𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐊, pedri

11

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"OH MY GOD, Joe?"

The father of my child stood in front of me.

The man who ran out on me and Elsie, the man who I haven't heard from in years, the man who I loved since I was 13, was standing right in front of me.

"Maia." He breathed. He looked tired. He had dark circles under his eyes, his hair was a mess. "Oh, Maia. I can't believe I found you."

"How- How did you?" I stutter out. My eyes were glued to him. I couldn't believe it.

"I asked your mum." He said. "Can I come in?" He stepped forward.

"No."

"No?"

"No." I said, standing my ground. "You don't get to come to my new apartment after three years and expect to be let in. You left me, you ran out on me. Then you came back. I had hope. But that was shattered when you left again. So, i'm sorry, but don't expect me to let you in so quickly."

Joe stares at me in shock. I watch as his eyes move behind me. I turn around to see Pedri walking over.

"You moved on?" Joe asked, in disgust. "With him?"

"It's been three years, Joe." I say, crossing my arms over my chest.

I felt Pedri come up behind me, his hand rested lightly on my lower back. "Is this Elsie's dad?" He whispered into my ear. I nod my head stiffly, my eyes still glued to Joe.

"You can do better than that." Joe said, looking Pedri up and down.

Joe was taller than Pedri by a good few inches, giving him a slight advantage for intimidation. Pedri, however, didn't seem fazed in the slightest. He leaned against the wall next to me, his hand still resting on my back. He slowly slid it round my waist, pulling me a bit closer to him.

"Come back to me, Amaia. Me, you and Elsie can all be a family. Like we planned." Joe said, his eyes were still looking at Pedri, glaring at him.

"You lost that opportunity when you walked out. I'm sorry Joe, but I'm not coming back to you." I say, my hands began to shake and I slipped them into my pockets to hide it.

Joe didn't say anything for a second. He turned his gaze to me, his eyes darkening. "You're a slut anyway. I don't know why he would want to date you."

Pedri pushed himself off the wall and made a move towards Joe. I quickly grabbed his arm to stop him. "Say that again, I dare you." Pedri said, in a low voice.

"She's a slut." Joe said, smirking cockily.

Pedri ripped his arm out of my grasp and threw a heavy punch at Joe. Joe stumbled back, his hand going up to his nose. "What the fuck?" Pedri stepped forward again, going to throw another punch at him. Joe, however, dodged the punch. He swung his fist at Pedri, hitting him in the jaw.

"Okay, stop. Stop." I said, pulling at Pedri's arm. He stepped back, glaring at Joe. "Joe, I swear if you don't leave right now, I will punch you myself."

Joe looked at me once more before storming off down the hallway. Once he turned the corner I faced Pedri.

"Are you stupid?" I yelled out, walking into the apartment. Pedri looked shocked at my yell. "You can't just hit him."

"Did you hear what he called you?" Pedri argued back. He shut the front door and walked up to me.

"Yes, i'm fully aware at what he called me but that doesn't give you the right to hit him. You have a reputation, for fucks sake." I shout. I run my hand through my hair in frustration.

"I don't care." Pedri said, "I'm not having him call you that."

"Look, I get you're trying to be nice, but this isn't your problem. Just leave it alone, it doesn't concern you." I say.

Pedri pauses for a second, thinking. "Fine." He mumbled, turning around and walking over to the front door. He opened it and left, slamming the door behind him.

I collapsed down on the sofa, a sob escaping my mouth. What the fuck just happened?