Chapter 19 Someone New
Cara's eyes locked with Romeo’s gentle gaze. She wondered if she was the only one being affected by their closeness.
His eyes went back to her injury as he continued to tend to it and she was grateful he had looked away.
She found herself wishing he hadn't though. If looking away was that easy for him then didn't it mean that he didn't feel any sort of connection whatsoever with her? A whole year and she was the only one feeling like that.
“If you don't want to tell me what happened then it's fine,” he started with his eyes on her injury but then he suddenly stared into her eyes. “But next time, try not to visit the board with a bloody forehead, okay?”
“I…” she stared into his green orbs. Clearing her throat, her senses finally washed in and she could complete her sentence. “I had an accident today.”
His eyes widened. “Oh my goodness, are you okay? Why didn't you check in at the hospital? You should have called me.”
“I was too distracted to even feel the pain from the cut.” She plainly said.
His face contorted into a confused expression. “Distracted? I don't– I don't think I'm following your explanation.”
“I met Chris today. He was the one that bumped into my car. I don't know if it was intentional, maybe he knew it was me because that bump was too serious to be a mistake. I mean the rear of my car is quite bashed and–”
She paused and looked up at him when his hands suddenly laid on top of hers.
He had a gentle expression on his face, his eyes holding sympathy and worry as he spoke. “Are you alright? You know, seeing him again after so long.”
She smiled softly. “I'm… I won't lie, a little shaken up but…” she confessed with a slight chuckle. “But I guess it feels different… better. I'm okay.”
He smiled and got to his feet. “Do you want to sue him? I mean if you think it's intentional then you have every right to sue him to court.” He walked back to the cabinet he had removed the first aid treatment utensils as he talked.
“What will I do then?” Cara asked as she rose to her feet. “Ask him for a compensation? I don't need any of that.”
“True.” He nodded in agreement. “But I know what you need.” His smile broadened as he walked up to her. “You need to start seeing someone again.”
“What?”
“Yes! I mean come on, it's been so long. How much longer are you going to remain single? You're getting older every day even though it's in age and not the face but still… you'll feel better if you start seeing someone again.” He smiled softly.
She didn't know why but she felt infuriated by his words. “Seeing someone? You want me to start seeing someone again?”
“Yeah, I do.” He responded sharply.
She scoffed a laugh. “You really want me to start seeing someone again? Really? You?” She widened her eyes at him.
“Why do you make it sound like it's a bad suggestion coming from me?” His brow arched as he asked.
She smiled and shook her head. Sure, her parents were already putting a little pressure on her to move on to a better man, her brother as well.
But that was normal and expected coming from a family. Coming from him? It felt heart breaking and it made her feel angry at herself. Why did she think he had something– might have been very little but still– for her?
That he at least liked her a little bit. Just a little!
She looked up at him. “Is that what you want? You want me to see someone else?”
“I want you to be happy.” He pronounced softly.
“Okay.” She smiled. “I'll start seeing someone again if that's what you want.”
His expression seemed to change for a split second, his smile faltering if she had seen right. But it was only for a second and she couldn't tell if it was real or she had imagined what she wanted to see.
He took a few more steps towards her and leaned in close enough for her to feel his breath on her face.
“Your happiness is all that matters to me. I'll back you up all the way to hell if that's where you choose to go.” His voice was soft.
She felt those words all the way to the depth of her heart. His gaze pierced right through her and his breath against her skin made her shiver. She couldn't help but to get the feeling he was taunting her on purpose.
He smiled and backed away. “I'm glad to know you're okay though. So we celebrating tonight or what? We just bagged a deal we have been chasing for months! It's worth celebrating right?”
She smiled. Somehow, she wasn't angry anymore. His smile was like a smile to make the news. His voice was like a cool breeze of the night, gentle and soothing.
“What do you want to do to celebrate?” She asked him.
“Uhm… a part of me wants an eloquent meal for dinner at a fine restaurant, maybe French? But the other part would like some whiskey and loud music. It's been a while since I did both.” He stated with a smile.
Cara thought for a second and more. A restaurant and a club, she had been so busy that she hadn't gotten any time for herself either. Which would be preferable to help get her mind off of Chris?
She missed going to clubs, she went there to clear her head sometimes in the past but not to have fun with a friend. She didn't even have any friends except for Romeo.
Ever since Jessica, she had found it hard to trust anyone again. She couldn't even risk her trust being taken for granted, not even for a million bucks.
She smiled. “Let's do both.”
Romeo grinned. “That's what I'm talking about.”