💮͓̽His Mistress💮

Dinner With Nikolai.

I spent the rest of the evening with Luca and Mom. I didn't see the point of going back, not yet—so I decided to stay the night with my family.

Later, I was in Mom's room, organizing her medications when she called out my name. She leaned against the headboard, her frown sparking my concern.

"Mom, what's wrong?" I sat at the bed's edge.

"You can hide your pain from the world, but not from me." Her piercing look made me avert my eyes.

"What are you talking about?" I mumbled, avoiding her gaze.

I kept my gaze averted. I've never been able to hide anything from her—not really.

Since we were kids, she had this eerie ability to know when Luca or I were lying. And in the end, we always cracked and told her the truth.

I couldn't even remember the last time I kept something from her... other than two very big secrets: I became a stripper to save her life. And I'm having an affair with a married man.

I'm not ready to face her disappointment or her condemnation—not yet.

She might forgive the stripping, but an affair? She'd disown me. She's always hated the idea of breaking up families—after all, someone else once did that to ours.

But the damage has already been done. I did exactly what she feared.

"There's nothing, Mom," I whispered.

"So you keep secrets now?" She sniffed, and I rolled my eyes.

"Don't be dramatic. I'm an adult—I don't need to share every problem." I stood, grabbing her meds.

"It doesn't matter, Angel. I'm your mother." I stayed silent, knowing she'd sing a different tune if she learned the truth.

That night, I lay awake, my thoughts consumed by him. It stung that Raul hadn't texted or called to check on me.

I sighed, reaching to plug in my phone when the screen lit up. My heart leaped—until I saw the name.

Nikolai.

My stomach flipped.

"N–Nick?" I answered softly.

I closed my eyes. The guilt hit even harder. He'd been such a good friend... and I'd just ghosted him.

"I—I'm sorry, Nikolai. I've been so busy. Maybe we can hang out this weekend?"

"Sounds good. I'd love to see you again."

There was silence on both ends, an awkward one. When there was nothing left to say, I breathed out a soft, "Okay, goodnight."

"Buenas noches, amoré," he replied, and the call ended.

Falling for Nikolai would've been easier. He's handsome, kind, caring.

But no. I had to fall for Raul.