Promises II
My Alejandro smiles and opens his arms wide ushering her to run into them. Which she happily does.
He catches her, lifts her off the ground and spins her around.
And all I can do is stand there and watch.
Watch as Alejandro's smile turns into a little smirk as he whispers something in Greta's ear discreetly. A move I wouldn't have caught had I not been watching them so closely. I would have also missed the way Greta's cheeks warm into a blush, the color tinting her pale cheeks beautifully.
"How are you, princess?" He smiles and places a peck on her lips.
And that's when everything crumbles. My face drops and I find myself blinking back tears.
I was his princess not her.
And infront of me?
An awful mix of sadness and rage seep into my pores but I let the latter take over, for I couldn't stand anymore sadness.
Sadness was the only constant in my life these past few days. I had been feeling particularly alone and down and Alejandro's absence wasn't helping.
Ethan's been away on business and without anyone by my side I was left all alone. I wasn't allowed to leave. But when I was, it was to go to school, where I continued to feel like the dumbest person in the room.
I was a prisoner and all the spare time did for me was make me think about mamá.
She would never treat me like this. She would understand my feelings. She would hold me and tell me it was going to be alright.
I had spent the past two nights awake thinking of her. Playing with her diamond bracelet that I refused to take off. Sneaking into the storage room where I knew they kept a box of her things. Stealing her cardigan to hold against me as I cried myself to sleep.
I always told her how hideous that thing was but she always laughed and purposely wore it.
It was like I could still see her pulling the cardigan tighter around herself as we walked down the beach. Discussing how this was going to be the year I graduated high school despite my academic struggle. We'd plan our trip for my last summer before college.
This summer.
God, I miss her.
"Let's go Camila." I snap my head up to Marco who's at the door, staring at me expectantly. Clearing my throat, I wipe the lone tear that'd escaped and look around the empty foyer where Alejandro and Greta were a moment ago.
"They already left. Capo has arranged for you to ride with me. Something about more privacy." Marco says and for once, I find myself wishing he wasn't so cold all the time. Because I really needed someone, anyone right now.
Mustering up a smile, I nod walking towards him, too scared to speak for I knew my voice would crack.
I needed to keep myself together.
He holds the door open as I step out and head into the back seat. I desperately wanted to sit next to him up front, but apparently it was a safety hazard and so I took up a space in the back, all alone.
I didn't even want to think about why Alejandro had requested me to go in another car. It wasn't like they were short on room.
But they needed privacy.
I try not to think about what that means, but the other thoughts that preoccupy my mind are no better.
Everything seems to dampen my mood to a sorrowful one.My mamá, Alejandro and I, how alone, scared and lost I feel.
"You have a test coming up." I hear Marco say. It's unusual for him to speak up yet I can't really find it in me to care, as I glance out the window and hum in response.
"Which means we need to study more. I say, after brunch we go over the material." He continues, I look towards the front meeting Marco's eye through the rear view mirror. He seems to be studying me, the look in his eyes telling me he knows somethings wrong, but doesn't speak on it.
I clear my throat and shake my head. "I can't. I have a performance."
He raises a brow. "For what?" He asks.
I just shrug, my performance not feeling all that important anymore. "Some orchestra thing the school is forcing me to do." I brush off, not wanting to think of it.
It was a big deal.
Something I had been practising months for. Something I had been preparing with mamá for. But now it was going to be my first performance without mamá there to cheer me on.
And I would have canceled had it not been opening night and so important.
Marco nods. "Your mamá told me about those." He speaks and for the first time since meeting Marco, I see something other than indifference or anger in his eyes.
Warmth.
I turn towards the window, suddenly feeling too suffocated in this car. I didn't want to think or talk about that.
Luckily, Marco doesn't say much for the rest of the ride to the country club. And before he can open my door, I slip out of the car, discreetly wiping a few tears as I round the SUV only to stop short as I suddenly catch the sight of the man who is partly to blame for my down mood.
Alejandro stands near the entrance next to Greta, even his relaxed stance is one of a powerful man as they seem to be in conversation with a group of people. I cant be sure if he's looking at me directly or in my general direction, for he still has his sunglasses on but I can feel his stare.
I force a quick small smile before looking away, and walking inside, needing to ignore the happy couple.
The brunch was being held at a reserved patio, and unlike the last time, the pool was cleared and reserved before hand for the event.
I walk forward to find my name and take my seat for I wasn't feeling social today. I cast a glance around the empty table, noting how I'm the first one here out of many, only I suddenly feel someone slip into the chair next to me.
I peer at the name tag and then look up at jacob-Greta's older brother with a brow raised. "You don't look like a Paul to me." I say looking between the name card and him.
He smiles and tosses the name tag aside. "You know, I never really felt like a Paul either." I find myself chuckling at his lame reply.
His smile widens as he moves in, planting a kiss on my cheek in greeting. "I wanted to greet you when you first came in, but one look at you in that dress and I had to take a minute. You look like an absolute treasure."
I send him a small smile but before I can thank him, I'm interrupted by a snorting noise. I look up just in time to see it leave Greta's red lips. She walks hand in hand with Alejandro who's looking at Jacob, as Greta drags him to the two seats in front of us.
Instead of replying I dart my eyes down to study the menu. I was feeling down, thus I wasn't in the mood to snap back. Greta had won and it was clear she knew it.
"Your jealousy is almost as loud as that dress, Greta tone it down would you?" Comes Jacob's bored voice as he sends his sister a fleeting glance.
She scoffs and I raise my eyes to see her eyeing me. "I have nothing to be jealous of." Her tone is smug as she places a hand atop of Alejandro's.
I don't even dare to look at him for I know it'll make me feel worse. So, I chose to remain silent, as Jacob ignores his sister and greets Alejandro.
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