Blind Love

Chapter 18

Gregorio knew instantly when Sofia came home that day that she had been with another man. That though made his blood boil but he would never admit that. She was soiled and he hated it. He fisted his hand as he watched her smile at her plate. He made her a delicious plate of Alfredo pasta but she barely touched it. Her curly hair was tied in a loose bun on top of her head, with a few strands framing her face. Her dark grey shirt hugged her breast, making his mouth water. He remembered the softness of her skin. His fingers itched to touch it again.
"How was your day?" he asked, breaking the silence.
She jumped slightly as if she just noticed his presence. He clenched his jaw as his fingernails dug into his palms.

"I had a great day and you? "she replied in an absent-minded way.
He hated when someone did not pay attention to him. He was used to being the center of attention. He grinded his teeth.
"Can you at least look at me when I'm talking to you?"
Her gaze jumped to his sheepishly.
"I'm sorry, Greg. Really sorry. I was thinking about something else."
"You were thinking of him, weren't you?" he spat through gritted teeth.
She frowned at him and he cursed himself in his mind. His question came out in an aggressive manner. He didn't want her to be on the defensive.
"I'm sorry, Sof. I had a long day."
Her face softened and she reached out to squeeze his hand.
"It's okay. Tell me about it."
The dark-haired man loved the concern he saw in her eyes. She really cared about him.
"I had a call from the police earlier today. They are trying to look for the guy that tried to break into your house. I am just worried about you", he said, cupping her face.

It felt weird to be touched by another man's hand while her body still hungered for Mikhail's. Her skin crawled as Gregorio's thumbs grazed slightly over her lip while he rubbed them up and down her cheeks. His eyes dropped to her plump lips and he swallowed. Sofia felt suddenly uncomfortable and moved away. She could swear that she saw a darker side in her friend's eyes. She was slightly afraid of him at that moment and she couldn't explain why. Her phone rang at that exact moment and she let out a discreet sigh of relief.
Her emotion was short-lived as she saw the caller ID.
"What do you want, Hector?"
"Hi Sofia..." Hector said.
For the first time in a very long time, Sofia was intrigued in what he wanted to say. His voice was different.
"I wanted to hear your voice."
She frowned. This was totally out of character.
"Are you okay? Are the kids and Anne okay?"
She thought about all of the reasons that could make him call her like that. Anne was the woman with whom Hector had been having an affair for eight years. They had two children together. Anne didn't know that Hector was married but as soon as she found out, she got in touch with Sofia. Anne was a good woman who loved Hector. Despite his lies and dishonesty, she had forgiven him and they moved in together when the divorce between Sofia and Hector was settled. Sofia had never forgave him because she had always been loyal to him. Her pride couldn't let her forgive him.

"They are okay. I... I just wanted to hear your voice. I am so sorry for what I did to you..." he said, sniffling.
"Are you drunk?"
"I've never been more lucid. I loved you, Sofia. I've always wanted to control you but you were so wild. After two years, I finally understood that you didn't really love me, you just loved being with someone. I resented you so much because I knew you didn't even know that. I hated you so much and loved you so much at the same time. Anne loves me. But I cannot love her back because you haunt me. Why couldn't you love me? I know I put you through so much. You were young and I've manipulated you and gaslighted you so many times. I hated the person I became whenever I was with you. You brought out the ugliest part of me but I couldn't stop myself from destroying you. I'm so sorry."
He was sobbing into the phone.
Sofia felt her own tears swelling up. They were so toxic for each other. He had realized that she didn't love him before she even had. Since her parents' death, she feared abandonment. She had always kept a barrier between the persons in her life and herself. There were only two persons who broke that wall; Flora and Mikhail. That was why she feared losing them so much. Her heart constricted just at that thought. By putting up a wall and protecting herself, she had unconsciously hurt so many people.
"I am sorry too, Hector. I wish you the best. Take care of Anne and the kids. They are your family."
"I will but I just can't stop thinking about you, day and night. I still love you so much."
"You have to let go. I... I did you wrong. I was also wrong in this relationship. You deserve someone who can love you. And you deserve to love someone who love you back. Goodbye Hector. Be happy."
She hang up before he replied and turned off her phone. Gregorio came behind her and hugged her. She finally let out the tears she was holding. She had been a nervous wreck from the moment she had met Mikhail. Flora made a crack in her shell but Mikhail broke it completely.