Three | When you can’t stop playing with fire…
1625 Words
Renee’s POV
I lay in bed, trying to fall asleep while dreading what would come with tomorrow.
My father's words replayed in my mind.
“Tomorrow, you're going to meet him, so prepare yourself.”
I couldn't even fall asleep. The Mr. Da Silva I’d seen on the TV one time was probably in his 40s or 50s, so why did he want to marry me? I kept wondering.
What did he have against my family? Wasn't he supposed to be far richer than us? Far more powerful as well. So what exactly did he want?
I recoiled at the mere thought of having him close to me. I didn't even know when I balled up my fists in anger, clutching the sheets.
That overpowering feeling of powerlessness crept over me again, stinging me to my core.
“I hate you,” I kept whispering, blinking to fight the tears.
***
Back at the hotel…
Antonio’s POV
Jackson chuckled dryly.
“I'm guessing what you had to take care of starts with a ‘V,’” he said.
“Just so you know, that word is actually offensive to some people,” I replied, trying to calm myself as I neared the door.
“You know what I meant, playboy,” Jackson whispered.
“Shh,” I replied, putting my index finger to my lips before Carlos could hear him.
Then I pulled the door open with a warm smile, half expecting a punch in the face.
“Carlos Santana, the most important man in my life. What can I do for you?” I asked.
Carlos stood there for a moment, and my smile faltered as I searched his face for the telltale signs of second-degree murder thoughts.
My grip on the door handle tightened as I prepared to slam it in his face if he tried anything funny.
Then Carlos chuckled dryly and came in.
“I didn’t know you had company,” he said.
“What’s good Jackson?” He waved, walking into the sitting room.
I was watching Carlos warily as I returned from the door. I also had 911 on speed dial just in case.
“I’m alright,” Jackson replied, shaking hands with Carlos.
“Any problems?” I asked Carlos, eager to hear his purpose for being here as I joined them in the sitting room.
Carlos heaved. “It’s Veronica, man. She’s gonna drive me crazy.”
“Vera?” I coughed, repositioning myself on the sofa.
“What did she do this time?” I asked, like I wasn't the one driving her crazy in bed less than an hour ago.
“I had someone keep tabs on her. He told me she was seeing someone,” Carlos confided in me.
Jackson coughed, and reached for the bottle of water on the table, and I glared at him.
'You better not move crazy,’ I said with my gaze.
Carlos barely glanced at Jackson before continuing. “Speaking of which, her room’s a few doors away. Did you see something?” He asked.
“I had no idea Vera was in this hotel,” I replied with a straight-faced lie.
Carlos exhaled deeply and reclined against the sofa, rubbing his temples.
“I think you just need a small getaway man, to ease up. You don’t look so good,” I suggested tentatively. I needed him far away from me. But I couldn't just tell him to go away.
‘I know Veronica, Tony,” he hissed, sitting up.
“I know that woman. She’s gonna get herself laid, and I can’t stand the thought of my woman being in the arms of another man!” He ended in a deep growl.
“I get the message, Carlos,” I chuckled nervously.
“Relax. You can take her with you…” I added, then paused.
A wild thought just popped into my head.
“Or I can watch her for you… that is if you want me to,” I added tentatively.
I was taking a huge risk here, and with a man like Carlos, it could backfire horribly.
But it was worth getting into bed with that s*x goddess he called his wife.
“Of course there’s no place she can go to hide from me,” I breathed deeply, feeling the tension in the room rise to new heights.
I knew how quickly Carlos often went from 0-100, and I'd always been glad I wasn't the recipient of those bursts.
But this might just be the first time-
Carlos sat up quickly.
“Would you do that for me, Tony?” He asked.
And just like that, the tension dissipated.
I barely regarded Jackson’s wide-eyed signals to think this through.
“Yeah, what are brothers for?” I replied almost immediately, releasing breath I didn’t even know I was holding.
