That Night – Pedro's Apartment, Swakopmund
Lisa was curled up on Pedro's couch in one of his oversized T-shirts, legs tucked under her as she scrolled through a fashion blog on her phone. Pedro was in the kitchen, humming some old R&B song while he plated slices of cheesecake they'd picked up from a boutique bakery earlier.
He came over, placed the plate in front of her, then leaned down to kiss her temple. "Dessert for my dessert."
She rolled her eyes, smiling. "You're lucky you're cute."
They spent the night like that—wrapped in cozy conversation, quiet music playing, fingers brushing as they fed each other bites of cheesecake. Later, they lay in bed together, limbs tangled under the covers, bodies warm and hearts full.
Lisa traced circles on his chest as he played with her curls. "You're different here," she whispered.
Pedro looked down at her. "How so?"
"Softer. More peaceful."
"That's what love does to me," he murmured, pulling her closer.
---
The Next Morning – Around 7:30 AM
Lisa, barefoot and sleepy, padded her way to the door when she heard a knock. She figured it was a delivery guy—maybe Pedro ordered breakfast.
Still in his shirt, she opened the door casually.
Standing there, in full glam, was Nicole.
A tight mini dress, heels too high for the hour, and a smirk that said she wasn't here for peace.
Nicole's eyes swept over Lisa from head to toe, lips curling.
"Well, well… and who the hell are you?"
Lisa blinked. "Excuse me?"
Before Lisa could answer, Pedro walked in shirtless from the hallway, towel around his neck, drying his hair.
The moment he saw Nicole standing there—his entire vibe shifted.
"The fuck are you doing here?" he barked, his eyes narrowing.
Nicole's smirk deepened. "Missed me, clearly. I just thought I'd come by and say hi."
Pedro stepped forward, anger radiating off him. "How do you even know where I live? You stalking me now?"
Nicole scoffed. "Please. You think you're so untouchable? You don't return my calls, block me everywhere—and now you've got some girl playing house in your shirt?"
Lisa stiffened beside the door, stunned by the audacity.
Pedro moved to stand in front of Lisa, shielding her with his body. "You need to leave. Right now."
Nicole's expression turned venomous. "So this is who you left me for? The replacement?"
Lisa stepped forward then, voice calm but firm. "I'm not the replacement. I'm the upgrade."
Nicole laughed bitterly. "Sweetheart, enjoy it while it lasts. You think he changed for you? Men like Pedro always go back to their type."
Pedro snapped. "Enough. You're embarrassing yourself. Whatever we had is over, and you showing up here proves why I made the right choice."
Nicole's eyes narrowed. "You'll regret this."
"Doubt it," Pedro said, reaching past her and slamming the door shut.
He turned to Lisa, his jaw clenched, but his eyes filled with worry. "I'm sorry. I didn't think she'd go this far."
Lisa stared at the door for a long second, then looked at him. "Pedro… why didn't you tell me she was still trying to reach you?"
He walked over, took her hand. "Because I didn't want her to poison what we have. But you deserve the truth. And from now on—you'll have it."
Lisa nodded, quietly. She wasn't angry—just shaken. But seeing how Pedro stood up, how quickly he shut it down, she couldn't help but feel something stronger than just love.
Trust.
And sometimes, that was even more powerful.
Pedro's Apartment – Early Afternoon
Lisa sat on the couch, still processing the events of the morning. Pedro had gone out to handle some business, leaving her with a quiet moment to reflect. She grabbed her phone and called Angela and Anna. She needed to talk to them, especially after everything with Nicole.
The phone rang twice before Angela picked up.
"Hey, girl! You good?" Angela's voice was cheerful, but Lisa could hear the concern behind it.
"Hey," Lisa replied, her voice slightly strained. "You won't believe what happened this morning."
Anna's voice joined in immediately, her tone serious. "What happened?"
Lisa let out a long breath. "Nicole showed up at Pedro's place."
There was a beat of silence before Angela spoke up, her voice sharp. "That bitch is back?"
Lisa nodded, even though they couldn't see her. "Yeah. Apparently, she's been trying to reach him for weeks. She just showed up, asking who I was."
"What?!" Anna's voice cracked. "After all this time? She just walks in like she owns the place? Doesn't she have any shame?"
"Apparently not," Lisa said with a tired sigh. "I didn't even know how to react. She looked at me like I was some… replacement. Like she didn't just disappear without a word yeard ago."
Angela scoffed. "Wow. She's bold, I'll give her that. But, girl, you did good. Standing up to her like that."
