- Toronto, One Week. Dylan
- Toronto, One Week. Dylan
Ryan
‘Does she really live here?”
Blake looks at the building where Michelle’s apartment is with some disdain. Although I’m aware it’s not the best place, I imagine she had no other choice. Maybe I can change that, find her a better-located house or condo.
“Yes, she lives here. I’m going to get my daughter. I’ll be right back.”
I see her about to open the door, but I stop her.
“Where are you going?”
Her face shows disbelief, as if coming with me were the most logical thing.
“Of course, I’m coming with you. It’s not right for you to be alone with her-you’re already separated.”
I can’t believe what she’s saying. She seems genuinely concerned, but I know that’s not the case. She feels victorious and
all she wants is to rub her supposed victory in Michelle’s face.
“Of course not. Wait here.”
I give her a serious look and speak in a threatening tone, hoping she understands. She doesn’t get out, but her silence.
makes her annoyance clear to me.
I reach the building guard, who lets me in without any trouble. I go up in the elevator, and my heart starts to pound.
I comb my hair, nervous about how to greet her when I knock on the door and Michelle comes out. But my mind has no answer, so when the door opens, I stride in-but to my surprise, my daughter is outside the apartment.
“Hi, Daddy!”
She comes toward me with a big smile on her face, showing how much fun she’s had.
“Hi, sweetheart! Are you ready?”
She nods and turns to her mother, who crouches down to her level and takes her face in her hands to cover it with kisses.
“Be good and listen to Daddy. See you soon.”
I feel a slight pang in my chest as I watch them say goodbye. If Blake weren’t the coach, and we weren’t going with her, I would dare to invite Michelle to join us. Although it would be strange, since we had never invited her before.
“I will, Mommy.”
Michelle stands up straight and looks behind me, as if searching for someone. I’m relieved Blake hasn’t come down.
“Goodbye, Ryan.”
I nod my head, then take my daughter’s hand, and we head to the elevator.
“Daddy! Mom made my favorite breakfast, and the grandparents came. Grandma isn’t mad at me anymore and invited me
to stay at her house next weekend. Mom said we could all go out together. Can we go?”
I don’t remember seeing her so enthusiastically before this visit. I’m glad that, little by little, she’s regaining her joy.
“We’ll see, sweetheart. Now let’s go, Blake is waiting for us.”
When we get to the car, Blake gets out to greet her.
“Hi, princess! We missed you yesterday.”
My daughter smiles, although her expression changes for a moment before responding with her usual kindness.
“Hi, Aunt Blake!”
As we drive along, Blake starts asking her uncomfortable questions.
“So, what did you do, sweetheart? Did your mom say anything bad about me?”
Candace is silent for a moment, but her response catches my attention.
“Why would she speak badly of you, Aunt?”
My daughter isn’t that old, but she’s not young either. She knows that what I did with Blake wasn’t right, but even so, she has accepted it-and that’s saying a lot.
“I don’t know. Maybe your mom hates me.” My daughter gets distracted by taking out her phone, as if what Blake is
mentioning isn’t important.
“No, we didn’t talk about you or Dad. We watched movies and talked about my school. In the morning, my grandparents
arrived, and it was fun.”
Blake remains silent until we reach the training facility. Knowing Candace well, she realizes she won’t get more
information from her-because it’s evident that’s what she’s doing.
“Can you tell me why you’re asking my daughter about her mother?” I ask her with a frown as soon as Candace jumps
onto the track.
“I just wanted to know. I was sure Michelle would try to turn her against me, and I don’t want that. You know I love your
daughter.”
I look at her, annoyed, hoping she understands how inappropriate her attitude is. But she just shrugs, indifferent. She’s the same as she was ten years ago-the same capricious and narcissistic Blake I inexplicably fell in love with.
Two hours later, my daughter comes off the track, radiant. Doing what she loves, just like Michelle used to love it.
“How about we go get some ice cream?” Blake suddenly asks.
My daughter’s eyes light up.
“Yes! I want a big one with vanilla and strawberry flavors.”
We leave and arrive at a fast-food restaurant. One of those wife always hated.
My ex-wife.
“What do you think, sweetheart?” She takes my hand to caress it. The touch feels cold and unnatural.
I stay silent, not responding Blake senses it’s not good.
“You’re thinking about Michelle, aren’t you? That’s why you don’t say anything to me.”
“Why do you always have to mention her?”
She averts her gaze to Candace, her eyes shining in a strange way.
“Because I feel like she’s stealing you from me. You were mine. But since she left, she seems to have settled between us.”
It seems like she took our souls, and I feel like she’s gaining ground.
I can’t believe what she’s saying.
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27 Toronto, One Week Dylan
“Do you even realize what you’re saying? In any case, you stole her family.”
Blake shakes her head, annoyed.
Pots
“You’re wrong. She stayed with you for many years. I know it was my mistake to let you go, but she shouldn’t have gotten
involved with you.
She always knew you were mine. And Candace should have been my daughter.”
