A Spy's Home---Book 2: Wounds, Both Old and New

Chapter 14

Carlos's Point of View

I heard the door open, and instinctively looked over; Zylina? She looked sleep deprived and more upset since the day I met her. I did my rounds with the menus to the customers, and eventually ended up at Zylina's table; she was faced toward the window, twirling one of her hair strands around her finger.

"Zylina, Is that you?" I finally said, confused. Slowly she turned around, and her face turned a bit red. A smile crept on my face, when I saw her goofy reaction. "Is everything alright....Chica?" I asked.

"Uh, I would say yes, then again you would know that I'm lying, right?" she responded, perching her cheek on the palm of her hand, and forcing herself to smile. I raised my eyebrow, and looked around for the manager; I didn't see him anywhere, and Zylina was going to be the last menu drop off anyway, so I figured I could have a chat with this mystery girl.

I set the menus down, and I sat down in the seat in front of her just like the last time she was here. "I told you the story of my little sister, so you tell me your story." I said, putting my arms on the table. Zylina gave me a confused look, but it was replaced by a shocked, and almost scared face.

I clenched my jaw as I realized that she may have a more secret life then I realized, an even darker one at that.

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Zylina's Point of View

I felt the color drain from my face when Carlos asked me to tell my story. "Are you forcing me to tell my side of the story?" I asked, like an idiot.

Carlos shrugged in response, and exclaimed, "I just want to know why you're here. My sister disappearing, you showing up here from out of the blue, and then you came to my apartment asking questions about her. It's like you know things about my family, yet I only know your name."

His statement hit my heart hard, and I lost my train of thought for a few moments. "Carlos," I started, "I want to tell you about my past, most girls would open up to a charming guy like yourself, but I'm just saving you from a whole jumble of craziness." Carlos chuckled to himself for a moment, probably because I called him charming, but then he looked up and locked eyes with me.

"If you do decide to open up with me a little, then here's my number." he told me, taking a slip of wrinkled paper from his pocket and placing it in front of me. I laughed a little to myself, and asked, "How long have you been waiting to give this to girl?" I picked it up and held it in between my two middle fingers.

"I've been wanting to give this to you since the first day we met, but I didn't seem like the perfect time to give it to you." Carlos replied, getting to his feet. He set one of the menus in front of me, and said, "Well, I'll be back to take your order soon." he then walked away, and I looked at the slip of paper.

My mind told me to throw it away, because if I got close to anyone it would cause them to be at risk due to my connections with the Academy, but I ended up saving it and gently putting it in my pocket.

When I was done with my meal about 30 minutes later, I didn't stop myself from writing and then setting down my phone number on the check for Carlos in case he needed to talk to me. 

TBC...