ALEXANDER POV
I was completely caught off guard by Maximo's statement. The confusion on my face mirrored his own. "What are you saying? Are you telling me that Rhian is not carrying your child?" I questioned him, desperately seeking clarification.
"It's not mine," he stated matter-of-fact.

"You're not the father? Then who is?" I pressed him, my disbelief growing. I couldn't fathom the idea, especially since I had been living in Italy for the past six years and had no intentions of having a child with Rhian. After all, she was like a sister to me.
"It's Ken," he replied nonchalantly, his tone dripping with boredom.
"Ken? Your cousin?!" I exclaimed in shock, unable to process the information. I stood up abruptly, unable to contain my surprise.
"Yes, can you please sit down? Okay?" Maximo requested, seemingly unbothered by the bombshell he had just dropped. He also threw in a condescending "Tsk" for good measure.
"Don't 'tsk' me, you moron!" I snapped, unable to control my frustration. Despite my irritation, I begrudgingly obeyed his request and took my seat in front of him again.
Amidst his annoyingly smug smile, Maximo continued to tease me with his repetitive "Tsk! Tsk! Tsk!" I rolled my eyes at his immaturity, refusing to allow his antics to further aggravate me.

"Congratulations," he said suddenly, catching me off guard. I turned towards him, perplexed by his serious expression. He continued speaking, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness.
"I wanted to congratulate you on Mia, for now you have a family," he said, his face a mask of stoicism. Although his features remained composed, his eyes betrayed a deep sense of pain. Having been close friends for a long time, I knew him well, almost like we were brothers. Both being only children, we shared a unique bond.
"You still love her, don't you?" I confronted him directly. He averted his gaze, keeping his emotions hidden. There was a void on his face, completely devoid of any sentiment.
"Perhaps I still have feelings for her, but the bigger question is whether she loves me," he responded, chuckling softly and shaking his head in disbelief. Unbeknownst to him, I silently affirmed her love for him in my mind. The room fell silent, each of us lost in our own thoughts. Finally, he turned to me, his eyes mirroring the pain within him.

