🔺Love Triangle🔺

Part 3

I'm lying on the couch watching Friends when my phone rings. Carlos. I answer and on the other side I hear my little daughter's voice: "Mommy! I miss you!"
"I miss you too, love. How are you and daddy doing?"
"Great. I swim all the time. The sea is sooo warm." I smile: "I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. Are grandparents with you?" "Mhm...and daddy's friend is with us, too" Vivi happily say. Friend? I'm getting hot. "Oh, friend?" I ask. "Yes, she is very nice. We swim and we're silly together." I try to stay calm. Before I say anything, Vivi continues: "She gives me allergy medicine and puts sunscreen on me. We eat eggs for breakfast, and then we go swimming." I don't say anything. I'm thinking about this "friend". "Mom, are you here?"
"Yes, Vivi. Sorry, I'm here. Nice, I'm glad you have a new friend," I try to say as cheerfully as possible. "She's daddy's friend. My friends are not that old." I laugh. She is just like me. Carlos picks up the phone: "Nessa, how are you? Thinking about joining us?"
"No thanks. I hear that your friend is taking good care of Vivi. And probably for you too," I say. "Vanessa are you jealous?" he asks me mockingly. I laugh: "Chili, I have friends too. I'm just making an appointment with one for tomorrow's lunch."
"Oh, really, with whom?"
"You don't know him, with someone from my job." Before he can answer anything, I continue: "Can I speak to Vivi, I want to wish her a good night?"
"Okay, good night to you too, Nessa," he says gently, so it hurts. "Mommy, I'm here again," I hear the voice of my princess. "Goodnight, my princess. Don't forget that I love you to the moon and back," I say. "Good night, mommy. Daddy and I love you to the moon and back too." Then I hang up. This was our family routine every night when we heard from each other when Carlos was away.
....to the moon and back.
I go to the shower, then I take Carlos's old T-shirt from the closet. I'm still angry with him, but I miss his hands, his hug immensely. I wear it and get into bed.

I open the nightstand drawer and pull out our first photo. I miss him. His touches, kisses, hugs. His warm breath on my neck, his exhalation while we're making love as he climaxed. Who is that friend and why is she on vacation with them?
I kiss the photo and fall asleep.

*the next morning*

I wake up with a headache. Our photo is under the pillow. I put it back in the drawer and get up, change into shorts and a t-shirt, then go into the kitchen to make myself some freshly squeezed orange juice. I decide to go to the store to buy some groceries. Maybe I'll call Sofia later in the afternoon to chat a little. As I walk down the stairs from my apartment, I get a notification on Whatsapp. Carlos sent me some photos. On one there is he with Vivi.

You're are beautiful ❤️
I texted.

In the store, I walk between the shelves with a shopping cart, my thoughts are elsewhere. I'm thinking about this friend again. Do I know her?
Suddenly I bump into someone. "Oops, I'm so sorry!" I hasten to apologize.
"Vanessa is that you?" he asks and laughs. "Charles, what are you doing in Madrid?" I laughed. I cannot believe my eyes.
"I was at a football match yesterday," he laughs. We hug each other. It's nice to see him. "Do you have time for coffee?" I ask.
"Of course," he says with a smile and dimples in his cheeks. Together we head to the cashier and then head to his ferrari. While driving we chat about a thousand things.
"Are you hungry? Would you like something to eat?" I ask when my stomach growled.
"I was going to suggest a lunch, too. Where are we going?"
I take him to the restaurant in town, where they have the best burgers. "I bet they're not better than in Monaco," he teases me as he holds the door to the restaurant for me.
"What if we just bet?" I laugh and offer my hand. He looks at me for a while. I see that he's calculating. When I shrug and walk past him, he stops me: "Okay, let's bet." I smile widely when we shake hands.
I walk towards the restaurant, Charles follows me like a small child. I finally get to the table, to the small corner of the restaurant, where Carlos and I usually sat.