I just shook my head, denying it.
“If you want our relationship to work, I’m going to ask you not to put strange ideas in her head. Please, remember that her mother is Michelle and always will be.”
After that, I get up when I hear my daughter calling me, while my lover sits at the table with a sullen expression and
pursed lips.
She’s already won. My marriage is over, and my daughter loves her a lot, but I’m not going to allow the only thing Michelle
has left: her daughter.
Michelle
“What’s with the radiant face?” Vero’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts just as I turned my chair to see her.
Her mischievous smile makes me raise an eyebrow. I know perfectly well she’s up to something.
Did you find yourself a boyfriend over the weekend? Come on, girl, don’t be stingy and find one for me!”
I burst into laughter and shook my head at her antics.
“How do you think I’m going to get a boyfriend? Don’t forget that I’m still married.”
She huffs impatiently, as if my response annoys her.
“Please, you’re already single. Your legal situation is just a formality.” She finishes with a carefree gesture. “By the way, we’re going to Dragon’s on Friday, and you can’t miss it.”
Vero and the rest of the team have the habit of going out every week, but so far I’ve only joined them once. Maybe a
second visit wouldn’t be bad.
“Count me in, I finally agree. “It will be good to break the routine.”
At that moment, the office phone rings, and Vero quickly answers. Her
expression subtly changes as she listens to the other end of the line. When she hangs up, an enigmatic smile spreads
across her face.
“Guys! It was the boss. It’s time to select the person who will accompany him to the business convention in Toronto.”
Murmurs immediately follow, along with exclamations of excitement.
Apparently, it’s an event everyone wants to attend.
However, I’m new and really have no interest in it
We pair up and head to the meeting room, while Vero tells me a thousand details about her weekend. Amidst laughter and exaggerated gestures, she tries to extract information about mine, but eventually decides to be patient and wait until
lunchtime.
Upon entering the room, my eyes instinctively go to the large table where Dylan, our boss, sits at the head. I can’t help but feel a strange sense of relief at seeing him. Since Abdiel has been taking Susy, I’ve hardly crossed paths with him at the
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<27 Toronto, One Week Dylan
office.
Now, without even intending to, I notice his gaze fixed on me. Something in his expression makes my skin tingle, and suddenly, my hands start to sweat.
“Good morning, folks,” he greets with his firm and relaxed voice. “As you know, the convention is approaching, and this year it will be in Toronto. Sorry to those who were dreaming of a paradise beach, but this time it’s cold. Maybe next year we’ll get Hawaii, but for now, let’s focus on this trip.”
The jokes and complaints quickly follow, but Vero stands up and enthusiastically raises a small urn she had been keeping
in a box.
“Well, here I have everyone’s names. I decided to do it the old-fashioned way because I don’t trust phone apps,” she jokes.
The boss will draw a name, and that person will be the lucky one to accompany him this year. Wish me luck, everyone!
Laughter fills the room as Dylan seriously reaches into the urn. A strange feeling settles in my chest, making my heart race for no apparent reason.
When he pulls out a small folded paper and unfolds it, his eyes meet mine.
“Michelle!”
A brief silence is followed by my colleagues’ applause. Meanwhile, I feel the blood drain from my face.
“B-but… it’s not fair, I just started,” I stammer, completely bewildered.
The laughter and murmurs increase as everyone shakes their heads.
“Fate has spoken,” Vero declares with a mischievous smile. “No one can do anything about it.”
Dylan extends the paper toward me, as if needing to confirm that the name written is indeed mine.
“It’s clear here,” Vero says calmly. “Don’t worry, you’ll have a good time, right boss?”
There’s something in her tone that makes me wonder if there’s a double meaning in her words. And by how Dylan blushes just after my colleague finishes speaking, I realize I’m not the only one who noticed.
“To compensate those who stay, send me the bill for your Friday meeting. The company will foot the bill.” He changes the subject immediately.
Cheers and applause erupt immediately, but I’m still lost in my thoughts, wondering if this trip is really a good idea.
We get up to return to our places, but I still can’t shake off the whirlwind of doubts that has invaded me.
“What’s on your mind?” Vero asks, observing me with curiosity.
I sigh and give her a serious look.
“It will be a week with the boss. Just the two of us.”
She smiles with amusement, as if she was expecting that response.
“And? What are you afraid of? That something could happen? He’s a nice guy, I’m sure he’d make you feel great.”
An inexplicable warmth spreads through me from head to toe.
“Nothing’s going to happen. It’s just work.” I murmur, more to convince myself than anything else.
Vero puts a hand on my shoulder and gives me a knowing look.
“Just remember… you’re practically single. All that’s left is for the judge to grant the divorce, and your ex already has another partner. Opportunities, like happiness, pass by waiting for us to seize them.”
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27 Toronto, One Week Dylan
Her words resonate in my mind as the tingling on my skin returns with more intensity.
Toronto.
A week.
Dylan.
Alone.
I gulp. Something tells me this trip won’t be like any other.
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