“Are you sure, Guadalupe? Because Jorge doesn’t even know how long we’ll be gone. If they’re requiring him to visit the diamond mine, then I’m assuming it’ll be longer than a month.”
“Yes, dear. You know how I feel about alto, oscuro y guapo men! Now go tell Jorge that you’ll go to Africa with him.”
I grabbed my food and rushed back to my desk, eager to finish all of my work so that I could break the good news to Jorge.
The rest of the afternoon went by quickly, and I was able to get all of my work done by four o’clock. I had considered texting Jorge that I’d agreed to go with him to Africa but decided to surprise him at the office.
It was his usual night to work late, so on my way to his downtown office, I picked up his favorite kind of sushi and a bottle of white wine. I had put my engagement ring back on, too, and giggled whenever someone complimented its beauty. Even the cashier at the sushi restaurant said she’d never seen something quite as exquisite before, and when she asked when we were getting married, I simply said that we hadn’t set a date yet.
By the time we get back from Africa, though, I’ll probably be officially engaged.
Knowing how much he loved the French pastries in Paris, I picked up a box at a local bakery. I knew Jorge had repeatedly said that nothing in Miami was nearly as good as what we had eaten in Paris, but it was the next best thing. I also picked him up a chocolate-covered sugar cookie in the shape of a heart, hoping it would ease any tension between us. Even though I was right in standing my ground, I didn’t want anything to get in the way of us being together anymore.
My heart was racing a mile a minute as I made my way up to his floor. The past week had been a living hell for me. As much as I loved and cared about Jorge, I had to stand my ground. But the further apart we were from each other, the more depressed I became, and I began to realize what it felt like to really be in love with someone. I had even come close to calling him a few times, but I was unsure of myself.
Once again, however, I had Yuslan and Guadalupe to thank for showing me the light. They were a couple who proved that anything was possible when you truly loved each other.
I rode the elevators up to his floor, my feet practically shaking in their shoes. If everything went according to plan that night, Jorge and I would be making love on his office desk.
Phew, it's hot in this elevator.
The elevator doors opened to his floor, and I was thrilled to see all of his employees gone for the day. That meant that it would definitely just be the two of us in his office, feeding each other sushi and French pastries, sipping white wine, and then running our hands all over each other like wild animals.
As I turned the corner toward his office, I noticed a pair of black high heels standing in front of his desk.
Please let that be his secretary.
Curious to hear what they were saying, I practically tiptoed to his door, careful not to make any sudden movements. And I had every intention of doing that until I reached his door, too, until I got a full look into his office.
The bottle of wine and cartons of sushi slipped out of my hands as my mouth fell open. Chardonnay seeped onto the pink marble floor as I saw Ria in his office, leaning across Jorge’s desk as she spoke. It was impossible to see his face, but she was dressed to seduce in a tight red dress.
The sound of the wine bottle breaking caused both of them to turn around. Jorge jumped up from his desk while Ria smirked at me.
I flew down the stairs instead of taking the elevator, ignoring his pleas to stop the entire way down.
I am never falling in love again!
Walking in high heels had never been easy for me, but I practically ran in them toward my car. Jorge’s feet were speeding up, but I got into my car before he could catch me. The tears were falling down my face so fast that I could barely see. I heard him screaming my name as I revved the engine and peeled out of the parking lot.
“Screw you, Jorge Stein!” I said it so loud at the first traffic light that the woman in the car next to me looked over. But I didn’t give a shit.
I should have known they’d get back together! He probably saw her at The Spicy Pineapple and was turned on by her, then thought he’d sneak in a little after-work action! I can’t believe I bought all of his lies!
I ripped my heels off while walking into my condo, where I promptly shut the door and locked it. I knew Jorge would probably be banging on my door later on, but at the rate I was going, I’d be fast asleep by the time that happened. I couldn’t remember the last time I had cried so hard.
Before taking off all of my clothes and getting into bed, I powered off my phone. There were several missed calls and text messages from Jorge.
But that didn’t matter anymore.
I had no choice but to cry myself asleep, regretting the day I ever laid eyes upon Jorge Stein.
24
Ginger
Iwoke up the next morning feeling worse than the night before. All night long, I had dreamed about Jorge. The two of us were back in Paris, taking romantic walks on the streets of Champs-Élysées and the Place de la Bastille. We enjoyed French pastries and cappuccinos outside, as people walked by and asked us when we were getting married. Jorge always held up my hand to show off the ring, and right before giving them a date, Ria showed up.
Ria, with her fake body and even faker personality. But even though Jorge professed that he was no longer attracted to her, especially after so much plastic surgery, I knew she could easily pass as a supermodel. She had a body that every woman pined for, and a face that had been sculpted to perfection. Sure, anyone could tell that it was all plastic. But she was still pretty.
