When Does the Pretending End?

Lucy’s Pov

There is so much to plan and organize I thought as I returned to reception after giving my statement to the police. They seemed to find all this amusing. Ya sure watching your best friend go totally crazy is so amusing. I sit down on the hard and uncomfortable chair and begin to think how I was going to tell Tina’s family and her work. I pull out my phone and see 3 missed calls and a bunch of emails all from work. No call from Mich worrying about his girlfriend. He probably has his bit on the side moved in already. I know all this mess is because of Tina’s actions but ever since she started dating Mich she’s changed.

“Some day” I hear an accent voice. I look up to see Ronaldo’s companion. “I’m Nuno by the way” he says as he sits down next to me. “Lucy” shaking his hand.” The people got a real show” he says oblivious to the fact that I’m not really interested in listening not to mind talking.” The papers will love this” he continues. “How do you mean” I ask. “They don’t exactly like my cousin at the moment. I raise an eyebrow. “Your cousin” I ask. “Yeah Cris and I are cousins” he says. “Poor you” I say and he lets out a laugh. “He’s not as arrogant as he appears in the papers” or “in person” I retort.

Before I know we are chatting about living in Manchester when Cristiano appears. Nuno leaves us and thankfully Elena appears before I have to talk to him and we head outside. She informs me that the police would most likely be charging Tina after they interview her again and she has to stay overnight. It appears she’ll diffently get a record and do jail time which means she won’t be able to take up her new job in San Francisco. Elena looks at me “Look the officer did say that if she did a voluntary time in rehab, the judge might take it into account. “Go on” I urge her to finish. “If Mr. Ronaldo over there” she nods towards Cristiano who was making his way to a Ferrari didn’t press charges the judge might let her off with community service and it would look good if she went to rehab” Elena finished.

“No record ok,” I say trying to comprehend what i’m hearing. ”Lucy you should try talking to him, he might not press charges if you ask nicely” Elena says.” Nicely” I say “he’s been an ass all day”. “He did get his car smashed, give him a chance. Plus he is kind of cute” Elena says smirking at me. “Fine it’s worth a try” I reply. We say our goodbyes and taking a deep breath I head over to the Ferrari.

“Everything sorted” Nuno asks. “Yeah, Tina has to spend the night here and will go for a preliminary hearing in a few weeks. She’s probably go to jail for a while” I say clasping my hands around the straps of my handbag on my shoulder. “Good” Cristiano says. “Look, I know you didn’t ask for all this and you have nothing to do with Tina and me, but this could affect Tina’s life” I say. “Maybe she should stay away from the drugs” he says to me. “She will. Her family are taking her to rehab tomorrow” I say. He grunts. “Have you ever not made a mistake” I stare up at him. “Don’t give me we all make mistakes crap” he says annoyed. “Maybe I should ask your past girlfriends about mistakes” I reply. Nuno lets out a laugh.

“Look sweetheart, just leave her to her family and stay out of it” he says. I walk to his side of the car. “would you leave your family in trouble and not do all you could to help” I say. I notice him share a look with Nuno. Whatever that was about. “I’ll cut to the chase. My friend Elena”. ”The chick in the red dress” he interrupts. “Yes, the woman who threatened to sue you” I smirk at him “the police officer thinks if Tina goes to rehab which she will and overcome her drug addiction, the judge may give her a suspended sentence or community service” I say.

“Your point sweetheart” he says as he stands away from the car door and stands in front of me smirking. I know he knows what I want to ask. I take a deep breath “I would like you not to press charges. I will make sure she doesn’t come near you ever. Elena thinks this is the only way to stop her from serving a jail term” I say in a rush before he can interrupt me.

“Why would I want to do that” he says. “To show your not a jackass” I mumble. “Doesn’t sound like you need my help” he says beginning to walk away. “Wait, i shouldn’t be taking my anger out on you”. He turns around. His eyes look me up and down. “What do I get in return” he says seriously. “What do you want? I didn’t think you would want to see Tina again but I can get her to apologise she is really sorry and I’ll pay for the damage to your car. He shakes his head “No I don’t want your money” he says coming closer to me.

“Then what do you want” I say looking into his brown eyes. “I want you to” pulling a loose piece of my hair behind my ear “to spend the night with me”.