The slow jams of the '80s played on the radio as the photographer came forward and took more shots of me holding Jianna’s hand. JJ stood in front of me. All three of us matched in the same colors of cream, and red, to fit the background of me as a working actress and mother. We’d been here for over six hours, and I was enjoying myself, laughing, playing, and wanting to do even more. JJ became the star of the photoshoot, and they even mentioned him doing modeling for babies. That would never happen. Joaquin’s calls were blowing up my phone, and I eventually had to text him back because Cassidy thought something could be wrong. I’d rather not deal with him being upset about me not returning any calls since the tension was already high with us. The filming project was going into extended shooting, and I needed to add more days on my schedule to do promo work and interviews, plus traveling would happen soon.
“We can break for lunch,” the photographer said. We’d filmed together before in the past, and she knew how I liked to not fool around. Having a shoot at her studio in the Bronx was a little farther away from home, but we’d managed to stay on time and not run over.
“Thanks, Rosalie.”
Madelyn came over and grabbed JJ’s hand, and I sauntered with Jianna on my hip to the play area in the corner. JJ went to grab the toy truck, and I placed Jianna down on the patio and picked up a toy ball for her to take.
“How many more setups?” I asked Cassidy, took a seat in the chair next to the kids, and watched them play.
“Two more and only one of those with the kids.”
“Do they need to change?”
“No, I think it’ll be fine.”
Cassidy passed me my phone.
“Any more texts from Joaquin?” I scrolled through my phone.
“No, and I think Hugo has sent photos or video back to him; it’s been quiet since earlier.”
“I doubt Hugo would do that, Cassidy.”
“I don’t put anything past him,” Cassidy fussed.
Her upper lip pursed as she rolled her eyes at him.
“You two still haven’t talked?”
“No reason to talk.”
“You like him, and I think kissed him if I’m not mistaken.”
“I was drunk.” Cassidy grabbed the truck and bent down next to JJ.
“JJ, are you hungry?” I questioned, and he nodded.
“Yes, Mommy.”
“Madelyn, can you grab some food from the bag in the corner please?”
I’d triple-packed for today and brought snacks they’d enjoy so I wouldn’t have them on a sugar rush from the junk that was normally at photoshoots. Madelyn pulled out packets of apples, yogurt, crackers, and grapes for them to share.
“What are we doing after this?”
“We have a few video meetings, and then you're free for the rest of the day.”
“Good, I’m exhausted.”
“Just remember if we get the call to do the filming in Texas, you’ll be away for a few weeks.”
I blew out a breath.
“I know.”
“Plus, you need to plan your next album.”
“I can’t think about that right now.” I groaned, leaning back in the chair.
“Your career is at the top right now. I don’t want to pressure you.”
I wasn’t upset about Cassidy going the extra mile to get me to the point in my career where I could decline certain roles. She’d taken the role of being a manager to a level that my previous management team never even imagined. I received so many offers and requests there was a possibility I’d be booked for the next two years, if I said yes to everything.
“I understand. Grab the opportunity while you can.”
Cassidy stood, wiped her hands on her pants, and pulled the chair over to sit beside me.
“What do you think about doing a few appearances in Texas?”
“We’re ready, Sofia!” Rosalie called out, changing the lights.
“Coming,” I responded, rising out of the chair.
“Send me the details. I need to figure out what Joaquin is doing first.”
“Great, give me a few minutes, and I'll send it over to your email.”
Madelyn stood up with Jianna, and I grabbed JJ’s hand to clean him up and help him stand to get set up for the next scene. Rosalie spoke on what she wanted for the final shoots with her team, and I listened in and helped to keep the kids hyped up and ready.
Two hours later, we were piled in the limo together, and the kids were asleep in their car seats as the limo sped down the highway. It wasn’t too late, and I had time to get the kids washed before bed and spend a little time together before I went over my scenes for tomorrow.
“It’s so weird how much they look like Joaquin.”
“My parents say the same thing.”
“You just pooped out another version of him.” Cassidy chuckled.
“When are you going to settle down?” I pointed out.
She waved away my question.
“Too busy.”
“Life doesn’t have to stop for you to have a love life and career.”
“Honestly, I like focusing on your career rather than my love life.”
