Sin Contrato • Maluma

Chapter 13 ● The Day They Connected the Dots

Juan's POV

"Meli?" I ask as the girl with sunglasses and a huge hat approached my outdoor table at the coffee shop.

"Hi," she smiled at me as she sat down and took her hat off. "Sorry, I just didn't wanna see anyone at work when I went to go get my stuff-"

"Eva," I say and she winces at the sound of the girl's name.

"So," she takes her shades off and flips her hair. "He told you."

"I'm so sorry he did that to you," I began. "He's a coward and a disgrace-"

"A steaming hot pile of shit," Melissa says just as our waitress approaches us. "Hi, can I get a soy latte, please."

"A refill, please," I point at my finished cup of coffee.

"Are you not mad at Eva?"

"Oh, Eva's a fucking whore," Melissa says and we get some stares from the people at the table next to us.

Meli and I glare at them back, warning them to mind their own business.

"She knew what time I was gonna be back home."

"Wait? You walked in on them?" I ask her to clarify.

"Yeah," she nods thinking I already knew that piece of information. "I came home and they were having sex and she quickly went out to the balcony and jumped over to her room."

My jaw almost dropped, but I started to laugh instead.

"I see," I shake my head and start putting two and two together.

"I didn't even have a chance to fuck her up," Meli says angrily as our waitress approaches us once again, drinks in hand.

Meli and I both thank her before taking a sip of our drinks and getting back to the conversation.

"You would've won that one," I state and she nods.

"Hands down," she drinks some more of her coffee. "Now, tell me what's going on with you and Eva."

"Was it that obvious?"

"Just tell me what went on."

"I was sleeping with her... too," I add.

"She really gets them all," Meli widens her eyes and shakes her head.

"Yeah, well it's over now."

"Because of Antonella?"

"Because of Eva," I explain. "She's the absolute worst. I can't believe I ever had feelings for a girl like that."

"She seduced you," Melissa shrugs. "She's an expert at that."

"How could I have been so stupid?" I curse under my breath and Melissa smiles at me.

"You live and you learn."

"You seem much more relaxed about this," I point out.

"Can you fucking believe I almost threw my entire life away!" She exclaims. "I'm twenty years old. I'm gonna go back to school and stay away from boys and Miami for a while."

"I like that idea," I laugh with her. "So, when are you grabbing that bus back home?"

"Tonight," she explains. "I grabbed all my stuff from work and I'm set to go... and not come back for a couple of years."

"You take your time," I nod. "I'll be here when you come back."

"Good," she grins. "After all this, I just wish there was a way I could do something to get back at them."

"Live your best life," I tell her. "That's how."

"Karma isn't working fast enough."

"Don't let revenge consume you."

"I won't let it," she shakes her head. "You just let me know if there's ever something I can do."

"Their relationship won't last," I say. "Once a cheater, always a cheater."

"She's gonna lose him how she got him," Meli rolls her eyes. "Same shit."

"Come on," I chuckle. "Enough about them. How's Manolo?"

○○○

I was in the middle of my show when I heard a knock at my door.

I went up to the door slowly to take a look through the peep hole. I opened the door immediately when I saw Antonella.

"Hi," she barely spoke. "I'm sorry for showing up out of the blue and not even texting, my phone died."

"Come in," I urge. "What happened?"

"Nothing serious," she turns to face me. "Where's your charger?"

I take her phone from her and walk over to plug it in before asking again what had happened.

"Eva and Felipe were having a huge fight. Like, huge," she widens her eyes. "Plates were being thrown, I just had to get out of there."

"Are you okay?" I ask sincerely.

"I'm fine. I just knew I wasn't going to get any sleep if I stayed there for the night, so I was hoping-"

"Of course, yeah," I nod. "You're welcome whenever."

"Thanks," she let out a breath and relaxed some more. "I was gonna call, really."

"I know," I nod.

"I'm sorry for interrupting your show," she points at the screen.

"Some company would actually make it better," I smile at her.

I haven't seen her in a while and I've been very distant ever since I found out about Eva and Felipe, wanting to take some time to myself and brood over how the whole situation ended.

"Good," she smiles from across the room before changing expressions and crossing her arms. "Juan, did I do something?"

"Why do you ask?"

"You've just been a little distant and I figured I must've said or done something so-"

"No, God no," I approach her. "You could never. I've just been so busy with work. My bad, I should've just told you that instead of talking to you less."

"It's fine," she nods.

"So, you wanna make some popcorn and watch the show with me?"

"I'd love to," Anto smiles. "Can I use your bathroom?"

"Go ahead," I gesture towards the door behind her.

○○○

"But why does she hate her?" Anto asks after the first episode we watched was over.

"She took all the credit for the case they solved," I explain. "That was in the second season."

"And this is the fourth?"

"Correct," I nod.

"And how long has the blonde one been dating the rival guy?"

"That's brand new actually," I look over at her. "The sexual tension was wild since last season."

"This show isn't half bad," Anto frowns. "I'll start it soon."

"Wanna start it now?"

"Nah, I couldn't ask you to watch it again."

"No, I love this show," I tell her. "You just watched a whole episode for me, come on."

"You sure?"

"Let's binge," I nod and we chuckle.

"Alright," she leans back on the couch.

I go back to the main menu and start the first episode of the show before leaning back onto the couch too.

I look over at the girl and offer her one more smile before she turns her attention back to the screen.

I put my arm around her a minute later and she doesn't contest.

Instead she leans in and we get comfortable for the night.