I'M NOT A BABYSITTER

Stephano

I KILL THE engine and turn to my left. My God, how am I supposed to deal with this? The girl beside me gives me a run for my money. She’s not so young for my two decades and eight years, but Jesus, she’s a talker. She wouldn’t be able to shut her mouth to save her life. And now, she’s sleeping. Sleeping like she didn’t just try to kill herself.

I don’t know who those men are, but they definitely reeked of rival energy. I leave her alone for a minute and I can’t even be rest assured that she’d be able to handle herself. And now father wants me to marry her. Thinks it’s a good match for some twisted reason.

I clear my throat and unstrap my seatbelt, then turn to look Adela over. Now she’s asleep, she looks like the most gentle soul. But then she’s so loud most days, it hurts. So much for babysitting.

I round the car and pull the passenger side door open.

Unstrapping her seatbelt, I help her out of the car and carry her bridal style into the house. When I get to her room, I resist the urge to just throw her down on the bed and let her head bounce off the headboard. But irrespective of what you’ve been told, I’m a very gentleman. And I’d love to talk with Vince after this.

I reluctantly pull the covers back and gently place her on the bed. Satisfied with my ‘gentility’, I pull the cover over her body. Sparing one last glance at her to watch the rise and fall of her chest as she breaths, I exit her room and head to Vince’s study.

“The little thing can’t even sit still”, I burst into Vince’s study.

“Did you by chance lose your arm?”, I love Vince’s special brand of sarcasm, but today, I’m not in the mood.

“I’m serious father, she almost got herself killed”,

“What did she do?”, I can’t help it, I roll my eyes.

“She fucking snuck out of the house, no permission granted. Or did you?”, He slowly raises his head from his paperwork to look at me.

“Why would I? You were supposed to keep an eye on her”,

“I wouldn’t know. Maybe because you love to undermine me. And I’m not a babysitter, maybe you should hire one if you want eyes on her at all times. No?", Vince gives me an ‘are you serious’ look.

“Babysitter. What is she, two?”, His sarcasm is much too evident now, means one thing. He’s angry.

“Add some respect boy when talking to me. I’m your father, not your errand boy. At least she’s fine, so ask the soldiers to keep an eye on her, since you can’t. Arrivederci”, he dismisses me and turns all his attention back to his paperwork.

He didn’t even let me finish. I tuck my hands into my pocket. At this point, whatever you say to Vince Mendoza is useless, with a capital ‘U’.

I just stare at him for a moment and take my leave. I beeline to my study to get some work done. Shipments, ass kissing politicians and blah fucking blah. I probably lose track of time because by the time she interrupts, it’s evening.

Adela Montes stands before me in a very light piece of clothing that leaves nothing to the imagination. My eyes rake over her body, from the swell of her breasts, to the dip of her waist and the curve of her hips. Pity I can’t see down to those shapely legs is hers.

I adjust myself, discreetly. I can’t believe I’m growing hard from looking at my nemesis.

“You were supposed to knock first, Montes”, I’m hugely irritated over the fact that just walked into my study. Does she have no manners?

“Seriously? Is that how to talk to your wife?”, There it is again, that sass. And did she just say wife? Like what the actual fuck?

“Point of correction, it is would be wife. The wedding might never even hold”,

“Better, I’d be very honored. Anyways, I didn’t come here to argue with you. Did you carry me up to my room?”, I don’t reply her. If she wants to show gratitude, she can or

She can also get out. Who else would have carried her up to her room if not me?

The next I know, my laptop is slammed shut, and Adela’s face appears in place of my laptop screen. I clench my fist to stay calm.

“I’m talking to you Mr. Mafia and you answer me. Did you carry up to my room?”, I roll my eyes.

“I believe the words you’re actively looking for are ‘thank you Stephano’. Emphasis on it”, she scoffs, resting her hands on her hips.

“Don’t you dare try to make me look stupid. And did you know those guys from earlier?”,

“Is this America’s version of who wants to be a millionaire?”,

“I’m serious Stephano”,

“I’m busy now, come back later”, I say and go to open my laptop but she puts her hand on it, preventing me from opening it.

“Get your hands off my laptop, now”, I’m trying my hardest to keep my anger in check. In the last two seconds, I’ve conjured ten different ways to kill her without her even making a sound. But she has no idea. Why? Because she’s not in my mind.

“Answer my question”, Deep breaths Stephano, deep breaths. Let’s try this again.

“I hate to have to repeat myself, but I have no answer for you now. Come back later because I’m busy. Now get your hands off my laptop, I’ve got work to do”, she stares me hard in the eyes for a few seconds.

“No. Not until you answer my question”,

“Get your hands off”, I slap her hand off, and I hear it before I feel it. She slapped me. Like fucking slapped me. “Did you just slap me?”, I ask he rising to my feet. I’m still trying to process what just happened. I know the question is rhetorical, but I just need to be sure I’m not hallucinating.

“Yes, I just did. You want me to do it again?”, The nerve of this little shit.

I tried, really tried, but now, I just can’t help it. My hand lashes out and wraps her small neck, pulling her in till our noses almost touch.

“How fucking dare you?”, I growl.