"Hey! It's so nice to see you!" Her arms wrapped around his waist.
He hugged her close to his chest. "It's been too long!" They sat down at a table and jayde smiled excitedly. "Oh my god. How have you been?"
He laughed. "I've been great. Just got done shooting the new Pirates movie. It's going to be great! How about you?"
"It's a long story. I don't know how much Johnny has told you. Both myself and Johnny were married for three years and we have two kids: Steven and Kiera. After our divorce, I dated someone but we broke up after a few months. I got married to someone I used to work with and we were married for six years and we have two kids: Rafael Jr and Lucia. We got divorced. I went back to my ex-boyfriend and we got engaged but we broke up again. I started dating my best friend and we had a daughter Santana. Then I came out and his family decided that I wasn't good enough so we broke up. I dated a girl for a little over a month until she dumped me. Now I'm remarried to my second husband".
He laughed as she nodded. "Wow. You've been busy".
She laughed. "My kids are hoping I never get divorced again".
He shook his head. "Can I ask why you got divorced twice?"
"Johnny and I didn't work out the way we thought we would. We actually went to Vegas and eloped. Rafael, my second husband had an affair. We got divorced for a few years but he was still always there for me and all the anger and hurt just disappeared. Plus, the woman he had an affair with, did it to break us up. I was dating her daughter and she broke us up. So I realized it wasn't him, it was her and that's how I forgave him".
He nodded. "I got divorced from Miranda and we have a little boy. Divorce is hard but I'm happy that you were able to work things out. What do you do for work?"
"I'm a forensic psychologist. I work with kids who have been through some type of abuse or neglect. I help the Manhattan's Special Victims Unit build cases against the abuser. I'm literally on call twenty-four seven with my kids".
"I can't even imagine doing that. How do you do it?"
She sighed then laughed. "A lot of tears. The things that the kids tell you are heartbreaking. I sometimes have cases of these girls, one of them was 12, getting pregnant. I do it for the kids. They come in and they're scared because of what happened to them, but after they tell me and they know someone is going to fight for them, they become different people. It's hard to explain".
After talking to Orlando, the two of them said goodbye to each other with a hug. The next month, Amanda showed her a tabloid with her picture on it. "Is Orlando cheating on Katy Perry? Steamy pictures inside". She rolled her eyes. "Good lord".
Amanda laughed. "I didn't know the paparazzi were after you".
"Yeah, right. I better go check on Rafael". She dropped the tabloid on Amanda's desk. When she got to Rafael's office, she could tell he was in a bad mood. He saw her walk in and he looked at her. "Did you see the tabloids?"
"Its trash, Rafi. Just a magazine trying to make some money by spreading lies".
"You do know how this looks?"
"So you're worried about your image? I didn't know the paparazzi were watching us".
He tried to hide his anger. "Nothing happened with you and Orlando?"
Jayde looked at him not believing what he was asking her. "No. I told you, Orlando is a good friend that I hadn't seen for a very long time".
He looked away from her not knowing what to say. She couldn't believe this was happening. "You gave me permission to see him. I can't believe you don't believe me or that you're worried about your image. When have I ever lied to you?"
He didn't say anything so she walked out frustrated.
That night she texted him that she was staying at a hotel to let him cool off. He sighed as he read her text. She was frustrated that he was acting like this. He had been jealous when she was with other guys but he had never been jealous while they were together. After she checked in, she laid on the bed wondering what to do. She thought of calling Johnny but decided against it. Instead, she decided to browse Tumblr to district her. She saw messages from her followers.
Just to clear the air, I don't know who Orlando is dating but we are not having an affair. I am 100% faithful to my husband and children. I've known Orlando for years and we met up as friends. I love my husband and would never cheat on him.
Rafael saw her post and he wondered what to do. He was jealous and worried that another guy was going to take Jayde away from him. He was getting older and she was younger and beautiful. The next day Amanda and Sonny noticed the distance between them. They barely looked at each other or even spoke. After work, Jayde went back to her hotel room. Amanda stopped by Rafael's office on her way home. He was less than happy to see her.
"Rollins. What can I help you with?"
"I just read Jayde's post. She seems upset".
"Yeah, well. Maybe I'm not good enough for her anymore".
"That's what you're worried about? She loves you. What are you scared of? That someone is going to take her from you? That's not going to happen". He glared at her. "Yeah, she's beautiful but she's in love with you".
"That's the problem, she's beautiful. Everyone wants her".
"They could try but she would never leave you. If you can't trust her, then who can you trust?"
He didn't say anything as he thought of what she was telling him. Amanda walked out and he watched her leave.
Later, she and Jayde were getting drinks together. "He's just being dumb. I would never cheat on him".
Amanda nodded. "Well he's insecure about you being beautiful and someone taking you away from him".
She shook her head. "I can't do another divorce. I don't know what I would do".
"Hey, that's not going to happen. You and him will work this out".
She didn't say anything as she took a drink. "He was jealous when I was dating Anthony. That's the only time I've seen him like that". Her phone went off as Orlando texted her. It was nice meeting up with you. I'm sorry about the tabloids and paparazzi. I hope to hear from you soon. – Orlando
Jayde read the text to Amanda who nodded. She took another drink. "If it was Johnny, he would just laugh about the rumors. He would know that they weren't true".
"I told you that I was meeting up with Orlando and you were excited for me. Just like you surprised me with Anthony then got jealous when we started dating. I'm not going to cut every guy out of my life just because you can't handle me being around them".
Silence. "Are you guys going to get divorced again?" Steven asked quietly.
"No. We're going to work this out, even if I have to stay at the hotel for the rest of my life".
Amanda looked at them not saying anything. Rafael just nodded then walked away.
Two weeks later Rafael texted her. I am so sorry I got jealous. You were right. I can't stop you from seeing your guy friends and it's not fair to keep you away from them. I miss you and I want you to come home. I don't know what I would do without you and I don't want to spend another night alone. I hope you can forgive me. I love you so much and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Please talk to me. – Rafael
Jayde read his text and she sighed. She didn't have any of her kids coming in so she decided to go to his office. He was surprised to see her. "Jayde". He went over to her. "I am so sorry for getting jealous. You have every reason to be angry with me".
"Rafi, I want us to work. I don't want to get divorced again. I can't do that to the kids. I love you and only you".
He nodded. "I know. I promised that I would never let you go. Will you please come home?"
She nodded and he smiled. "But you're on probation, Rafi".
"What's my punishment?"
"I'll think of something", she told him as she walked out.
That night, she walked in to the apartment and the kids came up to her. "Are you and papá still together", Lucia asked.
"Yes, princesa. We are still together".
Lucia gave her a hug. "We missed you, mamá!"
"I've missed you all, too!"
Rafael came over and she kissed him.
Sometimes you have to show your kids that mamá and papá can fight then make up.
