🔺Love Triangle🔺

Part 7

*CARLOS*

I wake up in the middle of the night. I had the same dream again. Vanessa with another man. I look to the right side of the bed, where Rebecca is lying wrapped between the sheets. I get up quietly and get dressed. When I get back to my cabin room Vivi is sleeping in my bed. I quickly step into the shower to clear my head. I did something stupid again. I fall into temptation. How can I expect Vanessa to come back to me. I have to change. When I get out of the shower Vivi is tossing and crying. I quickly walk up to her: "Hey, honey, everything is fine, dad is here".
She looks at me and tells me that she had a terrible dream. I hug her. "I'm here," I say, caressing her hair to calm her down. "I want mommy," she gasps.
"We'll call her in the morning, okay?"
"No, I want her by my side, I don't want to hear her on the phone."
"If you want, we can go back home," I say, but she shook her head: "No, I want her to come here. To be together. I don't want Rebecca with us, she's rude."
"Why? Did she do something to you?"
"No, she was fighting with you. I heard," she cries again. "I don't want anyone to fight with you. You and mommy always have a nice talk." It would be nice, I think. "I'll think about what I can do, okay?" I say and kiss her on the top of the head. She smiles and nods. "Now go to sleep. I'll be by your side."
"You'll be thinking now?"
"Yeah, I'll have a plan by tomorrow."
She gives me a big hug again, then falls asleep. I have a long and thougthfull night ahead of me. Somehow I'll have to convince Vanessa to join us.

*VANESSA*

I spend the rest of the evening in Sofia's company. After the "chat" with Carlos, we spoke and when I told her what was happening, she immediately rushed to me with two bottles of Sangria. Now we have opened another one. "Oooooh, shit!" I exclaim and almost spill the glass I just poured.
"What is it?"
"I forgot to text Charles."
"Well, text him now. Or better, call him," she laughs and looks for my phone.
"I need to tell you that you're cunning like a fox. You texted with one, then you have a hot video chat with the other. And they're teammates!" she exclaims again and adds: "This is what we drink for!" she laughs and drinks. I laugh. She's right, that's crazy. "Well, call him," she says as she hands me the phone, which she finally finds it between the pillows. "What if he's sleeping?" I hesitate.
"Come on! He's really young, but not a baby!" We laugh. I look at the clock, it is almost midnight. I shrug and look for his number. After three rings he answers sleepily: "Vanessa, is something wrong?" I bite my lip: "Erm, were you sleeping?" Sofia laughs, so I throw a pillow at her head and tell her to be quiet. I hear him yawn: "No, I'm watching Harry Potter."
"Oh, okay. I'm sorry I didn't text you back. I was cleaning." Sofia rolls her eyes, so I give her a bad look. "No problem, I'm always here for dinner," he says, laughing. "Charlie, it's almost midnight," I laugh now.
"I didn't eat anything, what about you?"
"He'd like to go to dinner," I whisper to Sofia, as she gives me a thumbs up and nods happily. "Nah, I drank more than I ate," I blurt out. "She'll be ready in 15 minutes!" Sofia shouts.
"Who was that?" he asks.
"My friend."
"Oh, I didn't know you had a visit. Then let's make a date for tomorrow." He is so polite, like always. "No, I'll be ready in 15 minutes."
When we end the conversation, Sofia squeals and pulls me into a hug. "Awesomeeee! I know what you're going to wear!"
"Calm down."
We run to the bedroom, where I have a huge wardrobe from which I pull out jeans and a top. Sofia rolls with her eyes: "You won't wear that." She pushes me away from the closet and pulls out one of the sexiest dresses I own. "Oh no, that won't work. That dress was for Carlos."
"So what? Did you ever wear it?" I sigh and look down: "Yes, once before he cheated on me."
"Okay, you'll wear it."
I drink some more Sangria and then I change. The dress is very short and tight. I let my hair down, and Sofia puts a lightly makeup. "What about shoes?"
I shrug.
"I know! Those heels!" she shouts and picks up the most HIGH heels that I own.
"Won't it be too sexy?"
She winks at me: "That's what we want, right?"
"I don't know...Charles is a good friend of mine...and Carlos's teammate. I don't want any disagreements. It wouldn't be good for the team."
"What do you care about the team! Take care of yourself. You have crush on this cheeky little boy. And, you are single."
"But..."
"You have no time. Get up and go." I stand up and breathe. "Enjoy!" Sofia kisses me goodbye. "Lock the doors when you go."
"Yes, of course, don't worry," she replies, then pushes me out of the apartment. When I step out of the building, Charles is just driving up. I walk to the car and sit in: "Good evening", I say. "Wow, where are you going dressed up like that?" he asks with a smile, "I'm really embarrassed to be in a t-shirt and jeans."
"Don't be. I wanted to wear jeans too, but Sofia insists about dress," I blushed. "Say thanks to her," he winks. We were driving through the streets of Madrid. He didn't want to tell me where we're going. After ten minutes we park in front of a well-known, but very expensive restaurant.
"Have you been here before?" he asks me as we get out of the car. I shook with my head: "Charles, I think..." I start when he takes my hand. "I know there are no hamburgers here," he smiles.
"But..."
"You're going to like it."
The restaurant is full, no matter that is late hour. As far as I have seen in the media, it has a few Michelin stars.
"Hello, Mr. Leclerc," an elderly waiter greets.
"Your table is upstairs. Please follow me." I look in amazement at Charles who is smiling. The waiter takes us to a table where candles gently flicker. Another couple is sitting in the opposite corner, the other tables are empty.
"It's..." I start, but rather stay silent. "Just enjoy it, okay," Charles says quietly as he holds a chair for me to sit down. "What shall we drink? Red or white wine?" he asks. "Basically, I've already drunk enough alcohol today," I say and blush. I'm not used to drink a lot. "Just one glass to toast?" I nod: "Okay, then red." They serve us, we eat our dishes and drink wine. I enjoy his company again. He is so simple and cute. And those green eyes. I don't know if it's the alcohol, but I like his lips. And that smile. He's telling me something, but I'm not listening to him at all. I just smile and look at him. "Do you agree?" he asks, taking my hand. "Sorry, can you say it again?"
"That for dessert we will have a house specialty according to the recommendation of the waiter."
"Ah, yes, yes," I look around the restaurant and see that another couple has already left. It's more or less quiet downstairs too. Only the faint music of the piano can be heard. "The restaurant is already closed, isn't it?" I ask and he laughs.