"I love her, but she loves my best friend," he confessed, his words tinged with a mixture of sadness and resignation. As he spoke, his lips curled into a smile, but the anguish in his eyes betrayed his true emotions.
"I love her, man. I've loved her for so long and I don't know how long I will love her and how long I will be hurt. I must admit that in the six years that have passed I have waited for her to came back and told me that she loves me too and that all that is not just a dare that everything she showed me during the days we were together was true but... she came back, she came back with you and a family." I listened intently as he poured his heart out, revealing the depth of his feelings for her. Over the past six years, he had secretly yearned for her, hoping that one day she would return his love. To him, those fleeting moments they spent together meant everything. He held onto the belief that their connection was genuine, that their love was real.
"I tell myself that I should be happy for her, for you, but can't because until now I'm still hurt and why, of all people, why you, you're my friend and I treated you like a brother. Make me wonder if what you showed me was true?" he asked me.
His gaze turned away from mine, seeking solace in the closed confines of his shut eyelids. There was a profound silence, punctuated only by the heaviness of his words hanging in the air. We both grappled with the weight of his unspoken anguish, unsure of how to mend the growing chasm between us.
Feeling the weight of the moment, I rose from my seat in his office, wordlessly acknowledging the unspoken end to our conversation. Without uttering a goodbye, I turned on my heel and left, discreetly wiping away the tears that streamed down my face.
As I made my way to the car parked outside his building, the floodgates holding back my emotions burst open. The tears, which I had desperately tried to conceal, streamed relentlessly down my cheeks, a visual testament to the pain that lingered within me.
The situation is quite complicated and emotionally challenging. It's clear to me that Chimi and Maximo are in love with each other, and deep down, I understand that Chimi is reluctant to reveal her feelings for Maximo because she doesn't want to hurt me. I know that Chimi chose me out of kindness and a sense of indebtedness, considering the six years we've spent together.
The dilemma lies in the fact that I am causing pain to both my best friend and the girl I love dearly. Chimi believes that the person she loves, Maximo, doesn't reciprocate her feelings, but in reality, Maximo loves her just as much. Similarly, Maximo is under the impression that Chimi genuinely loves me, but that's far from the truth.
So, the question that emerges is, what should be done in this situation? It seems clear that continuing this charade and denying our true emotions is only causing more hurt and confusion. Perhaps it's time for an open and honest conversation, where all parties involved can express their true feelings and reach a resolution that considers everyone's happiness.
However, the path forward won't be easy. It requires facing the potential fallout and the risk of damaging our existing relationships. But in the end, keeping everyone in the dark and pretending to be content is a disservice to ourselves and to the love that Chimi and Maximo share.
As the tears finally ceased to flow down my face, a heavy sigh escaped my lips, signifying the end of an emotionally exhaustive episode. The weight of my troubles seemed unbearable, pushing me to seek solace in a place I could momentarily escape reality. Reaching for the ignition, I ignited the engine of my car, heralding the beginning of my journey towards respite. My destination? Club Z. My go-to place when I needed to escape, a sanctuary where I intended to drown my sorrows in the soothing embrace of alcohol and detachment.
As the city lights streaked past my windshield, a somber ambiance enveloped me. Thoughts and memories swirled inside my mind, each one fueling the storm of emotions within. The club awaited me like a beacon of temporary relief, promising a brief reprieve from the whirlwind of despair that had enveloped me.
Upon arriving at the club, its vibrant facade illuminated the night, beckoning me to find solace within its walls. Guided by a mix of anticipation and desperation, I stepped through the entrance, the cacophony of music and laughter serving as the soundtrack to my temporary liberation.
Among the lively crowd, I sought refuge. I found a dimly lit corner where I could gather my thoughts and escape the constant influx of external distractions. Ordering a drink from the bartender, the familiar burn of alcohol touching my lips brought a fleeting sense of numbing relief. Each sip helped to dissipate the weight that had burdened my heart, offering a respite from the emotional pain that had consumed me.
Surrounded by the energetic rhythms and gleeful chatter, I allowed myself to be engulfed in the ambiance, blending into the kaleidoscope of emotions that filled the room. The pounding bass resonated within my chest, momentarily drowning out the echoes of my dwindling woes.
For a while, the world outside ceased to exist. My troubles, the source of my anguish, were temporarily forgotten. In this haven, I could escape the harsh realities that plagued my existence. Here, in the warmth of camaraderie forged through shared revelry, I found solace, if only for a fleeting moment.
As the night progressed, my burdens dulled with each passing hour, overpowered by the rhythm of the night. Conversations and laughter, once alien to my thoughts, intertwined within me, evoking a sense of interconnectedness, if only for the night. The escapism I sought within these four walls was a temporary respite, yet within its realm, I forged a sanctuary devoid of responsibilities and heartache.
Eventually, the club's vibrant ambiance began to wane. The music faded, the laughter subsided, and the lights dimmed. It was time to return to the world that awaited me outside its doors. Yet, even as I left, a flickering ember of strength burned within me—an ember that whispered promises of resilience and determination to face the challenges that lay ahead.
I made my way to my private room nestled within the opulent walls of my exclusive club, the dimly-lit space enveloped me in an ambiance of tranquility. Just as I began to settle in my armchair, my attention was abruptly captured by the familiar ringtone emanating from my mobile phone. Glancing at the screen, I noticed that it was a call from Chimi.
It was getting late and I could sense the concern in Chimi's voice as soon as I picked up her call. "It's late, aren't you coming home yet?" she asked me, her worry evident even through the phone.
I paused for a moment, considering my response. "Not yet, maybe I can go home tomorrow," I replied, my voice tinged with exhaustion. "I still have a lot of work to do right now, especially since I've been away in Italy for 6 years."
Chimi's concern grew even more apparent as she offered to bring me some food. I shook my head, although she couldn't see it through the phone. "You don't need to," I assured her. "I've already eaten. Besides, I really need to focus on my work right now. Bye."
Without giving her a chance to respond, I ended the call abruptly. Going home was the last thing on my mind at the moment. Tonight, I wasn't really busy with work I just needed some time alone, away from the chaos of my thoughts.
The sweet melody of the music filled the air, while the dim lighting of my private room created an atmosphere of solitude. It was in moments like these that I found solace in the noisy silence, my mind grappling with the emotions that had been stirred.
Perhaps it was the fleeting sense of control I felt in this place that drew me here. The freedom to drown my sorrows in this haven of anonymity and temporary escape.
As I sat alone, clutching a glass in my hand, I took a sip of my drink, hoping it would quiet the storm of thoughts swirling in my head. Maximo's words reverberated, replaying incessantly in my mind. I yearned for solitude, to give myself the space I needed in order to process the weight of his revelations.