Chapter Fourteen

Carmen POV :)

Last night I left the party at dawn, it was getting messy with people throwing up at every corner and shamelessly doing private stuff publicly. How could someone enjoy this ?...Michael was getting rather pissed at the sight in front of him and he asked everyone to evacuate the building. The security man came in and ushered them all out and when I got out taxis were lined out. Hmm Michael sure was a good host, making such plans. I had not gotten drunk so bidding Michael goodbye, I got into my car and drove off. Shit was going well now, I'm sure Charles would be happy now. Wierdly I wanted to see his smile again, oh Charles had a very handsome smile and I wish I'd see that but these days what I've seen as close to a smile were his one sided fluttering smirk. I wonder what broke in him ?what made him change that much ?.

I got into the hotel and shit I was so fucking tired. I sunk into bed without washing my face or getting a bath.

The next morning I had a long warm bath and went down for breakfast. Mama gave me a call which she rarely did.

"Carmen !"

"Hello mama how are you

"I'm Good how is your brother and sister ?"

"We're all fine mama " I assured her.

"Why doesn't Cayden pick his calls, I've been calling and I'm really worried"

"He lost his phone and is working to get a new one "

"Okay can I talk to him"

"He went to work, when he gets back we'll call"

" okay take care of yourself

I'm sure the money she had in hand had finished now. I sent the last sum in my account to her and she sent a thank you message after that.

I was having my breakfast and Michael slid in the seat opposite me, with his brows up like he was scrutinizing me. I mimicked same expression and he laughed.

"You stay here ?" He inquired.

"Yeah...obviously " I said.

"Your boyfriend is still paying your bills ?" He asked.

"I'm a not so independent woman so I have some savings "

"Hmmm.." he shrunk his eyes in my direction.

"Ahhh..." I did same folding my arms too.

"Let's have dinner tonight" Michael suggested.

"Sure we are partners now " I replied.

"Yeah we are" he agreed.

"Okay"

"Did you stalk me here ?" I curiously asked cause how else did he know I was here in this hotel and managed to be in the dining hall at the same time.

"Hmmm...even if I wanted to I couldn't cause you're mysterious"

"Love that !" I say, mystery is a good thing right ?.

He stood up as someone at the entrance caught his attention. I turned to see a lady with a file, she must be his secretary.

"See you tonight Cam" he said standing up and staring down at me.

"Night " I replied then he left and I watched him stroll out. Every move on him was sexy I noticed...man was really hot. I was staring when Mark came into view.

"Charles had to travel for work so I'll be the one who comes around" he shared staring down at me just like Michael had done.

"He couldn't even tell me in person? I have really good news to share " I state.

"Tell me I'll forward it to him"

"Sure...take a sit"

Mark sat down where Michael just left. I recounted to him the highlight of the event of last night .

Speaking to a crush was really hard with his eyes staring straight at me, unshifting. I was conscious as to whether I had applied good makeup. Once I was done he left without saying a word to me. This guy made me feel...unattractive.

Unrequited crush !

***

Evening came by and I got dressed and I thought I'd escape the makeup artists this time around and use those hours to rest instead. Thirty minutes later than usual, they arrived and thanks to the absence of Charles they accepted my choice of makeup.

A simple natural look that screamed Carmen Lopez was all shades a beauty queen !

The dress was also comfortable and not too revealing and tight as Charles would have opted for. I wore it with little heeled stilettos, admiring myself for a while in front of the mirror.

I drove to the restaurant Michael had sent me the location to earlier on.

Hmmm...such a fancy place I'm sure only big shots eat here cause I've seen this place in a couple of movies I watched and a dish cost a fortune.

Was that fortune worth it ? Maybe with the experience it did !.

The interior was really beautiful with brown and green colors championing the choice for design. I got in and only one dining table was in the area.

Geez this place was fucking beautiful and waiters stood at the side of the table with Michael sitting on a chair at the dining table engrossed on his phone. He noticed my presence and turned, took my beauty in...hahaha.

He stood up and drew a sit for me like a gentleman and I plopped my ass on it...gently.

