RANSOM GIFT: The Complete Collection Boxed Set (Commanding Proposal, Hidden Proposal, Ransom Proposal) Read online

  It made me feel so happy seeing him this happy. Who would have thought, huh? I left this city alone, and then I came home half a year after with a man. What are the odds? What surprised me a lot was Clemente’s presence in the airport. It’s shocked me that I unintentionally tightened my grip on Gary’s arm. And I can tell that he knew what it meant because I’ve told him few things about Clemente. I didn’t feel threatened for our relationship, I felt surprised.

  “Hola, hija, hijo…” Dad greeted the two of us.

  We both came to him, and I hugged him first, and then Gary did.

  “Hola, Kristina, te extrañé.” He told me he’s missed me.

  “Hello, Clemente. I’d like you to meet my boyfriend, Garry Miller. Gary, this is Clemente Acosta.” I introduced them to one another.

  Gary offered his hand as a sign of respect, but Clemente showed his true color, and refused to take it. He just gave him a fake smile. I raised my brow on him for disrespecting my boyfriend.

  “Dad, shall we go? Gary and I need some rest.”

  He smiled weakly at me and Gary feeling ashamed for how Clemente reacted, and we gestured to his car.

  “I’m so sorry about that.” I whispered to him when we were both sitting at the back of dad’s car.

  “It’s okay. He’s jealous, I get that.” He teased me with a smile.

  See, it’s why I was so glad that I let another door opened up for me because it’s better than the first one that has closed. I squeezed his hand, and I felt so happy with him in our little secret bubble.

  “Hija, are you guys hungry or you can still wait for home? Alma cooked your favorite, Paella.” He said.

  I turned to look at Gary, and he nodded at me. “We can wait, dad.” I informed him.

  Dad turned to face us from the front seat, and he flashed us his sweetest smile. Clemente’s in his own car. I wish he wouldn’t come to the hotel.

  “Are you okay if we stay at my unit first?” I asked him.

  “Okay, let’s get out own apartment whenever you’re ready.” He said.

  Great! I’ve missed my bed, and I wanted to share it with Gary. We’ve been together for almost two months now, but we’ve never shared a bed. I waited for this opportunity when he won’t have any more excuses. I was hoping for the best tonight. So, I kept my hopes high.

  I giggled at the thought.

  “What is it?” He asked.

  I laughed. “No, it’s nothing.” I lied. It’s everything for me, and I was really hoping I get it tonight. OMG! Mom would have heart attack because of my thoughts if she was still alive.

  After few minutes, we’ve reached the hotel, and I can tell by the look in Gary’s eyes that he was being overwhelmed by it all.

  “This is where we live, babe.” I said, and his eyes widen. I nodded, resenting the idea that it’s being hard for him to swallow.

  “You live in one of the units?” He asked, looking so confused and shocked.

  “I live at the pent.” I regret the truth, but I would never want to lie to him with stuff like this one.

  My father placed his one in Gary’s shoulder, “don’t worry, Gary, you’ll get used to this, hijo.” He assured him.

  And with all our support, our male Cinderella felt loved as he walked inside the hotel with dad and me.

  “Hello, Ms. Kristina.” Alma was waiting at the door with the rest of the stuff.

  “Hola, guys! By the way, this is my boyfriend, Gary.” I introduced him to them.

  They all paid him a respect, he was totally overwhelmed so I ended the party early, and I brought him to our room. We said our goodbyes to dad, and we were set to rest.

  “I reached for elevator keys, and I pressed in P. It asked for a password so I pressed in my password, and let him take a look.

  “That’s our password, okay?”

  He nodded, and tried to fake a smile for me. I sighed. Oh boy, this is going to take some serious getting used to.

  “I’m sorry.” He said.

  I panicked once again. I hate making him feel like I regret him or anything like that.

  “Oh, no, baby… I’m sorry, it’s not that. I regret giving you a hard time like this.” I said.

  He smiled at me, and he reached for my cheeks. The elevator opened, and it opened up to a room I’ve missed for six months. It’s still the same, although definitely cleaner, it’s still the very room I left for New York.

