I could feel my heart thrumming as I stood in front of his desk. It felt like forever before he even acknowledged my presence. He was busy attending to his small plant, pruning, his spectacles lying low on his nose for support.
The only sounds in the room were that of the clock as it moved, the pair of scissors whenever he pruned a leaf from his plant and my beating heart. I wonder if he could hear it?
"Camila, right?" He asked, looking at me through his glasses as he settles the pair of scissors on the desk and leaned down on his chair.
" Yes sir." I replied.
"How long have you been working here Camila?" I hate it when my name comes out of his mouth already.
" Four months sir."
" And for those four months Camila, have you seen any of our employees disrespect a customer?" Where is this conversation heading to?
" I've never experienced anything of the sort sir." I reply nonchalantly although my head screamed otherwise. I'm totally screwed! That's for sure.
" Well, because of your indecency the other day. You made us lose someone who was going to invest much in this restaurant. We are back to square one Camila. And it's all because of you and that protective brat that came to your rescue that night. You know, it could have been easier if you just let it go and tell that guy to keep his anger issues to himself cause no one really cared Camila. No one would have even remembered anything and the world would have just moved on fine." He said, now throwing hands in the air.
" But what did you do? You just let that guy defend you, at the same time ashaming the entrepreneur. We've lost a big contract young girl. I'm not sorry to say that you are fired. Leave my office, and don't forget to grab your things on your way out." He said, sending me deadly glares. What?
I felt like the whole world shattering around me as what he said kept repeating itself inside my head. You are fired. You are fired. Don't forget to grab your things on your way out.
" Please sir. I don't have anything left-"
" Did you think about that at that time? I guess not. Please leave before security drives you out." He scoofed pointing towards the door.
I couldn't prevent the tears that flowed down my face uncontrollably as I ran out of the office. Reina was at the front bar as she saw me running towards the locker room and quickly followed me.
" Camila, are you okay." She asked as I quickly changed back to my home clothes.
" I need to go Reina. Please." I begged, before grabbing my bag and started running out of the restaurant. I ignored the weird stares the customers were sending my way as I quickened my pace.
A pair of hands stopped me before I could make it towards the door.
" Hey, what's wrong?" That rich deep voice asked me. I would recognise it from anywhere.
" Camy." He murmured, before turning me around to face him. The concern look he once held turned into anger as he saw the tears that stung my eyes.
" What did he do?" He asked, anger radiating through his voice.
" Luca, please. I don't need this right now. I just need to go home." I pleaded, my eyes boring into his.
His features softened a bit. He nodded his head and intertwined his hands with mine before walking out of the restaurant.
" You need to tell me what happened in there Camy." He argued as we arrived at a secluded area.
He did not let go of my arm but just held on to it and rubbed it softly as he turned to me.
"Please." He pleaded, as he reached out his hand and wiped away the tears forming on my face. His fingers were rough against my skin. I closed my eyes in response and let out a heavy sigh.
" He fired me." I whispered. His fingers stopped stroking my chin and I opened my eyes only to find him staring at me. There was an unreadable expression in his eyes.
" It's not your fault Luca." I said. Maybe he's regretting the way he defended me.
" You think I'm bothered by that?" He asked, trying to hide his anger. " He doesn't deserve you Camila. I'm here and I'll help you in whatever you need." He said as he continued stroking my cheeks.
"I don't want to be dependent on you Luca. Thanks for the offer anyway. I really appreciate it." I replied, forcing a smile.
I mean, the guy has already done enough. He doesn't need to have pity on me just because I cannot stand up for myself.
" It's not an offer Camy. It's partly my mistake. I let my anger get the best of me and because of that, you lost your job. But I'm happy and I don't even regret defending you in there. You deserve more of that in your day to day life. Especially during times you cannot do it yourself." He said, a grin forming on his face at his last statement.
" Hey! You are calling me a weakling." A small smile played on my lips as I slapped his shoulder.
" You said it. Not me." He chuckled, raising his hands in surrender and let go of mine.
" Thank you." I sincerely said as we walked out of the gate and stood by the road.
"For what?" He asked looking at the passing cars.
" For being there when I need someone to have my back."
" I'll always be there Camila. Always." Always Camy. He'll always be there. I swear my heart exploded with joy once those words fell out his mouth.
