CHAPTER 7: JEALOUSY 

ESTEBAN 

Tucking a few strands of hair behind her ears, I leaned forward to whisper in her ear.

“Trust me, we wouldn't dance any steps you do not want…”

I trailed my fingers down her neck to her creamy blossom. I knew what she was thinking. I said dance and she instinctively started covering herself. Did she really think I was talking about sex?

“Señorita, if I wanted to fuck you, I wouldn't ask. You'll be begging me for it.” 

She gasped at my words. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

“I'll have someone help you dress.”

I walked out of the waiting room and headed to my room. 

“Don…” I heard Gus call from behind me.

“Don't trail behind me, keep an eye Lau— Caitlin. Send someone to help her get ready.”

He looked like he had something to say but thought better of it.

“Gustavo…” I called after him. He stopped. 

“Yes, Don.”

“Get as much information as you can— everything you could find out about Caitlin Stevens.”

There was something about her eyes, the look in them. It wasn't just about the fear that had been in them. 

Why do you care?

“Understood.” Gustavo replied hurrying off to carry out my orders.

I opened the door to my room to find an unwanted guest in it. Sabrina. She smiled at me, inching her skirt a little higher. Her hands reached up for my collar.

“Esteban, I—”

I caught her hand.

“I do not know whatever my mother has filled your head with, Sabrina. Get rid of it.” 

Her smile faltered.

“But I love you, I can—”

“Shut up.” 

Everything she said or did irritated me. Every time I try to let her down gently, she comes back twice as stupid.

Gripping her hand tightly, I tossed her out of my room.

“The next time you pull a stunt like this, I'll forget the decades-long friendship between our families.”

I slammed the door before she could utter another word. Stripping off my clothes, I stepped into the bathroom and turned on the shower. The pressure was just right and the temperature perfect.

Walking out of the bathroom, I felt a lot better— controlled. Opening a drawer, I pulled out a small frame of Laura's photo. 

“Dios seems to be messing with me, Chiquita.”

My phone rang. I gently returned the photo, picked up my phone and hit the answer button.

“Where the hell are you, Esteban? If you had no interest in my party, you shouldn't have thrown me one.” My mother's voice buzzed through the other end.

“Hold on, give me two minutes.” I said lazily.

“You—”

I ended the call before she could say anything else. She wouldn't let me hear the end of it. The cost of momentary peace and quiet. Caitlin sat ready in the waiting room when I got there. Her hair was let down– a beautiful mass of golden curls. She looked up when she noticed my presence.

“Let’s go.” I ordered.

“Can you give me a bit more time? Please, I'm not ready.” Her voice caught.

Did she really think I'd have someone I want to murder dress up nicely? Because what, I want them to look good for God?

“Gustavo will bring you to me in five minutes. Not a second more.”

Gustavo stayed behind to do as I instructed.

At the hall, Sabrina trailed behind my mother. My mother rushed over to me, Sabrina’s hand in hers. 

“Esteban Marcelo, about time! You know Sabri—”

“I have a good memory, mother. Your dear guest has guts, I must admit.” I said, walking past them.

Sabrina’s face lost its colour. Mother seemed confused for a moment but collected herself.

“Come back here! You do not walk out on your mother–”

“I believe I just did.” I muttered without looking back.  

I stopped at the champagne tower, picked up a glass and turned around, nearly bumping into two human walls–small walls.

“At least take the time to dance… talk to her. Who knows, you may like each other.” my mother said expectantly. Her eyes were soft with pleading. “I’m not getting any younger, Esteban.”

“Forgive me, mother but I already have a dance partner.”

I had never seen my mother’s eyes so close to the brink of falling out of their sockets. Her eyes glistened as a smile formed on her expressive face. She let go of Sabrina’s hand and held mine.

“Really, son? Where is she?” her voice was soft.

 Feeling a little guilty, I held her hand and patted it a bit. I found Caitlin being led by Gustavo. Perfect timing.

“Excuse me. I have a dance to claim.”

I took a few strides in Caitlin's direction, stopping right behind her. 

“May I have this dance?” It was more of a command than a question.

She swallowed hard, taking a step backward.

“I would warn you, Caitlin, I do not like to repeat myself.” I flashed her a grin. “Do smile sweetly for a few eyes.”

Caitlin stretched out her hand without saying a word. We moved slowly to the rhythm. Looking up at me she frowned.

“Smile, señorita.” I whispered.

“Or what, you’ll kill me? You’re going to kill me anyway, why should I have to obey you when the outcome remains the same?”

I couldn’t help but be amused by her defiance.

“Are you certain, little bird?”

I could feel the tension in her body. Her frown softened, replaced by a look of confusion and then a glimpse of fear. I smirked at her. She shook her head and looked away.

“You confuse me. One minute you make me believe you’re not gonna hurt me and the next I'm certain you’re going to kill me.” She smiled sweetly at the couple dancing besides us. 

Good girl.

“Do you enjoy messing with people?”

Leaning closer, I whispered in her ear, “Of course. Especially those who think they could mess with me.” 

Her body went rigid. I knew she had gotten the hint. As much as I believed her little scribble, I knew there was more. That was a warning in case she ever dreamed of trying something foolish. Her eyes searched the room, wandering to every corner of the hall.

“May I cut in?” 

A male voice came from beside us. His partner smiled widely at me. D****e on.

“Of course.” Caitlin agreed, without sparing me the chance to refuse.

Ignoring the expectant woman, I returned back to the champagne glass tower, my eyes fixed on Caitlin. The man seemed to be cracking jokes that made her laugh. My grip tightened on the glass. What the fuck was wrong with me?

 “Where’s the woman?”

 My mother’s voice cut through my fury. She stepped in front of me, her brows were furrowed.

 “What woman?” 

My gaze was still on Caitlin who was flashing a really sweet smile at the audience while the man leaned close– too close his lips were a breath away from brushing her ear.

“I am not blind, Esteban. You were dancing wi—” she stopped mid-sentence, “I see… you know, jealousy won’t get you anywhere.” she said, patting my shoulders. 

Dios mío! Me, jealous? Never. 

“I’m not jealous.”

“If you say so. Give her reasons to always pick you.” Sighing softly, she smiled. “I never thought I'd see this day. For a moment I doubted you when you said there was someone… Thank you.”

My chest tightened with guilt. Maybe i shouldn’t have messed with her but god, she was annoying most of the time with her obsession with grandkids and hopes of seeing me married.

“She's not my woman,” I mumbled, staring blindly at the glass in my hand. 

“But she can be… I see you like her.” 

Donna Vida– my mother, actually thought Caitlin was one of my sexual partners– plaything. Relationship was a no for me but of course I fucked. I didn’t have to be in a relationship to release. Just a willing woman and bed– or table, counter… whichever works. Caitlin was neither willing nor crazy. She had a sort of innocence about her.

Making her willing was quite an easy task but I couldn't bring myself to mess with her. Not with that face, not after knowing she could be a spy. Still, letting her go would be a huge mistake on my part and killing her would ruin me.

Maybe there was a thing as second chances and Laura was given a second chance as Caitlin. I'd be damned if I took that chance away. 

“Have her join us for dinner, son.”

With that, she walked away. If she didn’t hear the objection, there wasn’t one by my mother’s logic. I exhaled, torn between taking my eyes off Caitlin and giving my mother a response.