he could respond.

Behind her, Diego sat very still then he reached for his phone.