It comes and goes

twenty-eight

Shawn's POV

I was surprised to see Ella on my door but I invited her in immediately.

"Sorry I came without telling you. I saw your address on the papers Rafael had in his office and thought of coming over. You left in a hurry on Friday and I didn't know what happened. Are you ok?", she said.

"Yeah, yeah", I said. "My life has been crazy lately", I sighed with a tired laugh.

"Can we talk? Hang out and catch up? Or are you busy?", she asked me.

"Now, it's fine. Stay. Do you want anything? Coffee, water, juice?", I said while she took off her coat and sat on one of the stools in my kitchen.

In the back of my mind I went crazy thinking of what to offer to a chef with the limited culinary skills I had. She, and my mom, had taugh me almost everything I knew about cooking.

"I'm fine, don't worry. Now tell me about it. Is everything ok?"

"Yeah, well...You already know about my dad".

"Of course. How is he doing?"

"He's still recovering from surgery and we will know if he's cancer free in a couple of days".

"I'm so sorry you had to go through that with him, but I'm glad he's doing better".

"Thank you. It was tough but Camila helped me a lot".

"You look really in love with her", she commented with a smile.

"I am", I said shyly.

"How did you two meet anyways? You never told me that story", she asked me.

"Uhm... funny one. She's my dad's teaching assistant at university. When I met her, I thought she and my dad were having a secret romance or something".

"You did not...", she said shocked.

"I did", I laughed at my stupidity. "They weren't, obviously, but she didn't take it well when I accused her of it".

"Rightfully so", she nodded taking my girlfriend's side.

"I was stupid, I know that but we can laugh about it now. Nobody knows about this, by the way. Just me and her, and her best friend".

"Now me", she smiled.

"Right".

"Don't worry, I won't say anything. It's a funny story though", she laughed.

"I guess. I just don't want my dad finding out about it. He would be devastated and ashamed".

"And she gave you an opportunity after all that?", she asked incredulously.

"I have my charm, you know", I said offended.

"Oh I know", she reminded me.

"It took me some time and work but she gave in, and we're happy now".

The word happy tasted bitter in my mouth at the moment.

"That's amazing. I'm happy things are getting better for you".

"Thank you", I forced a smile.

"Then why did you leave on Friday, what happened with Camila?"

"She wasn't feeling very well... Just stuff".

"It's ok, you don't need to tell me the details".

"So... yeah. That was it", I sighed.

"Is everything better now?", she asked me frowning at my change in mood.