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  What? NO!

  “No, please. You can drive if you want.” I stupidly said.

  “No, I’m fine.”

  OMG! I just knew right then and there that everything was going to be hard.

  “Please…” I begged.

  He was left no choice, but to hop inside the car.” I don’t know how to drive, I’m sorry.”

  Like, for real? How come this face has never driven a decent car before? Oh, he really belonged to this kind of cars. I mean, look at him!

  Chapter 5

  It’s been two hours since we’ve done his painting session of my plus-size body wearing a pair of nighties that has made me so uncomfortable. But, as an artist myself, I knew that it was actually for the sake of art. Besides, there hasn’t been one moment that he stopped reminding me how “majestic” was my body. Yeah, “majestic” was his word. It felt like I was a unicorn with braided tails, and a power to totally change lives.

  But I wasn’t. Instead, I was a girl with a broken heart and overflowing money, but no proper destination in life. There’s nothing really majestic with that.

  We grabbed our lunch at this fancy restaurant where the two of us were totally underdressed, but the food was delicious. He wasn’t even comfortable eating that fancy food, and it felt so wrong for me. Apparently, he’s not the type of guy who would indulge in a one-time opportunity to feel fancy, not even for the long term. And I swear it was so hot for me.

  I actually asked him if it was going to be just a single session for my modeling, but he said that he’ll be needing me to do it for him for quite some time, which is fitting because it will be strange for me if he didn’t need my service anymore, but then he won’t accept my money for his painting lessons.

  “When do you want to start painting?” He asked.

  I was caught off guard by his question as I was in the middle of recounting the best scenes of my modeling couple of hours ago.

  “When will it be okay?” I asked him.

  “Is tomorrow fine?” He asked.

  Are you kidding me? Of course, it is!

  “Totally…” I tried to sound not too excited, but I wasn’t successful doing things lately.

  I gestured to leave and I think he already got it, so he stood up waiting to lead me out of his simple apartment. And so I tried to pick up my scarf I hung behind his door, but it was stuck. He then came towards me to help me get it. He placed his hand on mine, and it sent shivers down my spine. Seriously???

  “Oh, sorry…” He said upon realizing what was going on.

  OMG! Don’t be…

  “Let me get it for you.” He said after seeing that I still haven’t taken my hand away from my scarf.

  “Oh.” I took it out.

  He was successful just with a single try, and he handed it over to me, which gave us the perfect excuse for our skin to touch. I felt seriously bothered by this moment, but in the best way.

  We remained like that for few seconds, and I can swear from my mother’s grave that has she been countless teaching me about how to act like a lady while she was still living, I would’ve jumped right on to him, and just to the freaking first move. But no, I was still a lady with a few manners left so… “Oh, uhhh… my hand.” I said.

  He was shocked after the realization has hit him that we were actually having our little moment right there. “Of course, here’s your hand…” He said while handing me over my hand, still not letting go of it as if it wasn’t attached to the rest of my body.

  I tried so hard not to squeal or laugh or make a weird teeny sound, but I wasn’t able to avoid biting my lip. “Thanks for my hand.” I said, and I laughed. Nope, once again, I wasn’t successful.

  “Right…” He said, laughing.

  Not that I was planning to make him a rebound, no. I wasn’t even sure if he also likes me, but I was just closer to accepting the idea of moving on. Besides, I don’t think my pain was due to losing the love of my life, it was more like losing the one thing I relied onto for many years… like he was a just a best friend to me, and having him married to someone else might mean that I have to do things on my own now. Well, look at that… maybe I won’t be alone in a different way. Thank you Heavens for making sure that I’ll have this for the next however many months… I needed this, thank you…

  ******

  It’s been five months since Gary was teaching me how to improve my techniques on painting, and it was my third time sending my papá my work of art. For the first two times, he called me after receiving them, and he sent me photos of where it was hanging… of course, in one place he’s always been hanging out—his office. I knew papá would be happiest for this one because it’s him and my mamá.

