La Mujer de Lalo (Lalo's Woman)

La Verdad

The next few days Lalo was so unlike his usual self. He was active and cheerful and sarcastic towards everyone. But deep down something really bothered him. He had met Tío Hector after Bolsa had left him. His uncle was the only man in this world who could understand his concern to keep safe and protect the business at any cost. None of the other cabróns had any clue whatsoever.

Ana noticed that Lalo had been spending most of his time away at work. Or if at home, it would be in the library with a bottle of scotch. She hated to see him pour down glass after glass. What could possibly eat him away like this. It definitely had something to do with Bolsa and Fring, she knew it for sure. For 2 days she had allowed him to drink and be miserable. But now it was time for her to stop him.

She stormed into the library and closed the scotch and took it away. He quickly held her hips and stopped her. He could see that she was fuming with rage. She was so good at hiding her feelings, but Lalo was an expert in deciphering what was in a person's mind. He pulled the bottle away, but she wouldn't let go.

"No. Stop it, Lalo. That's enough. You've had a few glasses." She spat.

"I stop, when I want to." He tried harder to grab the bottle. He knew he could outsmart Ana at any point. But the little minx was quicker than him. She pushed him and ran to the door. He wanted to run after her, chase her and grab her. It reminded him of the night of their first kiss. The way the ran around the house and the kiss in the rain. It was all so magical and seemed like a long time ago.

He sat down on the couch and put his legs on the other end of it. His head hurt, but it still didn't deter him from scheming evil plans. Ana came and sat next on the couch next to his legs, facing him. He looked at her with disappointment. She gently removed his shoes and socks and massaged his feet. She hugged his legs and rested her chin on his knees. Lalo looked up and let out a sigh.

"I'm sorry, querida. I just have a lot going on. And I needed to... do something... to let it all go."

"Hey, talk to me. You know that I'm here for you."

"Tck.. it's...boring business stuff."

She started to rub his legs up and down as she looked up at him.

"Remember when I telling you about a problem with a certain associate."

"The chicken man."

"Yeah, that's him. I wanted to expose his little secret project to the bosses. But that clever cabrón knew I was onto him and had planned his escape. He knew exactly what I knew and played into it." He started cursing under his breath.

Ana felt her face heat up. Shit. He was probably put down by the other men because of her. Because of the information she had given to Mike. She wanted to slap herself. She wanted to tell him the truth. All of it. But feared how he would react. But she had been hiding it too long. And to prevent such further unfortunate events, she had to be open with him.

"I think, I'm the reason you're like this." She said as her hands clasped her face.

"What? No. How could you possibly have anything to do..." He stopped short after looking at her face. Her face. It told him that she had been hiding something from him. But he knew that it was some matter concerning her ex-husband.

"I... I don't know to start." He replied with a heavy voice.

When she finished, she apologized to Lalo, over and over again. She hugged his legs and begged him to forgive her stupidity.

Lalo didn't even blink. He starred into her eyes, into her soul. He knew she was telling him the truth. But how had he missed all this. He felt betrayed.