Chapter 3

Chapter 3: The Inaccessible Brielle POV "Give me that phone."Hera grabs the handset from me, tossing her silken Ginger red hair over her shoulder. "Listen here, Javier, if you want Brielle's workplace to be more open to the world, you'll do this pep talk for us to Mrs. Sicilio tomorrow, capich��? Make her agree." Hera can be ratchet at all times. Javier Sparacio, the twenty-seven years old professional painter and photographer, has been best friend with Brielle since her first year at the University of Palermo; he also has one-sided feelings for Brielle, and he is also the one that introduces Brielle to Mrs. Sicilo's coffee shop, Mrs. Sicilio and her late husband was a close family friend to the Sparacio. Mrs. Sicilio attended the same school as Javier's mother, Estella Sparacio. So with this, Javier has a powerful connection with Sicilia, and he always knows how to persuade Mrs. Sicilo because she always listens only to him, not the workers. "Good. Brielle will call back and tell you when to meet with Mrs. Sicilio. We'll see you tomorrow." She snaps my cell phone shut. "Sorted. All we need to do now is decide where and when. Call him." She holds the phone out to me-my stomach twists. "Call De Leon, now!" I scowl at her and reach into my mini purse for his business card. I took a deep, steadying breath, and with shaking fingers, I dialed the number. He answers on the second ring. His tone is clipped, calm, and cold at the same time. "De Leon, speaking," He said sternly. I swear his voice sounds different from when we talked in real life, and he sounds cold and stiff. "Err... Mr. De Leon? It's Brielle Damara." I don't comprehend my voice, and I'm so nervous. There's a brief pause inside, and I'm quaking. "Ms. Damara. How nice to hear from you." His voice has changed. He's surprised, I think, and he sounds so warm, seductive even. My breath hitches, and I bloom. I'm suddenly conscious that Hera Crimson is staring at me with her mouth open, and I dart into the bathroom to avoid her unwanted scrutiny. "Err... I want to go ahead with the Arrangement with transferring to the mall, but tomorrow we'll have Mrs. Sicilio's words of agreement." Breathe, Brielle, breathe, my lungs drag in a hasty breath. "Tomorrow, if that's okay. Where would I meet with Mrs. Sicilio that will be convenient for her? Shall we say, nine-thirty tomorrow morning, at my office?" "Okay, well, see you there." I am all gushing and breathy like a child, not a grown woman who can vote and drink legally in a place like Italy. "I'll look forward to it, Ms. Damara." I visualize the wicked gleam in his blue eyes. How can he make seven little words hold so much tantalizing promise? I hang up. Hera is in the exit door, and she's staring at me with complete and utter dismay on her face. "Brielle Damara. You like him! I've never seen you so affected by anyone before. You're blushing." "Oh Hera, you know I blush all the time. It's an occupational hazard with me; don't be so ridiculous," I snap. She blinks at me with surprise. "I find him fierce, that's all. I'll make dinner, and then I need to study." I cannot hide my irritation with her as I open one of the cupboards to get my ingredients. I'm in the depths of the stock room, trying to keep my voice casual. "Okay, Hera Crimson, keep your ratchet on. " I chuckled. I never knew that Hera had an obsession with the De Leon's. "I hope you collected his number today, bitch." Hera yells on the phone, nearly demolishing my eardrum. "I have his cell phone number," I answered and heard Hera gasp. "The richest, most elusive, most enigmatic bachelor in the city just gave you his cell phone number?" Hera wheezed again. "Er... yes," I replied, rolling my eyes "Elle! He likes you. No doubt about it." Her tone is decisive. "Hera, he's just trying to be nice." But even as I say the words, I know they're not true. Enrique De Leon does nice, but for Jace, he doesn't do excellent. He does politeness may be, and a small quiet voice whispers. Perhaps Hera is right. My scalp prickles at the idea that maybe, just maybe, he might like me. After all, he did say he was glad that Iker didn't serve him coffee in the first place. I hug myself with quiet glee rocking from side to side entertaining the possibility that he might like me for one brief moment. Hera brings me back to it now. I don't know if Mrs. Sicilio had agreed with his offer. I don't know if He'll be pissed if she disagrees because Mrs. Sicilio had been in parlemo streets for years before her husband, Mr. Raul Sicilio, passed away. My mind was far away from my conversation with Hera on the phone, but I came back with enthusiasm when she spoke again. "Hmm... What about Javier?" "Javier?" I shriek, unamused repeating the question. I don't know why Hera is asking about Javier, but all I know is that she doesn't like him for me. "Yes, Javier, your boyfriend," she let out mockingly. "He's not my boyfriend, Hera, " I warned. "Why don't you ask him? He might be able to talk Mrs. Sicilio into relocating to the Mall, and he'll do anything for you, then call Enrique and find out which side of the mall he wants Mrs. Sicilio to start the coffee business." Hera is irritatingly cavalier about Javier. "I think you should call him." Hera snorts. "Who, Javier?" I repeat the question knowing too well that she hates her questions being repeated. "No, De Leon!" She scoffs. "Elle, you're the one with the relationship." "Relationship?" I squeak at her with my voice rising several octaves. "I barely know this guy, and it was just a cup of warm coffee and a strange conversation." I skim. "At least you've met him," she says bitterly. "And looks like he wants to know you better. Elle calls him," she snaps and hangs up. She is so ratcheted at all times. I frown at my cell, rolling my eyes out at it. I'm just leaving a message for Javier when Cleo enters the stock room looking for a cup. "We're busy out there, Elle, " she says without malice. "Yeah, um, sorry," I mutter, turning to leave. "So, how come you knew the big shot? Enrique De Leon?" Cleo's voice is unconvincingly nonchalant. "Well, I had to serve him coffee the day he came in, and I didn't even know he was a rich person." I snuggled my nose. "Enrique De Leon in Sicilio little coffee shop? Go figure," Cleo snorts, amazed. She shakes her head as if to clear it. "Well, I'm sure he's here because they bought this whole building, and he needs Mrs. Sicilio to sign the contract before it gets demolished!" "Yeah, that was the first thing that came from my mind since I saw the notice!" I grin at her. "Anyway, want to grab a drink or something this evening because I'll be going out with my other friends." I always do say no to her, not because I don't like her or anything, but I don't like the kind of vibe she produces. Grabbing a drink right now and even finding out from Iker that she's a lesbian, I'm not judging her, though, just saying. "Isn't it a friendship dinner or something for you and your other friends?" I asked, not wanting to straighten In, turning her offer down. "But you are my friend too," she responded. "Maybe some other time, Cleo. I need to study tonight. I have my final exams next week." I try to make her see the reasons. "But it's just for one day, " Cleo whines. "Cleo, please?" I begged her, Clutching my cell and staring out of the window at the fading evening light. "It's okay, and I'll let it pass but promise me we'll go out together again!" She begs. "No promises, but I'll try," I smiled slightly as I walked past her.