Next time, I’ll add more sugar.
“Next time?” she repeated, arching an eyebrow. “Today is my birthday and you come with this one?”
There was something in his gaze that was no longer just irritation.
“Did you do it on purpose?” he asked.
I blinked.
– What?
My mother-in-law intervened, but not to defend me.
– Camila, don’t make a scandal… I’m sure he didn’t do it out of meanness.
But her gaze accused me.
Camila let out a laugh.
—Of course. He always had dislike for me.
Then he looked directly at me.
– Make no mistake, Lucia. Just because you’ve invested money doesn’t mean you’re important.
I felt a tug in my chest.
“That money,” I started.
“Money?” he interrupted. “What you gave me is nothing. I earn more than that in a month.”
And there.
Right there.
For sure something broke.
I looked up.
She was no longer shaking.
“Then give me back,” I said.
Silence.
Heavy.
Dense.
The whole table was paralyzed.
Camila maintained my gaze. His lips bent slowly.
“The two hundred thousand pesos,” I repeated. “When will you pay me?”
My mother-in-law let out a sigh of irritation.
—Lucía, this is not the time —
“Of course it’s about time,” I replied, without looking at her. “I’ve been waiting for five years.
Diego moved uncomfortably in the chair.
– Don’t fanfare of it…
“Problems?” I looked at him for the first time. “To ask what is mine is a problem?”
Camila leaned forward.
You look terrible.
“I’m looking worse now,” I replied, pointing to my soggy hair of broth.
A pause.
His eyes hardened.
And then he did.
He took the bowl of soup that was next to him.
And he spilled that on me.
Straight.
Definitely.
The hot liquid hit me like a slap.
And the table… burst into laughter.
I’m back in the present.
There I was.
Soaked.
Recorded.
Humiliated.
But there is no more silence.
I slowly lowered my hand.
I looked at Camila.
And I smile.
Not a big smile.
Not friendly.
A little one.
Peaceful.
That didn’t match the scene.
She frowned.
