Illicit Canvas: political romance and stand alone romance by Joanna Mazurkiewicz Page B

my arms. There is so much going on in my head. The pros and cons. One evening and then I’m breaking up with him. Ethan is the man that I want, not Colin.
    “Are you all right, sugar?"
    “Great, thanks,” I lie.
    We walk for about half an hour, crossing the quiet streets and passing a few exclusive   restaurants. This is definitely not one of these areas where students hang out. When we finally stop in front of an old townhouse, I have a bad feeling about this. My stomach churns and all of a sudden I want to disappear. Maybe his surprise has something to do with art; maybe he wants to show me some rare paintings. I feel like I'm ready to throw up.
    “Colin, where are we going? Come on, it’s not fair. You have to tell me what’s going on,” I say, grabbing his hand.
    “All right. Don’t be mad, but we're having dinner with my father,” he says, scratching his chin.
    I think my legs are going to give out any minute. This is not what I was expecting at all.
    “Your father? I thought he was away on business?” I ask, baffled.
    “Yeah, two weeks ago, but he’s back now. When my mother cancelled her trip, Dad called saying that he was back earlier. He suggested dinner.”
    “Shit, Colin, you put me right on the spot here. I’m not even dressed properly,” I mumble. What the hell is wrong with him?
    He places his palm on my shoulder, looking dejected.
    “You don’t want to meet him?” he asks. I hate when he uses those puppy dog eyes on me. I’m going to break up with him tomorrow. Maybe it’s better if I go inside and meet his father. What a mess.
    “All right, but I’m completely unprepared. I don’t have anything for him.”
    “Don’t worry about it. Dad is awesome; he won’t care.” He nudges me.
    “Fine, I guess I don’t have any other choice now," I say, forcing a smile.
    “I just thought that this is a perfect opportunity for you to meet him. Dad works all the time and he’s away a lot. Please, Arwen, don’t be mad.”
    “I’m not, come on.”
    As I walk to the stairs my feet feel heavy and my heart kicks loudly in my chest, reminding me that I brought this on myself. I should have broken up with him a week ago. Now I have to pretend that we are a loving couple—great.
    We’re climbing up an old wooden squeaky staircase. It looks like there are at least two apartments on each floor.
    "This is the one," says Colin, stopping in front of a wide red door with the number fifteen on it and the surname Rivera. I kind of expect Colin's father to be very similar-looking to him, the same brown hair and green eyes, but he might have inherited all his mother’s features. Who knows? We both clear our throats and Colin knocks, probably to be polite.
    After a minute, I hear heavy steps and the door opens up abruptly.
    “You’re early, I thou–”
    The person that opens the door doesn’t finish his sentence as he stares at both of us in shock. My own world ends, and for a moment I think that this is just a joke, a twisted prank, because I’m standing in front of the person that had been in my head the whole time.

Ethan
     
    I stop talking in mid-sentence when I realise that Arwen is standing next to my son, Colin. She looks beautiful. My mind wanders off to last night in the park, our perfect moment together. This must be some kind of mistake. Either way, I don't want to believe that this is really happening.
    “Are you all right, Dad?” Colin asks. I hear him, but for a brief second I’m still not registering what’s going on. My pulse speeds up and the sweat gathers on my forehead, making me feel uncomfortable in my own skin.
    Blood drains from Arwen's face. She keeps staring at me like I’m not really here, looking numb with shock and disbelief. I have been preparing for this evening all day, cooking and thinking about her. It's only been one perfect date, one hot kiss. Fate can’t crush this for me right now.
    I reach out for Colin and hug him, not taking my eyes off Arwen. She can't