DEADLY ATTRACTION | armando aretas

3.

I walk up to the rooftop bar, which turns out to be Mike's home. Its huge. I look around to see expensive looking, modern furniture on the rooftop. Everything looks perfect. Everyone is standing around with drinks in their hands or some snack, which are also looking expensive.

Armando catches my eyes and looks me up and down. I roll my eyes and smile at him. He smiles too and signals me to come over. His black suit is looking good on him, even if a little unusual to see him like this.

"Te ves hermosa, cariño", he says and lifts his beer bottle.
(you look beautiful, darling.)
"Callarse la boca." I say and seat myself next to him. We talk for a while and see the sun go down soon.
(shut up)

"The money is on your bank account."
"Thank you." I say and nod.

Armando leaves me to talk with the guests. I stand around at the end of the rooftop with my drink and watch everyone. There is so much police here, I wonder how many of them are corrupt.

Speaking of the devils, Mike walks my way. He smiles and raises his beer as he settles next to me.

I look at him from the side.

"What happened to your dad, Valeria?" he asks me straight up and looses his smile fast. I'm surprised he just asks it like that.

"He worked for this country 37 years. 19 years for the military. 18 years for the police."
I make a pause to sip on my drink and look around. I feel Mike's eyes on me. "He got sick about 2 years ago. No one helped him, no money came, if I weren't there, he would have died. This country has failed him, the one he loved the most."

I swallow down a tear, "Do you know how that feels like, Mike? Having to fight for your father so he can survive?" I finally look at him.

He shakes his head. A long silent builds up between us.

"Armando trusts you." he says suddenly.
I laugh, "He doesn't.".
"Have you seen the way he looks at you?" Mike says and I look at him, confused.
He nods and smiles, and he soon disappears in the crowd of people.
Whats that supposed to mean?

I don't even want him to trust me.

I look out for Armando to see him talking with some woman which is obviously flirting with him. I try to shake off the feeling I get but can't get rid of it.
"Mierda" I hiss under my breath and empty my drink in one sip.

Walking up to them, I see her hand on his chest.
"Can I kidnap him for a second?" I politely ask the woman and she nods confused.

"Whats up cariño?" Armando asks me as we get away from this girl. "Just wanted to chat." I answer and lean on the bars of the rooftop.

"Are you gonna go back to prison?" I ask him and he looks at me with those eyes.

"Nah. I'll be released early for good behavior." he says and winks at me. I just know his dad got him out.

"What are your plans now?" I ask and look around to see all those rich people enjoying their lives.

"I'll go to the military for a year." he says and I'm shocked. "What?" I exclaim and turn around to face him.

"Might aswell use my skills, don't you think?" he smiles.

"It's dangerous."
"So am I." I feel a heavy weight laying on my chest. A silence builds up between us and I feel like throwing up.

"When are you gonna go?"
"2 weeks." he answers and looks unhappy.

"If that's what you wanna do, I'm not stoping you." I say and pat his shoulder. He noticed my tone and looks after me as I walk away from him. I can't and will not say goodbye to him, too scared to never see him again.

I walk up to Mike and thank him for the nice party.

I come home completely exhausted, happy to have money to care for my father.