16. Chapter 16
Chapter 16
Camila Flores
I take the stairs one at a time as I use the wall for extra support, my legs feeling like jelly after the afternoon I just had.
Never in a million years did I think a man like Mr. Godoy would propose to me. I mean, he looks like a Greek god and has more money than most. Why would he ask me to marry him? This has to be a joke. How could I explain to Ava that I’m marrying a man just for money? I can’t do that to my girl.
Oh, God, I need to talk to somebody.
“Mummy!” Ava squeals as I finally enter our flat.
My face immediately transforms with a smile for my girl. “Hi, sweetie. How was school today?” I say as I place my bag on the small, crooked, wood chair I keep by the door. It’s multipurpose—I sit on it to take off my shoes, and it doubles as a bag holder.
Nothing in this flat is single-use. When you live with a small budget, you have to use and repurpose things.
Kicking off my shoes, I lean down to hold Ava in my arms.
“It was great. We started learning about...” She trails off as she turns to look at Mrs. Evans. “What is that I told you we were learning about today?” Ava asks as she grabs her chin, deep in thought, and I can’t help but grin at the sight.
“Shapes, sweet girl,” Mrs. Evans says.
Ava’s face lights up. “Yes, shapes, Mummy. Do you want me to make you a picture using only shapes?”
“I would love that.”
Ava nods, grabs her crayons and paper, and sits down on her little desk by the dining table.
I’m about to sit on the sofa when she turns around. “Mummy, I almost forgot. Did you give Boss Man the picture?” Her eyes are wide and expectant.
I stifle a chuckle as I grab the little red box from my bag.
“I did. He loved it.”
Ava starts jumping in place, a huge grin on her face, and Mrs. Evans and I laugh at her antics.
“Here, he sent you this.”
Her eyes go wild and she rushes over, grabbing the box from my hand.
“Easy, sweetie. There’s no rush,” I say, sinking into the sofa, and she plops down beside me.
As soon as Ava opens the box, she gasps—loud and dramatic, just like always. Then, to my surprise, she starts kissing the brooch.
Mrs. Evans cackles, and I roll my eyes. My girl is nothing if not extra.
“This is the bestest present ever,” she says as she continues to kiss the diamond duck. “I need to make him another picture as a thank you!”
She rushes over to her desk and gets on her task.
I release a deep breath when I hear her sweet voice again.
“Mummy, how do you say duckling in Spanish?”
I chuckle. “ Patito ,” I reply, watching as she nods and goes back to her painting.
Mrs. Evans shifts in her seat, giving me a knowing look. “I take it Mr. Godoy gave you another day off?”
I nod, pressing my lips together as I gather my thoughts. My mind is a tangled mess, looping over today’s events.
What would Ava think of me if I tell her I’m marrying someone I just met?
For her entire life, it’s just been the two of us. How could I do this to her? Kids thrive on routine. And marrying him would definitely alter ours.
“He didn’t fire you, did he?” Mrs. Evans asks, her voice lace with concern.
I shake my head, but the knot in my stomach tightens.
“Camila, you have me all worried here. What happened?”
I check on Ava, making sure she’s not listening. She’s completely focused on her drawing.
“Mr. Godoy proposed to me.”
The words hang in the air like a bomb waiting to detonate.
Mrs. Evans face transforms, unfiltered shock evident on her face.
“What? How? Why?” she asks in rapid fire.
I pass my hands up and down my legs a couple of times, trying to come up with the words to explain this shitshow.
“He said his father told him he had to be married before the next planting season if he wanted to be in charge of their vineyard and their assets.”
Mrs. Evans’s eyes almost bulge out, she looks comical. “But that wasn’t part of the deal,” she says. “I wonder what changed?”
I stay silent, waiting for her to process this information. I can see the wheels turning in her brain.
“This is all too convoluted. Why would he ask you to marry him? Unless…”
She trails off, and I open my eyes as I raise my eyebrows, trying to make her talk.
“Well, dear. Mr. Godoy is not an impulsive man. He must have seen something in you that made him feel safe to ask you such a big task.”
This gives me pause. Could it be that he admires me as he implied? But I haven’t accomplished anything, compared to what he has.
I shake the thoughts away before I continue sharing with Mrs. Evans all the reasons why I think this isn’t a good idea.
“I really don’t know. All I know is that I couldn’t do something like this to Ava,” I whisper her name as I check on her again, but she’s completely focused on her drawing. “Imagine I marry him, Ava thinks she has a father, and then he asks for a divorce. How can I tell my daughter everything was a farce, and I did it for money.” I shake my hand as I imagine the disappointment and heartbreak my little Ava would feel.
“But did he specifically say you had to get a divorce? You don’t think you can fall in love with him? Many arranged marriages turn out to be true, healthy relationships.”
I gape at her. Is she honestly suggesting that a relationship between Vicente and I could work?
