Leila
"Alright, everyone. Today, we're just gonna paint how we feel. Let out all your innermost, darkest thoughts onto your canvases. I'm talking fears, pleasures, visions. Anything. There's no such thing as a bad painting in my studio. We're all here to be judgement free, right? So, with that being said. Let's get to it." Motivating my class, I turned on my soothing playlist to set the mood for the day. Other than Damian, working here has been my serenity from the outside world.
Joining the rest of my class in their mental journeys of freedom, I begin to paint my muse as well. My coworker, Antonio finally arrives after being away on vacation for a month. "Lo siento. Sé que llego tarde. Traffic." He lowers his voice, trying not to disrupt everyone's concentration.
I return the gesture. "Está bien. We're just getting started."
He sends a small reassuring smile, taking his jacket off and leaving it on the coat rack. "From the looks of everyone's portraits, the topic is 'Feelings'?" He places his easel next to mine, setting up his station. "You look beautiful by the way."
Trying to avoid eye contact, but failing to do so. I clear my throat. "Thank you, Antonio. You guessed correctly, too." I admit, quickly drawing my attention back to my canvas. "How was your trip?"
"Well, it was, uh, relaxing. For the most part. Podría haber sido mejor si hubieras tomado mi oferta y hubieras venido conmigo." (It could've been better if you took my offer and came with me.)
His words interrupt my motions of continuing. "Antonio. Maybe we should continue this conversation when everyone's gone."
He respectfully nods his head and we continue what we're doing in silence. Throughout the period, I noticed Antonio sneaking a few glances at my appearance. Honestly, I have too, but I'm devoted to one man and one man only. And I plan to stick to that. About forty five minutes later, my group's session is over and now Antonio and I are just awkwardly cleaning around the premises.
"Soooo..." he starts.
Still attempting to avoid contact while sweeping. "Mhm?"
He chuckles. "Come on, amore. Are we gonna talk like adults or we're just gonna avoid the elephant? ¿Qué tal?" (What's up?)
He's right. I should probably stop being childish. "I, um... I'm back with my ex boyfriend."
Antonio ceases his movements. "Oh. That explains why you've been avoiding my texts. You're back with, Marcus." Ugh, his name still makes my ass itch.
"No, actually. My first love."
His face shocked. "Wow. Eso es algo. I've been gone for thirty days and I've missed so much." (That's something)
"Antonio, it was one night."
"Yeah. For you. Not to me. Don't try to downplay it either. I mean, I was there when you came to me crying on my doorstep when Marcus fucked you over. I comforted your every needs, Leila. I finally told you how I felt after two years of working together. I throw an opportunity at you, so you could get away from the city for a while. Away from all the drama and the bullshit. Yet, you denied me, cause you needed some "alone time". I respected your boundaries, Leila." I've never seen Antonio so upset before. He's usually sweet and gentle with me.
"It's not like I lied to you. How was I supposed to know I was gonna run into my ex?"
He examines my painting. "Well.. I can definitely tell you really love him, though." Flipping my finished artwork of Damian and I to my eyes. I drew us standing naked in the middle of a body of water. Face to face. Our bodies tugged against each other. A waterfall shimmering down in the background as the moon cascades over the surface. "Lucky man." Antonio places the canvas back on my easel.
"So what was I, Leila? Just someone for the moment? One and done? An ear to listen? A shoulder to cry on?" His tone is strong, but his demeanor? Unthreatening.
"Antonio..." I'm really lost for words.
"Don't worry about it. I'm in no position to be questioning you anyways. Right? You're a grown ass woman. You do what you want with no consideration of others."
Damn. "That's not true."
"No? Fucking then kicking someone to the curb isn't a form of being inconsiderate? Just a month ago, you were just telling me how you and I should've been together and haven't come across a guy like me in so long." He chuckles. "Ahora tiene sentido." (It makes sense now.)
Filled with guilt, I remained speechless.
"You know, Leila. I don't ask for much. You could've just let me know instead of choosing to ignore me. But, I guess I'm not worth that kind of respect since it was just "one night"." He shakes his head. "I can't do this. I quit."
"What? Don't you think you're being illogical about this?" Not gonna lie, I don't want him to leave. Antonio has always been a decent asset to this place. Not just here, but to me, too.
"You think I'm gonna sit alongside with you as you paint your man in my face? Joder, fuera de aquí. You weren't worried about me before. Don't switch up now." He grabs for his jacket. "Don't hit me up when this one breaks your heart, too. As a matter of fact... lose my number all together. It's probably best for the both of us." He leaves out the door, slamming it behind him. (The fuck out of here.)
"Wow." Placing my hand to my forehead. Feeling a little thrown off. My phone rings from my purse. Speaking of... "Heyy."
"H- you okay, baby?" Damian asks concerned.
Hiding my sniffles. "Yeah. I'm good. I'm just cleaning up here at the studio."
"By yourself? You need me to swing by and help?" My eyes fall to the canvas Antonio painted earlier. Oh my God.
"No!" I shouted unnecessarily. "Uh, I'm fine, baby. Thank you."
"Well alright you weirdo. But I was just calling to check up on you. Plus, you left out so quickly I didn't get a chance to see if you wanted to spend dinner with the family Monday night. Mama keeps buggin' me to bring you by. You down?"
My focus still on the painting. "Yeah, I'm down. I love your parents, so I don't mind."
"Bet. I'll come grab you around 6?"
"Yessir. Can't wait."
"Alright, baby. I love you."
I exhale a deep breath and smile. "I love you too, Damian."
"You better. Took too damn long. Alright, mamas." He hangs up and I dropped my phone to the floor.
Still stunned at what Antonio drew. It's a painting of him and I when we first had sex on his balcony. Yet, instead of a balcony, he replaced the background with a sunset on the beach. I have one arm wrapped around his neck as he's hitting me from the back. One of his large hands groping my titty while my tiny hand wraps around his. I'll admit, this is a gorgeous painting, but I can't let anyone else see this.
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Scared To Love You Again
Romance"You deserved a real man to protect you and take care of you." Mm. So much for that. "How could I have done that sitting behind bars?" He takes my face in his hands. "There wasn't a day that went by where I didn't think about you, baby." I close my...
