t w o

ROSA

It wasn't long before I felt like I was being watched.

I glanced around and I noticed that Marcos eyes were fixed on me. He had the most piercing look, and I couldn't help but blush as he made his way to me.

"Hello, there," he greeted.

"Hi."

"Looking at you, maybe I should have told Angelo to speed up the training," he grinned, his brown eyes holding mine.

Woah... My eyes widened. He's coming on too strong... Dad's just across the room! I'd better play it safe with my response.

"I think you'd need all the training you can get to live up to Angelo," I replied.

He seemed lightly taken aback at my response.

"Okay! Good thing I passed Angelo's test already. I can see that I have to prove myself to you," he chuckled.

I realized how stiff I came across, and blushed. "No... If you're good enough for Angelo and my dad... you're good enough for me."

"I'm glad to hear it," he smiled at me, and as soon as I saw the small dimples on his cheeks, I felt like melting.

I'm aware that Marco might be dangerous, and that he accepted the criminal responsibilities of the job. But just in our short exchange of words, I could tell that he's somewhat different from the other men working for my father.

The perfect blend of dangerous and charming.

Damn, why do I feel so attracted to him? We just met...

"Let's find somewhere with a bit of privacy, shall we?" He suggested.

"How? My father is standing right there," I reminded, pointing my chin towards the corner of the room where dad and Angelo were in a discussion.

"He's busy talking with Angelo," he pointed out the obvious. "We can go to the kitchen and say that I was looking for a glass of wine if anyone cares to ask. What do you say?" He reasoned, tilting his head in question.

I bit my lips. I can't let myself get into any trouble because of my attraction to him.

"I think I should head to bed," I took a step back, "it's getting pretty late."

Just then I felt someone standing behind me. Turning around, I saw my father looking anything but happy.

"You, come with me," he grunted.

Without argument, I followed him out of the living room, but I exchanged an awkward smile with Marco as I left. I almost wished I could bring him with me as a buffer between me and my father's disapproval.

My father folded his arms around his chest, an angry expression plastered across his face.

"I will not put up with any funny business going on between you and my new consigliere under my roof," he ordered. So it's official? Marcos hired?! "I trust you will obey me, young lady."

"I'm not a child anymore. I am twenty five years old. Isn't that old enough to talk to whomever I want?" I defied.

"No, not while you live under my roof!"

Before I could say anything else, dad marched out of the kitchen, straight to the living room to where Marco was in a conversation with Angelo.

"Is there a problem?" Marco asked.

"You bet," my dad all but growled. "You need to know rule number one if you want to work with me. Keep your hands off my daughter, or you will lose them."

Everyone in town knew that my dad always followed through with his threats.

"Got it, boss!" Marco responded. My dad turned away grim, but somewhat pacified.

I felt myself tear up. Why does my dad have to be like that?! I bet Marco won't ever talk to me again.

I tried to hide my disappointment, but Marco caught my eyes. And he winked at me.

A smile drew on the corner of my lips as I realized that Marco might be the first one who understood how to handle my dad. And I realized that Marco's not so quick to follow orders just for the sake of it.

***

Feeling somewhat exhausted after the showdown with my dad, I made my way towards my room. As I was walking down the hallway, I couldn't stop thinking about my dad's words.

Do I really need to stay away from Marco? Even if he is the new advisor for the family?

Suddenly, I heard footsteps coming up behind me. I turned.

"Marco?" I yelled in alarm, before bringing my voice down to a whisper. "What are you doing here? If my dad--"

"That's precisely why I need to talk to you. Although I value being given the role of consigliere in the Castillo family... My loyalty doesn't always mean direct obedience to every order," he grinned.

"What do you mean?"

"It means that I'm not going to stop myself from kissing such a beautiful woman just because Enzo told me not to... Especially if I want to." He took another step closer.

He was going to kiss me here? My dad had just told him his number one rule but Marco still wanted to kiss me anyway.

