<b>Chapter </b><b>119 </b>
Nivera couldn’t help but smile as Alejandro spoke
“She and Benito became like anchors. Mateo taught me to cook, actually. Well, my mother and aunt.”
Nivera blinked. “You can cook?”
Alejandro smirked. “I can bu
water impressively well. But I can also make empanadas and a mean chicken stew.”
“How did I not know this
“Next time, you’re cooking.”
“I’ll need a fire extinguisher if you’re there,” he teased.
Sheughed, genuine and soft, then leaned forward. “You know, I think this is the first time I’ve seen you
He raised a brow. “I’m always human.”
this… <b>human</b>.”
“You know what I mean,” she said. “You’re always this sharp–edged mystery. But here–you’re like a younger version of yourself. Still with the ego, but softer.”
He gave her a long look, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. “I am, aren’t I?” He muttered.
Lita returned then with a tray of steaming tes–grilled chicken with garlic butter, seasoned rice, roasted peppers, and soft rolls that looked like clouds.
As she set the tes down, she gave Nivera a quick wink. “Eat before it gets cold. And don’t let him cheat you–he eats like he hasn’t eaten in days.”
“It happened one time when I was fourteen,” Alejandro grumbled.
“So adorable,” Lita replied, kissing his cheek before walking away.
Nivera giggled behind her hand, the tension in her shoulders easing.
Alejandro looked at her over his fork. “Don’t get used to that story. I rarely offer pity points.”
It was still shocking that he even told her this much.
“I’m not pitying you,” Nivera said with a smile. “I’m… surprised. That you told me.”
He shrugged, not meeting her gaze. “I figured you deserved one real thing today.”
There was a beat of silence as they began eating. The food was amazing–simple, warm, andforting. The kind of meal that felt
like home.
“This is heaven.”
“Told you,” he grinned triumphantly.
“I’m never going to those fancy restaurants with
you again.”
“Oh? So this is a ‘next time‘? I knew you were always a fan of me. If you want to spend time with me, you don’t have <b>to </b><b>go </b><b>through </b>corners,” he said/
<b>His </b>words made her roll her eyes at him. “Must you be so annoying?” She groaned.
“If it means I get to see the annoyed look on your face, then yes,” he answered and Nivera shook her head.
“So,” Alejandro said, after a few bites, “your turn.”
“My turn?”
“Tell me about your rebellious past. Surely you’ve done some damage.”
Nivera leaned back andughed. “Oh, I have.”
He raised a brow.
“There was a time I snuck out of a charity ball wearing my sister’s gown just to eat ice cream in the park.”
He blinked. “That’s it?”
“I wasn’t done,” she said, grinning. “I got caught by the family chauffeur while beating up a guy behind the fountain. <b>He </b>told my father.”
Alejandro winced. “Ouch.”
“I was grounded for two months and nearly shipped off to finishing school in Switzend.”
“Nearly?”
“pretended to faint from stress and guilt. My mother panicked and cancelled the n. I won.”
He burst outughing. “You’re evil.”
“I was trouble. I once got suspended for switching out the ss speaker’s microphone with one connected to a fart noise app.”
Alejandroughed, nearly choking on his drink. “You’re lying.”
“Cross my heart. The principal was so full of himself, and I was so annoyed. My father almost died of embarrassment when he got the call. My mother tried to ground me but couldn’t stopughing. I did get punished, though my mother managed to reduce my punishment
”
They bothughed then, and for the first time in a while, there was no tension between them–just ease, warmth, and something gentle.
Could this momentst forever?
She watched as Alejandro leaned back, chewing slowly, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.
“What?” he asked when he caught her staring.
“Nothing,” she said. “Just… I think I like this side of you.”
“The side that eats garlic chicken with themoners?”
“The side thatughs, and I mean genuinely.” Alejandro blinked.
?
“You don’t do it enough,” she added, quieter now. “You’re always… guarded. Angry, Dangerous.”
He looked at her carefully, then said, “Maybe because I don’t always have someone worthughing around.
The words hit her in a ce she hadn’t expected.
She looked down, suddenly shy.
They finished their meal in afortable silence, asionally exchanging nces and soft smiles.
Benito and Lita came over toward the end and offered them both small espresso shots “on the house,” saying they were family now; that was it, and the food they had eaten.
“You know I can’t ept it.” Alejandro squinted his eyes at Benito and the couple.
“Please, you’ve done so much for my family,” Lita said. “Because of you my children have such high–paying jobs and arefortable. The least we can do is this.”
“She’s right. Oh, and by the way, we packed some home for you,” Benito stated as he ced a bag on the table.
“Thank you,” Alejandro said as he stood up, and so did Nivera.
As he and Benito spoke about some things, Lita pulled Nivera to one corner and grabbed her hand, rubbing it gently.
“I know even though he treats you well, sometimes hees off as overbearing, but I want you to know that ites from a ce of love,” she said as she nced at Alejandro, her eyes filled with love.
“He doese off as such sometimes.” The woman knew Alejandro. Pretending he didn’t wasn’t necessary.
“I know. He’s been through a lot, even though I don’t know what it is. It’s good to see that he has finally opened up his heart so he can love again.”
If only that were true. Nivera smiled bitterly as she nced at Alejandro, who nced at her at the same time.
“I pray <i>you </i>twost long.”
“I hope we do too<i>.</i>”
That was more than enough for Lita as she smiled. “You two shoulde from time to time.”
“We will,” Nivera assured the woman, and she wasn’t joking, as she would definitely being back for more of her food.
The women then returned to the men, and Alejandro stretched his hands towards Nivera, into which she slid.
Kissing Lita goodbye and hugging Benito, they turned and walked out of the building.
The sun was already setting, making her realize just how much time had passed.
Even though he didn’t realize it, they had just gone on a date, and it wasn’t one she would forget. “Thank you.”
“For lunch?” He raised an eyebrow.
“For today.”
Alejandro didn’t reply right away. He just looked at her–really looked at her and then said softly, <b>“</b><b>You’re </b><b>wee</b>.
There was nothing cruel or calcting in his voice–only something real.
If only they could be real as well.