A Mix Of Kisses And Goosebumps

Chapter Nine

A mix of kisses and goosebumps 

/-Isla-/

“You asked to see me, Mom,” I said, sitting by her bedside. I tried not to look her in the eyes because I was certain she would see through me. 

I was already fighting hard to keep the tears stinging my eyes at bay. If anyone interrogated me, I might as well burst into tears. 

“Yes, I did,” she said weakly. “I wanted us to discuss your father's company which is currently under your uncle's control. I spoke to him…” she paused suddenly, letting out a violent cough. 

“Are you okay, mom?” I asked, scrambling off the bed to grab a bottle of water for her. I picked one out from the fridge and uncapped it quickly. I poured it quickly into the glass and handed it to her. 

She emptied the glass and relief washed through me when I saw that she was okay. 

“Are you okay, Isla?’ she asked me. “Your eyes…”

“I should be the one asking if you're okay, Mom. We were talking about the company and you said…” I tried to change the subject but she cut me off. 

“I know what I said, Isla. It's okay if you don't want to talk about it,” I felt a little grateful that she didn't push it. “He had no problems with you taking over, but I insist you work under him for at least two years to familiarize yourself with the company and everything before taking over,” she concluded. “What do you say?” 

Work under Roman? I'd rather swallow glass. 

“No, mom. I think that is a very bad idea,” I said and she raised a brow. “We don't get along. If we work together it would be a disaster.”

“I don't understand,” she frowned. “What is that supposed to mean?” 

“I don't think Roman and I can work together, Mom. I hate him, I might probably…”

“Don't say that!” She snapped, cutting me short. “Are you trying to give up your father's company due to pride? I know that you two have something going on, but I expect you to sort that out. Look at me, Isla. I am no better than a vegetable. Your father's legacy depends on you, Isla. You need to think with your head and not your heart!” 

I bit my lip, unable to argue anymore. I wished I could tell her the hell that he was already imposing on me. If he was already doing this to me just for letting Carlos stay here, I couldn't imagine what he would do if I started working for him. 

“Please Isla, think about this carefully,” my mother pleaded again. Her frail appearance tugged my heart. I couldn't say no to her in this state, even if it meant dealing with Roman. 

“I'll do it,” I told her. “I'll do it for you. I don't want you to worry about anything, just rest and get better, alright?” 

Her lips curled into a weak smile, “Thank you, baby.” 

I hugged her carefully. “Anything for you, mom.” 

Shortly after the discussion, I left the room. As I walked down the hallway, I wondered what to do. How could I possibly go to Carlos and tell him that my uncle wanted him to get lost so that my best friend would be released?

Then something came to my mind. 

“Why the hell didn't I think of this?” I muttered. “I should be searching for her, not concluding that I can't find her.” 

The first place that crossed my mind to check was the royal dungeons. That was where defaulters were kept so she was most likely in one of those cells. 

I hurried there and the guards guarding seemed surprised to see me. 

“Greetings, princess,” they bowed. 

“I am looking for my friend, Elsie. Was she brought here?” I asked them. 

“No, Your Highness,” they responded. I didn't believe them. Where else could he have possibly taken her?

“I'd like to check for myself,” I said and they didn't try to convince me otherwise, which was enough confirmation that she wasn't there. 

I still walked in, nonetheless. The stench of the place made my stomach twist. It was incredibly dark too. One of the guards lit a torch and walked in front of me to guide me. 

As I walked, the cell door was shaken aggressively as all the prisoners ran to ask me for help. 

“Please let me go, princess. I've been here for three months already!” 

“My wounds are infected, princess, I would die if I don't go.”

“Princess please help me, I already said I'm sorry, what more do they want from me?” 

“Shut it, you hardened criminals!” The guard snapped. His voice was so harsh that I flinched. 

I was getting uncomfortable in the place already but I forced myself to check all the cells. 

She wasn't in any. 

I let out a groan. Where else could he have taken her? His chambers? The mere thought sounded inappropriate. Even if his wing was separate from the Luna's, it is very possible that Manda spends most of the day in his chambers. He can't be that stupid to take Elsie there. 

So where the hell was she?

My shoulders sagged in frustration. Does this mean I have to send Carlos away?

“Arrghhhh! I hate this! I hate this very much!” I groaned, pulling my hair. 

I wondered if he would still be in the garden but since his room was closer, I decided to check there. 

He was there, on his bed, casually reading a book, unaware of the chaos that was now my life. 

“Isla! You're here!” He sat up with a bright smile. “I waited for you all day in the garden, but I guess your mother really had a lot to say. I had to come here. Did you see Elsie on your way here?” 

Tears stung my eyes as his question hit me. He pulled me to sit on the bed and then hugged me from behind. 

“I have missed you so fucking much,” he whispered. I blinked back the tears and smiled. 

“Did you now?” 

He turned me to face him, and I was almost certain he would see the tears in my eyes, but for some reason, he didn't notice. 

“I was just thinking about how I can't wait to make you mine!” He said, cupping my cheeks. “I love you so much, Isla. So much that sometimes it feels like my heart is going to explode.” 

I forced a smile. This was the worst time to tell him that I needed him to leave. But I didn't know what Elsie was going through now. 

Oh goddess, please help me! I needed to do this in a way that wouldn't end my relationship. 

Think, Isla!

“Isla, are you okay?” Carlos asked and I blinked. 

“Huh?” 

He frowned as those big blue eyes searched mine. “You seem absentminded.”

“Well, I was just thinking…” I started, letting my tone drop suggestively low as I reached to idly play with his buttons. “Since you are so eager to make me yours, why not start your internship sooner, like this week? That way, you'll be done faster and we can be together.” 

He chuckled. “You're asking me to start my internship tomorrow? Cause that's practically like the beginning of the week. I have nothing prepared…”

“You're Carlos…” I climbed into his lap. “Carlos fucking Hamilton. There is nothing you can't do. Nothing that you can't make work.” 

I wrapped my arms around him, leaning dangerously close to his face. My heart hammered so hard against my chest, that I could hear it in my ears. 

“I want to be with you, Carlos. I want to have all of you…” my lips hovered around his. “I want you to make me yours. So hurry up and get that damn internship over with.” 

“Yes,” he breathed. 

Arla was already curling in my head. She wanted me to retract. It wasn't just her, my whole body wanted me to pull back. 

But I couldn't. Not when Carlos was eagerly expecting a kiss. Our lips were just inches apart. If I pulled away, he might hate me. 

My entire body stiffened. 

'Don't do it, Isla. Stop leading him on,’ Arla warned and I shut her off. I didn't need any discouragement now. 

Dammit, Isla, move! It's just a damn kiss!

While I argued with my inner thoughts, Carlos's hand had already worked it to the back of my head. 

So before I could make a decision, he gave me a little push, slamming my lips on his. Bumps of irritation immediately laced my skin. 

My eyes went wide in shock and the next second, I shoved him away like he was a disgusting piece of garbage.