CHIARA
"The man is ready. We can go meet him now." I said to the man who seemed to avoid my gaze since we woke up this morning. I took a sip of my coffee, side eyeing him. Was it because of what I did last night? Jeez, so innocent. My lips curled.
"Alright, finish your breakfast while I finish this and then we'll go." He didn't raise his head from his laptop as he spoke. This was going to be so much fun. "Okay." I staffed my mouth with a beagle. His phone vibrated on the table. It flashed the name 'Will'. He got up and went to stand by the window, his free hand casually slid in his pocket. This simple view had no business making my heart flatter this much.
"You had a month to inform me and you're telling me a day away? I'm not coming." He uttered, his voice firm. He sighed after a short while, "Fuck you, Willem." He hung the call and sighed again, before returning back to the table. "Change of plans, tesoro." He sat down, shutting the laptop. "Why?" I placed down the cup of coffee.
"I'm afraid we can't return home after meeting up with the paint company. We have to fly to London for an event. Friendship obligations." He said, still not facing me. "Which friend is this? I never heard you talking about any." He smiled, "Just some piece of shit. Apart from Junior and Celia, he is the only other pain in my ass." From his smile, I could tell the two of them had more connection than he showed.
"What event are we attending? Is he getting married?" I asked. He scoffed, "No shit. Willem? Getting married? That's like asking your knees to bend backwards. It's his grandfather's eighty-sixth birthday. You don't have to accompany me if you don't want to, I'll ask Black to take you—"
"How long are we staying?" I interrupted him. "Two days at most." He replied, busying himself with his hands. "Okay." I uttered and stood up. But instead of going to change, I rounded the table and came to stand before him. He looked up at me shortly and faced down again. I frowned and sat on his lap. Ignored his tense body, wide eyes and wrapped my hands around his neck. "What is the matter with you? You have been avoiding me." His body tensed even further. What the hell?
"I—"
"Is it about yesterday? Is this all because I masturbated in your car?"
"No. I—" he sighed. "There is something I want to tell you, tesoro. But I need you to know that I'm very sorry." He glanced at me.
"What is it?"
When he was done, his head hung low, and my jaw was on the floor because I couldn't hold myself together. What the fucking hell? I could not believe it but at the same time it made me excited. "I'm sorry, tesoro." He murmured. A wide grin formed on my lips. What am I to do with this man? I can't even think of punishing him. "Look at me." He faced me, pure guilt shone in his eyes. "Next time," I slapped his cheek playfully, "do it," another slap, making him squint, "when I'm awake." And another.
His eyes widened after realizing what I just said. I couldn't help but chuckle at him. "You deprived me of such a hot moment, do you know that?" I added.
"So… you're not angry at me?"
"Because you told me, I'm not. Turns out you're not as traditional as I thought, you're naughty." I pinched his cheek. He looked away grinning. "Thank you."
"Goodness. Are you blushing?" His red cheeks and ears were a sight to ogle at. "I'm not." He hugged me, letting out a deep breath. My smile faltered. He was genuine with me even with the things that he could've kept to himself. I, on the other hand, wasn't. "I'll go and change." I ran away instead of facing the guilt I was feeling.
An hour later, we arrived at the Heavenly colors. A local paint company in Milan. I've been working with them for years now. They were producing and distributing paints, including those designed specifically for interior and exterior walls, as well painters who worked with canvas. I'd been buying different kinds of paints, like oil paints, acrylic paint and watercolors for Safiya. And all I can say was that their colors had higher quality, blend ability and archival properties. It does not yellow or crack over time.
We met with the man, and he began showing us around, evidently by showing different colors and how it looked when painted on the walls. "Heavenly colors offer you durability, coverage, washability and resistance to environmental factors like UV and moisture." He handed Carmelo a bucket of water, letting him try it out himself on the wall. "We guarantee you a higher quality paint for both interior and exterior walls."
Once Melo was satisfied, he linked the man with his company management for further follow ups and agreements. I was just at peace to see some hope in his eyes again concerning the issue.
"Thank you, love. You have no idea how much this is going to help me." He took both of my hands and kissed my knuckles. I was aware of how much of a hassle it is to take up a new vendor all of a sudden and end a contract with a former one. But I was picky, and I picked the company years ago. Heavenly colors might be local but very promising.
"I'm just glad I could help." His body went still when I pecked his lips without a warning and rested my head on his chest, watching the cars swerving around the city. Then his hand came to wrap around me, pulling me closer. "Your existence in my life is a blessing, tesoro. I hope you know that." He uttered, causing emotions to surge on my chest. No, I wasn't about to cry now. "And so are you." I murmured. He had no idea.
Hours later, almost afternoon. We landed in London. With Black, Storm and three other guards. Cars were already waiting for us. Carmelo said he already booked a hotel for us. I have been to London several times before, but I have never been to this part of London. South Kensington.
My eyes were lost in Victorian buildings and the people who were going about their day like they weren't living in this beautiful neighborhood. The car pulled over before a white old building. It was hard to miss the flag placed at the top of the entrance and the letters that were curved in black style on the wall. We stepped out of the car.
The man came to stand beside me, intertwining our hands. While the others were taking out our luggage from the car. "Have you been here before?" I asked after seeing his wide smile. "Yes, you're going to love it. Come on." We walked inside.
Indeed, the five star boutique hotel was amazing. It looked like it belonged in the 19th century but the contemporary style it was designed with was very modern and refreshing. We checked in but instead of heading to the rooms, Carmelo had some other plans for both of us. "Where are we going?" I asked once he sat in the car as well. "We're going to have lunch and then go shopping. What do you say, tesoro?" He wobbled his eyebrows like he loved to do. Did he just say shopping? Yes sir. "Okay."
The birthday was in the evening, and although I had a jet leg and definitely had new dresses with me, I could never say no to shopping. A little more dresses wouldn't hurt.