21. Chapter 21
Chapter 21
Vicente Godoy
Y esterday was a rollercoaster of emotions. I’m still trying to make sense of everything that’s going on in my life. After my picnic lunch with Camila and Ava, we decided to cut the day short so Ava wouldn’t overdo it. All I wanted to do was to spoil them with everything their hearts desired. But I held back—barely.
I decided instead to give Camila the day off. I also gave her her own black card so she can go and buy her wedding dress and everything else she might need for the town hall ceremony. The moment she saw her name embossed on the card, she froze. I had to help her sit down to make sure she wasn’t going to fall.
“Vicente, this is too much. I can’t accept it,” she said once she was able to speak.
“Camila, you’re going to be Mrs. Camila Godoy in a few days. Might as well get used to it starting now.”
She released a deep breath, and after a nervous chuckle, she leaned in and kissed me.
I could kiss this woman for hours on end and never tire—it’s like I was born to be with her. The way she makes me feel when we’re together is a mix of peace, happiness, and belonging. And I can’t get enough.
Today, I’m focusing my efforts on finalizing details of a couple of deals Camila had helped me set up with two hedge fund corporations. It’s the last two big deals I’ll be overseeing.
Investing in science and tech seems like a good idea, but now my priorities have changed. I can always hire people to scout for good potential investments.
The alarm on my computer goes off, alerting me to a phone call scheduled with Mr. Durán in five minutes.
Before I jump on the call, I decide to check on my girls.
“Vicente, hi,” Camila answers on the second ring.
“Hello, wife. How are you this morning?”
I’m met with silence on the other end of the line, and I wonder for a second if the call disconnected.
After making sure nothing is wrong with the connection, I say, “Camila?”
“Yes. Hi. Hello. I’m here.” She stumbles over her words.
I clench my jaw to avoid laughing at her shock. “Is everything okay?” I ask, needing to know why she suddenly went silent.
“Yes, of course. You just…caught me off guard, calling me that.”
Ahhh, there it is.
“Calling you what? Wife?” I ask, grinning at the sharp inhale I hear on the phone.
“Yes, that.”
“Why? You don’t like it?” I’m enjoying this far more than I should.
“We’re not married yet.”
“But we will be,” I press.
A brief pause. Then, “Yes, we will.”
I lean back, smirking. “So, wife. How are you? How’s your day been?”
“Um, good. Yes, very good. I found my outfit for the wedding,” she says, a little less shock in her tone.
“That’s excellent. Did you find anything else you liked?” I ask as I check my watch. Durán can wait a couple of minutes. Making sure Camila knows I’m thinking about her takes priority.
“No, not really?”
I frown at her response. “No? Camila, I told you you could buy anything you wanted. You know there’s no limit, right? Why don’t you get some summer clothes? We’re going to have to go on a honeymoon soon.”
“What? There was no honeymoon mentioned in the contract,” she says in a high pitch tone.
I close my mouth to keep from laughing at how frazzled she sounds. It’s honestly adorable.
“Well, if we’re getting married, we’re going on a honeymoon. It’s just logical,” I say, trying to sound cool and calm. Maybe she’ll relax a bit too.
“I can’t leave Ava. I’ve mentioned this to you. I’ve never dated anyone, and it’s always been just the two of us everywhere we go. I’m already adding so many changes to her routine, I just can’t up and leave her.” Her voice is quiet, and now I understand her anguish.
“I wouldn’t dream of it. Ava is coming with us. And we can invite Mrs. Evans too, so she can give us a hand if we want to spend some time alone.”
I can’t help the way my mouth turns up. Even though being physical with Camila is not what’s most important at the moment, I’d be lying if I don’t admit that I can’t wait to explore her body and make her mine.
“Vicente, I know I don’t say it enough, but you’re a godsend. I don’t think I’ll be ever able to repay you for everything you’re doing for me. For us.”
And now I feel like an arse, fantasizing about her naked while she’s thanking me for being a good human to her and her daughter. Yes, definitely not a top priority.
“I told you I would take care of the two of you. I’ll see you tonight for dinner, wife.”
I disconnect the call before she can protest.
The truth is, I don’t want her to thank me. I’ll always be a greedy motherfucker. I’m doing this not only to fulfill my father’s wishes. I’m doing it because she has rocked my world, and her little one has me wrapped around her tiny finger.
Next, I finally call Mr. Durán, something I’ve been meaning to do for a long time now.
“Mr. Godoy, hello. What a pleasure.” His voice booms through the phone, and I chuckle. The man has so much energy, and it’s contagious.
“Likewise, Mr. Durán. I apologize it took me a while to set up this meeting, but I’ve been dealing with some personal issues.”
“Nothing too serious, I hope.”
“No, not at all,” I say before diving into business mode. “Camila mentioned you think it’d be beneficial for me to see the cocoa farms before we sign any contracts, and I think it’s a fantastic idea. It’d give me a sense of what I’m getting into.”
Mr. Durán chuckles before speaking. “I’m glad you agree. You’re a smart businessman, and I think it’d be good to see the first-hand impact this deal will have in our community.”
“When do you think is the best time for me to visit?”
“Well, we’re in the middle of our second harvest season, so if you can plan a trip down to Boquerón, Antioquia in the next couple of weeks, that would be outstanding,” he suggests jovially.
