Opposites. Rafael Barba
Rafael Barba Short Story
Part Two.
Part One Can Be Found Here.
Warnings: Swearing. Angst. Fluff! Words: 1,343
Translator: cariño- sweetie Tu estupido- You idiot Amado- Lover Está bien.- It’s okay No te culpo- I don’t blame you Eu te amo- I love you Te quiero mucho- I love you so much
2 Days passed and she never heard from Rafael. Not that she was expecting to get a call from him anytime soon. Charlotte knew she embarrassed him in front of his coworkers and his boss. But damn it, had he just respected the fact that she can have a regular conversation with men then they wouldn’t fight about the stupidest things. She loved that idiot, but she had to love herself as well. How can she stay with someone that has no faith in her? It was impossible.
Her mother always told her, “Without trust, it’s only a matter of time before the relationship crumbles.”
Boy was she right. How can she trust Rafael with every fiber in her body. Yet he can’t seem to do the same. Was it because of the age? As if the 9-and-a-half-year age difference was that big of a deal. Maybe to his eyes, maybe to those who saw Lottie and thought she was younger. But, honestly? She never gave a crap. Especially when all he had to say to her was that she would grow tired of him and move on to someone younger.
“Jesus Rafael! How many times to I have to say it to you!” Charlotte screamed as they were fighting after having come home from dinner. “I don’t want to be with someone else!”
Yet Rafael only rolled his eyes, pulling on his tie and loosening it up. “You could do so much better than me cariño...” was all he replied. He had watched the waiter try to flight with her the whole time. It was nerve wrecking. He just didn’t know why she insisted in being together when she could do so much better.
“Tu estupido! I don’t know why we keep having these fights!” she snapped and walked around him. Grabbing her purse and slipping her shoes back onto her feet.
Rafael just watched, “Where are you going?” he asked and crossed his arms over his chest. His suit jacket was thrown over the back of the couch and the sleeves to his button-down shirt were rolled up.
“Home. I’m going home, Rafael. I wanted a nice night with you. But obviously you want to fight. So, call me when you get over this idea that I should be with someone else.” Charlotte sighed and moved to the door. Freezing when she felt a hand on her wrist. But when no words were spoken, Charlotte fought the tears threatening to fall and left.
That happened two weeks before the gala and Lottie knew that things would be okay if he just talked to her.
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Charlotte had been in the middle of rehearsal when she felt the vibration from her phone that she had in the pack pocket of her pants. Grabbing it, seeing as it wasn’t her part. Charlotte sighed, seeing it was from Rafael.
Amado: Coffee? Reply: Sure. Usual spot? Amado: See you in 30.
Groaning, she turned to the theater director for a early break. Smiling when he allowed it, knowing about her little tiff with her boyfriend. So grabbing her bag and coat. Charlotte left the stage, assuring them she’ll be back soon and made her way to the exit. Heading for the busy streets of New York, Lottie turned right and headed to the coffee shop fifteen minutes away. Funny enough the Theater she was working on the next performance at and the courthouse were close to each other, so they always met in the middle. Only meeting when Rafael was done with court, like today it seemed.
Arriving and not seeing the man, Charlotte went to place their orders. His order being an Americano and Lottie got herself a Cappucino. Leaning against the counter after paying for their drinks. Charlotte turned towards the doors when it opened. Seeing Rafael, she let out a small breath of relief.
“Hey, I didn’t pull you out of anything too important. Did I?” he asked, adding a small thanks when Charlotte handed him his coffee. Only to be shocked to see her once blonde hair, was now brown. “Your hair…” he pointed out.
“Nope, I would have asked you to go there if I couldn’t leave.” she smiled, and they walked to a table and sat down. “What?” Charlotte was confused at first then laughed. “Yeah, decided to go back to my natural roots… helps for the musical as well.” She shrugged and sipped at her coffee. “I’m really sorry Rafael... what I said the other night.” she looked down at her cup and chewed against the skin of her lip.
Hearing him sigh, she didn’t bother to look up. “I deserved everything you said, Mi Amor.” he said and that’s when Charlotte looked up. “I’ve been... out of line lately. Olivia talked to me that night. I just, it took a few days to actually wrap my head around the fact that.” he said, and Charlotte watched him. “The fact that I have been completely out of line with you.” he leaned back with a sigh and rubbed at the back of his neck.
Charlotte just listened to him and sipped at the coffee in her hands slowly. She knew where he was coming from. They had talked back in the beginning of the relationship. Charlotte knew his fears, that she would leave him for someone else. Or cheat on him like his ex, had done. It was why Rafael never dated again. He had his one night stands here and there, he was a man of course. He needed to get relief somewhere. But he never sought someone out, dated someone and agreed to be in a committed relationship with them like he and Charlotte were doing. So, yes. Charlotte knew what was going on in his mind.
Reaching over, she grabbed at his hand softly. “Rafi... Está bien. No te culpo. I know what your past is like. I can’t snap my finger and make you believe me. I doubt it’s easy to do when most men around can’t take the hint when I tell them I’m deeply in love with a Cuban ADA who for some reason doesn’t think he’s enough to be with me.” she eyed him playfully. Getting up and moving to sit next to him. Charlotte allowed her hand to softly cup his cheek. Smiling when he leaned his cheek into her hand. Lottie leaned forward and kissed at his lips.
“Eu te amo, Rafael. Remember that.” She added and the two sat there together drinking their coffee.
“Move in with me…” his words caught her off guard and instantly she started to cough when she let out a gasp while drinking the coffee. The coffee obviously trying to go the wrong way thanks to that, Charlotte waved his hand as Rafael patted her back to help.
“Jeez… had to ask right when I was about to swallow the drink huh.” She tried to joke, rubbing the back of her head. Charlotte closed her eyes. “Are you sure? Moving in… it’s a BIG step Rafi.”
Watching him roll his eyes, Charlotte chuckled and waited. Only to raise both her eyebrows when he held up a key. “To my apartment. I want you to live with me. I want to sleep with you by my side, even if our hours make it so we don’t fall asleep together. I want to see you first thing I wake up. Te quiero mucho... “ he looked into her eyes and she nodded. “Okay… but I’m keeping my place. ONLY because of the theater and how much hours we put into the show. I don’t want you coming home to Ten strangers in the house singing.” She grinned and winked.
“I wouldn’t mind it…” he shrugged and the two shared a smile before kissing. That’s when Charlotte knew that they would be okay. Spending the next half hour chatting about his case that he won and her next play. They soon parted ways with a kiss and promised to see the other that night at home.
