Love In Between
Chapter 12

**My feelings for him were growing day by day. I knew it wasn’t reciprocated, I knew I shouldn’t, I knew the risk I was taking by continuing to work with him, but I wasn’t willing to let it keep me from my dream. What I didn’t know was how weak I was.

August 28th

**Communicating through your secretary again? **

I read her message over and over again and yeah… I’m a coward.

**I just asked her to give you the location for tomorrow. I don’t think it’s a problem for her to tell you, is it? **

Come on,i know i didn’t dare tell her i picked the alley where lucca’s bar is. I was afraid she’d tell me that’s where we met and that stupid game started. **

**♪ Will you come alone to Malaga? **

“No way I’m… Besides, I can’t; I need help.”

**♪ No, I’ll take my work team. ♪ **

I take a deep breath as I wait for his response, and it’s inevitable that I don’t feel like a fool, realizing that I’ve fallen in love like a fool… “Grow up Serena,” I say to myself.

**Will your little friend who doesn’t want to be a friend come? **

“What the hell is wrong with him and Joel? I don’t understand his attitude.”

** Yeah, him and a few other employees. I gotta go. I’ll see you tomorrow. **

I put my mobile phone aside and go in to take a shower before the conversation with Gael gets out of control. I don’t want to be his plaything. I don’t want him to use me as he pleases while he’s with her. It’s one thing the deal we had before, it’s another thing to become his mistress, not that.

The next day: 29 August

After Sara, Joel, Gabriel, and I got settled in our respective rooms in the hotel, we came to Lucca’s bar where, thanks to his help, we could prepare everything we needed for the commercial.

-It is very nice to have you here again. – Lucca says to me, approaching me and pulling the chair next to me to sit down.

-I thank you infinitely for agreeing to let us use this place to prepare everything and to film the commercial in front of the façade of your bar. – I repeat once again as I did previously on the phone.

-It’s a pleasure, and Gael? he asks looking around.

-He should be arriving soon as well as the two actors. – I explain.

-Flaquita…” Joel bursts in and stands behind me, resting both his hands on the back of the chair, “I’ll get everything ready; it’s already getting dark. – He explains.

-All right, as soon as Gael and the actors arrive, we’ll get them ready and start. – I indicate.

-Your boyfriend,” Lucca asks, taking me by surprise.

No! No way! He’s my best friend. – I explain and he smiles.

-So can I invite you to dinner after you finish filming,” he asks, taking me by complete surprise.

-Wow, I didn’t expect that invitation, I don’t know what to say. – I say nervously.

-You should tell him yes, he’s a nice guy. – He interrupts and when I turn around there’s Gael three steps away from me dressed in his black t-shirt and tight trousers of the same colour. He looks tremendously tempting, but I have to avoid this thing that happens to me.

-Until you arrive,” I say, standing up and beckoning Sara to come closer. -Please prepare him. – I ask and then turn to Lucca – Can we talk about it later? – I ask and he nods with a smile on his face.

I see Anahi and Damian enter the bar and I quickly approach them. -Hi guys, welcome… please go with Gabriel who will show you what your wardrobe will be and then go with Sara who will do your make up. – I ask them and unable to stand the tense atmosphere that has been created inside the bar, I go out and sit on the edge of the pavement.

I sit here with my face in my hands and my eyes closed in silence for several minutes until I can feel someone approaching me. When I open my eyes, I realise that he is sitting next to me and looking at me expectantly.

-You’re a danger being alone. – He finally says and the only reaction I have is to open my eyes wide.

-Excuse me?” I say totally confused at his comment.

-I’m saying that you’re a danger when you’re single. First me, then Joel, now Lucca, you make all the men fall at your feet. – He says to me as if it’s nothing.

-Gael, don’t exaggerate. What happened between us was just out of spite; we were looking for a nail to drive out the other, but well… you went back to her. As for Joel; that story goes back a long way, even when I was with Pedro, but nothing ever happened. And Lucca… well, he’s only invited me to dinner… I shouldn’t have to give you any explanation, but I don’t like you to think I’m an easy girl either,” I explain a little frustrated.

-Does that mean I’m a lucky man,” he asks me with his irredeemably sexy half smile and at this moment I have mixed feelings towards him.

-You’re unbearable and smug. – I say angrily as I stand up and walk down the alley towards the beach.

A show-off, is that what you think of me? – He asks and suddenly grabs my arm.

-Yes, a show-off,” I say firmly, looking him in the face as he pulls me closer to his body. -Don’t think that just because you’re a businessman and handsome, everyone has to fall at your feet. Understand Gael, what we had between us was just s*x. I used you, and you used me, full stop. – I tell him angrily because of his stupid attitude.

-Of course it was just s*x; that much is clear to me.

-So? I don’t understand your absurd comments about my love life. Worry about your girlfriend who has made you suffer so much. – I tell him without taking my eyes off his.

-There’s a problem with that. – He says with a stupid smile on his face.

-What?” I reply angrily.

-I’ve been wanting more with you. – He says firmly and before I can react his mouth is on mine.

F**k that k****s good…” …. I don’t want him to stop…”

I don’t know how it is that while we’re kissing we’ve wandered into another even smaller alley. All I know is that my body is cornered between his perfect anatomy and the wall. His hands slip inappropriately under my dress and I’m only able to unbuckle his belt, forgetting absolutely everything that’s been going on in my mind up to this point. We continue kissing like there’s no tomorrow as he makes me wrap my legs around his body.

-You drive me crazy. – He says as he bites my neck and one of his hands releases his arousal from his boxers.

I’m not able to say anything to him, I just let myself go until I feel his body entering me and satisfying this need that he’s brought on himself. His thrusts are full of desperation and I can only hold on to him to try not to fall. Our bodies are overcome with pleasure and we just stare at each other as if trying to figure out what the hell this is all about.

“I guess neither of us have any answers…. Well, maybe I do…”.

-Let this be the last time. I don’t want to be your lover. – I say firmly as I place my feet on the floor and arrange my clothes.

-Serena,” he says in a whisper before I leave.

-What?” I ask seriously.

-I’m sorry, I couldn’t help it,” he says softly.

-Well, you’ll have to try; things have changed. Now you’d better go ahead and go to the bar and get your make-up done. Tell them your girlfriend is here or something, I’ll be there in a few minutes so as not to arouse suspicion. – I say firmly and he just nods and walks away.

All it took was for him to walk away for me to drop to the floor and let out the rage I feel towards myself. -You’re a jerk Serena,” I say to myself.

**When he walked away I felt my heart break. I was just a hobby for him, his toy of the moment. It wasn’t enough for him to have a girlfriend, he also had to be with me.