It’s kismet. I’m sure the landscape is beautiful.
Camila and I could sneak in a couple of outings by ourselves, and we could explore the farm with Ava. It’d be the perfect honeymoon.
“Sounds great. I’ll be there with Camila and her daughter. I’ll let you know when I have all the details ironed out,” I say as Owen enters my office.
Fuck. Why didn’t anyone announce him? I raise my index finger so he can wait a moment while I finish the call.
Mr. Durán says, “Ah, you finally shot your shot with Ms. Flores? That’s good, Vicente. Really good. I’ll see you all soon.”
I wonder what he meant by that. Maybe he was able to feel the tension between us on the last conference call we had?
Not having time to think about what he meant, I get up from my chair and stride over to where Owen is standing.
“What do you need?” I ask in a sharp tone. I don’t have time for his nonsense.
If he wants to act like an arsehole, he can do it, but not with Camila.
“Good afternoon, kind sir. Is that the way to greet your best friend?” Owen says with a chuckle, and I raise a questioning brow.
“Oh, come on, Vic. I came to apologize. I thought Cammie would be here too, so I could apologize to you both, but the assistant’s desk is empty,” he says, looking around my office, as if Camila would magically appear.
“Yes, I gave her the day off.” I don’t expand on it, but when he simply stares at me, I sigh and say, “We’re getting married soon. She needed time off for wedding preparations.”
The joy that spreads across Owen’s face takes me aback since it appears to be genuine.
Wasn’t he being an arse a couple of days ago when he learned I was going to marry her?
“I didn’t realize the wedding was going to be so soon, but I’m happy for you, Vic.”
He pauses as he moves closer to me and grabs my bicep. “I mean it.”
I have no reason not to believe him. He has been my best friend for so long. But something is still bugging me, and I can’t identify what it is.
“Anywho, I came by to apologize. I guess the news caught me off guard,” he says, giving my bicep another squeeze before stepping back.
“Would you let me know the time and place? Gemma and I would be thrilled to be there for you and Cammie.” He flashes me one of his signature grins.
I smile back at him. “Absolutely, I’ll keep you posted,” I say, extending my hand, and he shakes it. “It means a lot to me that you came by to apologize. I’m happy to know I can count on you.”
“Always, Vic. Always,” he says as he leaves my office.
And I mean it. I’m glad I still have Owen in my corner. I don’t make friends easily, and he’s one of the good ones.
I’m at Camila’s flat at five o’clock. To my surprise, the door opens wide before I even get a chance to knock.
“Boss Man, you’re here,” Ava says, lunging for me with no fear.
I grab her in a big bear hug. “Hey, duckling. How was your day?” I ask, closing the door behind us.
“Great. I told my friends I couldn’t run anymore, so they decided to play something else with me.” She beams as she tells me all about this new game, hide and seek.
I smile at her as she chats away, but the moment I see Camila in the kitchen, my mind stops working.
She stands with her back to me. A tight pair of yoga pants hugs her curves, a pink tank top covers her torso, and her hair is piled up in a messy bun. She’s facing the stove, and whatever she’s cooking smells glorious.
I make my way to her, Ava stills talking animatedly in my arms, but my attention is completely elsewhere.
“Hello, wife,” I whisper against the back of Camila’s neck.
A trail of goosebumps rises on her skin as I place a kiss on her shoulder. I love that I have this effect on her.
A giggling Ava covers her mouth with her hands before squirming to break free. “You two are silly,” she says as she heads toward the living room.
Once Ava is out of sight, Camila turns to face me, a pretty blush covering her cheeks.
“Hey, grumps. How was your day?” She smiles.
I frown and press a hand to my chest. “Grumps? Really? You wound me, wife.”
Her laugh spills easy from her lips, and the sound makes a bunch of butterflies take flight in my stomach.
“Wouldn’t you say you’re a grumpy man?” she asks.
My frown deepens, which only makes her laugh harder.
“I was hoping you’d notice I’ve been way less grumpy ever since you and Ava came into my life.”
She moves her head from left to right, as if to say maybe.
“What? I can show you how grumpy I can be.”
I take her in my arms, and her hands immediately go to my hair. She tugs gently, and I can’t restrain my need to kiss her.
The kiss heats up within seconds, and I grab her leg, hiking it up to my waist.
When we hear giggles behind us, I reluctantly break the kiss.
Camila fixes her hair and turns back to the stove. “Dinner will be ready in a minute, sweetie,” she says, not looking back.
I shake my head to try to remove the lust fog and grab Ava’s hand.
“What do you say, duckling? Should we wash our hands and get the table ready for dinner?”
Ava nods and leads me toward the restroom, where she continues to share her tales of the day. She tells me how Mrs. Evans helped her make a craft for Camila. It’s a heart made with coffee filters, markers, and water.
“I can’t wait to see it,” I say as I wash my hands too.
And it’s true. I can’t wait.
I’ve never been around kids, but things are easy with Ava. I feel like I can do no wrong in her eyes, and that both excites me and terrifies me in equal measure.
I never planned to help shape a little one’s mind, but being part of Camila and Ava’s world is a privilege, and I’ll try to do my best every single day of our lives.