It was a calm evening with a summer breeze.
I was dining with Carlos, discussing the terms of our new agreement.
The place was dimly lit, mostly timber-furnished; the decor was dull and bland, in a Scandinavian style.
The boring lounge music was so generic.
Eduardo stood beside us, trying to kill Carlos with his eyes.
After the unfortunate creature Benjamin’s scandal, his father canceled the contracts and agreements.
I was actually surprised at how much power they had.
I always thought Daddy was the biggest until that day.
Any who, we were lucky to find a backup partner.
Carlos’s company was as strong as Alvarado’s.
Alvarado’s…
That company felt like God’s hand.
After the Sol Food’s money laundering scandal, they appeared like a rainbow in a stormy weather.
“Would you like to have another glass of wine, Emily?” Carlos asked, very gently.
“No, thank you,” I responded with a smile.
“Actually, I’d call it a night here, if that’s fine with you too.”
We had talked about the terms, benefits, marketing strategies, and future collaborations.
The rest of the work would be done at the company.
“Actually, I’d like you to accompany me for one more drink,” he responded to my offer.
I sensed what was bugging Eduardo; Carlos was literally hitting on me.
This was what he‘d asked for.
I wasn’t one to blame.
If you don’t have the guts to stand behind your intimacy, you have to face the consequences.
I knew a little flirt wouldn’t kill anyone, so I lightly brushed Carlos’s hand, resting on the table.
“What do you offer besides the drink?” I asked with all my cheekiness and blinked.
I knew Eduardo’s eyes were burning with pure jealousy; even though he was beside me, I could sense the heat radiating from them toward my shoulders.
I was furious with him.
I couldn’t believe he’d stopped seeing me just because of his inferiority complex.
So what if my father wanted to reward him for protecting me?
I’m not defending Daddy; his gesture felt more offensive than generous, yet that didn’t mean Eduardo wasn’t overreacting.
Carlos’s hand moved and his fingers climbed the back of my wrist with gentle strokes.
Eduardo would kiss them with passionate yet tender touches…
It had already been two weeks since then, and God, I was missing Eduardo so bad!
“Maybe a good conversation,” Carlos whispered in response to my question.
“With such a beautiful woman like you are, something besides work to cherish her beauty…” His grin was so daring, and I could tell where he gained the boldness.
I gently pulled back my hand and forced myself to smile to cover all the discomfort.
I cleared my throat and gazed my eyes around the restaurant.
When I took a deep breath, my eyes found Eduardo’s.
I wasn’t happy to see myself in there at that moment.
“So, I’m refreshing your wine, señorita?” Carlos asked to bring my attention back to himself.
“I…” My voice shuttered.
Just one eye contact and I was already crumbling.
I took a deep breath, squeezed the ecru linen napkin that was placed under my left palm, and steadied my voice.
“I actually would like to have some water.”
“Some water?” he asked to confirm if he heard right.
“Yes, just water,” I confirmed.
“I heard you were an eccentric woman, but I wasn’t expecting quite that much,” he said with a short, insolent laugh.
I mirrored his laughter immediately.
“Oh, Carlos… Isn’t it funny how women who know their limits, get what they need, and take what they want are called ‘eccentric’ this decade? That pronoun’s been upgraded from ‘witch’. Shall I be grateful for I’m not getting burned at the stake?”
He leaned back and raised his hands like he was surrendering to the cops.
“Chill, woman!
I’m sensing too much offense here.”
“Yeah, sure…
I’m the offended one.
So, am I getting my water or what?” I snapped my fingers.
“Water… H2O… Basic human need! Are you gonna be questioning my beverage preference, or will you order my water?”
That was overreacting, but I was already off the rails.
Sadly, no turning back…
“I’m going to visit the washroom,” he said.
He was trying to escape, I could tell.
“I’ll let the waiter know about your water, don’t worry,” he said and left the table.
A few seconds later, I saw a hand sneaking onto the table, passing a tissue napkin that he had written on.
“I never saw you treating anyone kindly, but me, Ma’am…” His arrogance was too much for me.
I saw the waiter coming with my water.
I thanked him after his service and told him to throw the napkin in the trash.
So that was my response to Eduardo; his opinion equals trash…
After my water and Carlos’s wine, we left.
My staff (the bodyguard crew) was in my car, and I was with Carlos.
I talked to Bernardo on the phone until I arrived to the mansion.
I did that to ignore Carlos.
There was no reason for me to flirt with him when Eduardo wasn’t around to make jealous.
“Any who, chico. Emily on, Emily off!” I said to Bernardo on the phone when I arrived at my mansion. Visit novelping.com for the full chapter.
“You make me feel used by you most of the time, Emily,” he said.
“I am your boss, of course I take advantage of you, Bernardo. Just be grateful that I am gentle and get over it.”
I hung up the phone while he was laughing.
My door was opened by Carlos’s chauffeur, as was his.
I thought he left the car to say goodbye to me.
“You’re inviting me out for the rest of the night, right, Emily?” he asked shamelessly.
That hit me like ice cold water.
How could he have the nerve to expect that?
Our dinner was strictly for business and that was crystal clear from the start.
“I’m sorry, why would I? Let’s call it a night. See you tomorrow at work, Carlos.” I tapped his shoulder.
He grabbed my wrist and pulled me close.
Eduardo immediately pulled me back and punched him square in the face.
I think he broke his nose, it was bleeding.
That punch didn‘t stop Eduardo, he kicked Carlos in the stomach.
He staggered back because of the kick but kept his balance.
“You messed with the wrong guy,” he threatened Eduardo.
He had a point by saying that: two of his bodyguards pinned Eduardo, and Carlos drew his gun.
I couldn’t believe this was happening.
Eduardo was trapped in Carlos’s crew’s grip; my own bodyguards stood frozen.
“Why aren’t you doing anything?” I demanded in horror.
“Do something!” I shouted.
Nobody, not even one person moved.
’‘Do your fucking job, you cowards!’’ I shouted.
It felt like a nightmare.
“Go inside,” Eduardo told me.
How could he expect me to just leave?
God!
I had to do something.
My eyes locked on the gun holstered at one of my bodyguard’s waist.
If he wouldn’t use it, I would.
I couldn’t abandon Eduardo like that.
I snatched the gun, pointed to Carlos and fired without even aiming.
I, Emily Arquette!
The billionaire heiress, noble daughter of a noble businessman Timothy Arquette…
Had just shot my business partner to be.
All for a bodyguard.