  “Cariño!” He answered my call.

  “Hola, papá!” I greeted him over the phone.

  I missed his voice so much! For the past three months, he understood why I only called for maximum of five times after requesting from him not to call me more often if it wasn’t necessary. I wanted to give him much time to do his work, and to stop worrying about me. But I also knew it very well that it was in fact impossible. And whenever I call him, he never failed to answer my call after just two consecutive rings, plus his voice was also sounding so excited.

  “Hola, baby… Is there anything you’re about to send me?” He asked, sounding so excited and expectant.

  “I just did, and I bet you’ll love this the most.” I informed him.

  “Thank you so much, hija.” He said. “Thank you for always thinking about your old man.” He went on with his words of gratitude.

  “Of course, papá! I love you so much. I’ll give you a call once I’m in LA.” I informed him.

  “Why do you always need to hang up so soon?” He asked, and it broke my heart.

  “Oh, I’m so sorry, papá. Don’t worry as I’ll make sure to call you more often now, okay?” I offered him.

  He let go of a sigh, and it made me smile weakly. I felt bad for my old man. I bet he missed me a lot since I’m the only closest family he has, and there I was thinking my life was over since Clemente left when in fact, there’s my old man with me in every step of the way. I was so selfish, and Gary’s been so helpful in making me realize my dad’s worth. Luckily, I knew how to make it up for him.

  “Do you want to come here and visit me, papá?” I asked.

  I heard his joyous shock, and for a moment, I thought he was having a heart attack and it scared me big time. “Dad?! Are—are you alright?”

  “I’ll be there this afternoon.” He said, and I started breathing right again.

  “You scared me.” I said. “Great! I also need you to meet someone.”

  “Interesting.” He said. “I will see you this afternoon, te amo, hija.”

  I smiled. “I love you, too, papá.”

  I started my home way, and I’ve decided to call Gary while on the road.

  “Kristina.” He greeted me with enlightening voice.

  “Gary, my dad’s going to be here this afternoon. Can I introduce you to him?” I nervously asked him.

  “Of course, that will be my pleasure. So we should cancel the session for this afternoon.” He said.

  “Will it be okay?” I asked.

  “Of course, silly! What time will he be arriving?”

  “I don’t know yet, but I’m planning to cook for him.” I answered.

  “Let me cook for him.” He offered.

  OMG! Will you??? Oh, papá is going to love it!

  “He will adore that!” I exclaimed.

  “Great! I’ll come over now. I’ll see you in twenty.” He said.

  It is true, then… that when one door closes, another one opens.

  Boy was I so glad I let another one opened.

  I was just so sure that my dad’s going to love him, and besides, his financial or social status wasn’t really that important to him since my mom’s didn’t really come from a reputable family. She was actually his nanny’s daughter.

  I got home after ten m
inutes, and I was glad to clean my apartment for the first time.

  Few more minutes and Gary will be here. We’ll probably go to the grocery store together. I was so excited!

  After eight minutes, my doorbell rang, and I was so sure that it’s Gary so I opened up the door to let him in.

  He walked inside the apartment with a brown bag in his one arm—he’s already gone shopping for the ingredients.

  I pouted, and he touched my face.

  It’s been two weeks since we started to label our relationship, and there hasn’t been one moment that he failed to make me feel how much I meant to him.

  He leaned over to give me a kiss, and I kissed him back. Yes, we’ve kissed, but no, we haven’t slept together yet. I wondered why, but he won’t do it. And every time I felt like starting it, my mamá would cross my mind, and pretty sure she’s smiling down on me from Heaven.

  “How can I help?” I asked.

  He shook his head while fixing the lost strands of my hair and placing them behind my ear. “I can handle this.” He teased, and I smiled at him.

