"Hey Fernando! Come get down here!"
He hustles down the stairs and meets Carlos in the foyer.
"What's up?"
"I got a call from Dee and it sounds serious. I need you to hold everything down while I'm out."
"What? You don't want me to come with you?"
He sighs, "You still scared to shoot a gun?"
"I'll see you soon, boss."
"Yup." Carlos walks down the stairs and out the front door and I'm met by all my security workers.
"Hey boss! You heading out for a drink?!"
"No, someone needs my help so three of you load up and tail me."
His playful tone changes, "Right away sir."
The guys load up into separate cars and makes their way to Dee's apartment. Once there, Carlos informs the men to wait in the car while he goes up to check on them.
"Hey, I got your text and I'm outside now. You want me to come up?"
"No, I'll be down in a second."
He goes to reply but she hangs up and no more than a minute later, Dee and a woman who he's never seen before come outside with panic plastered across their faces.
"Carlos." Dee runs to him and throws her arms around his neck.
Surprised by her sudden, he takes a second to hug her back. "Hey, what the hell's going on?"
She lets him go, "Can we get outta here? I'll tell you in the car but I really don't wanna be here."
"Uh sure, but my car only seats two so your friend will have to ride back with my boys."
He looks over at her, "Is that alright with you?"
She nods and he motions for his men to get out of the car.
"Ella está con ustedes tres, no jodan."
(She's with you three, don't screw around.)
"Yes sir."
...
Dee stays close to me as the others drive off before us. When we get into my, car she takes a deep breath and tightly holds on to the seat while looking out of the window.
"Dee, you wanna tell me what the hell is going on?"
I glance at her in the over-head mirror but she continues to look out the window.
"He brought the whole fucking gang...I shoulda stayed and killed his ass."
"Killed who? Talk to me, Butterfly."
"Fucking Ray. He's pissed that took that USB and didn't fuck him, so he got all his bitch-ass home boys to come jump me. But I called you and I guess he left."
"What the fuck kinda bullshit is that?"
"I don't know but it was weird."
"Weird? How was that weird?"
"I wasn't scared...I was ready to take on all them but instead of grabbing my gun, I called you. Ain't that weird?"
She pulls her legs up to her chest.
"No. I don't think that's weird at all. I think that calling me was the best thing you coulda done."
"No...That's not like me. I would never call for help."
"God, you sound like Kaz, always so stubborn."
"You don't get it. I don't know why I always feel the need to call you or talk to you."
'I feel the same way, Butterfly.'
"Is that so bad?"
The car stops at a red light and I finally get the chance to look her in the eyes.
"I don't know...Maybe not?"
I smile at her and for some reason I blush when she smiles back.
"Gotdamnit Carlos, the light's green."
I chuckle and drive off. "Can I be honest with you for a second Dee?"
She glances over at me with her brows scrunched and a frown on her face. "Ion know...Most people only say that when something bad is finna happen."
"Well I can assure you that it's nothing like that, I want to tell you that-"
"Wait...If this is some kinda love confession then let me tell you right now that I can't do that."
What? I wasn't going to say anything like that to her but hearing her say those things...hurt me? I decide to keep my mouth shut instead of responding.
"Was that what you were gonna tell me?"
"No, I was just going to tell you that now would be a good time for you to move your things into the guest house." What a load of crap.
She looks embarrassed and smacks her forehead; "Omigod Carlos, I feel so arrogant and stupid. I'm so sorry for assuming that you were gonna-"
"It's fine." I cut her off before she can finish. I don't know why but after that remark I found myself falling back into my old nature. Why the hell did that have such an effect on me? She's not mine nor do we date. But still, I can't help but wonder what she meant when she said she can't do love. I push my thoughts of her away and we drive back to my place without speaking a world to her again.