Impossible Odds

14

“That rat. She promised she wouldn’t tell anyone.” Maria just rolled her eyes. “She said you’d say that. Look, she didn’t tell your dad, and I’m not planning to either even though I know I should. We’re just going to install some cameras and keep an eye on things. No harm, no foul, so don’t get bent out of shape.”

“It’s not the cameras I care about. It was my personal business she shared, and she had no right to say anything.” Alessia was only trying to protect me, but I couldn’t help my anger. “If it’s any consolation”—Filip set down the stepladder and smirked—“I have no clue what kind of trouble you’ve gotten into, although I’m seriously curious. In fact, if you want someone to keep an eye on her, Maria, I’m happy to help. This couch looks plenty comfy. I can just crash here.” His eyes glinted with mischief. He was giving me a hard time, but I was not in the mood. “Absolutely. Not,” I ground out, crossing my arms. Maria huffed out a laugh. “Filip, you get yourself in enough trouble of your own. I don’t need you making things worse.” He shrugged impishly. “Suit yourself, but the offer stands.” “I can’t believe this,” I said to the ceiling. “One camera on the front door, and that’s it. Do I need to worry about who’ll be watching the video feed? I’m not interested in being anyone’s entertainment.” “Matteo has a security team. The feed will be streamed to them, but I’ll make sure only the door is in view. I’m also installing a camera in the hallway and one on the elevator. They’re wireless, so it shouldn’t take long.” “Fine,” I grumbled. “But you can tell Al she’s on my s**t list.” I stormed back into my bedroom and slammed the door. OceanofPDF.com Chapter 7 Giada By Tuesday morning, I was so sick of thinking about the mystery man that I wished he would show up just so I could give him a piece of my mind. He said he’d be in touch, and now it was three days later without a word. Had he changed his mind and left town? I wouldn’t have expected a normal guy to necessarily text right away, but the uncertain nature of the situation made me more on edge about hearing from him. I spent the morning doing yoga to help calm me down. Alessia ran and Maria was kick-ass at martial arts, but I was a little more zen with my exercise. I’d been doing yoga since my teens—one of the few suggestions from my mother that had actually paid off. Not only was it a great workout but I always felt more centered after a sweaty session of hot yoga. From there, I had lunch with a friend, then went home to clean up before making the drive out to my parents’ house for our weekly family dinner. I hadn’t wanted to sit around in my apartment thinking, so I arrived at the house early. Mom was still at a church committee meeting, but I found Lucy in the kitchen working on dinner. She was mostly a housekeeper but cooked for Mom occasionally. “Hey, Lucy! What’s on the menu for tonight?” I gave the sweet older woman a hug and peeked into her simmering pot. “You’re here early, mija. What a lovely surprise. You can help me clean up.” She grinned impishly. “I made Sopa de albondigas—meatball soup. The hard part’s done; it just has to cook now.” Lucy was friendly with everyone, but she took a special liking to me. I was pretty sure it was because I was the shortest person in the family and, therefore, the only one who didn’t tower over her four-foot-ten frame. She’d only come to work for my parents three years ago, not long after I’d moved out, but she quickly came to feel like part of the family. “I have nothing better to do, so I’m happy to help.” I collected a cutting board full of chopped remnants and swept them into the sink. “I hope you didn’t put too many peppers in those meatballs. You know how picky Dad can be about spicey things.” Lucy was Hispanic, so it had been tricky to find dishes she made that Dad would eat. “I don’t think so, but sometimes a spicy one sneaks in there. I’ll just have to hope he’s in a good mood.” She winked at me and started scrubbing the dishes in the sink. “You look extra pretty today, mija. Is there anything special going on?” The older woman glanced at me coyly, making me chuckle. She was always asking about my love life, telling me I needed to find a good man and settle down. “Absolutely nothing, just felt like getting dolled up.” There may have been a little purpose in my Cosmo hair and makeup. I might not have seen my mystery man by the end of the day, but I liked knowing that if he did appear, he’d get a taste of what he’d been missing. “Tú mama will be home soon.” I only grunted in return. “What? Did you two have a fight?” She paused her scrubbing and peered over at me. “No, just the usual. We make each other a little crazy.” “Ah.” She nodded. “That’s the way it’s supposed to be. It encourages young people to go out and get lives of their own. If we were all content to stay with our parents, we’d never leave. I never had kids of my own, but I know my sister and her daughter fought like cats until her daughter finally moved out. Then once they had their own space, things got better.” “Well, I moved out years ago. It helped a little, but she still can’t help telling me what to do.” “She just wants you to be happy.” “I am happy. Or at least, I would be if she’d leave me alone.” Lucy rinsed out the empty sink and took off her apron before looking at me sadly. “Are you? Do you truly believe you’re happy, mija?” Suddenly everyone had an opinion about my life. What was the deal? I dropped onto a counter barstool and sighed. “I don’t know, Lucy, but her meddling definitely doesn’t help.” “It will get better, trust me. One day soon, you’re going to figure out what you want from your life, and everything will change.” She smiled warmly and came over to pat my arm. “From your lips to God’s ears.” Lucy yipped and chuckled while crossing herself, making me giggle. After dinner with my family, I made the hour drive back home to my quiet apartment. I mulled over what Lucy had said and the fact that both she and Alessia suggested I should make some changes. I was somber by the time I got home and ready to lose myself in some mindless television and binge eat my weight in ice cream. However, before I even had a chance to change into comfy clothes, a knock sounded on the front door. If Maria wants to install more damn cameras, she’s got another thing coming.