He grabbed me by the waist and pulled me closer. My body felt like fire as I closed my eyes, giving in to the temptation of kissing him.

His lips, tasted so sweet, and I wanted to savor every inch of him. It didn't take long for our mouths to allow our tongues to explore and dance with each other.

My body's temperature skyrocketed when I felt Marcos hand run from my waist to my ass.

I pulled away, breathing heavily. "We should stop. If my dad catches us, you're a dead man."

He cocked his head charmingly and grinned, a glint in his eyes. "We'll see..."

"I'm serious. You should go. I don't want him to hurt you," I quietly said, giving him a soft push.

"Okay then. Goodnight, beautiful."

"Goodnight, Marco."

"See you around."

I waved goodbye to him and quickly made my way upstairs to my room, still tingling from the sensation of Marcos lips.

***

I can't believe that Marco and I kissed last night! God. If dad finds out... I broke the rules with Marco...

I hate breaking dad's rules. He trusts me, and I don't want to lie to him. But Marco's like no one I've met. How am I supposed to resist him?

Momentarily, I pushed the thought out of my mind.

What should I wear today? Especially since Marco would be meeting dad and I at the restaurant.

I walked up to my dad wearing a: lilac off-the-shoulder floral blouse, with a glossy yellow mini skirt, a gold heart shaped pendant, loop earrings and a bracelet, and kissed him on the cheek.

"Good morning, dad," I greeted and my eyes met Marcos. "Marco."

Marco replied, "Good morning, Rosa."

"Just in time, bella," dad said and I took a seat beside his. "I was just explaining to Marco the role of the restaurant as the hub of the operation."

"Ah," I nodded in understanding.

"Rosa runs the front of the house, which still functions as a restaurant," dad explained to Marco. He looked down at his wristwatch. "Excuse me, I need to attend to some business. I trust that I can count on you, Rosa, to take care of Marcos needs and show him around?" He motioned to me.

I saw a smirk come across Marcos lips, and one of his eyebrows raised suggestively. I had to stifle the snickers that I felt bubble up in me, as I nodded at my father, who's oblivious to the innuendo.

Oh, I'll take care of his need alright... as soon as he takes care of mine.

"Don't worry, dad." I answered. He curtly nodded and walked off. I saw him stop at the table a few down from ours, and started talking to one of his customers.

I turned my attention to Marco. "So, do you have any questions?"

"Well... How long have you been involved in the family business?"

Even though we were alone at the table, Marcos tone didn't match the emotion he was conveying to me just yesterday.

"I haven't been involved much. But in the strictest of sense, you can't really separate personal life from business when your dad is Enzo Castillo," I shrugged.

"I guess you're right," he hummed. "What of the rest of the restaurant workers? What are their roles?"

The conversation went on with Marco lobbying business related questions. I answered as best as I could, but I wondered why Marco was showing this side of himself.

However, as soon as my dad moved from the table he had stopped at, and was entirely out of earshot, Marcos behavior suddenly changed. The professionalism he just displayed completely disappeared after a coy smile played on his lips.

"God, I was waiting for your dad to walk away," he groaned, "Now, we can talk." He came close, his hand landing on my waist.

"Marco, the restaurant is full of people," I stated quietly, my eyes darting around. "anyone could be watching."

"Let 'em watch then. I don't care what they think," he scoffed. Just then, I spotted my dad making his way back to the front of the restaurant. He stopped and gestured for me to join him.

I breathed in deeply and then made my way to my father.

"I need your answer now, Rosa. Are you going to accept my offer? Will you join me?" He offered.

"I... I do want to have a bigger role in our business, Dad," I affirmed.

"Wonderful. You're making the right choice," he beamed. I'm willing to step up if that means being able to be closer to Marco.

We left the restaurant shortly after, and my dad and I were heading towards the car that we had left parked right outside, Marco trailing behind us. When suddenly, another car came screeching down the road and seemed to be picking up speed.

And it was driving directly towards us!

Before I could react, Marco yelled to us. "Watch out for the car!"