22. Chapter 22
Chapter 22
Camila Flores
“ S o what did you get today?” Vicente asks as he takes a huge bite of his steak. This man looks delectable but can eat like a mountain man.
“Let’s see.” I pause eating and try to count in my mind the obscene amount of stuff I bought today.
After Vicente called me and reminded me I could buy more than my wedding dress, I ended up getting clothes for Ava and myself for whatever trip we’re taking as our honeymoon.
I know I’ve never been married—let alone been in an arranged marriage—but the way Vicente treats me doesn’t seem arranged at all.
“Since you mentioned honeymoon, I got a few summer clothes for Ava and me.”
At the mention of her name, she grins, a mouthful of food nearly spilling from her mouth.
“Ava Marie, what have I told you about manners at the table?” I say in my stern mom voice, glaring at her.
She chews, then lowers her gaze before answering. “That I need to finish what I have in my mouth before I open it.”
I nod at her and take a big bite of my salad.
“But Mummy, I wasn’t talking, I just smiled. Like this.” She grins again, just to prove her point, and it takes everything in me not to laugh.
Vicente is less successful and has to cover his laugh with a cough. “I’m sorry. I think a chunk of steak went down the wrong pipe,” he says.
I roll my eyes at him while Ava giggles. I love how easily he has blended into our lives. It’s always been Ava and me, but he has adjusted to our routine as if he was always meant to be here.
“How about you? What did you do today?” I ask Vicente.
He wipes his mouth with a napkin before speaking. “Well, it was quite a productive day for me,” he says, getting comfortable. “I finally got around to speaking with Mr. Durán. Remember him?”
I open my eyes wide as I smile and nod. How could I forget? The man has been practically begging for a meeting with Vicente.
“I liked what he had to say, and he showed me images of the farms he wanted us to visit.”
My eyebrows shoot up, but I don’t interrupt. I want to hear everything.
“Yes, I want to go with you. It’s your homeland after all,” he says.
Ava continues to grin as she eats the last of her meal.
Vicente’s eyes flick to mine. “And it just so happens that they are on the second cocoa harvest, so it’d be the perfect time for us to visit,” he adds with a sexy grin.
I haven’t been home in years.
Home .
That’s what it is, no matter how long I’ve been away. The place you’re born never stops being home, whether you visit every year or haven’t been in ages.
Going to Mr. Durán’s farm means we’ll be close to Medellín. Close to my family.
Do I want to see them? And tell them what? Look, I made it. And my daughter is the most precious thing I have in my life .
Yeah, I would like to shove it in their faces, but what good would that do?
What will that be teaching Ava?
Unless I’m willing to open my heart and forgive them, it’s better to stay away.
Maybe visiting them is something to think about for another time.
I have never taken Ava far from London; the fear of something happening and us not being near her medical team has always held me back. But something inside me tells me I don’t need to worry this time. Vicente will protect us. He’s been showing up day in and out for us, making his way into my heart. Something tells me he’s in my life to stay.
“What do you say? Are you excited?” he asks, his eyes searching mine for an answer.
Before I can respond, Ava beats me to it. “Yay, we’re going to Columbia!” she exclaims.
I arch a brow, and she quickly covers her mouth. “Sorry, Mummy. Colombia ,” she corrects herself, exaggerating the second o as if to make up for the slip.
“That’s right, baby. It's Colombia, not Columbia,” I confirm with a smile.
I don’t speak Spanish with her often, but when I do, I make sure her pronunciation is on point. I guess I’ve always been afraid that if Ava speaks two languages, she won’t feel like she fits in. I don’t want other kids to be mean to her because of a different accent.
But now that Vicente is in our lives, she can speak Spanish more freely, since it’s his first language, it makes me more comfortable teaching her when he can communicate with her too.
Vicente smiles at our exchange, but I notice his leg bouncing under the table.
Is he nervous?
“Is that a yes?” he asks expectantly.
My lips curve into a smile. “Yes. I’d love to go with you,” I reply softly.
Vicente practically jumps out of his seat, sweeping Ava up as he strides toward me. We’re soon wrapped in a warm hug, and I don’t think my heart has ever felt so full.
“Yes! We’re going to have an amazing time,” he says excitedly, then presses a tender kiss to my temple. “Thank you, wife.”
We stay there for a moment—in our little cocoon—just existing and being happy for what lies ahead. The future feels bright, and for the first time in years, I let myself believe it.
A knock at the door pulls me from my reverie.
“I’ll get it,” I say, stepping away.
Vicente lets me go, and I immediately feel the loss of his warmth.
A smile spreads across my lips as soon as I open the door. “Why did you knock? You know you can come in anytime.”
I step aside to let Mrs. Evans in. The moment Ava sees her, she wiggles free from Vicente’s arms and rushes to hug her.
