Impressing the Clients

50

I was at the bedroom, continued packing, when Carol knocked and opened the door. "Hi, come in," I smiled at her. "Hello, child. Let me help you," she kissed my cheek and picked up unfolded clothes.

"That's very kind of you," I said as I folded another pile of clothes that was already on the bed. "I wonder how can you handle those two arrogant men," I joked.

"Oh, a whole lot of patience," she answered back. "See these wrinkles?" she pointed out her face, "they gave me these." I laughed loudly.

"They were a handful but they were good men," she told me in a more serious manner, "they are just used to getting everything they want and when you tell them they can't have what they wanted, they would throw an award-winning tantrum. Well, now that they're all grown up, they use everything they have to get what they want."

"Amen to that, sister," I commented. We both laughed.

"Paula, can I be honest with you?" She asked me, I suddenly felt nervous. "Sure," I answered plainly.

"I love them like my own, and I want what's best for them," she started, "and I can tell they're really, really attached to you. And I'm happy you're making them happy," she gave a small smile.

I just smiled back.

"I know they aren't very good with words—and with their actions either. They act with their temper. But I can see they really care for you. And if you don't care for them as much as they do, I'm asking you to please stay away from them." She threaded her last words carefully.

Ouch. She doesn't want me for them?

"Please don't take it personally. All my life all I ever did was take care of them and I just wanted them to have someone who can do that, too. Don't lead them onto something that isn't gonna happen," she continued, "you must know them by now that they can't take rejection very well. But they can live with that. It's better than giving them false hopes."

False hope on what? I was speechless, I usually knew what to say but now I didn't.

"I know, I know," she breathed out, "I'm acting like a mother lion looking out for her cubs. But I can clearly see they are falling, Paula. Fast and hard. They're just denying it because they didn't knew someone will come and tear their walls down. And unless you're ready for their tough and sometimes almost in the ugliest form of love, stay away. Don't break their hearts please."

"Love?" I asked her. "Carol, we just fucked. That's all this is. We all knew what we were getting into and we all knew this will have to end when I go home. I have a man who truly loves me back home." I added.

"Well then, good for you," she said smiling softly, "you found yours, let them find theirs." I wanted to be offended by what she said, but every bit of it was true. There was no point in continuing what we had in this beautiful place.

I just nodded. She's right. God! She's so fucking pure. I wished I had a mother's love like that. This was so fucking heavy.

"Thanks for telling me this, Carol," I grabbed her hands, "I'll be out of their hair once I get home. I'm sure lots of ladies fall in line just to be with any of them." I gave her a small smile. The thought of them being with another woman made my insides hurt but it's a bitter pill I have to fucking swallow.

"I love you for them, Paula," she told me while we were holding hands, "and if you ever find yourself falling for them and actually committing to them, I would be very happy."

And before I can even answer back that I can't and I won't be with them, Oliver knocked and announced himself.

Carol let me go and went to answer the door. "Carol, Ms. Santiago," Oliver greeted formally, "the sirs said they'll be waiting at the plane. They have to take care a few business things. Once you're ready, I'll be at the front door. The men will carry your things."