CHAPTER FIFTEEN
The woman turned to the weird question coming from Cherry.
"'Curses?' The designer's voice carried fascination.
"Yes, they exist, but I've always wondered about their authenticity."
Cherry's eyes shined with intrigue as she crossed her arms, her mind already racing to the next question.
"What about magic?
Or is it possible for someone to assume the form of another person?"
The designer's brow furrowed, her index finger tapping her chin as she pondered the notion.
"Taking the form of someone else?" She repeated, her voice dripping with confusion.
"Yes, taking the form of someone else,' Cherry emphasized, her eyes locked intensely on the designer.
"Like, could someone just fall unconscious and wake up to find themselves transformed into a completely different person?"
The designer felt uneasy, her voice trailing off as she struggled to respond.
'Ummm, I don't know what that means, and it's quite...' Her words hung in the air, unfinished, as the man from the other day strode into the room as his presence commanded attention.
"Have you gotten her measurements?" He asked, his eyes lingering on the designer's hesitant expression.
"Yes, I have...' the designer began, but her words faltered under the man's intense gaze.
"And what are you still doing here?" he asked with a firm tone.
The designer's eyes darted nervously to Cherry before returning to the man.
"She..." She stammered, but he cut her off.
"You can take your leave now, ma'am," he said with a stern voice, and a dismissive tone.
The designer's face fell as she hastily gathered her belongings and scurried out of the room, her departure as swift as her arrival.
"Hey Miss Amy," he said with a low and cautious voice, 'no need to get chatty with the help. They're here to do their job and nothing more.'
Cherry's eyes narrowed, intrigued by his warning.
"Wait, why?" she asked with defiance.
The man's expression turned grave as his eyes locked intensely on hers.
"You can't trust them with sensitive information about yourself or your affairs.
They might seem harmless, but you never know who's listening or what their true intentions are."
"Oh..." Cherry trailed off, her mind processing his words as he turned to leave.
But then, she called out,
"Espera!(Wait)"
He paused, turning back to face her with an expectant expression.
"You've been like a guardian angel to me," she said curiously.
"You've been by my side since this whole tragic ordeal began."
He raised an eyebrow with a skeptical expression,"Tragedy, you say?" he repeated.
"Yes, tragedy, all tragedy," Cherry emphasized with a cracked voice and with desperation.
"And what's tragic?" He asked.
Cherry's sigh was deep in an anguished sound.
"You all think I'm joking, but I'm really going through a nightmare. I'm lost, and I don't know what's happening to me."
She pressed her hands to her forehead, trying to contain the chaos within.
The man just stood still.
"My name is Cherry Rubio, and I swear on my life, I've lied before, but I promised myself I'd stop.
And I'm telling you the truth now,' she grasped her throat, her eyes pleading, 'I'm trapped in Amy's body, and I need to switch back, desperately.
My parents must be frantic with worry... And I don't think I would want to live a lie all my life, porfavor (please)," She begged, her voice trembling,
"You have to believe me."
She then gave a deep sigh, "You need to help me."
"Amy, I don't claim to understand everything you just said, but trust me, you'll be fine in a few days,' he said with a dismissive tone.
Cherry's frustration boiled over, and she slammed her fist on the table.
"Demonio (Damn)!"
She exclaimed, her voice rising.
"It seems like you're just like the others, refusing to believe me. I give up!" She threw up her hands in exasperation.
"And another thing, who are you to me, anyway? You act like you're some kind of...protector or something.
Always lurking around, always watching." She narrowed her eyes
"If you say close, then yeah, I'm close to you, Amy," he replied.
"You dodged my question the other day, but I'm asking again - what's your name, and how do you know Amy?" Cherry demanded, her hands still hovering in a quoted gesture.
'Well, Amy, since you're so eager to know again, I'll indulge you.
"My name is Carlos, and I'm your personal driver," he replied.
Cherry's eyes widened in surprise, her voice bursting out in incredulity. "Driver?" she echoed.
"You can't seriously expect me to believe you're just Amy's driver, not with the way you've been hovering around me, anticipating my every move!" Cherry exclaimed.
Carlos's expression remained calm with a small smile playing on his lips.
"Many people may see it that way, but the truth is, you and I share a bond that goes far beyond a typical employer-driver relationship. It's... complicated," he added, his eyes locking onto Cherry's.
"Ugh, I was almost swooning over a driver," Cherry muttered under her breath, rolling her eyes in exasperation.
Carlos's sharp ears picked up on it, and he raised an eyebrow.
"What was that?" he asked, in a playful manner.
Cherry flashed him a saccharine smile.
"Oh, nothing. So, you're Amy's driver, huh?" She emphasized the word "driver" with a healthy dose of doubt.
"And what's this deep connection you share with Amy, hmm? Do tell," she said, her voice dripping with faux curiosity.
"Amy, don't pretend you don't know what's between us," Carlos said, his voice low and husky as he stepped closer to her.