CHAPTER 15 #2
“As long as you keep your music and creativity in your bedroom with your door closed, we won’t have a problem.”
“Perfect,” I cheered, clapping my hands with a smile.
“Cesar, my sweet Cesar,” I rushed up to him.
“You’ve been to a strip club, right?” His body tensed and he looked over at Antonio.
“Why are you looking at him?” I crossed my arms over my chest. I paused looking between them as I awaited Cesar’s answer.
“Yes, I have been to a strip club, Miss Nirah.”
“Great. Because well, even though I’m a great dancer, I still need feedback sometimes. What do you say, big guy? Me, testing my routines on you. I promise I’m good.”
His lips formed into a genuine smile—as though he was shocked yet appreciative that I trusted his judgment—but it immediately dropped when Antonio spoke.
“I hired Cesar as a bodyguard. Not as someone to keep you company.”
I groaned in annoyance. “Of course,” I nodded at Antonio. “Maybe on your off days then?” I asked Cesar.
“I do not get days off, Miss Nirah.”
“What!” I asked in disbelief.
“You’re joking, right?”
“No ma’am,” Cesar shook his head.
“Antonio Ivan-Yuri De Luca.” I rested my hands on my hips while shaking my head at him in disappointment.
“How do you know my middle name?” he cocked a brow at me and I mentally face palmed myself.
“That’s not important—”
“I want you in my office,” he pointed a finger at Cesar, clearly not pleased with him.
“No. You don’t. Now, let’s please get back to you being a complete asshole, and not giving him any days off. What the hell? Everyone deserves some time off—no one can work 24/7 because unlike some,” I looked him up and down. “We humans need a break, even if it’s just one day.”
Antonio got up and I stepped closer to him. “They need a break, Antonio,” I stopped in front of him.
“No one has ever complained about it, so I don’t see the problem here.”
“Well, of course, they won’t, I mean look at you. You’re 6’3 and muscle. Who in their right mind is going to stand up to you?”
“Like you’re doing right now?”
Good point . “We’re not talking about me, okay?”
“Cesar is 6’5 and muscle. So what’s his excuse?” he asked, crossing his arms over his chest and I pressed my lips into a thin line.
“Maybe the fact that you’re extremely intimidating. You’re like a ticking time bomb, one wrong move and you’re shooting up the place.”
“So you admit that you’re intimidated by me?” he grinned and I rolled my eyes. Of course, that’s what he got from this conversation.
“Men in fancy suits don’t scare me because they usually do my bidding,” I whispered up at him.
“So no, I’m not. But they are, so I guess that’s why I’m here now,” I said, catching my breath.
“Plus, look at him,” I jutted out my bottom lip, looking over at Cesar and he stared back with a timid smile.
“How can you not want to give that little face a break.”
“My men and I are perfectly fine with the order of things.”
“Cesar,” I walked over to him, arms crossed. “Tell him you’re not fine with how things are right now,” I demanded.
“Miss—”
“Tell him,” I seethed through my teeth. I watched him swallow hard before he lowered his head.
“A break wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world boss,” he murmured at my side. Antonio was evidently tormented by confusion and annoyance.
“Told ya…” I victoriously smiled.
“Are you trying to turn my men against me?” he questioned, and I looked at him in disbelief.
“Of course not,” I scoffed. “I’m just saying that he needs some time off. And now that there has been a complaint—”
“No, Miss Nirah, I’m not com—”
“I got this big guy,” I interrupted him with a pat on his shoulder. “Since it’s obvious that he needs a break, you owe it to him to allow it.”
“And if I don’t?”
“Well then…” I trailed off, slowly approaching him. I fist his tie in my hand, and slowly, I pull him down to my level, having him look directly into my eyes. “You’ll have to deal with me, and just know that I have a sledgehammer patiently waiting in my bedroom.”
He tried hiding a smile and I narrowed my eyes at him.
“You’re cute when you’re trying to be intimidating.”
My grip around his tie only tightened. “Don’t try me, De Luca,” I whispered but he only looked pretty satisfied right now.
“If we get any closer we’ll kiss,” he used my own words against me and I tried my best not to smile. “Unless you want Cesar to see—” I immediately let go, taking a step back and I cleared my throat.
“Well, then it’s settled,” I rushed toward Cesar.
“Let’s go, big guy,” I hooked our arms together.
“You’re driving me to the mall first, and then we’re getting manicures and pedicures,” I happily sang.
“Well, that’s if you want to—do you want to—I’m sure you want to,” I nodded before he could answer.
“Nirah—”
“Bye, Antonio!” I called out as I scurried out the door with Cesar. Oh sweet, sweet Jesus.
* * *
Antonio De Luca.
The only person who could make me feel so good yet so hesitant and unsure. I didn’t think what happened in his office last night had quite settled in until now.
This is only supposed to be a fake marriage, right? Wrong.
“Miss Nirah, we’re here,” Cesar snapped me out of my thoughts.
We unbuckled our seat belts and headed into the mall. After an hour of shopping in silence, Cesar finally spoke. “Mr. Antonio wants you to buy something red,” he read off his cellphone, and met my confused eyes. “The two of you will be attending a very important event tomorrow night.
“Is that the event he was so eager to get me back for?” I asked, scanning through the rack of clothes.
“Yes,” Cesar nodded.
“Something red as in what?” I asked, and he looked down at his cell phone.
“Something red,” he replied and I chuckled.
“Thank you. You’re a tremendous help,” I sarcastically smiled.
“You’re welcome.”
I shook my head as we traveled down the different aisles. “Can you tell me where we’re going so that I can get the perfect outfit?”
He shook his head. “I’m sure Mr. Antonio will fill you in on the details.”
“Why can’t you? Come on, just tell me where we’re going,” I sighed, turning to him and he looked at me wearily. There was a moment of hesitation. “I’m making your job difficult, aren’t I?” I asked in guilt and he nodded in confirmation.
“Yes, Miss Nirah.”
“Sorry,” I quickly apologized. “It’s okay…
a red jumpsuit will do,” I murmured and Cesar’s eyes grew wide.
“Or a neon red hoodie with some maroon cargo pants,” I nodded to myself.
“Since no one is giving me anything to go off on, I’ll have to improvise,” I shrugged my shoulders and Cesar shook his head at me in disappointment. Kidding, of course.
“You can have some coffee or a beer while I decide,” I said as I grabbed some items off the clothing racks. “I cannot leave your side miss Nirah.”
“Just for a second. It’s okay. Really ,” I assured him. “You haven’t had anything to eat or drink since we got here.”
“I am okay.” Well, I tried.
I paid for my clothes and thereafter we got something to eat and ended our day with manicures and pedicures. I promised to keep Cesar’s secret.
“Told you we’d bond over manicures,” I grinned over at him, and I noticed a small smile appear on his face as he laid back with cucumbers on his eyes.