“Mrs. Evans, you won’t believe it!” Ava exclaims in a rush.
I make my way back to Vicente, and he immediately wraps his arms around me.
“What is it, sweetie?” Mrs. Evans asks, scanning the room. When her eyes lock on Vicente, she grins.
“Boss Man is taking us to Colombia. Can you believe it? I’m going to go on a plane!” Ava practically squeals with excitement.
Mrs. Evans doesn’t take her eyes off Vicente, but her grin is still in place. “I see you finally found something good to do with your life,” she says after what feels like an eternity.
Vicente laughs, a deep, hearty sound. “Ha! You old bird. You had everything planned out, didn’t you?”
Before Mrs. Evans can reply, Ava frowns, planting her little hands on her hips. “Nuh-uh, Boss Man. You have to be kind. Don’t call Mrs. Evans names. That’s rude.”
I press my lips together, stifling a laugh, while Vicente’s face turns a deep red. I never thought I would see the day a five-year-old could put the almighty and powerful Vicente Godoy in his place.
“I’m sorry, duckling. You’re right. I shouldn’t call her names, but how come you call me Boss Man?” he says.
Ava giggles in response. Vicente hugs me closer, smiling at her.
“Anyway, Mrs. Evans, thank you for hiring Camila as your replacement. She’s not only an excellent assistant, but she’s also an amazing woman.”
Now, it’s my turn to blush.
“Well, I needed to take care of both of you. I simply saw an opportunity and took it. I wasn’t sure how the details were going to pan out, but I’m glad everything worked out in the end,” she says with a twinkle in her eye as she hugs Ava.
“Mrs. Evans, did you have dinner yet?” I ask, finally remembering my manners.
“Oh yes, dear. I just heard extra giggles coming from your flat, so I wanted to come and check on you both. I didn’t realize Mr. Godoy was going to be here,” she says as she starts toward the door.
Both Vicente and I move our hands to stop her from leaving at the same time, and we chuckle at the moment.
“Would you care to join us for dessert, then?” I ask.
“Yes, Mrs. Evans. Please stay. There’s something I need to talk to you about,” Vicente adds.
“I’m all ears,” she replies as we all move to the living area.
“Ava, mi vida , why don’t you help me serve dessert?” I say, smiling at her.
Ava’s eyes light up, and we head to the kitchen together. Vicente gives my hand a lingering touch before letting go. I love how he finds a reason to touch me constantly—this connection is like nothing I’ve ever experienced.
Vicente waits for me to return with the ice cream bowls before starting the conversation with Mrs. Evans.
“So, Mrs. Evans,” Vicente begins, “I’m not sure how much you know about Camila and me, but we’re getting married next week.”
Mrs. Evans nods, scooping a bite of her mint chocolate chip ice cream—Ava’s favorite.
“We’re leaving for our honeymoon right after,” he continues, “and we would like for you to join us.”
My eyes widen in surprise. This is news to me.
Vicente catches on to my surprise and has the decency to wince. “I’m sorry, wife. I should have given you the details before blurting them out to Mrs. Evans.”
I let out a deep breath as a smile spreads across my face. I’m grateful that, even though he’s used to doing whatever he wants, he’s starting to think about others’ needs.
From the apologetic look on his face, I can tell this will probably be the last time he makes a decision without consulting me.
I love the idea of Mrs. Evans joining us. She has been helping me with Ava since we moved to this flat. I don’t think she has taken a single holiday all that time.
It’d be great to have her with us in Colombia.
“Mr. Godoy, I thought I was clear with you about this,” Mrs. Evans says, her tone dry but playful. “You’re not my type, and as much as I care for Camila, she isn’t my cup of tea either.”
Vicente lets out a booming laugh that fills the room, and it takes me a moment to catch on. When I do, I burst out laughing too.
Ava remains blissfully unaware, completely focused on her ice cream. Thank God for small mercies.
“No, Mrs. Evans,” Vicente says, still chuckling, “you’re not my type either—Camila is.”
I choke on my ice cream. Damn. Vicente is smooth—and totally my type, too.
“But seriously,” he continues, “the reason we would like you to join us—besides giving you a well-deserved holiday—is because we’d feel better knowing Ava has someone she trusts looking after her at night.
Vicente looks at me for approval before continuing, and I nod.
“You know, just in case.”
Mrs. Evans catches his meaning immediately, her expression softening with something I can’t place, but she seems happy.
“I’d love to go and spend some quality time with my baby girl,” she declares.
Vicente and I grin in unison.
“Yay! Mrs. Evans is coming with us. Hooray!” Ava cheers, pumping her fists in the air.
I’ll enjoy this feeling of peace and happiness tonight. Tomorrow, I’ll worry about the millions of things I need to prepare before we leave.