I understand he’s been getting me all hot and bothered, but that must be a normal physical reaction after being celibate for so long.
There’s no way something between us could work. We come from different worlds, not to mention we don’t know each other.
“What? Is he that ugly? Does he still mistreat you?”
I look away, and I hear her chuckle.
“That’s what I thought.” She gets up from the sofa and stands in front of me. “I can’t tell you what to do because it’s not my life that’s about to change, but I would definitely give it a good, honest thought. It’s not every day that a man like Vicente sets his eyes on a girl and decides to give her everything she deserves and more.
“Go out with him, Camila. See if there’s chemistry between you. I’ll happily stay with the little one.”
She gives me a kind smile and kisses Ava’s forehead before heading out.
My mind drifts back to everything he made me feel while sitting so close to me on the sofa yesterday. There’s definitely a pull between us. But would it be enough to make his family believe we’re a real couple?
Did his father say anything about a fake marriage?
Ugh, so many questions, so little time.
“Mummy, Mummy. Can we go to the park again today?” Ava asks excitedly.
I sigh, remembering what I always tell myself: there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to see her smile.
Maybe a walk in the park will help me clear my thoughts.
“Good morning, Mr. Godoy,” I say as he walks into my office.
“Camila.” He nods with a sexy smirk.
I definitely feel something in my core—a tingling sensation I thought I would never feel again. It has to be the celibacy. There’s no other explanation…right?
“I thought we dropped the formalities,” he says, leaning against my desk, hands splayed in front of me.
The closer he gets, the more intense the tingling becomes. I bet if we were as close as we were on the sofa the other day, my vagina would be vibrating.
I clear my throat and try to calm down a bit before I tell him everything I need to say.
“Right, Vicente.” I give him a smile. but I think it looks funny because his face goes from flirtatious to concerned.
“Is everything alright?” he asks as he moves closer to me.
“Yes, of course. Why wouldn't it be?” I try to shrug, but I probably look like I’m having a heart attack or something.
Before things can get worse, I take a deep breath and stand from my chair. “Vicente.”
I look him in the eyes and they are shining with mirth.
“I’ve been thinking a lot. You know, about the…proposal.” I pause to take another deep breath. “And I have so many questions.”
He smiles as he relaxes and stands to his full height. “Ask away.”
I look at him like he has lost his mind. “Now? Don’t we have work to do?” I whisper-shout at him.
“And who’s going to call us out? The boss?” He raises a brow.
I scoff at him. “Vicente, this is not funny. To be completely honest, I’m so nervous right now, I think I’m going to throw up.”
I slump in my chair and place a hand on my chest, willing my heart to slow down.
Why am I getting so worked up over this? Ha! Maybe because you’re deciding your future and your daughter’s future? You know, no biggie.
“Do I have any meetings today?”
I feel his breath so close to my face, and I jump in place.
When did he get so close? Jesus. My heart is going to explode.
“No. You don’t have any pressing matters today.”
He smiles, and I continue. “Well, except Mr. Durán. He’s waiting for you to get back to him about touring the farms in Colombia. He’s been very emphatic about it.”
I don’t know how he can be so calm right now. We’re about to decide our future, and he looks like we’re discussing the weather.
But the moment he places his hand on my neck and starts giving me a massage, relief washes over me.
Feeling cared for is something I never thought possible. Yet here he is. This man who’s larger than life is trying to calm me down so we can talk.
His sweet and sexy smile combined with the navy blue suit and the pale yellow tie he’s wearing brings the whole package home. He looks delicious.
“I’ll tell you what. We’ll take the day off to talk things through. If you want, we can even pick up Ava from school so she can join us too.”
Why is he so adamant about us? Does he truly care about us? I want to believe it’s true.
“Why don’t we talk and see how we go from there,” I counter.
A wicked smile graces his face. “She’s negotiating.”
He takes my hand, and I barely have time to grab my bag before we’re heading out of the office.
“I like it,” he says, winking at me before turning to the other employees. “Everyone can take the day off!”
Murmurs explode around the office, faces frozen in shock as I look around.
“Will we still get paid?” Samantha asks, a hopeful glee in her eyes.
I chuckle, and Vicente gives me a pointed look, but I smile instead of feeling reprimanded. I’m starting to get to know him.
“Yes, Ms. Smith. Of course you’ll still get paid. Enjoy your day.”
Once we’re in the elevator, cheers of hurrah and yeses can be heard in the distance.
“I think you made their day,” I quip, glancing sideways at him.
His lips curl into a slow grin. “I hope you make mine.”
Has he always been this flirty? Or is he just ramping up his charm to get what he wants from me?
Heat rises up my neck, and I look away, pretending I didn’t hear the teasing lilt in his voice.
Deep down, I know I need answers—not just about him, but about myself.
Can I do this?