I gazed over at Hugo in the passenger seat. I knew they had something going on and were secretly trying to keep it under wraps, but if he wanted something serious, and Cassidy didn’t, this would drive a wedge between them even further.
“I appreciate the support, but remember you have a life outside of me and the kids.”
“One day, I’ll find someone,” Cassidy muttered, looking out the window.
The car made it home and drove up to the front door. Hugo got out to help the kids on the left side of the car, and I opened my door on the right and climbed out to pick up my bags. Madelyn carried Jianna’s things. I removed my key and slid it in the front door, and there was complete silence as we walked through the corridor to the dining room. My eyes scanned around the room; it smelled like Pine Sol from a deep cleaning.
“I’ll take them upstairs to get bathed,” Madelyn said.
“Thanks, Madelyn. I’ll get dinner started.”
Hugo carried JJ in his arms behind Madelyn, and Cassidy followed to the kitchen. I strolled to my bedroom to change.
“Joaquin,” I called out, nudging the door of our bedroom open, and it was empty.
I kicked off my shoes, removed the sweatpants and T-shirt, and grabbed my robe from the back of the door, along with a fresh shirt and pants. I pushed the bathroom door open and found candles were lit, with the lights low. I had no clue why. I stepped in farther and saw a note on the edge of the tub.
Relax, dinner will be ready in fifteen minutes .
I smiled, folded the note up, and put it inside my robe. I dropped it on the counter, slid in the tub of warm water, and placed my head on the back of the pillow so as not to get it wet. I let my body soak up the soothing aromas.
“Sofia! I’m leaving,” I heard Cassidy yell from the other side of the door.
“Okay, call me later.”
“Don’t forget call time.”
“I promise.”
Thirty minutes later, I came downstairs, went to the kitchen, and saw Joaquin sitting with the kids, laughing together.
“Where is everybody?” I walked up to him and kissed him on the lips. He gripped the back of my head and sucked on my tongue.
“I wanted to make dinner for you and the kids alone.”
He sat between Jianna and JJ, and I pulled the chair out across from him.
“You want to tell me what that was earlier?”
I picked up the spoon to eat the risotto and veggies.
“We need to make sure we're not losing this time with the kids.” He kissed the top of JJ’s head.
“I don’t disagree.”
“How was the shoot?”
“It was good.”
“I don’t want my children in any more media photos.”
“They're my kids too.”
“Sofia, you can’t expect to have the same life as before.”
“I expect my husband to support my goals.”
Jianna started to cry for me. I dropped the spoon, stood, and walked around the island to pick her up and bounce her to sleep in my arms.
“You went against my orders.”
“I’m not Hugo or any other one of your men.”
He whispered something in JJ’s ear and helped him to finish eating.
“So you're ignoring me?”
“I’m going to get my son to bed. Then I plan on sleeping with my wife.”
“Your wife.”
Joaquin pressed a kiss to my cheek.
“Get the kids to bed.”
“I have an early shoot tomorrow.”
“Hugo will take you.”
“I don’t like your demeanor.”
We walked the kids to their bedrooms.
“I have a lot of work to handle; fighting with my wife is not my goal.”
“There is something else.”
“Not tonight, Sofia.” He pecked my lips.
I went into Jianna’s room and took her to the bathroom to wipe her face and hands clean. I placed her in the crib and kissed her on the forehead. Turning the lights off, I headed to our bedroom, slipped out of my shoes, and pulled the covers back to lie down with the lights off. I fell asleep until his strong arms pulled me close to his chest, kissing the back of my neck.
Two days later.
I was on set, filming another scene with Shamar and waiting for them to call cut as we stood together in a tight embrace.
“Cut!” the director yelled.
“You brought it today, Sofia,” Shamar said.
“Thanks, Shamar.” The wardrobe department head brought over a robe to cover my dress. My character was going to dinner with his character. I picked up the water bottle, took a sip, and sat in my chair, watching the replay of the scene. We were becoming more and more comfortable bringing the story to life with each other. Cassidy pointed to the screen and noticed I picked up the fork in the wrong hand.
“We can do another take on that shot,” the director said.
I sipped the water and listened to myself, checking to make sure that was the only mistake.
“That looks great,” I muttered, pointing to us holding hands.