"I didn't even know what to say at first," Lisa admitted. "I wasn't ready for it. And then Pedro… he just got so mad. It was like he was protecting me."
"I'm sure it was more than that," Anna chimed in, her voice softening. "He probably feels like he failed you by not telling you about her sooner. But you have to trust him, Lisa. He's made it clear who he wants to be with."
Angela sighed, clearly annoyed. "Honestly, though, Nicole needs to get over herself. Pedro isn't her backup plan anymore, and she needs to understand that. This game of hers? It's not gonna work."
"I know," Lisa murmured. "But I'm just… confused. Why now? Why come back after all this time? She just left without a word. It doesn't make sense."
Anna's voice was calm, yet firm. "Because she's trying to mess with you, Lisa. She doesn't care about Pedro anymore. She's just trying to see if she can get under his skin. And if she can hurt you in the process? Even better for her."
Angela added, "Exactly. And you've got Pedro now. He's made his choice. You can't let her get to you. I know it's tough, but trust that Pedro won't go back to her. He's over her. And if she doesn't get the message, you might have to be the one to show her how strong you are."
Lisa smiled softly, grateful for her friends' support. "Thanks, guys. I really needed to hear that."
Anna's voice softened. "Of course, girl. We've got your back. Always."
Angela continued, "Yeah, don't let that psycho mess with your head. You're with Pedro now. Don't let anyone, especially her, make you doubt that."
Lisa sighed, her shoulders relaxing. "You're right. I just don't want her causing problems for us."
Anna laughed. "She's gonna try, but she's not going to win. Pedro isn't stupid, and he knows exactly what she's up to."
Lisa chuckled a little. "I hope so. I guess I'll have to talk to him about it, though. I don't want her showing up again."
"You'll handle it, girl," Angela said confidently. "Just keep being strong and keep your boundaries. Don't let her pull you into her drama. You and Pedro are better than that."
"Yeah," Lisa agreed softly. "We are."
---
End of the Call
Lisa sat back on the couch, her phone still in her hand, staring out the window. A little bit of weight had lifted off her shoulders. She had her friends' support, and now it was time to have that conversation with Pedro. She would make sure Nicole knew she wasn't welcome, and more importantly, she would make sure Pedro knew that she wasn't going anywhere.
Scene: Pedro's apartment – evening
The rain patters gently against the windows, casting a cozy glow over the softly lit living room. Lisa curls up beside Pedro on the couch, her legs tucked under her, a blanket draped over them. Pedro hands her a glass of wine, then settles next to her, his arm slipping around her shoulders.
Lisa: "Pedro… can I ask you something without you getting all defensive?"
Pedro: chuckles softly "That depends… is it about Nicole?"
Lisa: arches a brow "How'd you know?"
Pedro: sighs "Because it's the one thing I've been trying not to think about all day."
Lisa: "I just… I need to understand. She left you, right? Without a word. And now she's back—"
Pedro: interrupting gently "She left years ago. Disappeared. No calls, no goodbye. I searched for her, Lisa. I was a mess. Then I moved on. I met you."
Lisa: softly "But she still thinks she has a place in your life."
Pedro: serious now, turning to face her "She doesn't. I don't want her. I want you. She might try to cause trouble, but trust me—she doesn't stand a chance."
Lisa: nods slowly "I believe you. But it still freaks me out. Especially now that I'm leaving for Windhoek tomorrow. What if she shows up again?"
Pedro: grinning, trying to lighten the mood "Well, you could stay…"
Lisa: laughing "Don't tempt me."
Pedro: leaning closer "But what if I want to tempt you?"
He presses a slow kiss to her neck, his fingers brushing her jaw, tilting her face toward him.
Lisa: teasing "We're supposed to be talking about Nicole."
Pedro: murmurs against her lips "I'd rather talk with my hands right now…"
---
The wine is forgotten on the table as their laughter melts into breathless moans. Clothes scatter across the floor. Pedro lifts Lisa onto the couch, their bodies fitting together like puzzle pieces. His kisses trail from her collarbone down to her stomach, and her fingers knot in his hair.
Pedro: "You're mine, Lisa. Every inch of you."
Lisa: breathless "Only yours…"
Their bodies collide in the heat of raw need, the couch creaking beneath them as passion takes over. He worships her with every touch, every kiss—slow, deep, and consuming. Their moans echo through the room like a symphony of love and desire, nothing but each other existing in that moment.
Later, wrapped in each other's arms, their skin slick with sweat and hearts still racing, Pedro presses a kiss to Lisa's temple.
Pedro: "You drive me insane, you know that?"
Lisa: smiling sleepily "Good. I intend to."