Hidden

Terrible Talk

I arrived home after seeing Violetta at the studio just in the nick of time. It was two thirty which meant it was time to call Valeria before she went to bed and I couldn't wait to speak to her. The moment I got through the door, I skipped up to my room.

After closing the door, I jumped onto my bed and dialled Marie's number frantically, desperate to hear my daughter's voice.

"Hey!" I hear Marie's voice on the other end, "How are things?"

"They're good, is Valeria there?" I ask frantic.

"Wow, steady yourself Angie! She's in the bath." says Marie, "We have a few minutes, so tell me what's happening."

I sighed, "I'd rather not, all I want is to forget about all of this and come home."

"Yeah, well you can, but I don't see you jumping on a plane anytime soon. C'mon Angie, tell me."

"It's complicated. Pablo has a family and all I want to do is tell him about Valeria. Violetta is growing suspicious and wants to know what I'm hiding and German... well German is getting better." I say sadly.

"If German is getting better then why are you sad?" says Marie, "I understand the rest just not that."

"Violetta says he is only getting better so he can win me back. She says he's only getting better because he thinks I'm staying and that..." I can't say anymore without the tears coming, "I can't stay Marie."

I hear her sigh on the other end.

"Angie, lets think this through. Why can't you stay?" says Marie.

"Because Valeria is with you and I have to get home to her." I say, "You know that."

"Besides Valeria, what else is keeping you in spain?" she says.

"Nothing." I reply sadly.

"Well then why not take Valeria to Buenos Aires?" says Marie, "You want to stay so just bring her with you."

"No Marie. I can't bring her here. I don't want to have to explain that." I reply anxiously, "Anyway, German can't be her father."

"Why not?" says Marie annoyed slightly.

"He's not fit to be one at the moment for one and also Marie, he's my sisters husband. It's not right!" I cry.

"Angie, You did nothing wrong! He used you, made a fool of you! That is all his fault! You didn't know so it's never been your fault. You left because you knew what happened was wrong. You left because he broke your heart twice! Angie, you've raised that little girl all by yourself for four years. It's time for him to pull his weight and to accept the consequences of his actions!" she screams at me.

Now I'm full on sobbing and I can't hold it in.

"Marie," I cry, "I can't. There are too many reasons why I can't. Look, I'm back in eleven days. I may even come back sooner. I can't speak to Valeria now, not with the state I'm in. Tell her I had a meeting and that I'll phone before school."

"Angie, you can't keep waking up in the early hours to phone." she says soothingly.

"I can and I will. I need too Marie." I say stubbornly.

"What you need to do Angie, is bring Valeria to Buenos Aires and face reality."

I'm crying violently now, "I can't Marie! You just don't understand! I'm sorry."

I ended the call and lay back on my bed and sobbed. I lay there for a while, ignoring the constant texts and calls from Marie, just wallowing in sadness.

It took me a while to realise that German was standing in the doorway. When I saw him I sat up and wiped my tears.

"German, I..."

"It's okay Angie. I know you probably don't want to talk about it." he says standing in the doorway.

"Thanks." I say as I calm myself slightly.

"But you clearly need cheering up and I'm not doing anything, so..." he paused for a moment, "How about we go for a walk and get something to eat, take your mind off things."