Dangerous Desires

37

Arsenio's shoulders slumped, Antonio's words hitting home. He knew he had been selfish, thinking only about himself and his own desires without considering the consequences. "I-I know," he mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper. "But it's not that easy. It's complicated."

"Don't give me that crap," Antonio said, his voice sharp. "It's as easy as making the right choice. You're not a kid anymore, Arsenio. You need to start acting like a man, taking responsibility and making decisions that are best for your family, not just for yourself. You've got a son now, and he deserves a father who puts him first and foremost."

Arsenio clenched his jaw, the truth in Antonio's words hitting him hard. He knew he had been falling short as a father, prioritizing his desires over the needs and well-being of his son. "I...I know you're right," he finally said, his voice low. "I'm just...I'm lost, Antonio. I don't know what to do."

Antonio's expression softened slightly at Arsenio's confession. He knew the young man was struggling, wrestling with his emotions and his responsibilities. But he also knew that he couldn't let Arsenio wallow in self-pity. 

"You've got to get yourself together," he said firmly, his voice taking on a more understanding tone. "You need to figure out what's important to you and make decisions based on that. And you need to do it fast because every day you wait is a day wasted. Understood?"

Arsenio nodded slowly, Antonio's words sinking in. "Understood," he said, his voice gaining a bit more strength. "I'll...I'll figure things out. I'll be better, for my son."

Antonio studied Arsenio's face, trying to gauge his sincerity. He could see the determination in his eyes, the flicker of resolve. He nodded, satisfied for now. "Good," he said, his voice a bit softer. "That's what I want to hear. Now go back out there and handle your business. And try to keep your head on straight, okay?"

Arsenio nodded again, his shoulders a little straighter now. "Okay, I will," he said determinedly. "I'll fix this, I promise."

Antonio smiled slightly, the corner of his mouth twitching upwards. "That's what I like to hear," he said, his voice approving. "Now go on, before things fall apart out there."

Arsenio exhaled deeply, steeling himself for what was to come. He nodded one last time to Antonio before turning and walking back out into the main room, his mind set on facing whatever lay ahead. 

The room fell silent as Arsenio re-entered, all eyes turning to him. He could feel the tension in the air, the weight of everyone's expectations on his shoulders. He looked straight at me, his gaze unwavering. "Can we talk?" He asked quietly, his voice betraying a mixture of guilt and determination.

I nodded as I gently gave Tenebroso to Mark. Arsenio motioned for me to follow him, leading me to a quieter corner of the room where I could speak in relative privacy. The other men watched as I walked away, their gazes following me and Arsenio intently. Once I was out of earshot of the others, Arsenio turned to face me, his expression guarded but remorseful.

"We need to talk," he repeated, his voice low and earnest. "And I mean really talk, not just throw accusations at each other. I owe you that much, at least."

"I thought everything was fine after yesterday after we had that big talk. I get it you fell out of love with me. But it's unfair on me when you bring the girl who broke this family apart. I can't deal with that,".

Arsenio winced at the hurt in my voice, the weight of my words hitting him hard. He looked away for a moment, avoiding my gaze. "I...I know," he said quietly, his voice thick with guilt. "I shouldn't have invited her here, I see that now. I wasn't thinking about your feelings, I was just...I was being selfish, okay?"

"It's not okay, we are going through a divorce, figuring out co-parenting. You are having our son for a few nights. Was she in that house when you had our son?"

Arsenio's face paled at my question, a flicker of guilt passing over his features. "No," he said quickly, a hint of defensiveness in his voice. "No, she wasn't. I wouldn't do that, not when I had Tenebroso with me. She's never been to my house, I swear."

"You better be telling the truth because he is my son, not hers,".

Arsenio's jaw tightened at my words, a surge of protectiveness rising within him. "I am telling the truth," he said, his voice firm. "And Tenebroso is my son too, you can't forget that. That girl is not a part of his life in any way, and she never will be, got it?"

"I know he is your son, I want this co-parenting with you. But when we are going through this mess right now, you shouldn't be sleeping with people when you have our son in your protection. He is only nine months old, his innocence is what is keeping this family together. I may be your ex-wife but we are still a family,".

Arsenio looked away, shame and guilt weighing him down. He knew I was right and the reality of his actions hit him hard. "You're right," he said quietly, his voice filled with remorse. "I messed up, I know that. I shouldn't have been doing any of that while I had Tenebroso with me. I was being selfish, and stupid, and I hurt you. I'm sorry."

"So did you sleep with her when he was in your protection?" I looked at him.

Arsenio was silent for a moment, the question hanging heavily in the air. He knew he had to be honest with me, consequences be damned. "No," he said quietly, meeting my gaze. "No, I didn't. I haven't slept with anyone since we separated. I promise."

"Okay and that girl outside. I don't want to see her here after she broke this family. If I see her here again, I will make sure she dies," I looked into his eyes "Her death isn't worse than my heart being broken,".