Tiago's Love Page 4

  She looks at me in silence as I ponder for a moment.

  “He was, um... an experience,” I say.

  “One that makes you doubt yourself.”

  “It’s true, but any failed relationship does that to a degree.”

  “That’s why you need someone to take your mind off him. The more you think about him, the more he will affect you.”

  “I am not thinking about him. If I would, I wouldn’t smile.”

  She observes me for a moment.

  “All right. You know better than me,” she says, giving up.

  “Good. Now let’s go back.”

  5

  EVE

  Moments later, we make the trip back to our table.

  A few groups of people enter the venue at once, making it challenging to navigate across the room.

  We stop a couple of times as Rain runs into a couple of acquaintances and exchanges a few words with them.

  Distracted, I check my phone–– not that I expect any important messages, but I’d rather look busy than just trailing along.

  Rain finishes her conversation with the lovely couple and starts spinning around when she inadvertently steps on someone’s shoe.

  I’m not paying much attention until I hear her apologizing profusely.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry. That was so clumsy of me.”

  Smiling, she touches the sleeve of a man’s tuxedo.

  My gaze hovers over them initially without much focus when something catches my eye and hits me right in my chest.

  I don’t know what it is exactly, and for a few brief moments, I merely witness the unfolding of the scene in front of me–– her hand sliding onto his forearm, her eyes looking for his.

  Slowly, the man begins to turn, the profile of someone I know so well entering my line of sight.

  Instantly, I notice the abrupt shift on Rain’s face.

  She goes from smiling warmly to expressing her surprise and her bafflement before she turns to stone and looks at him, thunderstruck.

  For a moment, I can’t breathe or speak.

  I can’t believe my eyes.

  Apparently, she can’t believe her eyes either.

  He pivots to her all the way, yet he still doesn’t notice me.

  My gaze moves over his sharp tuxedo, his hard body, his clean-shaven face, and bright green eyes, his raven hair, and his good looks that are only matched by those of the man who sits not far from us and talks to David at our table.

  My pulse shoots through the roof as I get a glimpse of his expression.

  Recognition sets on his face as well.

  As if he knows her.

  No.

  No. Fucking. No.

  I shift my eyes to her.

  Rain’s expression changes again, going from shock to recognition as well.

  I truly hope that this is a bad dream I can pull out of soon.

  The next word coming from her lips crushes my hope and nearly cuts my legs from under me.

  “Tiago?” she mutters, washed with disbelief.

  “Rain,” he says, his tone calm and even.

  Fangs of panic sink into my chest.

  How is that even possible? How could they know each other?

  Is he really an escort and perhaps one of her friends... from the past?

  I can’t gather much from his guarded expression.

  Discreetly, I take a small step back, my hand clawing at the air as I’m about to fall. Shivering, I regain my balance.

  She looks at him, puzzled.

  As much as I’d love to solve the riddle, I’d rather vanish if all possible.

  “What are you doing in New York?” she asks, expressing familiarity with the man who slides his hand into his pocket. “We knew that you were here, but we had no idea where exactly,” she adds.

  “I’m here with business,” he says, reserved. “Is James here as well?”

  My stomach drops.

  James? Does he know James?

  Oh, no. No, no.

  I take another small step away from them, perfectly aware that I won’t be able to make a beeline for the exit without being seen. And that I’d need to face him and experience his reaction as well as Rain’s bitter revelation. And that I’d need to come up with some kind of explanation.

  The chaos that would emerge, ruining this beautiful evening. The turmoil that would ensue. Not only that I’d be publicly humiliated but David, our guest, would witness my little drama.

  Amidst the storm of panic swirling in my head, a crazy thought crosses my mind.

  Nervous, I sink my nails into my palm and my teeth into my bottom lip, waiting for the moment when his eyes would find mine.

  “Yes, he is,” Rain says. “Over there.”

  She gestures with her hand, and we all shift our eyes to the table where James casually lifts his gaze and sets his eyes on us.

  The blood draws from his face as he spots the man in front of me.

  His smile slides off in a split second replaced by a stern expression.

  He keeps his stare on the man while smoothly pushing the chair back, excusing himself and rising to his feet.

  Rain smiles faintly while James closes the space between us. Tiago’s still reserved, no grin on his face.

  A bad feeling rams through me at light speed.

  Sadly, I can’t muster the courage to spin around and bolt, knowing full well that it would be futile to try to avoid him.

  James pulls smoothly next to us.

  “What are you doing here?” James barks.

  The tone of his voice speaks of bad history between them.

  “Nice to see you too,” Tiago tosses back at James spiteful.

  I can’t be more surprised.

  Who is this man? I almost can’t recognize him.

  He never showed this kind of edge to me.

  “Like you, I am here with business,” he says.

  “What kind of business?”

  “The kind that it’s not your fucking business,” he says sarcastically.

  A muscle ticks in James’ jaw, the tension thickening between them.

  “Does Theresa know that you’re here?”

  “I’m sure she’ll know now.”

  Who is Theresa?

