SIX

SIX

CATHERINA

I reached my room and bolted the door securely behind, my ears roaring and my heart thumping painfully in my chest. It was the way he had said my name Catherina in the most inappropriate way I had ever heard it said. My face still burned from the places his fingers have trailed and my lip remained seared by the feel of his thumb on them. I wasn’t supposed to feel that type of way for my own sister’s future husband; maybe my father was right and I was some kind of self- righteous whore.

I collapsed on my bed and folded myself, hugging my knees. I was drained both physically and mentally but I still could not stop thinking about him, his eyes as he watched me and how I had felt stripped underneath his gaze. I did not think anyone could make me feel the way Andres Cruz had but then again there was no one like him.

I closed my eyes to dispel the thought him and only succeeded when I finally succumbed to sleep but even then, he came in my dreams, watching me with eyes that could drown a person’s soul.

…

The next day came in a flash, and I had already almost forgotten the events of the previous day. I got up and into my jogging pants as I prepared for my rounds around the block. My papa had been against my morning exercise because according to him, I could be kidnapped by a rival who was seeking his downfall. He only allowed me when I agreed to the presence of Pedro by my side every day.

“Buenos dias, Pedro.” I greeted cheerily.

“Buenos dias, Lady Catherina” he smiled, already waiting for me.

We got out as usual he made sure to follow behind me so I wasn’t overly aware of his presence.

I made more rounds than usual and was drenched by the time I was done. We walked back to the house and I thanked him for his company like I did every day.

Our eyes met across the hall and I resisted the urge to turn around and go back from where I had come from. He was sitting from across my papa who had his back to me, I brought up a hand across my lips to signal his silence as I did not want my papa to see me dressed in tights and sweating.

His eyes twinkled in mischief and I should have known that he would not keep his mouth shut. I turned and tiptoed, trying to make my way across without being heard only for my name to ring out from his damned mouth.

“Catherina” he called.

I stopped in my tracks and turned almost immediately my papa turned, our eyes met and his forehead burrowed in a frown as he took in my appearance.

“Where are you coming from?” he said, his eyes holding its normal emotion; hatred.

“I jog every morning, papa. You know this.” I said, twirling my fingers.

“Say hello to our guest, you met him yesterday; Mr Cruz.” My papa said, ignoring my earlier statement.

“Good morning, Mr Cruz.” I said, my eyes drifting to his face.

He smiled, returned my greeting and they immediately went back to discussing whatever it was they were discussing before I came in.

“Asshole” I said through gritted teeth.

He was infuriating and I was tempted to go back and smack him over the head just for the sheer fun of it.

I got into the bathroom and took a much needed bath, soaking myself in the tub for longer than necessary to make sure he was gone by the time I finished and went back down.

So much for hopes and dreams, he was being served by my mamma when I got back down. She called it snacks for them to discuss business but I was sure she just wanted to show off her amazing culinary skills.

“Catherina, thank God you are here, follow me and get water for our gentleman.” She said.

Gentleman my ass, I thought as the events of the previous day flooded my mind.

I followed her anyway, not looking in his direction although I could imagine he was staring at me at that moment.

“Where is your sister? That girl is going to be the death of me.” My mamma said as I took water from the fridge.

“I can only imagine that she is still asleep, mamma. You know Audrey doesn’t wake up till it is afternoon.”

“Basura, she is going to have to change that habit of hers now that she is about to get married.” My mother intoned, muttering more words in Spanish.

“It is not like she wants to get married, she is being forced and to that rude man.” I fired.

“Catherina! Do not say such words again. Now get that glass to him immediately.”

I frowned but did as she ordered as I heard her let out unintelligible words in Spanish.

I knelt to drop the glass of water gently on the tray with both men watching me, my fingers shook and I mistakenly spilt some.

“For God’s sake; Catherina, do you ever do anything right?” my papa bellowed.

I muttered an apology at my mistake, biting my lips to keep the retort about if he was doing the right thing marrying his daughter off in check.

“It’s alright” I heard Andres say.

I walked away, turning to get a peek of him.

He was wearing a shirt today with its sleeved rolled up and I could see the long trail of ink up his muscled arm.

I wanted desperately to make out the drawing and wondered where it ended.

He must have noticed my presence because his eyes came up to meet mine and then he smiled

That smile, I thought as I turned abruptly.

It did not help that just one smile from him and my blood pressure was skyrocketing. I took a deep breath and opened my eyes, my mind eye envisioning his inked and well- muscled arm and the sudden itch to trail my fingers across it, came.