I spent my day feeding the horses.I just didn't want to be around that Carlos guy.Feeding the horses was one way to keep me busy.
"Miss Eva,you have a visitor."One of the workers brought a message to me.I walked back to the mansion but there was no one in the living room."In your room,"my nanny said after she noticed I was confused.Visitor in my room?No questions asked,I climbed the stairs and entered my room but still there was no one.It was then that I realized that the door leading to the balcony was open.I walked to the balcony and there he was.Gazing at the stars just like he always did.He was a grown man and he looked handsome as always.
"Fabian!Is it really you?"I emotionally asked as we threw arms around each other.My best friend was back like he never left three years ago.
"Of course it's me,"he whispered.
"I'm sorry I left,"he added as he tightened the grip around me.He smelled nice as always."Where have you been?Why did you leave?Why did you never call me?"I asked some of the questions that I had as I broke away from the warm embrace. "It's complicated.And I don't think I want to talk about it yet.I'll tell you someday,I promise,"he replied.It wasn't the answer the answer I was wishing for but I found solace in the fact that he promised to tell me one day.
Fabian was my best friend since childhood.We went to the same highschool and since he was three years older than me,he always protected me from the bullies.As soon as he graduated from highschool,he left without saying goodbye or why.He never called.It's like he just vanished into thin air.I was just glad he was back.
"I brought you a gift by the way,"he said. "Really?What did you bring?"I sounded excited. "Come on,I'll show you,"he took me by my hand and led me to my room.We sat on my bed as he opened a box beside the bed to reveal painting boards."Painting boards!"I exclaimed.
"Don't tell me you stopped painting,"he said sounding disappointed."Honestly,I stopped.I guess it's time I get back to it,"I said with a smile. "Thanks for the boards,they are beautiful,"I appreciated."Beautiful boards for a beautiful lady,"he said and planted a kiss near the corner of my mouth.
"Don't you leave me again,"I said and broke down.I didn't want to be lonely all over again. "I won't,I promise.I'm sorry I hurt you,"he apologized all over again and wiped away my tears with his thumb.I nodded.
"Tell me,what haveyou been up to?Big spoon coming through,"he asked and pulled me to bed with him.We lay facing in the same direction as he put an arm around my waist. "Nothing really.My life is quite boring right now.You see,Xavi is not my biological father and he has a son.He just moved in today,"I stated. "Whoa!I'm sorry about that.How does it make you feel?"He asked."I don't know how to feel about it.I'm just scared that this family is going to break.Mum and dad fight so much,"I explained. "It's gonna be okay,"he assured me. "I hope,"I said. "Aren't you ever curious about who your real dad is?"he changed the topic."No.I'm scared of knowing him.What if I never grow to love him?"I asked. "You shouldn't spend your life worrying about that.Xavi loves you,he's your father,"Faby said to me.
Silence prevailed for a few minutes before he changed the topic."Did you get yourself a boyfriend?"He asked."Nope,"I responded. "How comes?You're pretty.Guys should be bowing at your feet,"he said.
"I'm a mess Faby,"I said because I knew why I never wanted to let anyone too close to me.Romantic relationships scared the shit out of me and men just seemed disposable to me.
"A pretty mess,"he said and I smiled."Trust me,I'm more of a mess than you are,"he added.
"How so?"I asked.
"I'll tell you about it one day,"he said and I knew it was one of the things that he wasn't willing to share with me,yet. "It's okay,"I assured him.
"I should get going,"he said."Already?"I sounded disappointed. "Yeah.I need to help my dad with something,"he said."Okay,"I responded.
"Can we hang out tomorrow?"I threw in the question."We could get some ice cream or coffee.Whatever you want,"I added. "Are you asking me out on date Miss Eva?"He turned to face me with a beautiful smile on his face."I don't know,maybe it's a date,"I said with a smile on my face.
"I'll pick you up at 8:00 pm.I prefer a dinner date,"he said."Alright,I can't wait,"I couldn't hide my excitement.He kissed me on the cheek and walked out of my room.His cologne still filled the air in my room.I took a quick shower and headed downstairs for dinner.Dad and Carlos whom I had barely seen the rest of that day were already at the table,laughing and knocking fists.They were talking about chess.My dad was a big fan of chess.'Big brother' was taking my place way too first.It made me jealous,really jealous.
I took a seat at the dining table without saying a word.My food was served and I embarked on it in silence.An idea struck my mind and I decided to act on it without thinking twice."Dad,is that job offer still available?I want to work at the winery,"I said. "Of course my dear.Are you being serious?"Dad asked.I nodded.
"In that case,you start tomorrow.I know you are a good events planner.You can handle that,right?"He spoke to me."Of course dad,I can't wait to start,"I said and the initial silence dominated once again.
***"
"Why the sudden change in heart?I thought you were into fashion,"my nanny asked me that night as we talked over a cup of coffee in the kitchen. "I haven't even received my letter of acceptance into beauty school.I can work at the winery in the meantime,"I defensively said. "I know that.You haven't answered my question,"she said.That woman knew me so well! "I want to be close to dad,"I said and she rolled her eyes at me."Whatever you wanna say,I don't want to hear it.Yeah,it is a stupid decision,I know,"I added. "Fine.I won't say anything,"she assured me. "There comes your one night stand,"nanny teased me as Carlos walked into the kitchen. "Please stop!"I begged her. "I heard that,"Carlos announced as he got in the kitchen. "She kisses and tells,"my nanny said to Carlos. "Okay!You two can have each other.I'm outta here,"I said and started walking out of the kitchen.I just didn't want to hear them tease me. "Don't leave,I was hoping we could talk.In private,"Carlos said. "Okay,we could take a walk outside,"I suggested.
"Sure,"he said.We walked in silence as I waited for him to start the conversation but he didn't. "You wanted to talk,"I said to him as we stopped walking and turned to face each other. "You look nervous,"I pointed out as I saw him rub his tip of the nose.According to me,that was a sign of nervousness."Maybe I am nervous,"he said. "I want to apologize for what I said this morning.That was harsh,I'm sorry,"he said.
"What about for having sex with me back in Los Angeles?I know I came on to you but you knew who I was.You should have turned me down,"I said. "I didn't know how to turn you down.I didn't want to.I mean you are this pretty girl who wears nice perfume.I couldn't resist you and I'm sorry we are in this awkward situation,"he said.He was being honest I could tell.
"We can just forget that ever happened.We don't ever talk about it.You don't get to call me sister,I don't call you brother.You're just Carlos to me and I'm Eva to you.We already crossed that sister-brother line,"I said. "I guess we have a deal.We can be friends,right?"He suggested.
"Don't push it.Friendship has to be earned.I don't want to pretend that I like you already.I just found out about you the other day and next thing I knew,you were moving in.I haven't had time to process anything.Give me time to get to know you,"I said.
"That sounded very honest.Well,take all the time you need.I'll be here,waiting to be your friend,"he said.I nodded.God!He had a strong American accent.I liked it.