  A couple stops not far from us, and they start chatting with their friends when I use the opportunity to hide behind the man’s back, still very much tempted to sneak out of the room and forever be gone.

  Or something.

  But as I think about it, I realize that I can’t postpone the moment when we’d need to talk. Eventually, I’d need to meet the eyes of the man who everybody seems to know, except for me.

  “Yeah... She sure would. And you know why? Because you’re going to call her and tell her. If not, I would,” James retorts.

  Amidst their exchange of words, another crazy thought bounces around in my head.

  How come nobody seems to be affected by how much these two men look alike. Is it only me that sees it?

  My musings are cut short as the man I’m sort of hiding behind, takes a step to the side, and catches the tip of my toe beneath the sole of his shoe.

  A small yelp flies from my lips, and my whole cover-up goes up in flames.

  Four pairs of eyes set on me, not to count the man’s wife who turns to me.

  “Are you okay?” she asks.

  “I’m sorry,” the man says, more apologies following.

  By the time the couple pulls away, and I shift my gaze to Rain and James and the stranger they all seem to know, oh so well, Tiago’s face is paler than the paper.

  We finally lock eyes, his gaze flashing surprise laced with panic, mine filled with resentment.

  Somehow, he manages to suppress his reaction.

  Rain speaks first.

  “I’m sorry. I forgot to make the introductions,” she says with a hesitant voice that strikes me as odd.

  I catch her glancing at James as if she’s seeking his approval.

  He finally tips his chin d
own, giving it to her.

  “Eve... This is Tiago. James’ brother.”

  What??

  I think I just died.

  6

  EVE

  My lips pull open in utter shock while what I believe must be my last breath rolls out of my lungs.

  “What?”

  My voice comes out lined with surprise, nothing else whatsoever.

  “Tiago. James’ brother,” she repeats as if I haven’t heard her the first time.

  “Uh-huh,” I mutter, shaking inside.

  Impenetrable, Tiago looks at me, reading my reaction while I struggle to push back every bit of my emotion as if I’m trying to conceal the unraveling edges of a piece of fabric.

  Stiff as a stick, I stretch my hand out.

  “Tiago. James’ brother,” I repeat mechanically, emphasizing the word while I push a cold smile to my lips. “Nice to meet you,” I add deadpan, my body crumbling inside.

  He studies my face for a moment while James stares at both of us. Reluctantly, he takes his hand out of his pocket and connects it with mine.

  A stream of electricity bolts through me–– my guess, through both of us.

  “Eve Malone,” I say before Rain has the chance to continue and say my name. “Rain’s Sexton best friend,” I add, waiting for his reaction.

  Shades of turmoil flit through his eyes as he connects the dots and processes the information in a blitz.

  His shock and surprise remain stashed away, though, just like mine.

  “Tiago Diego Rossi,” he offers, clearly enunciating every word, his foreign accent coming through, his voice different than the one he used with James, his tone reserved and yet a little warmer.

  My heart clenches.

  Our hands are still connected, his fingers wrapped around mine as I shift my head and tip my gaze to Rain who’s at my right.

  “How come I didn’t know that James had such a handsome brother?” I ask, irony flashing through my voice as I push a wry smile to my lips.

  Her eyes go to James’ briefly.

  “It’s a long story,” she says. “He, um... We just recently found out.”

  I arch an eyebrow at her, tossing her a questioning look.

  She fumbles, and smiles a bit embarrassed.

  “I’ll tell you when we have time.”

  “Sure,” I say before I move my eyes back to Tiago.

  His touch burns my hand.

  “I am happy to meet you finally,” I say, phony as a three-dollar bill.

  Smoothly, I tear my hand away from him and take a step back.

  “Shouldn’t we invite Tiago to our table?” I ask, my voice carrying an edge the size of Empire State Building.

  “Yeah, sure...” Rain says with a soft voice.

  “Unless he needs to be somewhere else,” James comments sternly.

  The two men clash eyes. Their love for each other sure doesn’t ripple through the air. There’s nothing like an unplanned family reunion.

  We all wait for Tiago’s answer.

  “I sure don’t,” he says with an even voice, ignoring James’ words.

  I grab Rain by the elbow and tug her to the side as we all head to our table.

  “Why didn’t you tell me a word about this man?” I ask her under my breath.

  “I couldn’t. Nobody knows about him.”

  “What do you mean by ‘nobody’? Not even Lex and Ed?”

  “They do, but that’s it. James didn’t tell me either. I found out by accident when I traveled to Monaco. Tiago was born and lived overseas for most of his life.”

  “But why the secrecy?”

  She sneaks a glance in their direction.

  “I told you that it’s a long story. I’m surprised that James agreed to have him introduced to you.”

  “Is this about me?”

  “No. It’s about our business and the media. Let’s say that Tiago has a colorful past, and the stories about his life would’ve given the tabloids something to write about.”

  I stop abruptly, forcing her to do the same.

  “Who is Theresa?”

  “Their mother.”

  “For how long have you known about this?”

