A Surprising Morning and an Unexpected Encounter
I open my eyes and find the bedside clock showing eight in the morning, which makes me practically jump out of bed. I look to the side, and Carlos is no longer in bed, nor are his clothes on the floor. He probably left during the night, so I rush to the bathroom as I'm running late for work. I quickly go through my hygiene routine and head to my closet, choosing a black business suit and a white shirt. I tie my hair in a bun and get dressed. Smacking my forehead, I remember Juan. Damn, it, after yesterday, Cecilia probably won't continue working for me, so I decided to look for my phone to call my mother. I recall that my bag is probably somewhere between the hallway and the living room. I walk there and find Carlos setting the breakfast table, and Juan sitting in the living room playing.
"Good morning," my husband says with the biggest smile.
"Good morning," I reply, going over to Juan and kissing his forehead. Then I walk over to my husband and kiss him on the lips. "What are you doing here?"
"What?" My husband asks, raising an eyebrow and handing me a cup of coffee. "You gave up on us getting back together?"
"No, I just thought you were still going back to Elson's house. Anyway..." I respond, taking a sip of coffee and looking at my watch. "I'm very late, and I still have to stop by my mother's and see if she can take care of Juan for me."
"No need. I'll take care of him today," Carlos surprises me.
"And your work?" I ask, surprised, placing the cup on the table.
"I've already informed them that I won't be coming in today," my husband replies, holding my wrist. "Exactly forty-two minutes ago."
"Really?" I ask in disbelief.
"Yes," my husband says, taking a generous sip of his cup. "By the way, Juan and I will take you."
"Huh?" I ask, shocked. "What do you mean?"
"We'll take this little guy for a ride," Carlos replies, passing by me, picking up Juan and his bag.
"A ride?" I ask, following my husband. "Just the two of you?"
"Yes," Carlos replies, turning towards me. "We'll have some quality time together."
"Who are you, and what have you done with my husband?" I ask, standing still in the middle of the living room, very shocked.
"The husband you asked for," Carlos replies before kissing me.
***
I stare at my computer, but my mind is wandering to the outing between Carlos and Juan. The last time my husband was alone with our son, things got out of control. I keep imagining Juan naked in the middle of some park, or Carlos forgetting our son in the bathroom, or Juan running away, and my husband not noticing. However, as worried as I am, I control myself from calling and checking up on them. Even though I dial his number several times, I don't complete the call. I know I need to trust my husband, but when it comes to Juan, something holds me back. I spend the day in agony until it's time to leave work. I talk to some colleagues at the real estate agency, glancing at my watch. My husband should have been here by now. Little by little, everyone leaves, and I decided to call Carlos's phone, which rings until it goes to voicemail. I dial again, and once more it goes to voicemail. I dial for the third time, and with each ring, my heart, and throat feel more constricted until the ringing stops:
"Hello?"
"Finally, Carlos!" I say, annoyed. "Why didn't you answer your damn phone?"
"Hello to you too, love," Carlos says calmly. "Sorry, but I was really busy here with this little guy."
"Okay. Just to let you know, I'm on my way. If you could pick me up, I'd appreciate it."
"Well... is there any way you could come by taxi or the subway?" my husband suggests cautiously.
"Do I have another option?" I ask, raising my arms. "Alright, just so you know, dinner's on you."
"I wouldn't expect any less."
"Okay. I love you," I say, saying goodbye.
"I love you too."
I hang up the phone and head to the nearest subway station. I admire the buildings, the busy street, and the sky in a beautiful orange hue, indicating that night is approaching. I ride the escalator of the station without care until my heart freezes when my eyes meet X in a dark gray suit on the ascending escalator. I stare as much as I can, but he doesn't even turn in my direction. I start to walk back down the stairs, pushing people who don't understand what's happening. After walking in the opposite direction for a while, I finally make my way back to the top. I continue pushing through the entrance of the station while keeping my eyes on the man in the dark gray suit, who is still a few meters ahead. I quicken my pace behind him, who is getting closer to the pedestrian crossing with a red light. This is my chance, and I run to catch up with him before the signal turns green. But what to say? What the hell am I going to say to X? Hi, how are you? At that moment, I'm not thinking about any of that, just trying to catch up to him. The signal is flashing, indicating it's about to change, and then I reach out my hand towards his back, pulling on his suit. He turns around, and I find two scared blue eyes staring at me. No, it's not him.
"Sorry, I thought you were someone else," is all I manage to say before holding my knees and catching my breath.
The man turns around and continues on his way, and I'm left standing there, thinking that I must be going crazy.
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