Meeting Him III

Camila's POV 

His thoughtful gaze moves to my comforter as he sighs. "Ethan told me about your liking to wear nice things that make yourself feel good. So please don't stop because of a stupid comment I made." He looks up meeting my eye. And although I don't want to, I believe in his sincerity. 

"What if it happens again?" My tone is soft and hesitant. 

Alejandro's head snaps up to mine as a hard look covers his face, "It won't. I won't. You have my word." 

I nod, believing him, but the frown on my face stays put. "What if the others say something?" 

His hard eyes turn cold and I momentarily think that I have done something wrong. I lean away from him, the action causing his face to soften in realization. "If anyone says anything or does anything, you come to me and tell me, yes?" It's not a question and my heart momentarily warms at the genuine concern in his voice. He moves closer, staring into my eyes with a look of promise. "I'll handle it, okay?" 

"Okay." I smile, the surge of comfort I feel telling me to push it and make things that much harder for him. 

A small mischievous smile forms on my lips as I look at him. "But what if...." I say furrowing my brows trying to think of something else to say to make it difficult for him, but I'm interrupted by an exasperated deep groan as Alejandro falls back onto the bed.

I giggle throwing my head back before looking back down to see him staring up at me with a small smile on his face. The type that I want to keep hidden away from everyone else. 

It's not in politeness or because he feels forced to, it's genuine. My smile grows at the sight of such a small yet magnificent sight that could probably bring me to my knees. 

Quite literally. 

"Give me a break, please. I've been going insane thinking I made things worse for you already." He mumbles making a show of being extra dramatic, I chuckle in relief, smiling shyly at the suddenly sweet man before me. 

Now, this was the Alejandro mamá had talked about. 

"Okay," I say taking my pointer finger to poke his cheek. 

His smile drifts into a firm look as he sits up and tilts his face to look me in the eye. His eyes regard me with sympathy, "I am truly sorry for the circumstances we must meet under and I am extremely sorry for your loss." My smile instantly drops at the mention of mamá. I hated to admit it but I had spent weeks crying myself to sleep every night. Except for those nights I had the comfort of someone else sleeping next to me.  

Tears gather in my eyes but I don't want him to see them fall. I hear him shuffle closer as he hesitantly lays a hand on my shoulder in comfort and I look up to him, seeing a sad smile form on his face. "Your mamá was like family to me. I'm so sorry we failed to protect her. But I will do everything in my power to make sure nothing like that happens to you." He assures and I force a sad smile. 

His eyes scan my face, pausing at my pale blue almost grey eyes. "Christo, you have eyes just as amazing as your mamá's." He murmurs smiling sadly and it's only then I realize how hard her loss must have been for him too. 

"Mamá used to tell me all about you," I say. He lifts his head, his brown eyes scanning mine for a moment, seeming to be looking for something and when he doesn't find it, relief settles. 

"Your mamá used to tell me about you all the time, too." He nods, his jaw twitching slightly in memory. 

I ignore his behavior as my ears perk. "Really? What did she say?" 

"She said you're smart, talented... and beautiful." He sends me a lopsided smile as I move closer to him. "She was right." He murmurs and I beam at him, the compliments making me feel so giddy that I have the urge to hug him, so, I launch myself into his arms. 

He freezes as I wrap my arms around his torso, hugging him and after a few moments, I feel his arm come around me almost awkwardly, like he's not used to this. 

"Promise me you will come to me if you have any problems and let me take care of it?" He says his voice dripping with eloquence and a light Italian accent that has my mind reeling.

Instead of replying, I nod against his chest, eagerly, basking in his manly scent of cologne and something musky.  

"Good." He says moving me away from him and standing up, a look of determination on his face- one that looks much more like him. "You go back to school tomorrow, yes?" He questions and I nod. 

He glances at his watch and rubs a hand along his sharp jaw."What time is that exactly?"

"Why?" I ask before my eyes light up at him. "Are you going to drive me tomorrow?" 

He shakes his head, but I don't let it deter me. "Can you?" I ask hopefully. He looks like he's going to protest but I blink up at him, giving him my puppy dog eyes that no man has ever been able to refuse and even throw in a little, "Please." 

That gets him to sigh and nod reluctantly. "I will move some things around. Come to my door in the morning and wait for me then we will go." 

"Yes, Sir," I respond playfully, smiling up at the man, who stares down at me before averting his gaze, with a nod.

I try to hide my giddy smile at how his demeanor did a complete one-eighty while he turns around but not before his deep rich voice bids me goodbye. "Goodnight, Principessa."

I slip under my covers and smile as he shuts off the lights and closes my door. 

Goodnight indeed.