𝑳𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝑭𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝑾𝒊𝒏𝒆

𝑰𝒔 𝑻𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝑹𝒆𝒋𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏?

𝑪𝒂𝒔𝒔𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒓𝒂'𝒔 𝑷𝑶𝑽

Oh.. Why? What's going on? I noticed she didn't sign on at the front desk today so I was really tryna figure out what was w-"

He ended up cutting me off in the middle of my sentence for no reason.

"No she's fine. Everything going good with her. I told her to take a day off to herself"

My heart dropped into my stomach. I was already so attached to him to the point where I felt bitterly jealous about it. They just met and they've already grown so close. I don't know whether to back off or continue. I'm not trying to intervene with anything.. I croaked and responded wryly.

"Oh... That's so sweet. She deserves the day off since she works so hard..But I was wondering if you were tryna go to the mall with me this weekend. I've been trying to get to know you some more but work has been kickin my ass.. I been tryna reach you on my break but you never got around to answerin. I was getting worried..you know?" I said with a slight laugh.

I rambled unknowingly because my emotions toppled over me just because he mentioned someone else. I hate that I feel this way.

"I have plans with Claire this weekend, I'll be busy for the next few months actually. It's just been a lot going on and it's taking up all my time.. "

The thought of him being with somebody other than me just makes me physically sick. I took a deep breath, which was becoming shaky.

"Don't worry about it. Just tell me when your free.. It ain't really nun to rush, I'm js finna drop Irene off if that's okay wit you."

"Yeah that's fine. I'll wait."

His responses were so dry and straight to the point that it kind of stung me.

The silence felt like it was forever before I pulled up to Claire's house and immediately saw him in the drive way.

I got out of the car with Irene happily jumping in my arms to see her dad after waiting all day. Their identical smiles instantly made me feel better then I already did. His sweet voice appeared while speaking to Irene and his eyes even sparkled when he saw her.

"Hola mi muñequita hermosa." (Hello my beautiful little doll)

He said while squishing her chubby cheek with his fingers then kissed her softly. Seeing a man vulnerable and loving made me reminisce of how it would be if everything turned out right as I imagine with Luis.

I put Irene down to give her free will of her own.

"Miss lady had a very long day. I took her out to eat lunch and she passed out on the table."

"Hey hey hey, what happens in the Diner, STAYS in the Diner Miss Johnson-" She said with her little hand on her hip and the other waving a stern finger at me.

My eyebrows lifted then I threw my hands up while backing away, letting Irene have at it.

His large arms wrapped around Irene and lifted her up effortlessly. It was obvious that he missed her deeply.

I love them both with all of my heart, it don't make no sense..

She latched around his gigantic arm and held onto it like a tiny Koala. All I could do was admire her, I hate how he made me initiate every conversation.

"Hope you don't mind me asking but, is Claire doing alright?"

I rubbed Irene's back to soothe her as he responded.

"She's doing pretty good." He said back with a smile.

I felt like our conversations were just recycled and were going completely nowhere honestly.. No effort..

I reached her hand over to Irene and caressed her head as I felt her body untense itself in his arms.

I love how comfortable she gets around me. I just want a family of my own so badly. It's in my prayers every night before bed..

I looked at her lovingly and I felt his eyes staring at me. I didn't want to make the eye contact with him because I would just fall all over again. If he's already invested in somebody else then I can't just pop out of nowhere... But I failed. I glanced up at his beautiful brown eyes gazing at me. It was like time completely stopped around us.

We stood there for a couple of minutes but my mind continuously sped off straight to Claire. How the hell would she feel about this?..

"Listen, im gonna go..alright?" He said with a sultry voice.

"Same.. I got a lot of stuff to do later and yeah.. "

The whole convo felt nothing but forced. It was so many signs of why I should give up but something about the look in his eyes tell me that there's some sorta hope. I refuse to get played by another nigga, I can't..

I bit the inside of my cheek with my hands in the back of my pockets and my legs crossed. He sat Irene down on the hood of the car directly behind me since she was getting a little antsy.

"Im sorry for being so busy but I just don't have the time to 'hang out'. It's a lot on my end too but I'm trying to arrange stuff to have some time for my loved ones at the moment."

There were lines to read in between and it was clear. He's busy with.. Claire. It's obvious. I could be jumping to conclusions but I'm anticipating it. Is he including or excluding me in the loved ones?.. Is he tryna tell me that I need to lay off? I'm confused. It's either that or I'm over thinking the fuck out of it. Overreacting is the first thing I jump to when I don't get an immediate answer.

I have no right to really demand any answers from him, I have no control over what or who he wants to love.

I laughed it off.

"It's fine, all we got is time so it's really no pressure Luis, I ain't goin nowhere" I joked.

He chuckled. I love the way his eyes completely closed when he laughed. It felt so genuine.

I took my hands out of my pockets but he walked towards me.

His arms were wide open and I opened mine as well. His arms embraced me little by little, as if he was hesitating.

My heart thumper so loud to the point where we both could hear it. After a few seconds, he pulled away softly.

"I was trying to pick Irene back up to take her in the house" he said, laughing once more.

I felt my mouth part and my head fell in his chest harshly in utter embarrassment. I turned my head around and Irene laughed at me.

"Oh my god, I'm sorry- I didn't know, I forgot she was behind me and I wasn't really thinkin bout it. I thought th-"

He put his hands on the both of my shoulders for comfort.

"Your good, don't think about it too much" he said as he let go and my body felt like it wanted to melt on the spot from his touch then he walked behind me to pick up Irene in his warm embrace.

I wiped my hand against my forehead to make sure I wasn't trippin.

Irene turned towards me and waved her tiny hand in my direction sweetly.

"Byee miss Johnsonnn"

"Bye baby" I said while blowing her a big kiss with both of my hands and I stood there until they both walked and disappeared into the house.

I hate to go home all alone again. I teared up seeing them leave..

I sniffled and I heard Irene's words in the distance.

"I can't wait to see mommy. I wanna tell her about my day."

"Well she's feeling a bit u well so you gotta keep your voice Mi Amor"

He chuckled as the door opened and they both were gone. Steamy tears began to pour and I wiped my face.

It's nice to see that a Irene sees Claire as a good 'mommy'..