"You look beautiful " he said taking my hand and kissing it, butterflies fluttered in my tummy.

"You don't look too bad yourself" I complimented him, man just looked good in everything he wore and I doubt he spent hours getting himself ready.

"Yeah...I've ordered their weeks special and I hope you'll like it "

"I hope so too " I chuckled delving on the feel of the place. I desperately wanted a picture...a full taken picture not selfie but Charles had strictly warned not to act cheap or overly excited in new places, don't know why his stupid rules just had to get stuck in my head..

"Do you have any allergies?" He asked.

He sounds caring !

"No..." does Camila have allergies I think Charles mentioned one earlier but I can't recall. If I say yes now and he asked what it was how do I respond ?. Shit Carmen you've fucked up...or not...I could turn the tables. "....actually when I was younger I did have a few but as I grew they wore off so I haven't reacted to anything yet" I shared.

"Okay...be careful " he replied.

The food looked appetizing and was a full course with dessert with gigantic lobsters as the special. I'm gonna love this I know.

"Enjoy your food" Michael said as the food was placed in front of us.

"Thanks...you too"

I enjoyed the crab meat so much that I felt I'd never leave this place. I cracking further into the shell of the lobsters when Michael abruptly held my hand. I stared up and looked at him, his eyes held those haunting looks in them and I stared back trying to assure him the best way I could. I couldn't detect what went wrong or what was going on. I watch him bring out a pretty ring and slid it on my finger. It was so beautiful, simple yet elegant and I stared at the little glittering stones at the center. They must be diamonds.

I never really pictured how my engagement would look in real life but this felt right...the warmth of the restaurant in the dimmed light and a handsome man in front of me....the feeling and setting was perfect just the intentions behind it that was all wrong.

Enthralled by the ring, i didn't notice his head coming closer till his lips touched mine. His lips were sweet on mine and shut mine so it wouldn't go further...so I wouldn't want more. He withdrew after a while.

I asked him about the payment and his reply was logical.

He asked about surgery and I was taken aback cause many people had asked me that when I have never touched a single part of my body. I instantly gave him a reply before remembering that Charles had said I should say I had undergone some surgical procedures as an explanation for the change. Shit ! . I hope he still thinks I did but was unwilling to share.

The meal was enjoyable but I couldn't finish it all. Why isn't my tummy bigger?.

"Come and take my picture" I told him.

"Seriously...you're into all that "

"No silly...I have to post the engagement ring and also share with my parents" I sternly replied. Yippee I found a great excuse.

"Oh my bad...what background do you wanna stay "

" Anywhere"

I posed and he took my pictures, some revealed the engagement ring and some didn't. He airdropped the photos to his phone before handing it over.

"Why did you do that"

"No reason...I just did, let's go"

We both exited the place and he got into my car.

" Hmmm you still got the new car smell" He said inhaling deeply.

"Oh...yeah" I replied.

"Did you just get it ?" He questioned again.

"Nah ...I've had it for a while " I said, can't he shut up already.

"This model was recently released though...I was about to order but changed my mind" he shared. Do I look like I care, jeez his arrogance wiped off memories of the sweet kiss. The kiss enchanted me at that moment but now I wasn't again.

"I got it recently from a guy...the guy that is now my ex boyfriend" I said...this was true cause Charles is my ex boyfriend.

"Oh...sweet good bye ride " he chuckled.

"Can you stop interrogating me ? " I asked annoyed.

"I will...if you let me drive" he slurred.

"You wish ...you aren't driving my baby "

His phone rang and he began talking ever so sweetly to the girl on the other line . I saw the road was free up ahead so I sped off, startling the big baby beside me. I smirked at his reaction and fear was evident on his face for a while..

I got to his house and it was like a 100 story building that's how insanely tall it was. I kept peering from my car window to see the tippy top.

"Just so you know I stay at the top floor" he boasted.

"That's obvious dumbass...pent houses are not penthouses without being at the top floor"

"You just have to..."

I sped off before he could finish his sentence.