The Nanny Affair

Chapter 40- Jasper

I get in the truck and drive. My mind is racing a million miles a minute. I know it's just a name, but she lied. After everything she still lied. Thoughts of betrayal fill my head as I drive. My heart is heavy and I find myself questioning if I ever knew her at all. Anger, confusion and sorrow mix inside me as I try to make sense of it all.

I find myself in my old neighbourhood. The place where the streets raised me. I park the truck and step out, walking down the alley.

"Well, well, if it ain't Wentworth!" I hear someone say, I look ahead to see Ryan Lopez coming out of the bodega with a bag of chips.

"What's good boss?" I put my hand out.

"Man, come here." He pulls me into a hug.

We walk down the alley, and pass all the hidden apartments placed in this place. We get to the end and sit on the stairs at Ryan's place.

"Man, you still live here?" I ask him.

"Not everyone is like you. We had no choice but to stay. You're lucky you got out." He looks at me, "Which brings me to question. Why are you back?" I lick my lips and place my hood over my head and clasp my hands together.

"What's her name?" He questions me.

Before I can answer, the door opens behind us. "I thought I heard you," An older lady's voice says. I get up and smile.

"Mamá López, Cómo estás?" (how are you?) I Hug her and kiss her check.

"Mi hijo. Cómo has estado?" (My boy. How have you been?) She hugs me tightly.

"Ven, ven adentro." (come, come inside) She encourages us. Ryan starts laughing.

"Can't fight with mama." He stands up and so do I and follow him inside.

As I enter, memories from my childhood come flooding into my mind as the smell of Cuba hits my nose. I grew up in the heights of Toronto, at least that's what we called it.

I was born to Cuban parents who gave me up for adoption at birth. I was adopted by an English family– The Wentworths. They gave me up to the foster system, even though I'm ashy blonde and green eyed, I was still too tanned for their pale ass family, and they didn't like that. David was born to Dominican parents and put in the foster care system. Growing up, we found our place in these streets and felt at home here.

I take a seat on the plastic covered couch and chuckle as Mama Lopez comes from the kitchen with homemade empanadas. I grab one and scarf it down. Ryan looks at me, his eyes say it all.

"Her name is Rosalie. I mean Sutton. I don't know man." I tell him as I rub my face and lay my head back. "I know her as Rosalie but she lied about her name for the past few months. I don't know if I can trust her anymore."

"Rosalie?" He questions. "Is she Cuban?"

"I don't know. I walked away from her before I could ask anymore questions."

"Estúpido." (Stupid) He calls me.

The door opens and I look up to see David and Natty. Mama Lopez's eyes light up as he walks in. He kisses her cheek and then says hi to Ryan. He takes a seat before introducing Natasha to everyone.

"Mi hijo, ella es hermosa." (my boy, she is beautiful) She tells him.

He looks at me and I know that facial expression. Ryan looks at us and Natty fills him in on everything that has happened. He laughs and tells me I'm dumb.

"The girl obviously loves you. You seriously pissed because she tried to hide her identity from her crazy ass ex, who found her and already beat her? Man, I don't know what's going on with you but the Jasper I know would have made sure that man was six feet deep by now." The disappointment in his voice makes me rethink my actions.

I stand up, "Where are you going?" David asks me.

"To get my girl back."

"You don't have to go far, she's outside."

I relax as I make my way outside and close the door behind me. I watch as her dark hair glistens in the dim light. I take a seat next to her.

"Hey,"

"Hi," She says. She doesn't look at me but continues to look at the ground. "I'm sorry for not telling you the truth."

"Why didn't you?" I cautiously ask her.

"Because I was scared." She finally looks at me.

I begin to feel frustrated once again. I stand up and pace back and forth, I can tell her emotions are all over the place as well and I see the anger build within her. She stands up and starts shouting. An anger I've never seen from her before.

"You want to know who I am? Fine, I'll tell you. I'm Sutton Rosalie Alvarez. I was born to Cuban parents. English is my second language and I have a deranged ex who is trying to kill me." She shouts.

She starts mumbling and then shouts at me, "Qué más quieres de mí?" (What else do you want from me?) A tear escapes, travelling down her cheek. I'm sick of seeing her like this. I just want her to be herself and believe in the fact that I will always be here to protect her.

I walk toward her and grab her hands and before she can pull away, I say, "Dame un beso," (Give me a kiss)

Her eyes widen in shock and a smile creeps up on my face. Still holding her hands as I say, "Mami ven aquí," (Mami, come here) as I pull her closer to me. "Por favor, bésame." (please kiss me)

My lips brush against hers, she fights for a split second before wrapping her arms around my neck. I hold her tighter as my tongue parts our mouths. Music starts to blare as lights begin to brighten the hidden alley. We pull apart and she asks,

"What's happening?" A confused but cute look crosses her face.

"It's the party in the heights." I smile.

David, Natty and Ryan walk out. Everyone from every single apartment makes their way to the middle and begins to dance. I put my hand out and tell her, "bailemos toda la noche." (Let's dance the night away) A smile crosses her face as her fingers intertwine with mine.

Her arms wrap around my neck as my hands grip her waist and we dance to reggaeton. My eyes lock on her and I move closer to her and whisper, "Te cuidare porque eres todo lo que quiero, y contigo siento que puedo tocar el cielo y mi espíritu empieza a volar solo se que ahora te amo mas." (I'll take care of you because you are all that I want, And with you, I feel like I can touch the sky and my spirit starts to fly I only know that now I love you more)

"I love you," She says and her lips press against mine. For a split moment we are in our own world as everyone dances around us. David, Natty and Ryan join us and a few other friends from when we were younger. I introduce them to Rosie and we all talk and laugh. Suavemente comes on and Rosie's hips start to move. As the music picks up, I grab her hand and dance with her. Her smile brightens my night as her hips sway to the music and our movements in sync. The night fills with laughter as we all dance the night away.