6| Bane Of My Existence.

ROSALINDA.

When we entered the pub, I immediately spotted Oliver sitting alone at the bar, and a wave of relief washed over me.

 

"Where are they?" Antonio asked, scanning the pub intently.

 

I yanked my hand away from his grip and shrugged. "I don’t know what you are talking about. I came here alone."

 

"I know you didn’t come here alone." He firmly grasped my shoulders, intently staring into my eyes. "After you followed her into that room, I followed you and overheard your conversation." He admitted, and I shot my brow at him.

 

How creepy.

 

I shrugged again, trying to appear nonchalant. "After you warned me about sneaking out, I changed my mind about going with Sofia. I didn’t want to get her into trouble."

 

"Where is she?" He persisted, emphasizing each word.

 

I looked around the room, desperately hoping Sofia wouldn’t show up until he left. Where the fuck was she, by the way?

 

"I told you the truth." I stood my ground as I started walking away from him.

 

"Where the fuck are you going?" He growled. 

 

"What I came here for. I am going to get a drink." I responded as I continued walking towards the bar.

 

I needed to warn Oliver and let him know that he had to leave that place as soon as possible. Fortunately, Antonio didn’t know what Oliver looked like, so he couldn’t recognize him.

 

I took a seat next to Oliver and began to speak.

 

"Oliver, don’t look at me and don’t reply. Listen to me; wherever Sofia is, you need to get her and leave this place as soon as possible." I quickly said, discreetly signaling the bartender to come over.

 

Without hesitation or asking for explanations, Oliver leapt to his feet and dashed out.

 

"A glass of Martini, please." I told the bartender, and a smile curled on his lips.

 

"You’ve got a good taste, Miss." The bartender grinned before heading toward the shelf.

 

I turned my head and noticed Antonio had already taken a seat beside me. I squinted my eyes, expecting him to drag me out, but to my surprise, he called for the bartender and ordered a shot of vodka.

 

After our drinks were served, an uncomfortable silence settled between us as we sipped slowly from our glasses.

 

"So, how did you know I was coming here?" I finally asked after a while, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

 

He turned his head to meet my gaze. "I turned on your phone’s location." He said, and my eyes narrowed as realization hit me.

 

After we left Lily Bridals building, he borrowed my phone to call my dad, claiming he forgot his. That must have been when he activated my phone’s location.

Asshole.

 

"That's an invasion of privacy, you asshole." I muttered under my breath, but loud enough for him to hear.

 

I anticipated a reaction to my rude comment, but he remained calm. Instead, he averted his gaze and signaled for the bartender to come over.

 

Suddenly, an urgent need to use the restroom surged within me. I swiftly rose from my seat and started walking away.

 

"Where are you going?" He questioned, causing me to stop in my tracks.

 

I half turned to look at him. "To respond to the call of nature."

 

Without waiting for his response, I continued walking, making my way to the restroom.

 

As I pushed open the restroom door, I subconsciously turned to see Antonio approaching, and I gasped. Had he been following me all along?

 

"What are you doing?" I quickly asked.

 

"You think I would allow you to leave my sight?" He shook his head slightly. "I am only allowing you to remain in this pub because I am with you, and I have to be by your side at all times."

 

Did that mean he was acting as my bodyguard? I thought, feeling heat radiating to my cheeks.

 

Clearing my throat, I slipped inside the restroom, shutting the door behind me.

…

 

ANTONIO

 

A few minutes after Rosalinda went into the restroom, I suddenly heard a short scream, and worry consumed me as I inched closer to the door.

 

"Rosalinda, are you okay?" I asked as I impatiently rapped on the door. But there was no response.

 

Without a second thought, I yanked the door open and hurried inside the restroom.

 

The second I slipped inside, I stopped in my tracks, my mouth falling open at the sight before me.

 

Rosalinda had taken off her white tank top, leaving her in just jeans and a white bra. I gulped, mesmerized by the sight of her exposed upper body. She was absolutely stunning.

 

"What are you doing inside?" She yelled, snapping me back to reality. It was then that I realized that I must have stared for too long.

 

I averted my gaze and took a sharp breath in attempt to cool off the heat that rushed to my groin.

 

"I heard you scream," I said, subconsciously returning my gaze to her. "Are you okay?"

 

"A fire ant stung me." She said in frustration as she rubbed her chest. "I fucking don’t know how it got into my top."

 

I trudged further into the restroom, getting closer to her, and she instinctively lifted her top, attempting to cover herself from me.

 

I didn’t hesitate to yank the top off her body and rest my gaze on the red spot that was just below her neck.

 

"What—what—are you doing?" She stuttered. 

 

"Shut up and let me check it," I muttered, lifting my hand and gently rubbing my thumb over the red spot.

 

"You shouldn’t be in here." She muttered; her voice was low. "It’s a ladies restroom."

 

"It doesn’t look bad." I continued rubbing it gently, my eyes fixed on the visible part of her fair breast. "It should heal soon."

 

"Yes." She said, and I heard her gulp her saliva as she staggered backwards.

 

I swiftly wrapped my hand around her waist, holding her in place. "Are you tipsy?" I asked as I subconsciously nestled in and inhaled her scent. Her sweet vanilla scent.

 

"That’s…inappropriate." She muttered, her voice barely audible.

 

"I already told you this before, Rosa. Don’t be delusional. I am only doing this because I love your scent." I continued sniffing her neck, unable to get enough of her.

 

I wanted her. All of her.

 

She reciprocated, wrapping her arms around my neck and pressing her body against mine, igniting a fire within me.

 

"It hurts." She muttered and sound escaped her lips. It was a moan.

 

"What?" I questioned, my hands still hovering near the affected area.

 

"The sting." She clarified, and I reached for the spot, gently rubbing it with my thumb as I continued sniffing her body like a predator who was ready to devour its prey.

 

The door suddenly creaked, and she jerked away from me. I turned to see two drunken girls—a brunette and a redhead—staggering into the bathroom.

 

"You both have no shame at all." The brunette slurred, and the red-haired she was with squealed.

 

"Get a room." The red-haired added.

 

Shaking my head, I returned my gaze to Rosalinda, and she had already slipped her top on, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

 

What have I done? I berated myself as realization dawned on me. I wasn’t thinking straight and I went far. Too far. Now, my desire for her is evident, and that should have stayed hidden.

 

"I should leave now." She said and quickly trudged out of the bathroom.

 

I didn't bother to follow her because I didn't know what I would do if I caught up with her. With the heat licking every tissue that made up my manhood, I was certain I wouldn’t be able to control myself if I did.

 

I had never felt as intensely attracted to anyone else as I did to her. That woman, my sister-in-law, was the bane of my very existence.