Courtesan

TOGETHER

[TWO WEEKS LATER]

Brandi sits on the couch in the hall. Today might be the day which changes her life forever.
She crosses her legs and takes deep breaths.

When she was talking to Alvaro about the project, he saw how good she was with the toys. She had creative ideas, she knew modifications which can be made to the previous ones. So that is exactly why she was here.
She was here to pitch to some investors for investment so that she could finally start working on making some adult toys and start a business.

It was a risky deal but it was worth the shot.
She took a deep breath as she heard her name being called.
Time to put on some show.
***********

Brandi kept calling Alvaro.
He didn't even answer a single call.
It was unlike him to do that.

She got nervous thinking about everything that could've gone wrong.

She threw her phone on her bed and went to take a shower. She took a long shower to clean her mind and when she came back, her phone was filled with notifications from Alvaro.

Alvaro: I have something important to tell you. Please text me when you're free, I'll take you out.

Brandi's brows furrowed. Why would he take her out and what can be that important?

She quickly got ready and texted him to pick her up.
After about 10 minutes, he was outside. She climbed into his car and sat in the passenger's seat.

He was quiet.
But that was not an issue because he has been quiet since the day he confessed his feelings and the whole truth about his mother.
She looked out the window.
It was late still the very noon so the neighbourhood was looking really pretty.
Small details caught her attention, like the kid playing with the ball alone, the name plate on the Hamilton house which has turned rusty, the sounds the wind was making against the window.

Everything caught her attention.

Soon enough they were infront of a fancy Italian restaurant.
As usual, very fancy of Alvaro.

They got out and made their way inside. Their booked table was waiting for them.

"I have something to tell you" Alvaro spoke first.
"So do I" she replied.
"You can go first"
"No you go first"
"Come on, please"
"No, you brought me here to tell it to me, you go first" she gestured with her hands to go on.

"Let's just rather text each other at the same time. Type your text and I'll type mine, hit send when we both are ready."
"Sounds good" Brandi said with a shaky voice.

"Alright then"
Both of them started typing their texts.
"I'm done" it was Alvaro who spoke first.
"Me too" she took a look at her text.
It read:
I got the business investment today. I can finally start my business now!!!
Yup, seems right, she thought.

Both of them hit send.
Alvaro's eyes widened as he looked up at her. That was exactly the reaction she wanted. But when she looked down at the text he sent her, she felt like breathing was a hard task.

Because Alvaro's text read: My books got alot of attention in France. They want me to get a few published in french but for that I'll have to shift there for a year. Would you come with me?

A tear rolled down Brandi's eyes.

She couldn't go!
But he has to.

She looked up at him with teary eyes. "Congratulations, that's huge" she said with a trembling voice.

"I don't have to go. I can say no even now. My contract hasn't been signed"

"No no! You should" she held his hand "don't stop your success for me"

Alvaro gulped as he looked down. Rest of the dinner went with them in teary eyes.
Brandi wiped her eyes and smiled when they left the restaurant to sit in the car.

"I'm honestly happy for you" she whispered. "This is great news and I don't want to be the one taking it away from you"

"I know" he said as he pulled the car to the side of the road and turned off the engine "but I don't know how I can" he stumbled.
"Bit it's just for 6 months! You deserve this Alvaro. And after that, you can always come back to me" she smiled.
A genuine smile formed on Alvaro's face. "I know" he said as he hugged her.

He might be leaving, she might be staying, but the truth was this moment. This moment where the two of them were together, and will be.

After all, it's only a matter of a couple of days after which they'll be together.