  I watched him graceful move in my fancy kitchen. He was having a hard time at first, but once he got a hold of my whole kitchen, I was swept off my feet by his grace. OMG! It’s so unfair…

  Chapter 6

  “This is so divino!” My dad exclaimed after tasting Gary’s version of famous Spanish food called Tortilla Espaniola and Pisto.

  “Thank you, sir. I’m glad you liked it.” He said to my dad.

  “I told you, call me papá.” He insisted, while faking an annoyed face. I smiled at the sight of two of them chatting like this.

  “Okay, papá.” Gary said, trying to have a Spanish accent with the word “papá”.

  “Very good, hijo.” He said.

  We had a great time enjoying our dinner, and it couldn’t get any better than this. I stood up to get the two of them a bottle of beer each. After reaching for them at my fancy kitchen, I came out to the sight of the two of them fooling around, trying to copy the silly boy in the commercial from the television. I didn’t even know they opened it.

  Gary changed the channel to baseball, and I was suddenly out of the scene. I handed them over their own beer, and dad smiled at me without even looking at me. Wait, I thought he missed me, and that’s why he’s here? And then I realized, we can do this more often.

  “You know what, dad?” I called out his attention.

  “Hmmm, cariño?” He asked without taking his eyes off the television.

  I pouted. “We can do this more often…” I said, and it made him quickly turned his head to face me, and to see if I was joking.

  Upon seeing that I was serious, “great!” He cried.

  See, papá? I’m the reason you’re here, just reminding you…

  “And because of that, you both have my blessing on your marriage!” He joked.

  “Papá!” I stopped my dad from saying anything worse.

  The both of them laughed while I panicked hard. “Not funny, guys…” I told them.

  “Well, having that topic…” Dad started.

  Oh no!!!

  “Are you guys that serious?” He awkwardly asked.

  “Yes, sir, we are.” Gary answered him without second thoughts.

  “Good… because you know, my daughter’s not getting any younger.” He said.

  My cheeks heated. “Papá, lo digo en serio, por favor deja de ¡” I yelled at my dad.

  “Oops! She spoke in Spanish means she’s seriously mad now. Sorry, Gary, let’s talk about it some other time.” He won’t stop teasing.

  I rolled my eyes on him.

  “But seriously, hija, I need to discuss something with the two of you.” He said.

  I sat next to Gary so that we both could listen to him properly. He held my hand, and dad smiled as he noticed that in his peripheral vision. Why do I get this feeling like he’s about to drop a bomb on the two of us?

  “I want to offer the both of you a gallery in Madrid. I will employ the two of you during the first year, and once your career reaches its full track, have the business on your own.” He started.

  It has shocked me. Well, I knew that dad will do everything he can to make me come home sooner, but I never thought he’d tag Gary along. He must have liked him so much, or maybe he’s just so desperate, so when he got the best weapon to make me come home, he took it.

  “Papá…” I said.

  “I know. I know it’s hard to just uproot your life here, but Madrid offers career to the both of you. Or we can all simply move to Italy, if you guys want. I just want to be with my daughter… and now with Gary, too” The sadness in his voice was pretty obvious.

  Gary smiled at him, and he turned to look at me. My eyes were asking him if he was okay with it. I was absolutely okay with it. Having Gary to where I belong was the best guarantee of stability and forever for me. But he has work here. He’s teaching kids here, he’s changes lives here. Can I just grab him out of this country, and just bring him out of his comfort zone.

  He smiled and shook his head. “I would love that, papá.” He faced to answer my dad.

  “Oh, you do? Wonderful!” He said to Gary.

  This wasn’t happening… He did agree. What’s going on?

  “Baby, think about it first.” I told him.

  “No, if it’ll make you come home to papá, then I’ll do it.” He told me. “But, sir, I mean, papá, can I ask for at least a month before moving to Spain? I need to get my last pay so I can get myself an apartment.” He asked my dad.

  “Oh, no, hijo… You’ll be living with us.” He informed him.

