I got a cubicle for a work station.Nice cubicle by the way!And guess who I was going to be working with?Jenny!Whom I didn't seem to like.I think I hated blondes.I couldn't explain it.I just knew I hated them.They made me cringe.Why would anyone in the world have blonde for a hair color?Weird hair color equals weird personality.
"You got a whole office?You really are Xavi's son!"I exclaimed when I entered Carl's office."You forgot to knock,"Carlos teased me.He was on a phone call but ended it with a 'call you back' as soon as he saw me.He was seated on his office table. "I'll remember to knock next time,I promise,"I said. "You miss me already?After bullying me this morning?"He asked. "I'm sorry.I freaked out about the drug test,"I said.He nodded."That answers only one part of the question,"he spoke and I noticed his red colored lips."You're the only one I can talk to around here,"I said and he raised his eyebrows at me. "You like my company,admit it,"he stated and smiled about it.I rolled my eyes at him. "Why have you been drinking wine?It's your first day.That's bad for business Carl,"I said. "Dad made me drink wine with him.He says the wine is 100 years old,the first to be made by his grandpa who started this winery,"he said and color drained from my face.Dad offered him the wine on his first day at the winery!It was happening,soon,and I had just missed out on the party.No one had even considered extending an invite to me.I had been passed over.What did I know about companies anyway?
"Are you okay?"Carl's voice brought me back to reality.I nodded,but I wasn't.I swear I just wanted to be friends with him but at that moment when I looked at him,I knew I was staring at my competition.I had to compete for my father's love with him yet I had spent ninenteen years with him. "He's making you CEO,"I whispered trying to hide how hurt I was."What!"Carlos was surprised. "Xavi is about to make you CEO,"I said it again. "That's a ridiculous thing to say Eva,"Carlos said. "It's a family tradition Carl.The next CEO gets to drink the old wine with the current CEO.Xavi talks about his first time drinking the wine every time.You should be knowing these stuff Carlos.He's your dad,"I said and I blinked in a bid to stop tears from rolling down my face.I didn't expect it to hurt me that much.I never wanted to be CEO but God!It hurt.It really hurt. "Don't do that,"Carlos said. "Do what?"I asked. "Hide what you're feeling,"he said. "It's been an emotional rollercoaster Carl!One day I found out Xavi has a son,he moves in the next day and boom!He's the guy that fucked me a year ago!On the third day,the CEO position is just given to him!I'm tired of feeling because I don't even know what to feel anymore.I don't,I don't,"I found myself saying.
"Sorry.I'm not blaming you.I think I need some time alone,"I said and turned to leave.
He held my hand and I turned to face him once again."Don't do drugs,please,"he requested.He was even making requests!How did we get there? "I can't promise you that,"I said and broke free from his grip.I wanted to be out of that place so bad. "Car keys?"He asked.I shook my head. "Keep them.And get your own car,"I said my last words as I walked out of his new office.I needed some air.I just walked away not knowing where I was going.As soon as I went through the gate,I took out my vape and considered taking a few puffs but decided against it.I had a date that evening and I didn't want to ruin it by showing up high.What a life!
***
So many missed calls!From the one and only Carlos Gomez.
"You don't have to blow up my phone with so many calls ,"I said as I picked up. "Where are you?"He asked. "At the water park,few metres from the winery.I'm fine Carl,"I assured him. "I'm coming to get you,"he said. "No!Dad needs you at the winery,"I said. "I wanna talk,"he said and I could hear him breathing so hard at the other end of the line. "Okay,"I whispered before he hang up.He was a part of my life whether I liked it or not.I didn't hate it.It actually felt so good to not feel lonely.I guess,I was just scared of letting him in.He was too good to be true. "Took you long enough,"I said as soon as he got out of the car.My car. "I just can't ditch work whenever I feel like it,"he said. "I ditched work on the first day,"it came to my realization and I crossed my arms in frustration. "You don't like it.Your job,"he pointed out. "I didn't realize I was an open book,"I said and proceeded to sit down.Carlos joined me. "Only to those who watch you closely,"he said. "You watch me?"I asked. "I don't need to answer that,do I?"He spoke."You don't,"I replied. "How do you feel about me?"He asked. "I feel a lot of things about you,"I said. "You don't hate me,right?"He asked. "I wouldn't be sitting here if I did,"I replied.He nodded. "Are you jealous of me?"He asked.I felt like it was the question that was burning him the most.I looked away from his burning gaze."You can say it,"he encouraged me. "You make me jealous,"I said.It was like admitting to a monster that he makes you scared.It doesn't really help the situation.Just makes you look vulnerable. "I can walk away from all these CEO stuff if it makes you feel better.Just say the word,"he said.I could see the pain in his eyes as he said that.He loved the company.He enjoyed working there and I wasn't going to be the one to take that away from him.Like I said,he was too good to be true! "You are crazy!Too crazy!Don't do that.I don't even like working there.Stop feeling entitled to taking care of me and making me happy,"I said and he smiled. "I'm an adult.Even though I don't act like one sometimes,"I said and burst out laughing because it was true.He took my hand and pressed it into his.
"I'm not your competition,Eva.I want to be your friend or someone who looks out for you and listens to you,"he said. "You won't leave,right?Everyone leaves,all the time Carl,"I found myself expressing my biggest insecurity."I'll be right here,I promise,"he said and pulled me in for a kiss.God!I couldn't resist him.He made me feel so many things at the same time.Desire,jealousy,anger...
Desire seemed to overpower all the other emotions I felt for him.I pushed them aside and kissed him back.I wanted to enjoy that moment and regret it later.His lips tasted like the red wine that he had just been drinking with Xavi earlier.He began to retreat,fearing that he might have taken things a little too far.I whispered an "it's okay" and he brought his lips back to meet mine.Soon,it was a fight of our tongues as each our tongues tried to devour each other's mouths.His kisses were poisonous!His lips slowly left my lips and trailed down to my neck.A moan escaped mine.What was he doing?Giving me a hickey? "Carlos,stop,"I begged.He stopped and when he looked at me,the atmosphere went from intense to awkward really quick.I didn't even want to ask him why he kissed me because I knew I loved it.Every bit of it."You are about to ask me to forget it happened,"he said."And to never bring it up,"he added.I shook my head.
"I have a date tonight,"I said.
"Okay,good,"he said. "Good?Is this a game to you?"I wondered. "I don't play games Eva.I've been wanting to kiss you...for a while now.I missed your kisses,"he whispered in a hoarse voice.He was referring to the one night stand. "I loved it.Every bit of it.But I have a date tonight and I don't want to fuck it up,"I said and he grabbed my arm.Gave it a little squeeze."What's his name?"He asked.
"Fabian,"I said. "You love him?"he asked.I nodded.Did I?
"Okay.Don't,ghost me,"he said and I smiled. "We live in the same house Carl,"I reminded him. "You have lipstick on your lips,"I added.
Dear,reader,I was in for a bumpy ride.A real emotional rollercoaster.