Jackson just heaved in resignation, reclining against the cushions.
Carlos glanced at him.
“What’s with your guy?” He asked me.
“Dealing with a breakup, don’t let him disturb you,” I replied, warning Jackson to stay put with my eyes..
“He gets like that if it lasts 3 months.”
“Oh okay,” Carlos nodded. “Sorry about that, man,” he said to Jackson.
“Thanks,” Jackson said, smiled slightly at Carlos, then rolled his eyes at me.
“Anyway,” Carlos sighed. “I know I need to get out for a bit, but my mind can’t even begin to relax when Vera’s out there with some dude.
“However, knowing that you’re watching her would surely help me sleep better at night.”
Jackson was in the background, shaking his head in disbelief.
“It’s fine. You know I’m here for whatever you need,” I smiled smugly.
I would be f*cking his wife right under his nose, and here he was, thanking me for it.
“Does she have to move in?” Carlos asked.
Jackson nearly choked, drawing Carlos’ attention again.
“No, no,” I replied, getting up. I had to get Carlos out of here before Jackson would give me away.
“I don’t want them to suspect a thing,” I said, glaring at Jackson.
“Alright, that makes sense,” Carlos replied, getting up too.
“My therapist had planned a trip for me earlier this week, but I declined.
“Guess I’m gonna call him up again,” he laughed as I walked him to the door.
“Thanks again, brother. I needed this for real.”
“Anytime, man, just say the word,” I replied, and shook hands with him again before he left.
Then I shut the door and heaved.
Finally, it was over.
“To be honest, I don’t even know who’s worse between you two,” Jackson called out.
“Him for trusting you with his woman or you for taking such a stupid risk.
“Do I need to remind you how much is on the line here?” He asked.
“It’s all under control,” I replied, grabbing the lifetime achievement award from the counter where I'd left it when Carlos showed up.
“It’s not. Nothing is under control. You are a f*cking mega-billionaire,” Jackson insisted.
“There are so many women out there you can have in a flick.
“Why do you keep going after the handful you know are off limits?”
“That’s the thing bro,” I replied, pointing at him.
Where’s the fun if she’s an easy catch?” I asked.
He obviously didn't get it, but I needed it to be a challenge. If not, then it was just plain old s*x.
Jackson just rubbed his eyes.
“I give up. Completely. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you, Tony. When you can't stop playing with fire, prepare to get burned.”
“I won’t,” I smiled, turning the award over.
“Now, how did it go?” I asked, raising it.
“Yeah, like you care,” Jackson scoffed.
“I actually do,” I replied.
“I just care for some other things more. But you get me, bro,” I smirked.
It was a hobby of mine to pull his legs.
“Nope. I don’t. I do not,” Jackson replied, shaking his head firmly.
I just laughed. “But seriously, who collected for me?” I asked.
Jackson sighed. “Your uncle. He told them that you weren’t present because of work while you were up here trying out new styles with Veronica.”
“Now that is a real bro,” I nodded appreciatively.
“Oh really?” Jackson scoffed.
“Yeah. You, on the other hand,” I dropped the award on the counter which I then leaned against, while pointing at Jackson.
“Almost got us killed in here.
“Look, bro, Carlos is… let’s just say he loses control quickly sometimes.
“You don’t want to arouse his suspicion, trust me,” I completed, leaning off the counter and coming round it to join Jackson in the sitting room.
“More reason why you shouldn’t be going down on his wife!” Jackson replied exasperatedly.
“You’re not getting the point, bro. I think I explained that part already.” I rolled my eyes.
It wasn't just about s*x. Although that was a big part regardless…
“You know what’s gonna happen if he finds out?” Jackson asked, getting up.
“What’s gonna happen if who finds out what?”
We both froze, eyes widening in shock as I realized that I hadn’t locked the door, and Carlos was standing right there, waiting for an answer.
This time we were definitely dead.
- Writer
