Rodrigo gave a crooked smile as he walked closer to us." Who doesn't? You underestimate his popularity,"
"I bet I did" I replied sarcastically and gave a dry smile. The detective in me found his answer inadequate, like he read my mind he started explaining.
"We've crossed paths before, I… "
"You've seen Lorenzo face to face? ". I sprung out of my bed and interjected his reply. Aunt Carmen was a bit startled by my springing out of bed, my right hand was cupped in her hands the whole time. She'd have scolded me if I wasn't on the hospital bed but she simply rubbed my back and whispered for me to lay down and relax. I nodded obediently and lay down slowly as Rodrigo started talking.
"N-no, of course not, no one has. Lorenzo always wears a mask. My company suffered a major setback a few years back because he was hovering around us and trying to purchase the stocks in the company that would allow him access. When we found out, we rejected his offer and he lashed at us. He is so connected, we underestimated his ability to hurt us. He pulled so many strings against us and before we knew it, we were 20% below our usual productivity. It took us over a year to get our feet standing in the market again. " He concluded, his gaze had not left me since he started explaining like he was trying to show me his confidence in his story or trying to convince me but I didn't need conviction. I didn't think he had a reason to lie about Lorenzo.
"So you kinda have a personal vendetta with him" I teased then chuckled at the end.
"I'm not supposed to tell a Cop that now, am I? " He teased back then turned to my Aunt who was sitting beside me." It's nice to meet you, Aunt Carmen, am I permitted to call you that" His lips curved into a smile.
"By all means, son. Thanks for checking up on my daughter. We don't get to see the rich display such gestures frequently. You are a kind person, keep it up". Aunt Carmen appraised, and then she parted his back as he lowered his head beside her. He squeezed some money into her hand, and she gave him a what-for? look as she tried to slip her hand out of his without collecting the money but he pleaded.
"Please accept the token, it means nothing. I just want to assist in the feeding and whatever extra expenses this incident has caused you." He made a pleading face, then slipped the money into her hand." Take care, Valentina, Get well soon Maria" He bid us with a nice smile before heading out.
Immediately Rodrigo stepped out, Valentina burst forth rejoicing. I knew she just held in her curiosity and joy earlier when she saw Rodrigo squeeze some money into Aunt Carmen's hand. She's the only one who gets so excited about free money, Aunt Carmen and I don't mind rejecting it. I hate to be indebted to anyone.
"How much did he give us Mum?" She gave an anxious smile.
Aunt Carmen opened her palm and counted the bundle of 500 pesos notes in her hand." It's MXN 50,000!" She announced, a little more shocked than excited.
"MXN 50,000? Damn! He is such a generous man!" Valentina rejoiced. She hasn't closed her mouth since she started smiling so I thought it would break her spirit a little.
"I'm pretty sure he gave it to Aunt Carmen and not you, Valentina. The money is hers and not ours" She was quiet for a moment, she pursed her lips.
"Mama's money is our money" She defended.
That's how I went from almost dying to chattering my day with Valentina and Aunt Carmen. They just had a way of giving life to everything they touched. We weren't rich but we lived a happy and content life, Aunt Carmen made sure we had whatever we needed.
**
Maria's POV
I was bent on my system, trying to decipher a case. I missed my drawing board and desk at work. Now I was home, stuck with a paper and my system trying to figure out this case. It's been 1 week since I was discharged from the hospital, and my boss would not let me resume work so soon. Valentina walked into my room.
"You workaholic!" She yelled as she peeked at me opening the room's door slightly.
"Shut up!" I replied as I lifted my head to her face. She hurried to my bed. Now that I can see her well, she was holding a bouquet of rose flowers in her hand. She shoved the flower in my nose and took it back before I could grab it.
"What are you doing?"
"Trying to figure out this case"
"I thought you were on your recovery break"
"Yeah, but I just couldn't stay idle so I told Martinez to send the details of the case to me"
"Oh, that's why he came over last night and you guys went for dinner. There I thought something romantic was blooming, well thank God it's nothing romantic" Her lips curved after she said the last statement.
"Why is that?" I asked curiously, pushing my system away and folding my hand under my breast.
"Because you have an admirer, of course" She announced, pushing the flower to my face so I could see it.
"Who sent this? " I asked in a tone of indifference.
"Who else? The rich admirer! Mr.Rodrigo Castelo" My heart skipped a beat on hearing Rodrigo's name. He called me the day I got discharged from the hospital and we haven't spoken since then. I've been wondering if he was trying to play the make-her-wait game with me or if he was just being kind to an injured person and nothing more.
I took a deep breath, I just realized I wasn't breathing for about 15 seconds since I heard Rodrigo's name.
"There's a note in it" Valetina interrupted my thoughts. I reached out to collect the flowers and read the note. Valentina was struggling to read the note with me, She had expected to read the note aloud but I didn't. I read the note and smiled before shoving it back into the flower.
"What's in the letter?" She asked
"He's inviting me over for dinner"
"You mean, a date?"
"Maybe, " I replied calmly, my cheeks were warm and I was trying to hide them from Valentina's eye. She'd taunt me for blushing over a guy I just met.
Valentina hugged me tightly, for whatever reason she was more excited than I was about my first date with Rodrigo. My heart raced faster at the thought of being alone with Rodrigo, giving me his kindest smile and starting at that handsome body. Maybe, I might just forget all about revenge and crave love like every other normal person does.
"Is Rodrigo capable of making me fall in love?" I muttered to myself still in Valentina's arms.