Rodrigo's POV
Maria kept on staring at Damian like she was trying to place her hand on something. I invited Damian to this dinner to make her feel privileged to know me but now she's carried away with another man.
Damian sat with us and we ordered food and red wine. "You look gorgeous, Maria," He complimented.
"Thanks, Damian". She smiled at him. For some reason, I don't understand why she was giving him more attention than I expected. I wasn't jealous, I was just not comfortable with her Cop instinct.
"Maria, you look like you've known Damian somewhere" I chipped in.
"Yea, especially that name Reyes, I just can't place my hands on it"
"Reyes is my family name. My father owns a fleet of hotels. I'm all over the tabloids and net every day. I'd be shocked if you didn't know me" Damian bragged.
"Oh, yeah! That must be why I'm finding it hard to remember. Perhaps a little more popularity would help my memory" Maria quipped. Damian's face turned sour, his face cracked me up.
Maria was such a feisty lady, she was not the kind to brag to but that was exactly why I brought her here tonight.
"Damian is my childhood friend, we grew up together" I introduced before parting Damian's back.
"You must be a special one for Rodrigo to invite you to dinner, he is mostly busy dining with his business partners and closing deals for his company. He is so passionate about his company"
"Wow!" Maria commented before sipping her wine. She feigned excitement. "I love these Tacos and grilled shrimp, they remind me of home" She changed the topic.
"You should try their Salsa and guacamole, you'd love it" I added before instructing the waiter to bring it for her.
Maria's POV
The food was the only thing I was interested in, the dinner was crap—I must have expected so much from Rodrigo. I wasn't the kind to be evidently disappointed because I never expected too much from people. Maybe his first show of kindness was false because this dinner is crap.
I've barely heard one full sentence without some form of brag in it. Since this whole dinner is to brag about wealth, why don't I play along? They'd spill out every shady thing about their companies to me tonight. Yes, I'd turn my romantic dinner into an undercover mission—Reyes already sounds like a case I've worked on before, I certainly didn't know that name from the net. This is Rodrigo's fault, he turned our dinner into a trio bragging party.
"Rodrigo, so tell me about TheCastelos—Is it a generational investment as well because we've never heard of your father? I straightened on the chair and dropped my wine to listen carefully.
"TheCastelos is my father's company formerly managed by my uncle now managed by me. My uncle acquired the company early enough because I also grew up to meet my uncle managing the company. I never knew my father. I only heard stories from my uncle, '' Rodrigo explained. His countenance changed the moment I asked the question but I ignored it until I got the answer.
"We are so similar, I can really relate to not growing up with your father or mother, my Aunt took care of me just like your Uncle did you—I just didn't inherit a big company. " I smiled at my last statement, it was my attempt to cheer him up and it worked because he smiled as well. Maybe Rodrigo is still the same sweet person I felt met, perhaps he invited his friend over just to make me relax on our first date not to brag. Or it's just me trying to give excuses for Rodrigo's being insensitive.
"What… " my voice trailed off into silence as Rodrigo's phone buzzed. He stared at it for some second, as if contemplating speaking to the caller. I wish I could see the caller from where I sat.
"Excuse me guys, I have to pick up this call". He requested and we both gave a nod. At first, I was upset that he picked a call and left me alone with his proud friend—whom I don't like at all. Damian was quiet—thank God that he was because I'd have been irritated by his voice. I watched some videos on my phone before Martinez's message popped up.
"Hey, what's up? Any update about the case?" I immediately felt ashamed for leaving my line of duty for this dinner.
"I'm out presently, I'll send you a detailed report on my discovery as soon as I get home" I typed fast.
"Wow, you went out? You never go out late except if you're an undercover for a case. Are you doing undercover without me? "
"No, I'd never! "Well, what I was doing presently could pass for an undercover activity but this was called dinner. I dare not even mention that I was having dinner with some rich guy on a personal level to Martinez—his jealousy would hit the roof.
"I don't believe you, there is no impossibility with you. Tell me where you are now, and I'm coming to meet you". Martinez is so stubborn I murmured under my breath as I read the message. That was my cue to switch off my data because I couldn't send my location to Martinez. I dropped my phone and lifted my head—I was still alone with Damian, and Rodrigo was nowhere to be found. I rolled my eyes angrily. Damian lifted his head to my pretty face.
"I'm sorry about Rodrigo's call taking longer than expected, his business calls are usually long and boring—I try my best to avoid those kinds of calls" he teased at the end, smiling hard like he dropped a good joke…
You should be sorry about your silly ass, I thought to myself before feigning a smile.
"So, Rodrigo told me you're a cop and you totally look it that was why I wasn't surprised at how feisty you got earlier".
"Well, I'm sorry if you felt insulted by my statement earlier, it wasn't my intention! " I lied with a straight face. It was definitely my intention, you were a braggart and I intended to make you kiss my ass—I thought to myself.
"I'm sorry if my history sounded like pomposity, are we good?" He stretched his hand for a handshake.
I took his hands, and we spent the rest of the evening gisting about his parents' wealth, his role in the company, and his struggles. We laughed hard and somehow I was starting to like him. The conversation was interesting and enjoyable, he wasn't as rude as I imagined at first and maybe flirting with him would annoy Rodrigo and teach him a lesson to never leave a woman all to herself or to be with a stranger.
"You've got some food on your beard" I leaned in closer to help him clean it, and he leaned in closer to me as well. His cologne was strong and smelt really nice, his face was so close to mine with those dark eyes. Focus! Maria, you're not planning to kiss Rodrigo's best friend, are you? — No I'm not except he is planning to kiss me, giving this passionate look on his face.
Rodrigo walked in and caught us in that weird position as I was cleaning his beard. I immediately shifted back to my sit and dropped the napkin but Rodrigo didn't seem to care about what he saw
"Maria! We need to go now" He ordered with a stern face.
"Why? What's wrong?" I asked but got no answers as Rodrigo held my hand up and helped me with my bag.