What Could Have Been - Lalo Salamanca (ON HOLD)

Chapter Five

*****

A week back Dina received the note and bouquet of flowers from Lalo, written on the note that he would see her soon, he fulfilled his promise not long after.

As that day came; one of Lalo's men appeared at her studio with a box that contained a very beautiful gift. He urged Dina that she only had half an hour before her date with Lalo.

It was all very sudden for Dina and the man refused to explain himself further. Before Dina could fathom, she was already out of Albuquerque, heading to Mexico. Now, Dina sat facing Lalo over dinner at a beautiful garden area, where allegedly, Lalo cooked their dinner.

"I hope you like your gift." Lalo eyed the necklace she wore around her neck with a grin on his face.

Dina's fingers brushed over the diamond necklace, "You really did not have to."

"A beautiful woman like you, deserves something just as."

"You are very sly." Dina tried to hide her smile but Lalo already caught her doing so.

Taking a sip of her wine, Lalo's eyes darted to her plate to see that she had truly enjoyed her meal as there was nothing left. Lalo smiled to himself and took it as a good sign.

Then, Lalo's eyes darted to Dina; her hair was flowing down her back in her natural curls while her eyelashes were coated in mascara, her lips were painted red matching her nails. Her new necklace laid nicely on her collar bones just as her black tube dress wrapped nicely around her.

"Let me show you around." Lalo had gotten out of his seat and pulled out her chair, linking his arm with hers as they walked around the botanic area that Lalo owned.

Even at times when they walked together, Dina didn't feel pressured to start a conversation with Lalo. But whenever his eyes laid on her, she would immediately feel nervous.

Dina looked up at Lalo and saw that his dark brown eyes were already on her- as the woman stopped walking beside him, Lalo thought that Dina would reach up for a kiss, but he was wrong.

"Don't look at me like that." Dina's cheeks slightly turned red as her throat began to feel dry.

"Why? Do I make you nervous?" Lalo said playfully as he leaned in.

A thought that was on her mind for awhile appeared in Dina's head once more and she wanted to blurt it out for awhile, so she did.

"Gustavo told me about how your uncle and him aren't really the best of friends." Lalo pursed his lips and scrunched his brows in confusion as Dina continued. "So cut to the chase- did Hector put you up to this?"

Lalo couldn't help but laugh loudly after blinking several times in silence. At his reaction, Dina crossed her arms on her chest.

"You think that my uncle set up this plan- me getting close to you to see what Gustavo is up to?"

Dina raised her brows and waited for an answer but Lalo only gently squeezed her chin with his index and thumb.

"You are funny." Lalo managed to say, a grin still on his face.

"Come on, then- what is this all about?"

"Can a man not be simply interested in a woman?"

"Is that all there is to it?"

Lalo cleared his throat as his smile immediately faltered, somewhat scaring Dina.

"If I was interested in your uncle's business, this would not be the approach that I would take." Looking in his eyes, Lalo did not blink once and there was lingering honesty in his eyes that made Dina believe him.

"Okay." Dina said as she nodded her head.

Immediately, Lalo placed a smile on his face and offered his hand for her to take once more.

"I hope you like horses, there's a stable not far from here."

——-

The stable that was connected to the botanic was also owned by Lalo Salamanca, in them were very beautiful horses.

Moving towards one of the arabian horse, Dina brushed her hand against its black coat. All while Lalo watched her closely.

Whenever Lalo had the chance to be near her, Lalo watched her carefully; before he could fully embrace Dina into his life, he needed to know that she was genuine- he needed to trust her just as much as she did.

"You have a beautiful horse." Dina said as the horse neared her, its nose in her hand.

Lalo signaled to one of the men to take the horse out of its stable so Dina could see the horse better in the lungeing.

As they made their way there, Dina raised her brows in question as the man prepared the saddle on the horse.

As Dina turned to Lalo for an answer, Lalo told her that she was going for a ride.

"Lalo, I am wearing a dress." Dina protested.

"It's not something to worry about." As they neared the horse, without a warning, Lalo bent down and wrapped his arms around her knees and lifted Dina up swiftly. Dina who was taken aback, balanced herself by holding onto his shoulders.

Lalo placed Dina gently on the saddle and took the reign of the horse from the helper's hold.

"See? Simple." Lalo said as he walked beside the horse.

——-

Right after riding the horse, Dina was with Lalo exiting the Stable and making their way back.

"Thank you for tonight." Dina genuinely said as a brighter smile was on her lips compared to earlier. "You have a beautiful place here."

Lalo smiled in response as Dina continued to say her goodbye but Lalo cut her short as his fingers brushed her hair away from her face, bending down to catch her lips with his. Instantly Dina melted while his hand gripped on her hip and pulled the woman closer to him.

Chills went down her spine as she felt electricity vibrate throughout her body. Before she could completely give in, Dina pulled herself together- she wasn't going to make it easy for him on their first day.

Dina broke the kiss and as Lalo tried to pull her in again, Dina smiled.

"It's getting late." Dina said as she wiped away some of her lipstick from the side of his mouth.  

Not wanting to beg, Lalo cleared his throat and nodded, taking her to the car.

He gave her a kiss goodbye on the cheek and watched her leave. As he stood there, Lalo couldn't help but want more.