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¨If you didn’t have money, I wouldn’t be here, and that is a horrible realization.”
She pauses as I notice her eyes getting wet. “This entire thing we’re doing…pretending to be a couple for our own statuses and money is honestly, fucking gross. Like, really look at it. We can paint it as fine because everyone in the world is obsessed with attaining wealth but isn’t that frightening? The fact that my family name is so fucking precious even though it is tied to theives and murderers and womanizers is fucking awful! And, you…” Micola shakes her head. “You are a wild handsome product of that. You want me to suck you off and...and fuck you hard because you believe that’s the way it should be. You’re no fucking god, regardless of how much money you have. Now, sleep on that!¨ She storms up the stairs, leaving me hard and a bit emotionally hurt.
Chapter 13
Micola
¨So,youdon’twantme to tell any of our students about this news?¨ Teresa, my studio’s art assistant, asks via Whatsapp.
It’s crazy how beautiful and luscious her curls look on the phone’s screen. Whatsapp hardly ever has a good video connection, but this afternoon it does.
¨Do I show up as clear as you show up for me on this phone?¨
¨Alex did you right by choosing that phone, Cola. You’re kind of pixelated on my screen. It has to be whatever rich phone he gifted you.¨
¨Weird. Okay. Yes, please don’t tell the students yet. I first want to see if Simon even shows up in September. He’s supposed to be sending me letters for the parents, but I’ll hold onto them.”
“Hey, are you okay?” Teresa asks.
“Well, it’s a bit sad and lonely not knowing who or what to trust. I mean, I’m grateful for this opportunity but…ugh! So much. Too much.¨
¨I know, but be gentle with yourself. You have almost two weeks left. You got through most of it, right?¨
¨ I’m not sure if Ciro is here or not.” I really don’t want to revisit everything I told her when we hopped on the phone thirty minutes ago, but I have no one else to really talk to here in London.
¨Oh, geesh. Maybe itwasa lookalike.¨ Teresa shakes her head.
¨I know. He’s still delusional enough to think he has a chance with you.¨ I tease Teresa.
She fails to acknowledge it. ¨Well, have you tried calling Mateo instead?¨
¨No way am I calling him. I don’t want them knowing my number, and I don’t think Alex thought about that when he asked me to find out. I need to talk to him, but itcan’t be at night, so maybe I’ll see him today or something.¨
¨Yes, well. Remember, you only have two weeks and to be honest with you have you seen...never mind.¨
I watch Teresa’s face tighten up on the other end. Her Venezuelan accent sounds thicker when her tone lowers.
¨What?¨ My heartbeat skips a beat.
¨ I’ve seen some stunning pictures of you and Alex on the Arte Italiana IG page, and they have over thirty thousand likes. I am not bullshitting.¨
¨Oh, fuck social media. Who cares?¨
¨But they arestunning. You have on some beaded blood-colored dress, and you look really hot and—¨
¨Ugh, auction day. Got it. Yes, that was a hot day, for sure, but um…listen, let me let you go so you can enjoy your summer, and I can figure out my life over here. But yes, if anything, just check with Juanito. See if he still has those two paintings that Simon emphasized in the email I forwarded you. He really loves them, and I know they’re not in the shop, so I can only pray he has them safe at home.¨
¨Will do. And I’ll go pick them up from his home to haul them to the studio. Once again, I’m telling the students we want them for a possible fair in September. No promises.”
“Yes! You’re amazing. Let’s talk soon.”
¨I got you!¨ She gives me a bright smile with a peace sign before she hangs up.
I toss my phone on my bed as I hear movement outside my door.
Alex is home.
I hadn’t seen him in a couple days since I cursed at him. Should I feel guilty? ‘No’ is what I’ve been telling myself. But I don’t want to hurt him. That is not my plan.
