Loving Vicente

VI

DANIELLA’S POV:

I hang the phone up quickly, my face on fire. I knew it wasn't a big deal, but I was still new to this whole flirting thing. After getting ready and having our morning breakfast with my uncle, Anna asks me if I wanted to come to the mall with her and Isa. Feeling excited, I text Vicente. "Heading out with your sister today." He sends back a smile, "Get something pretty, I want to take you for dinner tonight." Read his reply.

A grin spreads across my face, and my heart beating fast. Isa picked us up not too long after. We stopped for coffee and gossiped the whole way to the shopping center. Walking from store to store we pick out different pieces of clothing. Stopping at this cute little shop, I spot a beautiful black dress. It fit me like a glove, hitting my mid-thigh. The straps came around my neck in a halter top style, tastefully showcasing my breasts.

Walking out of the dressing room, I immediately pay for the dress. For the next few hours my thoughts are filled with Vicente and our dinner tonight. We finally decide to grab some lunch before heading home. Stopping at a nearby taco spot, we pay for our orders and wait patiently. The shopping center is filled with people, all going about their day. I cast a small glance around me, watching my surroundings.

I spot a tall male in an all-black suit. He stuck out to me because it wasn't the first I had seen him. Turning my focus back towards my group, I see Isa already looking at me. "Don't worry. My brother doesn't think I know, but he always sends security when I go out." I nod my head, the gravity of who these people were was starting to get to me.

They had enemies, enough to the point where Isa needed protection. If I got more involved with Vicente, would I need it too? The thought causes somersaults to erupt in my stomach. I could feel how deep I was getting, frankly, it started to scare me.

When we get home, I call my parents. After a few short rings, they pick up. "Hi, sweetie! How are things going?" I hear my mom's excited voice. Filling her in, she sounds happy. Happy that I loved it here, happy that she was on vacation. I was glad for them, they needed this break. My dad jumps on the phone, "You've been doing good, right?" I let out a nervous chuckle but reassure him.

I've always been trustworthy, they never questioned me. Telling them goodbye and I love them, I hang up. Pulling out a book, I make myself comfortable on my bed. I know, I'm boring. All I like to do was read, truthfully it was calming. Going into Anna's room, I ask her to straighten my hair for the date.

We play music for the next hour talking and laughing. Anna was really down to earth, it made me glad she was my cousin. When my uncle came home he poked his head in, checking on us. He lets us know he'll be leaving for a work trip in the morning and would be gone a few days. I see Anna's demeanor change, I'm guessing they haven't made up since the fight they had gotten into.

After my uncle had gone to bed, I sat in my room. Mirror in hand, I touch up my lip gloss. Looking down at my phone, Vicente had texted letting me know he'd be here soon. Slipping on my dressy sandals, I straighten out my dress. Looking through my jewelry, I decided to add a simple necklace with small stud earrings.

I waited in my room patiently, feeling excited. When he finally arrived, I crawl through my window shutting it softly. Vicente stood leaning against the passenger door, waiting for me with a smile on his face. Feeling bold, I latch my arms around his neck. He has a look of shock on his face but quickly replaces it with his beautiful pearly whites.

Pecking his lips, he wraps his arms around my waist lifting me off my feet. "I missed you." He says, gazing into my eyes. "I missed you too," I reply, my face a light shade of pink. He sets me down gently, opening the door. Stepping into his car, I'm hit with the smell of his mint gum and his aftershave.

As we drive to wherever he was taking me, we sat in a comfortable silence. Our hands resting together in my lap. My heart swelled looking over at this man. He had made me feel alive. A feeling of sadness settles over my thoughts as I think about the things that could challenge our relationship. What happens when I have to go home? Am I just a summer fling?

He must feel the shift in my mood because he glances over at me. "Que paso?" (What happened?) He asks. Not wanting to ruin the night, I tell him I miss my parents. "It must be nice missing your family. I wish I had that more." My heart aches for him. Consoling him I tell him, "I'm sorry. I wish I could fix it." We turn down a street that was filled with a bunch of different stands and a dining area. There's a small crowd of people, all walking around chattering and eating delicious-smelling food. The neighborhood lit softly with a few string lights hung above the booths, giving it a cozy atmosphere.

Getting out of the car, I look around excitedly. Vicente places his hand on my lower back, guiding me forward. "Vicente, this place looks so cool. How did you find it?" I ask him. He smiles at me, "I grew up down here before my mom passed. They do this every weekend." His response warms my heart as I realize the intimate part of his life he was sharing with me. We continue talking and walking up and down the stands, stopping and trying whatever we thought looked good. Everything tasted amazing, I was so stuffed towards the end of our evening.