  “This is your room?” He asked with genuine shock and fear in his eyes.

  “Yes.” I answered him with a matter of fact.

  He gulped the lump in his throat, and it felt weird for me. So I walked towards him after I placed my purse on the center table in the living room area. I touched his face, and he looked at me. His eyes were filled with fear and overwhelming emotions. Screw this! I’m making the first move.

  I placed my lips into mine, and I felt his hesitation for few seconds, then he gave in. I touched his shoulders while giving him that kiss, and he placed his on my back supporting it as he pressed himself on mine. I knew he has an idea of what I was going. I could still feel the tension in his body, but there’s no way he was rejecting me on this one.

  I knew right then and there that he wanted it, too. He was just being a gentleman. And that moment was the perfect timing for it, so I could ease his tension.

  There was no way that he’s continuing this without a clear instruction, so I transferred my kisses to the corner of his lips, slowly transitioning to his jawline, and I had him following my lead.

  I kissed his jaw, his neck going to the back of his ear. I felt his skin having goose bumps and boy that was my cue.

  I took away my kisses, and I stared at him. He gulped, and then he resumed kissing me.

  Finally!

  Here we go…

  His hand traveled to my waist, while the other one was brushing my back. He then inserted his hand under my blouse, and it gave him a full access to my skin. It was my turn to have goose bumps.

  “I love you.” He whispered, while brushing his nose to my cheeks. God that was so sensual.

  “I love you.”

  He started kissing my neck, and I had this incredibly amazing frenzy trailing my abdomen, and stealing my breath.

  So that’s how it’s supposed to feel.

  It was amazing!

  I felt weakened by his touch, and I could tell that he knew it because he lead me to the bedroom, but after seeing how spacious it was, he was absolutely stunned.

  “Gary, please…” I begged.

  He started at me for few seconds, and then he nodded wildly. “Yeah...”

  He’s back to kissing me again, but it was more passionately. I felt the warm of his mouth, and I’ve tasted his goodness. I knew he was still overwhelmed so I led him to the bed myself.

  “Starting tonight, nothing can ever part us”, were my unspoken words of love to him.

  Chapter 8

  Gary was still sleeping, so I’ve decided to go out and savor the Spanish morning. I wanted to pick up Churros and Porras and Café con Leche for him. I was excited for him to taste a Spanish version of bagels in New York.

  Before I can even make it outside of the hotel, somebody caught my attention, “Kristina!” I turned around to see who it was although the voice sounded familiar, and it was Clemente. His disrespecting moment with Gary flashbacked to my head, and suddenly, I hated his guts. And this has never happened before.

  Well, you left me, Gary found me, end of story.

  “Yeah, what do you need?” I asked him poker face.

  It has shocked him. That’s right… I’m not hurt anymore…Get that, Clemente.

  “Oh, uhhh… where are you going?” He asked.

  “I’ll get my boyfriend a surprise breakfast, and he might be awake any minute now, so if you’ll excuse me, tengo que ir…” I said I need to go.

  Before he could even say a single word, I already sprinted away of the hotel. I needed to think things through. Was I still mad because I still love him? No,
I guess I was mad because he disrespected my poor Gary. Right… My Gary who’s not used to all these things yet he chose to embarrassed. Who is he? It seemed like I didn’t even know that side of Clemente existed.

  I got us what I wanted to buy, so I rushed back to the hotel so I could still prepare all these for him. It’s my way of showing him how I adored last night; well, technically, hours ago.

  I saw Adolfo on the hallway so he greeted me, and we had a quick chat. “I got to go, Ado, I need to prepare this for Gary.

  My dad’s forty years old assistant flashed his sweetest smile on me. He’s gay, and he’s very proud about it, so there’s never a time that I felt awkward with Ado. “Okay, Ms. Kristina…”

  I left him, and I started walking towards the elevator. I was shocked to see who was waiting for me there. It’s Clemente. My brows rose, and I felt irritated. Maybe if he apologizes to Gary, I’d treat him as a friend again.

  “What do you need this time?” I asked him.

