CUBAN HIRE (CARTEL GXG)

THE COST OF CHOICES

Two days had passed since that charged morning between Ezmeralda and Olivia. Their conversations had been brief and distant ever since. Ezmeralda made sure their paths rarely crossed, slipping away once Olivia was asleep and rising before her. The silence between them grew heavy, but unspoken glances lingered during dinners and wedding meetings. Tension buzzed in the air, electric and unavoidable, as Olivia tried and failed to shake her thoughts away.

The wedding day loomed closer, palpable in the whispers that floated through the house and the constant flow of people preparing for the event. Olivia and Phoebe had kept mostly to themselves, with Phoebe occasionally whisked away by Carlos while Olivia found ways to occupy her time alone. The atmosphere was thick with conflicting energy, anticipation swirling with dread as the clock ticked down.

Sitting on the windowsill, Olivia watched a gardener outside, trimming the line of trees. Music played softly from a radio in the corner, the simple melody offering a rare moment of peace in the house. The only people who had access to electronics were Ezmeralda and Carlos, adding to the feeling of isolation.

The sound of the door unlocking made both girls sit up. Phoebe turned her head, eyes narrowing as Carlos peeked inside.

"Put your shoes on. We're going out," Carlos said, his tone casual, as though this was a normal occurrence.

Olivia and Phoebe exchanged confused glances. "We're going out?" Olivia questioned, incredulous that they'd be trusted to leave the house.

"Sí," Carlos confirmed with a nod. "We need to get some things for you."

Olivia glanced at Phoebe again, catching the soft smile that tugged at her friend's lips as Carlos met her gaze. It was subtle, but the chemistry between them was undeniable. Olivia raised a brow, bemused as she watched Carlos drop to one knee to tie Phoebe's laces, stroking her calf as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Phoebe's focus on him was just as intense, her cheeks faintly flushed. The sight caused Olivia to let out a silent chuckle—how quickly things were shifting.

As Olivia descended the stairs, her eyes locked with Ezmeralda's. The instant their gazes met, Olivia's heart raced. There was something unreadable, yet undeniably captivating in Ezmeralda's dark eyes. Olivia's attention drifted over her, from the black T-shirt that hugged her frame, to the smart trousers that fit her like they were custom-made, to the gold chain around her neck. The tattoos peeking from Ezmeralda's hands only added to the allure.

"Olivia," Ezmeralda greeted her with a small, knowing smile, shifting her weight slightly to make room for Olivia to join her.

"Ezmeralda," Olivia replied, matching her tone as she stepped past her. The tension between them was a living, breathing thing, crackling in the air. No words were exchanged, but they didn't need to be. Every glance, every subtle shift in body language spoke volumes.

Ezmeralda silently opened the car door, waiting for Olivia to step in. For a brief moment, their eyes met again, as if daring the other to speak first. Olivia finally slid into the black Jeep, Ezmeralda's presence lingering like a shadow as she closed the door behind her.

The ride was suffocatingly quiet, the silence almost oppressive. Olivia's shoulder brushed against Ezmeralda's arm, sending an involuntary shiver down her spine. She stubbornly stared ahead, refusing to acknowledge the touch or the suffocating tension that filled the space between them.

Ezmeralda lit a cigarette, her movements deliberate, calm. She stretched her arm over Olivia's lap to grab the ashtray, her forearm grazing Olivia's knee in the process. It was subtle, but enough to make Olivia's pulse quicken. Ezmeralda seemed to enjoy the game—waiting for Olivia to break the silence first.