“We can do one more take of your side profile,” the director explained. I nodded, removed the robe, and stood as makeup and hair looked me over one more time. Escorting me back on stage, I released my hand and sat in the chair with the fake food and candlelight.
Shamar sat and joked to keep the fun flowing after a long day of filming.
“One more time, and it will be good for today.” The director held the script in front of him on the table and pointed at the setup.
“Ready.”
“Picking up from the beginning?” Shamar questioned.
I nodded and scooted closer to the table, picked up the fork.
“Action!” the director called out.
“Baby, I did this all for you.” Shamar covered my hand on the table.
“I love how much you care.” I smiled back and squeezed his hand.
Shamar leaned over the table and pecked me on the lips.
“Cut!”
Everybody clapped their hands for doing a great job on filming. Shamar helped me out from the table, and we gathered with the rest of the crew.
“Today was great, everyone. Remember we have filming coming up in Texas soon,” the director commented.
“You guys have this in the bag for award season,” Cassidy cheered.
“I’m just happy to be a part of the film,” I responded.
“Are you ready to head out?” Cassidy asked.
I removed the jewelry and strolled off to my trailer with a team of guards as Cassidy talked about the details of our trip to Texas. I pushed open the door of my trailer and smiled at the kids playing with Madelyn. I kissed them both on the forehead and went to change my clothes.
Twenty minutes later, we arrived home exhausted from being gone the entire day once again. I allowed JJ to go to the playroom, and I saw Martha in the kitchen but no sign of Joaquin again.
“Madelyn, can you get the kids fed and ready for bed?”
“Of course.”
“Thanks. I need to finalize some things with Cassidy.”
Cassidy sauntered into the kitchen with her laptop and phone pressed to her ear.
“We can go to the living room.”
She nodded, and I passed her a bottle of water and lifted an apple from the fruit bowl in the middle of the island.
“Where’s Joaquin?” Cassidy questioned.
I sat next to her on the couch and shrugged.
“Who knows.”
“If you need to reschedule our meeting, we can.”
“It’s fine.”
“Okay, then we can start with a photo.” Cassidy was cut off from a loud noise at the front door.
Bang! Bang!
“Move out of my way!” I heard loud familiar voices.
Startled, I put the cap back on the bottle of water, wondering who was yelling at the front door.
“Who is that?” Cassidy asked, and Hugo walked in with a tight grip on Alessandra.
“It’s me… Alessandra,” she whispered.
“What’s wrong?”
“I need to talk to you.”
“Can it wait?”
“Please, Sofia!”
“Give me a second,” I replied and jumped up to escort her to Joaquin’s office, away from the kids being disturbed.
“What?”
I shut the door behind us.
“I need your help.”
“No.” I tried to open the door and leave, but she pushed it back closed.
“Please, Sofia. I want to go to this party, and Joaquin’s men won’t let me out of their sight.”
“Alessandra, you 're kidding, right?”
“No.”
“I was relaxing after a long day of dealing with children and work. Your brother is missing in action.”
“But I need you.” She poked her lip out.
“No, you need to grow up and focus on why you came to New York.”
“Haven’t you wanted to be free of this mess and live life, Sofia?”
“That was before I got with your brother, and you know what I went through.” I recalled the kidnapping and attempted rape.
Those early days of being with Joaquin should have come with a manual on dating a mobster. I thought I knew everything, but it was becoming clear that his world was more complicated by the day.
“It won’t take long; you just slip in with me and leave after five minutes.”
“What do you think Joaquin will say when he finds out I went to a club?” I opened the door and left with her behind me. I made it back to the living room with Cassidy and Hugo glaring at each other.
“He doesn’t have to know. Besides, you need a girls’ night out.”
“No.”
“I didn’t take you for the submissive type.”
I placed my hand on my hip, my lips pursed.
“That won’t work on me.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Trying to manipulate me into agreeing.”
“You're right. I knew my brother was in charge, but I just figured you still had your way of handling him.”
“Alessandra, I’m a grown woman; nobody is in charge of me.”
“Then you’ll go to the club with me.” She held her hands up in prayer.
“Five minutes, and then we leave.” I pointed at her.
“Yay! Yay!” Alessandra kissed me on the cheek and turned to leave the room.
“Don’t make me regret this.”
She crossed her middle and index finger and smirked.