  He looked pained. “Why are so mad at me? Was it because I left you?” He asked, accusing the shit out of me.

  “That’s what you think? That I was mad at you for leaving me to marry a different girlf rom a different country? Que es estúpido…” I told him.

  “Then why? Why are you so mad at me?” He asked looking so desperate to understand.

  “It’s because you disrespect Gary, and no one can do that to him in front of me!” I said.

  “You chose that over me? That trash over me?” He asked.

  I was furious. His words against my Gary really made me hell mad at him. “How dare you?” I asked. “You’re trash! Don’t you ever talk to me again or I’ll tell this to papá.”

  “What are you going to tell him? You’ll tell him you chose that gold digger scumbag to get back to me?” He asked.

  Who is this stranger? It felt like I didn’t even know him at all. He has this evil side, and I hate it with all my soul especially because it’s against my Gary.

  “Shut the fuck up!!!” I shouted at him.

  Get that, scumbag! I can also lose my manners if it’s for my Gary.

  He was stunned by my words. He couldn’t believe that I can even say those words. “Kristina…” He whispered.

  “I am never choosing you ever again. I’m with Gary now. I love, and I will marry him if he asks me to. I will do everything for him. So you can just screw yourself, and be gone of our way.” I told him.

  He was speechless, and that was my signal to leave.

  “Wait up…” He said. “Okay, I’m sorry. Let me apologize to him one of these days.” He said.

  And it seemed genuine, so I believed him. “You will really do that?” I asked. “Yes, yes, of course.” He answered. “I am so sorry, I was just jealous.” He added. You’re jealous? Aren’t you married already? “You’re being jealous? What the hell? Where’s your wife?” I asked him sarcastically. “I don’t have one.” He said.

  “How come you don’t? I thought you were going to get married when you left?” I asked looking so curious, but it didn’t matter to me, for sure. “She felt that I was in love with someone else, so she has set me free. I wanted to come to you in New York, but Uncle Aurelio won’t let you. He said to give you some space.” He explained.

  “When was this?” I asked. “It was just a week ago.” He informed me.

  That made sense. Dad knew I was happy with Gary so he didn’t let this scumbag to screw it up for all his selfish reasons. “Well, dad knew I was already with Gary, so…” I was being sarcastic again. He frowned. “I figured that out myself.” He said. “Listen, I’m in love with you… Let’s ditch this place, and go somewhere…”

  “You’re crazy…” I accused him. I didn’t wait for whatever he was going to say, and I headed out to the elevator. And what surprised me was the fact that Gary was standing behind the wall curve. He was in his cheap pajamas, and his head was held down. It broke my heart to see him like this. Once he has raised his head to see that I was in fact in front of him, “Hey…” He said with a very sad tone.

  It was the most heartbreaking moment of my life… well, of course, next to mom dying when couple of years back.

  “How long have you been there, baby?” I asked him with my most concerned tone.

  “Just for a while…” He said. “Baby, I love you… just you”, was all that I can say.

  Hidden Proposal

  Ransom Gift Collection

  By Kristina Royer

  Copyright © 2015 by Kristina Royer

  The Ransom Gift Series

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including emailing, photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the author.

  This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual events or locals or persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental.

  Chapter 1

  “I know that.” He said to me with obvious tone of sadness in his voice. It has crushed my heart hearing him that way.

  “Can we talk at the pent?” I asked him, holding his arms, and leading him inside the elevator.

  There was silence inside the elevator for neither of us knew what to say. I knew right then and there that he was absolutely hurt, but there’s nothing I could do.

  I wanted to make him feel my love at that very moment, but I couldn’t insult his pride with that kind of solution each and every single time, that’d be wrong. After the longest torturing minutes of my life, the elevator doors finally opened up to the pent. I felt his hesitation to get in, and so I held his hand, and I led him inside our unit. I felt so guilty about all those things he has heard. I’m pretty sure he heard them, why else would he be looking so depressed right now if he hasn’t?

  “Baby, I’m so sorry.” I apologized to him.

  He didn’t say anything. He just took a seat, and stared down at his fingers.

