Betrothed to the Mafia boss

Chapter 25

Camila

"So, you mean to tell me that Antonio didn't get angry when you told him you want to do things your way?" I nodded my head as I took a sip of my drink. Rina and I decided to meet the next day, which was Sunday. But the sole meeting was with Derek. He had finally replied to my text after snubbing me for days. I don't blame him. I don't really know what his reasons were. So, I can't jump to conclusions fast.

Rina's eyes squinted at me as if she didn't buy what I told her. "Are you sure you heard him clearly?" She asked.

"Come on, Rina. I was also surprised. But you won't believe what he told me afterwards. Guess." Rina adjusted her sitting position. I was also shocked. His agreement didn't come on a free platter after all.

"Shoot. I don't like guessing." She said, rolling her eyes on the accord.

"He's assigning a bodyguard to me."

"What!" Rina jolted up. "Bodyguard for what? Is that man for real? Why can't he allow you to be in peace?" Rina bombarded. Her anger was visibly dimmed.

Funny enough, when he mentioned a bodyguard would be assigned to me, I couldn't bring myself to utter a word. I had a hard time processing the fact that our agreement turned out to be give and take. Subsequently, he accepted that I can do whatever I want in the house, he pushed through another direction by bringing the bodyguard thingy.

"Well... that's what I'm seeing. But he can't disrupt my peace, Rina. Not anymore."

"What do you have in mind?" She countered, sitting back down.

"Hello, ladies." Derek appeared from behind me and grabbed his seat.

"Hey Derek." Rina waved. "You finally decided to show your face after snubbing Camila."

Damn! Did I forget to mention that Rina says whatever's in her mind without thinking.

"Hey Derek." I uttered with a light smile. I don't want us to be awkward around each other because of what happened. I could see the look on Derek's face. It indicated he was still thinking about that night.

I took a deep breath before speaking up. "Look Derek, I don't want you to look at me differently because of what happened. I don't want our friendship to sever because of a mere misunderstanding. I don't want to lose this." I emphasized, pointing at the three of us.

"I'm sorry about that night," I said honestly, dropping my gaze down.

Derek heaved a sigh. "Are you done?"

My head snapped towards him in question. "Look, I'm not angry at you. The reason why I didn't reply to your text was that I was caught up with work. And that piece of meat can't come between a friendship that has been there for years. Never."

My lips curved into a smile. I thought he was angry at me. Derek is someone I consider not only a close friend but also a brother. "You calling him a piece of meat shows you weren't shaken up by his actions," I teased.

"Trust me, I was. I nearly pissed my pants."

Rina burst into laughter, a hearty one. Derek shot her a glare in return. "That man has a dangerous eye. Now, can you fill me in on how you got married out of the blue and also ended up marrying that scary man?" Derek leaned forward.

Rina and I exchanged glances. "I will fill you in," Rina suggested. It would be better. Because thinking about it leaves me with nothing but anger and a mix of regret. Yes, I shouldn't have agreed to it in the first place, even though there weren't many options at that time.

"So..." Rina started.

"Oh Camila, I didn't know you're going through a lot." Derek pulled me in for a hug, tears glistening in his eyes.