My boxing Angel

Chapter 6

~Jasmine~

Cooking for four grown-ass men is not something I thought I would ever be doing, and it was also a total nightmare. But one of the benefits of it is that at least each brother pulled their weight in the kitchen. Joaquin settled down by toasting everyone’s bread, to everyone’s liking. Rafael was washing and cutting vegetables, Elias washing whatever dish was used, and Vincenzo settled next to me, working with mine on the stove.

“Try not to burn down the house we are renting,” Vincenzo said with a scuff as he looked over me. I could see the teasing in his eyes, but when I nudged him on the side and gave him a snarky comeback, he became cold.

His actions took me by surprise, so I decided to finish preparing my sandwich quickly and head to the room that was assigned to me. I pick up my plate and start to make my way to my room as quickly as possible, but was stopped when someone cleared their throat.

“Hey missy, not so fast” Joaquin wiggles the butter knife he was just using in my direction. “We eat like a family here,” he says with indignation at my attempt to sneak out of the kitchen.

“Let her go Quinn” Vincenzo opened his big mouth, and I narrowed my eyes at him. Sure, be all hot and cold with me, why don’t you? “She really doesn’t have to be included in everything we do as a family.”

“Vincenzo” Elias lowly said to his brother, but he only shrugs.

“It’s okay,” I tell them with a smile. “I don’t want to intrude.”

“Nonsense, you are spending two months with us, and you are eating with us each day,” Rafael says with a smile as he reaches me and gently pushes me toward the dining table.

At least three out of the four brothers are kind to me.

Dinner went on smoothly, well except for the part where Vincenzo kept on glaring daggers at me. What the hell is this dude’s problem? I have known the guy since the first day I was hired by J.C. and from the first time our eyes locked, he only glared at me, which is the only thing he seems to know how to do when I’m around. He looks at me like I had killed his puppy.

I really don’t know what his problem is. What I do know is that I’m giving up on trying to befriend him.

After dinner, I decided to get some work done and sit on the porch. I stretch my arms a little, as I feel all cramped up, from working in front of the computer for so long. I hear the screen door open from behind me and Elias lets out a breath. He sits beside me and looks over at my computer screen. I stick my tongue out at him and close off the computer.

“So, what are you doing out here all alone?” Elias questions as he looks around the horizon. “And all cold?” He hisses and pulls me closer to him, getting me warmer. I didn’t even notice the cold, sure it was chilly, but it wasn’t intolerable. I have always enjoyed the cold, so that’s that.

“I’m just taking a breather,” I tell him with a shrug.

“From my brother? And by brother, I mean Vincenzo” he chuckles, probably knowing the answer to his question.

“Is it that obvious?” I ask him sheepishly.

“Well for starters you wouldn’t be working out here in the cold if you weren’t hiding,” Elias tells me with a brow raised.

“It’s not even that cold,” I tell him with an eyeroll.

“You should give him a chance,” he tells me with a nudge to my side.

“I don’t know, he can’t even eat at the same table as me, without glaring at me” I roll my eyes at him.

“Look Jas, I know he can be an asshole from time to time, but you have to remember that he is a guy who resolves everything with harsh comments and punches.”

“How is this helping his case?” I challenge with an eyebrow raised and Elias, chuckled nervously.

“Do not interrupt me” he points out and I roll my eyes, but I gesture to him to continue. “What I’m trying to say is that he can and will be harsh, but don’t take it to heart, he has had a rough life” he finishes and gives me a reassuring smile, with that he got up and left me all alone to my thoughts.

I have always seen Elias as the comedic younger brother, but seeing this serious side of his is new to me. But I will take his word for it, maybe I shouldn’t just give up on Vincenzo just yet.

-

I groan out when I see the hour on my phone, it’s only 2 in the morning and my throat is as dry as any desert. I quietly make my way to the kitchen, turning on the light I rub my eyes trying to adjust to the bright light. Suddenly I collided with a hard chest, I go stumbling back, but before I could hit the ground a pair of strong arms wrap around my waist and pull me closer. I slowly open my eyes and look up, to meet with two light brown orbs. I pull away from his touch when I recognize those eyes.

Vincenzo crosses his arms around his naked chest, and I couldn’t help but let my eyes wander around his body. Both of his arms are covered in ink, his chest is firm and the only part that is not covered in ink, he has a very solid 8-pack, and his face is stoic, while his eyes are piercing me. I finally meet his gaze and all of a sudden, I feel guilty and ashamed for letting my eyes wander.

Vincenzo takes a step towards me, and I feel my breath hitch in my throat.

“Don’t stare, it makes you look desperate” he whispers into my ear. When he pulls away, he has a devilish smirk on his face, then he leaves for his room, leaving me behind with a red face.