  “A few months. Since this past summer.”

  “Is that why James spent so much time overseas this year?”

  “Partly, yes. I’ll tell you more when we have time. Let’s go now. They’re looking at us.”

  We near the table.

  James introduces Tiago to David as well, before we all get seated. I happen to sit between David and Tiago while Rain and James occupy the two seats across from us.

  “I didn’t know you had a brother,” David says, discreetly flashing his surprise.

  “I didn’t know either until recently,” James mutters.

  Tiago shifts in his seat.

  “He lives overseas,” James says.

  David whips his eyes to Tiago.

  I lean back in my chair so that the two men lock eyes with each other.

  “Where exactly?” he asks Tiago.

  “Lisbon.”

  “Beautiful place,” David says, smiling affably.

  My heart beats madly in my chest.

  “Yeah, it is,” Tiago mutters, stiff like a piece of timber.

  He flicks his gaze at David before I feel his eyes trailing down my body.

  “Have you been there?” Tiago asks, out of politeness if nothing else or perhaps to use the conversation as an excuse to keep his eyes on my profile.

  “A few times,” David says. “I was there with business.”

  “Business?”

  My dress feels suddenly tight.

  I wish I could remove myself from between the two men and let them continue their conversation, unhindered.

  In fact, I’d love to call it a night and just go home, but I don’t want to raise suspicion or ruin Rain’s evening.

  Still, this situation starts to take a toll on me.

  My skin burns from Tiago’s eyes, my pulse racing as I feel trapped between the two men.

  “David runs the Sexton International branch in Monaco,” James says, and for a moment it feels as if the entire universe has come to a stop and turned into a mountain of silence.

  The music fades away while the people’s voices get muted, and all I hear is a tiny voice whispering in my head.

  ‘He’s looking at you.’

  Indeed, he is. And yes, I feel his stare. Harsher than a fist of gravel, hotter than a ball of fire.

  “Monaco is a very nice place,” he says, his voice colder than a blob of ice, his eyes sliding down onto me.

  My blood simmers with fury, but my expression remains blank.

  “Where are you staying in Monaco?” Tiago asks.

  “Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo,” David answers before he brings his drink to his lips and takes a sip.

  “Not bad,” he says, tearing his eyes away from David and me at once.

  He takes a swig of his drink as well while I experience a surge of panic.

  He knows.

  He knows that David was the man I was talking to at the Thanksgiving party a few weeks back.

  Nothing reads on his face.

  I use the short moment of silence to tilt my head to the side and sneak a glance in his direction.

  My eyes move secretly on his hand, the starched cuff of his dress shirt, his lips, and his dark hair.

  The shock spurred by this unexpected news and the fact that I got to meet him again is barely tapering off when I start to look at him as if he is a new person to me.

  A man I’ve never met.

  And in a sense, he is exactly that.

  I don’t know who this man is. And I have no idea what made him lie to me. And I sure don’t know what crazy universe made me collide with him again.

  As I look at him, I experience a spectrum of emotions, from anger and disbelief to pain and regret, to sick curiosity.

  What possessed him to do all that to me? And who is he after all?

/>   Well... Whoever he is, he must remain my deepest secret.

  A different kind of emotion sweeps through me.

  He is no longer the man I thought I’d known and fell in love with. He carelessly took that part away from me entirely.

  And then the voice of reason echoes in my head.

  As bad as it was that he fooled me into believing that he was someone else, nothing compares with the fact that he is James’ brother.

  My heart breaks as I realize the enormity of this new reality.

  On the other hand, perhaps, it was better that way. Better that I didn’t know at the time who he was. Had I known, I would’ve had a hard time to be with him in the first place.

  So that’s that.

  The thought, though, makes my heart weep. Bereft, I move my eyes away from him when I hear his voice.

  “I traveled to Monaco too,” Tiago says, icicles dripping from his voice.

  My ears perk up.

  “Was it business or pleasure?” David mutters at my side, a smile threading through his voice.

  I hold my breath as I wait for his answer.

  “Pleasure,” he says, his gaze slanting to me again.

  My jaw is so tense, and my throat so dry I start to cough.

  Both men offer me a glass of water.

  “I’m good. Thank you,” I say, refusing them politely.

  From across the table, I sense James’ stare on my face.

  I feel a rush of blood to my cheeks as well.

  I may be able to hide the truth from David and Rain, but James is an entirely different story.

  He lifts his drink to his lips, his elbows set on the table, his eyes hovering over my face, reading my expression.

  “Were you there recently?” James asks as if he suspects something.

  I look at him. His gaze is set on Tiago.

  “Not since you and I met over there a couple of months back,” Tiago says, not the slightest emotion in his voice.

  “Hmm,” James mutters skeptically.

  The moment of awkward silence gets interrupted when a few people stop next to our big round table.

  James and Rain rise to their feet, their backs turned to us as they start chatting with their guests.

  David’s phone hums with a call, prompting him to push out of his chair, and excuse himself before he walks away and answers his cell phone.

  A wall of tension grows around Tiago and me.