♡
" It's a miracle." The doctor said as he smiled down at my mom who was lying back at her bed. A genuine smile formed on my face as I squeezed her hand and placed a peck on her forehead. It's working. The meds are working. My mom is getting better.
" Mina, could you give me a minute with your mom?" The doctor asked, calling me by my second name. There was some kind of intention in his voice.
I nodded my head and stood from my mother's side and walked back to the living room. I wasn't surprised to find Rafael sitted on the couch drumming his fingers on its arms.
Immediately he noted my presence, he stood but didn't walk up to me. He maintained his distance.
" I'm sorry. I accompanied my dad here. I wanted us to talk." His voice held sadness.
The doctor, Mr. Castillo, is Rafael's father. He has been treating my mom's illness for the past one year. They have been like family ever since. Mr. Castillo treats me like his daughter. He's this charismatic, kind, wonderful and caring doctor who easily gets along with people.
" Rafael, I don't want to fight with you." I pleaded.
" I don't want either Camila. That's why I'm here to ask for your forgiveness."
He slowly walked up to me, his eyes scanning my face for anything.
" I'm really sorry sweetie. I didn't mean to get all angry and blow it all on you." He said taking my hands into his and placed his lips on both, sending tingles through them.
" Yeah. That was so wrong of you." I agreed with him. Just because he lost a race didn't give him a reason to throw tantrums at me reason being I was looking at another rider.
" I'll make it up to you. Tomorrow after the race. I have a surprise for you." He said, continuing placing kisses up my arm and when he reached my shoulders, he placed a swift kiss at the nape of my neck and pulled me for a hug.
I laid my head on his chest and wrapped my arms around his waist. I smiled to myself as I feel his lips on top of my head.
" Am I forgiven." He asked a few moments later.
" No." I replied, trying to hide my smile from him.
" Well, guess I'll have to pull that forgiveness from you by myself." He said. Before I could process his words, he lifted me up and carried me on his shoulders.
"Rafael! Put me down!" I screamed, hitting his shoulders playfully.
" Of course honey." He giggled and dropped me on the couch as he follows above me and started tickling me.
" Please stop!" I squeked in between laughter.
" Can't do. Not until I get what I want." He chuckled, tickling at the sides of my stomach which has me going insane.
Our laughter filled up the whole room as he continued with the torturous tickles. I won't give in to what he wants. No wayyyyyy.
" Rafa!" I squeked as his hands finds their way below my cardigan.
His fingers were soft and warm as they settled on my stomach. His eyes met mine and smiled. He started drawing circles on my stomach and leaned in, his hot breath massaging my face.
" I love you." He murmured, before diving in and kissed me. My arms found their way around his neck pulling him in until our bodies were in contact. He used the other free hand to hold himself up as the other one found their way to my hips holding me close.
" Sorry for ruining the beautiful moment guys but we really need to get going Rafael." A voice said, making me to push Rafa away from me.
Mr. Castillo and my mom were standing by mom's bedroom grinning down at us. I avoided their gaze and hid my face in my palms. This is so embarrassing right now.
" Couldn't you guys find a better time to come in here?" Rafael said as he got off the sofa and pulled me from it, uncovering my face.
" She's embarrassed because of you." He continued, glaring playfully at them and placed his arms over my shoulders.
They both raised their eyebrows and nodded their heads.
" Sorry guys. We did not mean to ruin the special moment." My mom grinned.
She walked towards the door and got out with Castillo following behind. As soon as they had walked down the steps, Rafael pulled me close and placed his forehead on mine.
" I'll be waiting." He said and found my lips once again.
" Camila!!!!!" My mom yelled from outside making me laugh between Rafael's lips as he rolled his eyes.
" Jeez! Parents can really be annoying!" He said as we walked hand in hand outside the house.
" Adiós Samantha." Castillo said and pecked my mother's cheeks. " Camila." He waved his hands at me and got in the SUV.
" Bye." Rafael murmured and placed a simple kiss on my forehead and joined his father.
As the car disappeared down the road, it passed the black saloon. There was a silhouette of a person moving in it, but stilled the moment it got me staring at it. It did not move and stayed like a statue.
" Camila, get in the house. It's getting cold." My mom said beside me.
" K mama." I replied and guided her back to the house but my eyes were still fixed on the car.
Who the hell is that? I really need to get help in this one.