Loving Maria

Chapter 2

Carl's POV

“Why go through the ordeal, Carl? You could simply ruin their businesses hiding behind the shadows, do you really need to go out there?”

I thought for a second before responding. Kent really was oblivious to how these things worked. Swinging my chair over to face him, I replied, “Hiding is cowardice, Matthew Taylor has to know the root of his problem.”

“What if he goes haywire? And decides to retaliate?”

“I would want that, Kent, it'll make the battle funner. It's no fun beating my father's age grade who's low in strategy and game.”

“Carl Emilio Mcdevil, how can you be so mean?”

“It's an eye for an eye, Kent. It's not my doing. Matthew started it, I'm only finishing off.”

I glanced at my wrist watch, and caught sight of the time. “I should go.”

***

I'd been watching Maria Taylor closely for the last two years, but nothing under the earth prepared me for our unprecedented meeting at the traffic zone.

The late summer sun shone brightly over the street of Ottawa as I sat patiently, waiting for the green lights to beam. After about forever, the traffic light showed green, and I was just about to move when a loud squeak from behind startled me. Did someone just run into my vehicle? Anger suddenly rose in the pit of my stomach at the thought of a broken tail light.

From the side mirror, I caught sight of a lady trudge out of her car, her eyes largely surveying the ruins of my car. It looked like the tail light had really been scarred.

Crap!

But hold on, was that Maria Taylor? I squinted to take a closer look and scoffed. It was Maria Taylor in the flesh. I sat back for a second, observing and thinking introspectively.

It was in the plan to meet her soon, but not this early. This was pure coincidence and could only mean one thing: fate was on my side. I pulled the door and climbed out of my car.

“I'm so sorry,” she apologised as I stepped out onto the tarred road ignoring her frantic look - not intentionally - as the warm sun beat down on my skin.

I turned to face her after examining my ride, and our eyes met briefly before mine drifted back to the cars. I winced at the sight of the scratch on my vehicle but offered her a reassuring smile. There had to be a bigger picture to this, I thought, ready to take advantage of the situation.

"Not to worry, it's just a slight scratch," I said, with a calm and friendly tone. Then, gesturing to the damage on my car, I chuckled, hoping to set her a bit more at ease. "I've had worse traffic area mishaps, trust me."

Why was I even trying? This was Maria Taylor for d**k sake, Carl, so suck it up. You have no reason being nice to her, plus, she just scratched my Bugatti La Voiture Noire.

“Still, there has to be something I could do to make it up to you.” she muttered, pressing her lips together and looking genuinely apologetic.

A smile broke through my lips on impulse as I stared down at her slender figure. With those long lashes masking her bright green eyes, golden brown skin, and her perfectly toned and curvy body, I couldn't help imagining what she tasted like. My body reacted to those thoughts, and I quickly looked away.

“You won't let it slide like that, will you?” I asked to blur out the imagination.

“I don't intend to.” she answered, smiling, and all I could do was stare.

She had a beautiful smile, and for some reason, the smile on her face calmed my tumultuous heart. Not that I didn't want to get mad at her, I just couldn't.

“Then there might be something you could do.” I thought loudly, making a mischievous face.

“What could that be?” she asked, returning my energy.

Her eyes were searching mine now, trying to find what I couldn't quite wrap my hands around. I thought she was sexy, so I chuckled, for the second time, on impulse.

Resisting the urge to stretch out my hand and touch her face, I made a bigger blunder before I got the chance to blink twice.

“You have a beautiful smile,” I whispered, biting my lower lip. What the f**k was I doing? The atmosphere was growing increasingly tense, but it wasn't the weather.

“Really?” Maria asked, brushing an imaginary strand of hair behind.

“Yeah.”

“Thanks.” she said, smiling brightly that her eyes crinkled at the corner.

She didn't have to feel flushed or do that, I thought she looked perfect. f**k, Carl! But it wasn't me, her smile was addictive.

“Carl Emilio.” I introduced myself, stretching my hand for a handshake.

She was going to reply with her name when I added, “I think I've found a way you could make it up to me.”

Let's just skip the introductory part, I thought, suddenly alert and free from her clutches.

“How's that?”

“Can you play mom at my daughter's PTA tomorrow?”

“You have a child?” she asked, wide eyed.

I guess that her world crashed back to zero and disappointment blurred the lines, but what must be done must be done.

I'd waited patiently, watched her like a predator for the past two years, so I knew Maria like the back of my hand. After working as a Paediatrician, I knew she would do everything in her power to put a smile on a child's face.

“I had no idea you were married.” She mumbled, taking a step backwards.

“Not exactly.” I answered, covering the distance.

“What do you mean?” She inquired, quite interested in my life story. I was a beautiful storyteller back in college.

“I'm a widower.”

Again, my brain did that s**t before I got the chance to think. Something about Maria was causing me to think and act like a dork, but at least I wasn't drifting away from the plan. I still had my head in the game.

I saw that she was hit by the revelation, and I gave her some time to process what she'd heard. “Oh, I'm so sorry.”

“No, it's fine. I am fine. It's my little girl I worry about. Having to grow up without a mom or female figure to look up to must be really sad.”

Manipulation one-zero-one, that card never failed if you knew how to play it well.

“Yeah, it's sad. But, why haven't you remarried? You look really young.”

“Story for another day.” I replied, glancing at my wrist watch. I had an assignment to revoke her insurance coverage. But since we met on the way, then I had to find a way to keep her close. Very close.

“Don't you think we should meet again? Especially since you're now owing me?” I hinted, handing her my business card.

She received the card with a warm smile smeared on her face like makeup. How could she still smile so beautifully after the scandal and fire outbreak which occurred three days ago? I thought to myself, unable to take my eyes off her.

“I'll give you a call.”

“Sure.” I replied, acting nonchalant.

I was desperate. I needed to have her by my side now, but even if she didn't call, I would find a way to get into her life. Having a family member close by will save me from planting bugs and cameras.

I watched her drive off before igniting the engine, but I hadn't revved off when Kent rang me like a nagging broker.

“What do you want from me, Kent?”

“I just heard that there's a sea of paparazzi lined up outside Maria’s hospital. Did you do that?” He asked, breathing heavily.

I know Kent suspected me of everything hideous, deadly and abysmal, but I didn't do this one. And the fire outbreak, that was purely by accident, that wasn't the target.

“No, I didn't.” I replied, frowning.

“I think I can believe you. Just stay away from….”

I didn't wait for him to struggle his way to the finish line. I banged the phone on the dashboard, fastened my seatbelt, and careened off.

This isn't me racing to save a damsel in distress, I whispered to myself as I clicked on the gearshift and turned towards East to Slater, aiming for Bank street.

I'm only taking advantage of the situation, I pondered convincingly to myself, although it tasted like a lie on my tongue.

Who was I kidding?