Beauty and the beast

33

"Okay, we can head out now," Isa stated and she stood up from the seat Nadia sat in.

"Thank you for uhm having me, and for the food," Nadia awkwardly spoke and I nodded my head at her as they walked to the elevator.

"Enjoy ladies," I waved them goodbye as the doors closed.

I cleaned up the dishes and took a shower before readying myself for work. I know it's Saturday but I have some work to get done.

I parked my car in the parking and made my way up to my office. The building was empty so I didn't have to deal with anyone today. The week was hard enough. Sure I was taking care of Nadia but I worked from home whenever she slept.

I worked quietly until my idiot best friend barged into my office.

"I knew I'd find you here," Joshua beamed as he threw himself into a chair in front of mine.

I groaned and rubbed my temple before looking at the ceiling for grace.

"What do you want Josh?" I groaned and Joshua smiled like a lunatic.

"Can't I just see my favourite brother?" I narrowed my eyes at him and he raised his hands in surrender.

"Okay okay, I'm just here to find out if you finally asked Nadia out?"

What is it with people and that question today?

"Where did that even come from?" I asked as I stood to pour us each a drink.

I handed him a glass of whiskey and sat down with my own. I felt like I needed a drink for whatever he was about to say.

"Grace told me she, Jessica, Isabel and Nadia would be at a spa day that you paid for. So of course I wondered if you finally grew the balls to ask Nadia out," Josh smirked and swirled his drink.

I groaned and took a swing of my drink.

"So I take it you haven't. Why? I know you like her, you know you like her-"

"I don't," I defended and put my empty glass down.

"Bullshit," he replied and watched my reaction.

"Did you just come here to ridicule me over nonsense or do you have something important to talk about?" I asked growing annoying with Joshua.

Joshua has been around my whole life since we were kids. He's like one of my brothers at this point and just like one of my brothers, he's annoying as hell.

"Look, I think Nadia is good for you. She's smart, kind, and nothing like -,"

"Don't fucking say her name," I stopped him through my gritted teeth.

"Look, all I'm saying is don't let a good thing fall through your fingers because you're scared of being hurt. Nadia's not her," with that Joshua leaves my office and I continued working.

Well trying to work. I typed mindlessly for hours and I was pulled out of my thoughts as my ringtone rang through my office.

I looked at my phone and saw Nadia's name pop up. I answered and relaxed in my seat as I listened to her speak.

"Hi Mateo," she greeted and my heart warmed at the way she said my name.

"Hi, did you enjoy your day?" I asked and rocked in my chair.

"I did, that's actually why I called you. To say thank you. I really needed it," she spoke and I could see the smile on her face. She sounded so relaxed and I loved it.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it. Did Isa fit in with your friends?" I asked because I knew Isabel didn't have friends because due to the fact that she was popular and feared people would use her for her money. 

Nadia and her friends would be good for her.

"She did. We're all going drinking later," my heart jumped into my throat and I immediately felt protective over her.

"Are you sure that's a good idea?" I asked wanting her to stay home instead.

"We'll be fine Mateo. We're going to Joshua's club so he'll be there if anything goes wrong," she defended and I sighed.

"Call me if anything happens. I'm serious about that," 

She was quiet so I assumed she was thinking about what I answered.

"Okay," she simply answered and it went quiet again.

"Are you working?" she asked and I stared at the papers around my desk.

"Yeah" 

"Oh, I wanted you to come with but it's okay. I'll let you know if I need any help," she hung up after that and I stared at my black phone screen.

Lord give me the strength.