  Oh, great! There’s one advantage out of this conversation I get to live with him.

  “Oh, sir, please… I insist to have my own apartment. I’m really not used to—” He didn’t finish his sentence.

  “Well, in that case, we’ll wait for a whole month, then.” He smiled at him.

  “Dad, can I live with Gary?” Wait, what? Nice, bold move!

  Gary squeezed my hand. “Baby, I’d love to do life with you, but I’m sure papá would rather have you in your home. We’ll see each other every day, anyway.”

  “No, Gary, it’s enough for me to know that you’re both in my country.” He said. “Okay, baby, it’s you decision.” He told me.

  Amazing! Yay! It’ll be official!

  *****

  My dad left after an hour, and I felt the need to relax and calm down myself. I saw Gary staring at one direction, and I felt this weird fear that he might be resenting agreeing with my dad. See, I told you let’s think about it first! “Babe, are you alright?” I asked him.

  He then looked at me, and he smiled. “No, of course, I’m alright.” He answered me timidly.

  “Come on, what’s wrong? We can still take it back.” I informed him.

  “No, I wanted to try Madrid, besides, I’m excited for Spain.” He was obviously lying.

  “You’re lying.” I said. He sighed. “Yes, I’m scared.” He said. “But at the same time, I want you to go home without having the need to get rid of me.”

  Awww… “No, I won’t ever get rid of you, as long as you still want me, I’d always be beside you.”

  He smiled, and then he leaned over to kiss me.

  “Come on, spill it.” I ordered. “You know I can’t do rich living.” He rolled his eyes on the idea. “It scares me that one day, you’ll see that I’m not cut out for the way you and papá live, and then you won’t want me anymore.” He explained his point.

  “Gary…”

  “I know it sounds stupid, but I can’t do fine dining. I haven’t slept in a hotel. Well, there’s this first one when a parent gave me a free overnight stay to their inn, but I don’t think that counts.” He said.

  “You don’t have to do that. We can live simple if you want.” I said as if trying to convince him that it won’t ever snow in New York again.

  He gave me his oh-really-baby look, and I wanted to laugh. “Okay, but you’ll get used
to it, I promise.” I said to him. “Do you want to move back as early as possible?” He asked me. I shook my head with a smile on my face. “I can wait for a month.” I said to him. He smiled back at me, and we kissed.

  Chapter 7

  “Have a happy life in Spain!” Mrs. Rots, my landlord has wished us the best of luck.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Rots, and please extend our gratitude to Mr. Rots when he gets back from France.”

  She nodded at me, and I started making my way out of her office from three floors below my apartment.

  Our flight was supposed to be this morning, but I had to move it tonight because I needed to finish paper works from my lease with Mrs. Rots.

  Gary was waiting for me at my apartment, and we’d both go to the airport together. Out stuff were already in Spain two days ago since dad wanted us to pack light. It was so sweet of him because I didn’t like Gary to bring everything by himself.

  Once I was back at the apartment, I saw Gary preparing a bottle of champagne for the both of us. He turned and saw me, so he handed over my glass to me.

  “Oh, a toast… very sexy…” I teased him.

  “Yes, a toast to our life together in Spain, and may I learn how to speak Spanish con fluide…” He said.

  “Baby, it’s con fluidez for fluently…” I corrected him, and we both laughed.

  “Right…” He said.

  We toasted, and drank our champagne. “Our flight is in three hours, let’s get moving.” He said, and I was so turned on by the way he manages things for the two of us.

  So hot! I smiled at him as I took his hand, and walked after his leading to our together in my homeland.

  After seven hours and forty minutes of flight, we’ve reached our destination from 3586 miles away from New York.

  There’s dad waiting for the two of us, and he was with Adolfo and his driver, Luis. And once he saw us, his smile almost reached his ears. He seemed so happy to see the both of us here in the city of Madrid, surrendering our will to his commanding proposal, making Gary a total ransom for me.