Dangerous Desires

42

Antonio let out a low growl, his anger boiling over. "Needs? Is that what they're called?" he spat, his voice dripping with disgust. "You have needs, so you abandon your kid when they need you the most? You're a selfish, egocentric waste of space, and you sure as hell don't know the first thing about being a father."

"You think you're so perfect, don't you?" Arsenio shot back, his eyes flashing with anger. "You think you could do a better job? Please, you don't have a damn clue what it takes to be a parent."

Mark came into the room "But I do," he retorted.

Arsenio's attention turned towards Mark, his expression shifting from anger to annoyance. He hadn't expected Mark to join the conversation. "Oh, here we go," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "The golden boy, here to tell me how to be a dad. This should be good."

Mark crossed his arms over his chest, his eyes locking onto Arsenio's. "Antonio is right," he stated firmly. "A good father doesn't just provide the bare essentials. They're there for their children emotionally and physically. They don't neglect them to chase after their selfish desires."

Arsenio's eyes widened in surprise as Tenebroso reached out to Mark, clearly wanting to go to the man instead of his father. Antonio couldn't help but smirk at the sight, relishing in the fact that Arsenio was being outplayed by Mark.

"Oh, so the kid wants to go to the 'golden boy', huh?" Arsenio said, his tone dripping with bitterness. "Just perfect. You've got some magic touch or something that makes him like you more than me?"

All eyes turned to me as I entered the room. Antonio's expression was a mix of relief and annoyance, while Mark looked concerned. And Arsenio..he just looked irritated. "Perfect timing," Antonio said dryly, still holding the now-calmer Tenebroso in his arms.

I walked over to Tenebroso "Hey baby," I said gently.

Tenebroso's eyes lit up at the sound of my voice, and he immediately reached for me with open arms. It was clear that he felt safe and comfortable with me, much more so than with his father. I lifted him "Someone starts packing his things,".

Antonio's jaw clenched as he heard my order, a silent understanding passing between us. He nodded curtly and handed Tenebroso to me carefully. "I'll go grab his things," he said gruffly, his eyes flickering over to Arsenio for a moment before he left the room.

I held Tenebroso to my chest gently "You have a nerve, I trusted you to take care of our baby and you leave him in here crying whilst you are having sex. You promised me you would look after him but you can't do that. You want freedom and a carefree life where you do not care," I said sternly.

"Hey, I'm not perfect, okay? I'm a grown man, I need some fun in my life," he retorted, his voice still defiant.

"Oh I know, your little promise to say to me the other day about you not sleeping with women in our marriage then our divorce was a lie," I replied.

His voice was casual. "Hey, I never said I'd be celibate. I just said I wouldn't be cheating on you..."

"But you did," I replied.

"Look, it's not like it meant anything, okay?" he said, trying to downplay the situation. "They were just flings, nothing more."

"We were in a relationship," I retorted.

Arsenio let out a frustrated huff, his temper flaring at my words. "Yeah, but we're not anymore, are we?" He shot back, his voice taking on a defensive tone. "We're divorced, so what I do in my private life is none of your business."

"And our baby doesn't deserve to see different women every night,".

Arsenio's face contorted in annoyance at my words. "Oh, come on, Tenebroso is just a baby, he doesn't care about that sorta stuff," he said dismissively. "He's not going to remember any of this anyway."

"Oh he won't because I'm going to court to make sure you don't get to see him again," I replied.

Arsenio didn't falter "That's fine, I don't want to see him,".

Antonio, who had been listening from the doorway, clenched his jaw at Arsenio's words. How could he spout so much nonchalance when talking about his son? 

"You don't want to see him?" He repeated, his voice dripping with disbelief and frustration. "Are you serious right now? That's your flesh and blood you're talking about, and you don't want anything to do with him?"

Arsenio rolled his eyes, clearly annoyed at Antonio's words. "Yeah, well, parenting isn't really my thing," he admitted with a shrug. "I've got other priorities in life, you know? Freedom, fun, that sort of thing."

"Freedom and fun," Antonio repeated the words, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Is that what you call it? Ignoring your responsibilities, sleeping around, and neglecting your son? Yeah, sounds like a real blast, man."

"It's fine Antonio, leave Arsenio to have a carefree life," I replied.

Antonio begrudgingly stepped back, his fists clenched as he listened to me. He knew it wasn't his place to speak, but he had a hard time holding his tongue. "Fine," he said through clenched teeth, his gaze flickering to Arsenio. "But mark my words, karma will catch up to you one day for being such a shitty father."

Arsenio smirked at Antonio's words, his careless attitude on full display. "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, man," he said dismissively. "I live life on my terms, and I ain't afraid of karma. I'm just enjoying the ride, while I still can."

Antonio watched as I left the room with Tenebroso, his expression still filled with anger and disbelief at Arsenio's nonchalant attitude. Mark, meanwhile, stayed by my side, his hand on my back in a reassuring gesture. "You okay?" he asked softly, his voice full of concern.

"Yeah, if he doesn't want that. I'm fine, he is missing out. But that means... you will become the step-father of Tenebroso if you want this with me,".

Mark's heart skipped a beat at my words. Becoming a stepfather to Tenebroso was a big step, but as he looked at me and the baby in my arms, he knew he couldn't refuse. "Of course, I want this," he said, his voice filled with conviction. "I'll be there for both of you, no matter what."