130 — A new stage of my life.

Cathy’s words make me gasp. My eyes widen in surprise, and I ask, unable to control my tongue, “Do you have a child?”
However, I immediately regret it because a sad expression takes over her face. I can see hurt and sorrow shining in her eyes. Still, she gives me a sad smile and says, “I used to.”
A deep pain spreads through my chest, and I arch up, leaning on the sink again, almost feeling her pain.
“He wasn’t born, though... I had a miscarriage when I was nineteen.”
Nineteen... When I was born, my mother was the same age — and that somehow makes me even more emotional.
“Eight years have passed, but I still remember how I felt when I was pregnant. I was really scared because the *daddy* turned out to be a cheating asshole. He was angry with me and even asked me to have an abortion. Of course, I was scared too. I didn’t know if I’d be able to do it on my own at such a young age when I had just started my career as a model. I’d have to give up my life on the catwalk, on camera, but it just seemed... right. I really was up for it. But my baby boy died at twenty weeks.”
“I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay... losing someone you love is a pain you get used to.” Her words make me breathe deeply, as much as possible, but my throat is tight, so tight that there’s barely any air passing through it.
I know this better than anyone.
It’s a deep pain, a wound that never heals; it’s always there, making you get used to its pain and live with it.
In the end, it’s like that for everyone.
“Even with the doubts, fears, and worries, I loved my son. I can’t say that it’s the same for every mother, but I can see in your face, your tears, that it won’t be any different for you. I’m sure that everyone around you will love this child, and so do you.” She stops caressing my back and gives me a reassuring smile.
I look at her again, my eyes softening... “Do you really think so?”
“Of course I do.” She smiles, then gently pulls me into a surprisingly warm hug. My muscles relax immediately, and I don’t try to resist... I just hug her back as tightly as I’ve been needing.
I’ve been lonely for a while, but I didn’t want to admit it. Without Julian and my father, I had no one else. The lack of a woman’s understanding has also weighed heavily on my shoulders, and I miss getting things off my chest. I really valued my friendship with Laura, to the point of doing her every whim, even though I knew many of them were absurd. I closed my eyes to a lot of red flags because I was afraid of being alone, without any friends.
Now, it’s funny. Cathy and I are not really friends, nor have we spent enough time to consider that way, but she still comes to my side at times when I really need it, and she’s never asked for something in return. That’s how it was in that club when I still got it all wrong. And it was also like that when she took part in Tyler’s plan and brought her friends along. She always has a caress, a hug, or a friendly word, even when she doesn’t even know me.
I feel terrible for having judged her before and for being so jealous. I can see Cathy’s good heart, and it’s really beautiful.
“Thank you, Cathy,” I say, at last, breaking our embrace and drying my wet eyelashes. “I really needed to hear that. It’s not easy having to deal with these intense emotions all at once.”
“Now I understand why Julian asked me to keep you company... He’s thoughtful when it comes to the people he loves, hum.” She gives a proud smile, then shrugs. “Sometimes a female company is necessary, especially at a time like this.”
“You’re right.” I give a weak smile, “But I didn’t expect him to see that.”
“Believe me, honey, he can see a lot further than you think.” She gives me an enigmatic look, then adds again, as if to change the subject, “Julian is a very objective person. Things are always simple from his perspective, and he has a very good instinct, which is why he asked me to keep an eye on your ex-boyfriend that time he showed up at the Obelisk Club.”
“At the kinky club?” I say in surprise, then realize the way I’ve spoken and wilt, making an apologetic expression. “Sorry.”
“No need to apologize; it’s really a place where people can expose their kinky side, and vanillas do not frequent it.”
Vanilla... Is that a term for dull people?
“I hope you don’t mind that I looked into your ex-boyfriend’s life at Julian’s request.”
That’s certainly news to me. And Cathy probably noticed because she raised her eyebrows in surprise... “You didn’t know?”
“No.” I sigh, running a hand through my hair. “We don’t talk much about Eric; we’ve never really talked about him. But okay, what did you find out?”
“He’s not kinky, that’s for sure, but...” She pauses, looking at me cautiously, like making sure I’m better and won’t be hurt by her words. And I’m surprised to see that I have never been hurt. From the beginning, I just felt angry for the betrayal, for being deceived, but not really sad.
“It’s okay, Cathy... You can tell me.”
“There’s a place in the north of the city called Tombstone... Are you familiar with it?”
“No, should I?” I ask with confusion.
“I thought not. Your ex-boyfriend has been going there for the past few years. I spoke to some of the staff, and the oldest one says it’s been at least five years.”
Realization slowly dawns on me... “That was during college.”
“I guess so.” Cathy sighs, crossing her arms, a little annoyed. “And he’s been more regular in the last two years. Of course, always with girls.”
