22. Sinful Book 2

I noticed something different about Antonio ever since Samantha started coming over. He still kept a distance between them; he didn't talk to her or anything, but there was a change. Antonio was starting to tolerate her. He'd occasionally smile when she's holding Diego, or when she attempts to do something for the little boy. Of course, I was happy that his plans for Diego and his mother were working out, but still, something about the whole thing didn't sit well with me. Samantha smiled too much, she did too much, and I'd know because I was paying too much attention to her. I hated it, but I couldn't help it. It scared me, my thoughts, telling me that Samantha would take everything from me if I so much as blink.

I sighed, pushing myself backward on my seat, taking a breath as the seat rolled back. The day was almost done and I could barely get any work done with the past few weeks popping up in my head; with Samantha popping up in my head, with my family popping up in my head. Samantha had visited the house even more frequently and spent more than just two hours in my house. Sometimes I felt like I wasn't welcome like I was third-wheeling. I didn't know how Samantha might have been pushing me out of my house, out of my family. The only string I held onto was Diego. The little boy still wanted to be around me though his birth mother was making efforts to be close to him. The boy was the only thing that made me feel like I wasn't wrong about Samantha, like he could see through her bullshit, and he knew that she was just putting up a show for his father.

"Hey, are you good? I've been standing out there knocking. I thought you weren't in," Dan's head pushed through my office door. I inhaled deep, rubbing my palms against my eyes hoping that it would wake me up and I'd get some actual work done.

"You don't look good, what's wrong?" Dan asked me, he was inside my office now, sitting on my desk, passing pity glances at me. I watched Dan's face, there was something different about him, it was a good difference. He had shaved the little stubble on his chin, his eyes looked brighter, his hair looked permed and nicely done. Things were going well for him, but he still had a little bit of the depressing aura he's always had since I met him, that depressing aura that came from Sam.

"Let me ask you something, Dan," I said, not looking away from his face. Dan nodded.

"Are you happy?" I asked. I put my palms under my chin.

"I'm trying to be, I guess. Wait, are you okay? You don't look okay." Dan picks up. I pressed my lips together, nodding once, then twice.

"How is Samantha at home?" I ask. Dan cocks his head to his side like he's thinking of the right answer to give. The reason for his change wasn't Samantha then.

"She seems brighter, like her medications are finally working. She hardly yells at me and she eats well, she even cooks for us sometimes, just like before," Dan smiles, but it's with longing, longing for the past not for what's going on presently. Her change wasn't caused by any fucking medications, she has her eyes out on Antonio.

"Why are you suddenly asking me all these questions?" Dan smiled uncomfortably.

"Are you fucking Melissa?" I ask and Dan jumps from the desk and puts his hands over my lips to shut me up, then he looks around even though we're the only ones in the office. Wow, right under my nose.

I looked at him with my eyes as wide as saucers, wondering when whatever he had with Melissa started. He was supposed to be in love with Samantha, so when did he change his mind?

"You dirty man, fucking my secretary right under my nose, you traitor," I push his hands away from my mouth, but he places them back almost immediately.

I laugh at the fact that Dan is trying to hide whatever is going on with Melissa from me, further giving me more reason that something is going on between them.

"Stop fucking laughing; if you don't I won't tell you anything," Dan threatens and I stop laughing almost immediately. What can I say? I'm a sucker for gossip. Dan took a deep breath and released his hands from my lips, then he sat on my desk again, only this time, he was closer to me, and seeing as I pushed my chair backward, he was directly opposite me.

"How did you know?" Dan whispered, still looking around to be sure we're the only ones in the office. I smile at how cautious he's being, and it's not for him I can tell, he's doing it for Melissa, because she told him not to let anyone, not even me, know that they're in some type of weird sexual relationship.

"It's quite obvious, no, you're quite obvious. You changed too much and it's visible that no one can miss it. You look cleaner, and it's obvious you did it for someone. And don't you think I forgot how you came here; you pretended to have something with Melissa to be close to us," I remind him. When I think about it, it makes so much sense. Dan has always been attracted to Melissa, and when I'm not in the mood to socialize, Dan spends most of his time with Melissa. Melissa is beautiful, funny, and very hardworking so it's only normal that something emerges between them. I smile.

My office door flies open and standing at the edge of the door were Melissa and Antonio; both having the same look of confusion on their faces. Dan, being completely comfortable and not minding one bit about his sitting position, turned to face the door and when he saw them, he smiled. While Melissa watched Dan, I watched Antonio. I spoke to him before about his unwanted jealousy, and he apologized saying he was joking even after sounding so serious, so I wanted to know this time if he was going to come up with the stupid notion that I have something going on with Dan.

"I came to get you for dinner," Antonio smiles, folding his arms as he leaned against the door frame. I am shocked that he's not blazing with hot fumes pouring out of his pores, but I don't show it, instead, I smile. I push Dan out of my way as I pack up my stuff, looking up seasonally to catch Antonio's eyes on me while waiting patiently for me to pack up my stuff.

"Lock up my office Dan, and please, go easy on my desk," I passed Dan a knowing smile, a quick blush rose to his cheeks and he turned away nodding his head as I walked to Antonio.

Antonio takes my bag from me, grabs my hand, and leads me out of my office like it's my first time in the building. I'm not complaining though, because ever since he started this reunion for Diego and Samantha, he hardly did anything sweet or romantic for me.

This felt like what I needed to remind myself that Antonio belonged to me as much as I belong to him, and Samantha would have to die and be born as me before she could get her hands on him.