As we're sitting, I notice Vicente glancing over my shoulder where a few men stood. They had been rowdy all evening, ordering drink after drink. "Hey just ignore them. It's OK." I say softly, rubbing my hand soothingly on his arm. He gives me a tight smile, trying to focus his attention back on me.

When suddenly, Vicente stands quickly telling me to wait here. Not listening to him, I chase after him. "Vicente, please!" I cry out, causing a few people to glance our way. I watch helplessly as he makes his way towards the men, grabbing one of them by the collar of their shirt he smashes his fist across the guy's face. The men around him cowardly scatter in separate directions.

Vicente is on top of the guy, wailing at him endlessly. Panic rises in my throat as I get closer. When I finally reach them, I try calling Vicente's name. Nothing I say breaks him out of his rage as he continues landing punches on the man. Blood comes flying off his knuckles as a sob escapes my lips, begging Vicente to stop. When he finally breaks himself off, I can see his body shaking vigorously.

Pulling out his phone he dials a number, I look over to the stranger on the sidewalk. A gag escapes my lips as I see the damage Vicente had left behind. Hearing his deep voice boom out an order to whoever he called, he looks back at me. His eyes filled with an anger I had never seen in him. Shrinking into myself, I remain quiet. A van pulls up quickly before Vicente can say anything further.

Two men hop out, peeling the stranger from the street and throwing him into the van. They take off with no words said, just a quick nod to Vicente. He approaches me cautiously, wiping his hands on his pocket square. "Daniella..." He says slowly. I hold my hand up, silencing him. "Take me home, Vicente," I say sternly. He doesn't respond.

Making our way back to his car, I open my door. Silence fills the air, making it impossible to breathe. I think about what I had just witnessed. Now I understood why there was a certain respect everyone seemed to give him. My stomach was full of knots, making me feel nauseous. Pulling into the driveway, I exit his car quickly.

Hearing him call my name behind me, I ignore him and make my way inside. I needed space. What he just did left me shocked. I wouldn't even know what to say to him right now. Heading into Anna's room, I see she was sleeping peacefully. Taking off my shoes, I scoot in next to her.

The movement wakes her from her sleep. "Daniella?" She asks softly, "What happened?" A troubled look crosses my face. "I'll tell you in the morning. I just need to have some company tonight." I reply. Anna nods her head understandingly. I try to sleep but every time I closed my eyes, all that came to mind was the image of Vicente pounding his fists. The dark look he had after it was over, and the deep breath of relief he blew out replayed in my thoughts. Not knowing what I had gotten myself into, I finally drift to sleep.

The next morning, I woke up in Anna's room. Her bed was empty. Rubbing my head, I make my way back to my room and change out of my dress. Throwing on sweats I look over to my phone. Text after text flooded my screen. Knowing they were Vicente, I toss it aside. Still in a feeling of shock, not wanting to talk yet. Walking into the kitchen, Anna is at the counter mixing what looks to be pancake batter. Smiling at her, I ask if she needs help.

Starting some coffee, we continue talking. My uncle comes into the kitchen, smelling the pancakes. "I wanted to cook you a nice breakfast before you left." Anna had said to her dad. He smiled softly at her, kissing the top of her head. I felt happy that they were trying to move past their fight. We sat eating breakfast together, all of us chatting happily. It felt nice. My uncle hugged us both goodbye, letting us know he'd be back in 3 days and to not tear the house down. We laugh, walking him out to his truck. Waving goodbye, we watch him fade into the distance.

Making our way back inside, we sit on the couch. "So what happened last night? How was the date?" Anna asks. I let out a heavy sigh, not knowing what to say. "Well. He ended up getting violent and beating the hell out of someone." I say frustratingly. Letting out a groan, I throw myself into the couch.

Anna lets out a gasp, "What do you mean?" Giving her the rundown of the story, she gets quiet. "Well, did you ask him why he did it?" Anna asks. Shaking my head no, "I just asked him to take me home." I reply. Anna weighs my words. "What should I do Anna? He scared me last night. It was like a whole new person." She flashes me a look of sympathy. "For starters, I say talk to him. Ask why he flipped his switch. He could have a legit reason."

I think about what she says the rest of the day. My phone continues to be flooded with messages. Glancing over, one of them read, "Please talk to me. I'm sorry. Let me explain." Letting out a sigh, I turn off my phone. I needed to think about what I was going to do before giving him a response. My heart felt heavy that night, and my sleep feeling restless as I tossed and turned.