So it wasn’t just Laura... And that definitely doesn’t sound like *working late.* Ever since he had become the new manager of Dynamic CO., he was always busy and distant. I should know that there was something wrong with working late almost every day, but he blamed his responsibilities and his desire to fulfill every request.
Now I see that I’ve fallen like a fool for all his lies.
I thought I’d hold my breath and get angry again, but now... I don’t feel anything... Actually, it’s kind of freeing.
“If you’re not surprised, that says a lot about him.” She says between her teeth, sighing harshly. “If there’s one thing I hate most, it’s traitors. Whatever came to him, it was well deserved.”
I remember the scandal in the news, J’O Tech buying the company Eric used to work for, and I feel a sudden petty satisfaction creeping over me. I shouldn’t be glad about something like this, but I can’t help thinking that it really serves him right.
“I’m sorry about all this.” She puts her hand on my shoulder and strokes it gently. “Nobody deserves to go through something like that.”
“It’s okay... it doesn’t affect me anymore,” I say firmly those genuine words. “Eric is just a garbage of my past that means nothing.”
Cathy gives me a proud smile, then shrugs, “See, you’re a lot stronger than you think.”
I’m not strong... at least, I didn’t used to be.
If I am, it’s because I’ve changed... and I like the person I’ve become.
I really do.
“So, does Julian know?” She asks, looking at the tests, and my eyes also immediately fall on the two lines.
“Not yet,” I say almost with a sigh, my voice weak. “I’ll tell him tonight.”
“It’ll be fine... You can do it.” My eyes return to her friendly face, her eyes pure and truly beautiful.
And if they are the mirrors of the soul, Cathy has one of the most beautiful of them.
Then Cathy stretches, arms up, and says, “Do you think we should go shopping? I think getting out for a while will do you good.”
“Shopping?” I blink a few times, anxiety spreading through me. “I don’t know, I don’t usually go to the mall...”
“It’ll be fun, I promise!” She holds out her hand, and I hesitate for a moment.
A few years ago, I took Laura’s hand and believed in her friendship. Now, there’s another hand reaching out to me.
I could close my heart, put up my defenses, and hold on to the trauma, but I don’t want Laura to take anything from me anymore.
That’s why I smile and take Cathy’s hand, allowing me to start a new stage of my life.
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Going to the mall with Laura used to be dull, almost boring. I always did it to satisfy her wishes... That’s why being the center of attention now makes me feel out of place... But yeah, it can be surprisingly funny, somehow...
“Angel, look at this one! Gosh, this dress will look so beautiful on you!” Cathy says, swinging the dress around, her eyes shining. “Can you try it on?”
“I think we’ve bought too much already, Cathy.” I look at the bags on the small sofa, and she makes a dismissive gesture.
“You’re Juls’ girl; you can buy as many clothes as you want.”
“Okay, I’ll take it... the size should fit,” I say, seeing Cathy’s smile widen as she quickly hands the attire to a young attendant.
“Have you ever thought about modeling?” She asks, walking around the store.
“I don’t have long legs like you.”
“But you have a prettier face than me. Catwalk, maybe not, but photographs? I’m sure my photographer would die if he saw you.”
I laugh myself silly because it’s really funny that she should consider that. “I think I was born for the corporate world. I can’t imagine being in the spotlight.”
“Too bad.” She looks over her shoulder and smiles at me. “Well, Julian also would have a heart attack if that happened... after all, he tends to be quite possessive when it comes to you.”
I raise an eyebrow, surprised and curious about her words, but she just hands the black credit card to the attendant. I searched through my bag quickly, looking for my card, but Cathy’s voice stopped me, “I invited you, did you forget? It’s my gift to you... please accept.”
I take a deep breath and nod, “Thank you.”
“That’s what friends are for, right? Having each other’s backs! I got you now, girl!” She winks and then follows the girl into the store.
I sigh, walking around and looking at the clothes in the window... Suddenly, my eyes catch a child’s outfit, a little white ruffled dress with pearls in place of buttons. My eyes are charmed, my heart beats faster, and I inevitably bring my hands to my belly, stroking it slowly.
“I’m already wondering what you are, baby...”
“Angelee?” My heart skips a beat at this familiar voice. I turn around slowly... “Oh, it’s really you, my dear! How long has it been since we last saw each other?”
The woman quickly wraps me in a hug that I can’t deny or pull away because I’m simply frozen.
“Who knew we’d meet here? I’ve been telling that stupid son of mine for a while how much I miss you, but he never takes you home!”
No...
*No, no, no...*
She pulls away from the hug, and I swallow hard at the lump in my throat...
“Are you here with Eric?” She asks, looking around, and I simply find myself speechless because of all the people I could meet... It has to be the mother of my cheating ex-boyfriend.