Lucia
An hour later, we’re seated in a restaurant on the edge of the city with a bottle of wine on the table between us.
It’s a quaint but classy little restaurant, one I wouldn’t expect him to go to because it feels so homely. Dressed in his Armani suit, he looks out of place in comparison to all the other men who are wearing dress shirts and jeans.
I look out of place, too, but I blend in more because most of the women have dressed up for the evening.
Soft Latin music plays in the background, and the waiters have been nothing but eager to please. When they saw Alejandro walk in, they acted like he was some celebrity, which I guess he is. I’m only clueless because this is the first time I’ve been out with him. And I’m nervous.
Why am I so nervous?
This is so normal, and it’s not like we haven’t eaten dinner together before. It’s just that Mia isn’t at the table with us and we’re out with people. People who can see me with him. Said people are casting curious glances our way.
“I haven’t been here in a while,” he says, shrugging out of his jacket. He looks slightly toned down now.
When he undoes the top two buttons on his shirt then rolls the sleeves up his forearms, he blends a little more.
I think that’s as much as he can do to blend in. His elegance and power are rippling too much.
“It’s nice.”
“My father and my grandfather used to bring my brother and me here all the time. The owner is a family friend who invested in offering home-cooked meals. He hated the idea of the place looking too fancy, and my grandfather never wanted us to lose touch with where we came from.”
He’s never said that many words about his family.
“Argentina?” I ask.
“Yes. Argentina. My ancestors were simple folk who had nothing but their clothes on their backs and worked on the plantations across South America. Until one day they started the gas business. Equibras.”
“That’s amazing. And look at it today.”
“It’s impressive. My family made sure that no matter how many years went by and how successful we were, we always looked back and we always do what they did in the past.”
“That’s beautiful. My family is a bit like that, too. Obviously, we’re not wildly successful like yours is.” I chuckle. “But my dad was always trying to make sure my brother and I never forgot tradition.”
“Your brother?”
I realize this is the first time I’ve mentioned Tommy, but he doesn’t look like it’s the first he’s hearing about me having a brother. Which means he did his homework on me.
“He’s dead,” I say.
“I’m sorry. It’s always hard when you lose a sibling. I understand how you must feel. I found mine dead.”
“I’m sorry. I… know what that feels like too.”
He looks like he didn’t know that.
“You did?” he asks, with sympathy.
I nod. “He killed himself.” The words still sound weird, and every time I think of it, I see Tommy’s face flash before my eyes.
Alejandro reaches across the table to touch my hand, but just as his fingers brush over mine, my phone rings and my back goes ramrod straight.
Ice covers my body, and I’m snapped back to reality.
“You can take that,” Alejandro says with a warm smile.
“Um, okay. My dad gets worried.”