  I was panicking deep inside. I had no idea what he was thinking about. I couldn’t take even a wild guess.

  “How is this going to work for the two of us?” He finally spoke, and he chose to break my heart with his words.

  “It will work if we want to make it work.” I said to him.

  He stared at me, and I felt like he’s going to give up anytime soon. Oh my God… please don’t, baby.

  I need to control the situation. I have to compromise for him, but what should I compromise? Come on! Think fast before he made up his mind. What can I offer at his feet? Wait! Think back to what’s the cause of this commotion. Suddenly, I knew what to do.

  I walked towards him, and I held his hand. “We can move out right now, if it’s what you want.” I tried to sound my sweetest.

  He glanced up at me, and his eyes were filled with compassion and pain. It was like he’s giving me a clue that it was indeed what he liked.

  Bingo! Oh, thank God!!!

  “But what about your dad, will he approve it?” He asked.

  I wasn’t having second thoughts for me, but it was for my dad. He’s the reason why I didn’t really want to move out as soon as possible, not because I can’t live a different life from this.

  “Of course, he will, as long as we don’t move out of the country.” I said.

  “Is it what you want to do?” He asked.

  I stared at him with so much love and admiration. “Anything that would mean not losing you is definitely what I want to do.” I confessed.

  He glanced at me with so much confusion in his eyes. I was starting to be scared to death. I had no idea he’s having second thoughts about me. It’s supposed to be easy for him as I was the one giving him what he wanted. But no, he seemed like he’s not sure of what he wants.

  “Everything else was supposed to be a background noise, what should matter most is me and you.” I said to him.

  He nodded slowly, and I was panicking deep inside. “Honey…” I was literally begging him to say what’s
on his mind. “You can tell me anything. I need to know what’s holding you back.”

  “I can’t give you all these.” He said to me.

  I was totally stunned by what he just told me.

  That was what’s bothering you?

  “You clearly don’t get what I’ve been trying to make you see.” I sounded like giving up. What else could I do in this kind of situation? I was being frustrated. It was absolutely hard for something only you were willing to protect. It was supposed to be a two-way thing.

  “I don’t know…” He said sounding so frustrated. “Wow! You don’t know??” I yelled.

  HE glanced up at me, looking so terrified that I was in fact starting to get all pissed by this frustrating battle of who’s holding on or giving up. “You don’t have to shout.” He rebuked me.

  Right… I don’t want anybody to know that we’re fighting. “You’re right. I’m sorry…” I told him. He let go of a desperate sigh, and he stood up at his feet, and he walked towards my direction. Once near, he cupped my face with his hands. “I’m sorry… I’ve heard everything, and I appreciate what you said in my defense. But this is not who I am, I’m not made for all these extravagance, for that over-sized bed nor for elevators with passcodes.” He started making his point. “This is not the life I used to live, and it’s hard for me to swallow all these.”

  “Well then, take me with you. Let’s live the life you want to live.” I told him. And by the look in his eyes, I knew he was moved by what I said. That’s clearly what I wanted—not all these fame I grew up feeling incomplete with, but rather his love and everything he can be with me. He looked at my eyes, searching for the truth as if he couldn’t believe the facts that just came from my mouth. But what’s to search for? I’ve spoken what’s inside my mind and heart. Baby, look all you want. There’s no other way around.

  Finally, when he figured I was totally being honest, he flashed me his weakest smile. “Are you sure you can leave all these behind?” He asked. I smirked at him. “These? I’d choose you anytime of any day.” He smiled sweetly at me. “But I promise to love you every single day, even though I can’t give you all these.” He said. “That’s all I need.” I told him. “I’ll tell you what… let’s get our own apartment tomorrow. I’ll pay for it first. Just pay me when your last check came in.” I suggested. He considered the thought. “What are we going to tell to your dad?” He asked. “Oh, first things first, are we still going to take his job offer? We both love to paint so I don’t see anything wrong with it.” I tried to sell the idea to him. I hoped he felt that I wanted to accept it. “Yes, I won’t take you far away from him. And to be fair with your dad, I can do two months more.” He said with a weak smile.