FOUR

FOUR

CATHERINA

“We have not met and we do not know each other.” I told my brother-in-law as we met in the gardens.

I had excused myself after the meal to check on the girl who had been dragged out. She was nowhere in sight neither was the bodyguard who had done the honors. I turned to get out of the gardens before my papa began yelling for me only to stumble into Andres for the third time that day.

He grabbed my shoulders to keep me upright whist muttering in Spanish about how clumsy I was.

“Do you not look before you move?” he snapped.

“Do you make it a habit of always being in people’s way?” I fired back him.

His eyes twinkled with mirth, a reaction I was not expecting and did not know how to take.

“You sure? That was not the notion I got when you slammed into me this morning”

My heart skipped as I remembered all too well the feel of my breasts pressed against his chest as he caught me. He was right, I was acting like a whore and my papa would be pleased to see that he was right about me.

“It was a mistake; I did not see you there.” I fumbled for words as he merely pinned me to a spot with intense blue eyes.

“Your father is asking for you, I came to tell you that.” He said, turning away to walk into the house.

I grabbed his arm without thinking and then let go immediately like I had just been burned. His eyes moved from the spot I had held unto him to my face, eyebrow arched in question.

“What does he need me for and why did he send you?” I gulped; the fear evident on my face

He did not respond; merely watched me, bringing his thumb up to rub his jaw like in thought.

“What are you scared of, Catherina?” he asked softly.

My eyes followed the movement his thumb made across his lips and I swallowed, thinking of how good they would feel pressed on mine.

“Are you curious?” he asked, his lips quirking up in a smile.

He had understood my reaction to his action and I could feel my cheeks flame up in embarrassment. A groan escaped my throat as I fled, past him and into the house with his laughter ringing deliciously in my ear.

“Catherina, come over here.” My papa bellowed, halting me in my flight.

He stood beside the man with the scar and they were both looking in my direction. My step slowed as I walked to where they stood, looking around for my sister… or a savior.

“Meet Franco Cruz, he is uncle to Andres.” My papa said, pushing me forward to the scary man.

“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr Cruz.” I said, courtesying. 

The man smiled, his eyes travelling slowly through the whole length of my body; stripping me naked with his leery stare, devouring me.

I swallowed, standing very still under his appraising eyes until he turned to my papa and nodded slowly.

My father clasped him on the shoulder before turning to me, admiration in his eyes. That was the first time he was looking at me with anything other than disgust and hatred and it soon came to me why, before he even said it.

“Franco is asking for your hand in marriage, dulce nina and I would say, it is a pretty fine thing he is doing.” My papa said, as they both laughed.

“Papa, is Mr Cruz not married? I am under the impression that the lady he came with today is his wife.” I stuttered; my eyes darting around, looking for a way of escape.

“You thought wrong, my dear girl. Allicent is merely a girl I hire for events such as this.” The man said, licking his lips as his eyes settled on my breasts.

My skin crawled but I resisted the urge to slap my hands across them and flee from his presence; instead I smiled at him and then at my father whose smile was wide but eyes sending a different message; one that held the threat of death should I defy him.

“Catherina, would you show Mr Cruz our gardens? The flowers are blooming beautifully this time of the year.” My papa said.

This was his way of giving the man a go ahead to have his way with me as we walked alone in the gardens. My throat closed up as I struggled desperately to get affirmative words out of them.

“I am afraid, she is rather occupied.” A voice said from behind me.

I did not need to turn to know who had spoken, his scent was enough but I turned anyways.

Andres’ eyes locked with mine for a brief moment before he looked up at my papa, who had a small frown on his face.

“What do you mean?” My papa asked

“I have asked Catherina to show me around and also fill me in on the things I need to know about her sister and my bride-to-be.” He said.

“That’s alright, her mother can do that. She has to…”

“No… if the jefe has already asked for your daughter’s indulgence then I do not have the right to withhold her.” Mr Franco interrupted my father.

“Thank you, uncle.” Andres said with a knowing smile on his face

He nodded in respect to Andres and excused himself with my papa staring at his retreating back in disgust.

“Shall we?” Andres said, offering his arm to me.

I took it, leading him to the gardens with my father’s eyes boring into my back.

“Thank you” I said as soon as we were out of earshot.

“You looked like you needed someone to save you.” He said, walking slowly beside me.

“I did. Your uncle is asking for my hand in marriage.”

“Bastardo, he wouldn’t dare.” Andres said vehemently, shocking me.

“He did and that is why we were being introduced.” I said sadly, my eyes on my feet as I walked.

He stopped suddenly, turning me to face in and staring deep into my eyes, searching.

“I will stop him.” He said firmly.

“Why?” I breathed, our faces inches apart.

“Because Catherina, he doesn’t deserve you.”

And with that he let go of me, walking away without turning back.

I was left standing there with tons of thoughts whirling in my head like bees; his last words resounding in my head.

He doesn’t deserve you.