November 2021
Leila's POV:
I watched Tatiana laugh with Patri. She just seemed much more relaxed now. Going back to Brazil helped her that much.
"What are you thinking?" Mapi walked over.
"Nothing." I turned around.
"I'm sorry. Ok? I just hated seeing her that way. I didn't want her to look at the baby and go back to that. But you were right. It was her choice." She said.
"I'm not the one you need to apologize to." I said. Tatiana walked over. "I didn't think Patri was that funny." I said.
"She's not but can't let her feel bad." She looked at me and winked. "Hey Mapi." She moved closer to me. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders.
"I want to apologize for how I acted." Mapi said. "Seeing you in the hospital after what happened, I hated it. All the times I've seen you, you're always smiling. Making jokes and to see you like that. Terrified." She shook her head. "I didn't want you to look at the baby, your baby, and feel like that again. Because you don't deserve that. You deserve nothing but love and happiness, Tatiana. But as Leila said, it was choice your. And as your best friend. Both of you, I should've respected your choice. I'm sorry." Tatiana nodded. "I know that when the time comes, you two are going to be the best parents to the most adorable kid on the planet."
"That kids gonna be spoiled by Aunt Mapi right?" Tatiana smiled.
"I'm going to cover the kid in fake tattoos."
"I know you will." Tatiana laughed.
"Are we ok?"
"You were just trying to protect me. All of you were. Besides, before the band, I had a small group of friends. But I lost that when the band got bigger. Since then, everyone who wanted to be "friends" with me wasn't real. They just wanted to fame. But this," She looked at everything. "You guys are the most real group of friends have had."
"Just say the word, Tatiana. If anyone messed with you, I'll take care of it." Mapi said.
"I think Leila has it covered." Tatiana rested her head on my shoulder.
"I could use some backup though." I looked at Mapi.
"Package deal." Jenni crossed her arms.
Tatiana's POV:
"Is that your phone?" Leila looked at me.
"Yeah." I reached and got it. "Shit. It's my agent." I answered. "Hello?"
"Tatiana. How are you? How's everything?"
"Good. I'm good everything is good."
"I'm glad to hear. Ready to get back to work?"
"Really?"
"Really."
"So what do I need to do?"
"I have some scripts that need directors. Figured you can take your pick."
"I'm not a touchy subject anymore?"
"These producers are females." He said. "Nothing has changed in their minds."
"So it's just the guys who don't want to work with me."
"Pretty much."
"That's fine. I don't want to work with them anyway."
"You're my favorite client." He said. "But I know you're living in Spain now."
"Yeah, I am." I looked at Leila.
"I'll email them to you. Read them over. If you want to direct one, let me know. If not no big deal." He said. "Tell Leila I said hello."
"I will." I smiled
"And Tati?"
"Yeah."
"You know I love you like a sister right?"
"I know."
"I won't make you do anything you aren't comfortable with. If you want to take another 5 years off, I'll give you 10."
I laughed. "Thanks."
Leila's POV:
I put the coffee on the table and watched Tatiana read.
"Thank you." She looked at me and smiled.
"How many have you read?"
"This is my 3rd one." She said.
"And how many are there?"
"7." She looked at me.
"How about you take a break? He didn't tell you to read them all in one day."
She laughed. "I know but, I kind of want to get back to work. But of the 3 that I've read, I haven't felt anything."
"So you're hoping that you'll find it if you keep reading?"
"See? You understand me." I laughed. "I love being in Spain. I love being with you. I just miss working." She shrugged. "If I'm going to get back to work, especially with directing? The script has to be the best in the world."
"So write it." She looked at me. "Don't give me that look. You're trying to connect to a script someone else wrote. It's your first time directing in a while, right? And it's you're first film back. What better way to show everyone Tatiana Medeiros is back and better than ever?" I shrugged. "I mean, I'll watch anything you put out. It could be 30 minutes of a wall, I'd still watch it and call it a masterpiece."
"Because you love me."
"Busted." I smiled and kissed her. "I do love you. So much there aren't enough words. But don't work yourself too hard right away. You took a break because you did too much. Don't rush into this."
"I don't rush into anything." She said.
"Really? Cause we've only been together for what? A little over a year? We're already living together and already dropped that magic word starting with l."
She sat on my lap. "You asked me to move in and you said you loved me first." She kissed me. "If anyone rushes into things, it's you." She smiled and stood up. "I don't blame you though. How could you not fall for me quickly?" She walked into the bathroom.
December 2021
Tatiana's POV:
"It's been a year right?" Patri asked.
"Almost two." I smiled. "With Leila, it feels like 80."
Mariona laughed. "That's true. After dating her for an hour, it felt like 6 years."
I laughed. "I like that we're friends."
"Me too."
"I don't." Leila sighed. "My girlfriend and ex-girlfriend are friends."
"Would you rather we hate each other?" I asked.
"Nope. Carry on with your friendship." Leila smiled.
Patri made a whip sound. "Thank you Tati and Leila for reminding me that I'm single." Mapi sighed.
"You're longest relationship has been Alexia's sister." Mariona said.
"Stop bringing that up." Alexia groaned.
"Tatiana!" A guy with a camera ran over.
"Fuck." I mumbled.
"Tatiana! Is it true you and Andreas were dating before production began!"
"Get me out of here." I said.
"Hey. Back up!" I heard Mapi say.
Leila grabbed me and lead me away as Mapi distracted him. We made it back to the apartment. "It's ok." Leila rubbed my back. "He's gone now."
"Is it true you and Andreas were dating before production began!"
"Tatiana?"
"Because of some personal things I have to take care of with my family."
"Like what."
"It's not your business."
"But it is. See when they called you to audition for this role, they weren't sold on your performance. But I made them hire you. You got the role for me. You owe me."
"I didn't ask or need you to do that."
He started to walk closer. "I still did. Because I know how talented you are. Not having you in this movie would be a crime." He touched my arm. "It's time to pay up for my little favor."
"Stop." I pushed him away. "Stop!"
"Hey." Leila said. I looked at her. "Are you ok?"
"I'll never escape it will I."