Simply Yours (on break)

25) Valentina

How sweet.

Mateo held my hand, but as his fingers touched mine, I couldn't help but imagine it to be Demi's instead.

"You think we're doing a good job?" I ask.

"We're fine, but control your boy; he keeps glaring."

"He's your brother." I whisper with a sense of annoyance.

"Yet he will do anything for you over his own brother." I didn't argue because it was true.

Mateo was his brother; he could've killed me when he could, but he chose me.

As we entered, it seemed like a scene out of Beauty and the Beast. The ceiling was adorned with religious art, hand-drawn clouds, and angels flying across the vast expanse.

"I wish I could do art like that," I say.

"You like the work?" Demi mutters as he walks beside me.

"It's beautiful," I respond.

He smiles softly, and Mateo leads us ahead.

The rest of the building, a testament to time, was draped in melted gold. Only small pieces hinted at its true age. The staircase bore cracks in hidden spots, and the sculpted art displayed signs of wear with pieces missing.

There was a cacophony of chatter and discussions, yet it felt strangely lonely. In every corner, it was about business, money, and perhaps even blackmail.

All the women were stunning, adorned in gowns that perfectly suited them. Similarly, the men were clad in suits worth more than myself.

As all three of us took the last step, everyone glanced at us.

Do I have a brownie piece in my teeth or is it lipstick? Either way, remind me to smack Demi.

"Why is it so quiet?" I ask.

"It's quiet because it's yours and Demetrius' first time here, and I look great as well," Mateo laughs.

The longest ten seconds finally disappeared, and everyone was back bustling into conversation.

"Are you alright?" Demi pulls me aside, and Mateo glares with annoyance.

"I'm okay; we need to keep our cover," I explain.

"Fuck our cover." I squeeze his hand in reassurance and smile at him.

I went back with Mateo, disgust pouring out of me. My arm is in his, and immediately a couple came to speak to us straight away.

"Mateo, so this is the girl Mr. Garcia has been hiding," a gorgeous woman queried. She wore a blue gown, and her lipstick was a dark red.

As she said my father's surname, a sudden realization that he wasn't here attacked me.

Where was he? He comes to this event every year.

"Have you seen my father?" I push the question a little too suspiciously.

Officially time to be a spy. I need to change out of this dress and pull out my spy suit.