His Caramel

Chapter 12: Do you feel something...?

Scarlet POV

It had been almost three months since I worked with Miguel and officially his housemate and workout buddy. He never stopped to be my alarm every morning. Hard to admit but my bad morning routine now had changed a bit. It was easier to wake up compared to before but still, sometimes he needs to tickle me to get my ass off from the most comfortable place in the world; bed.

Everything was good between us even though teasing and pissed me off seem to be his habit. But, lately, I do notice something was wrong with him. I asked him a few times, but he always avoided the topic and diverted my attention to other things. Obviously, something disturbed him, but he refused to share it with me. Maybe, he doesn't feel comfortable with me.

"Cassandra, did Carlos say anything about Miguel?" My mind wandered about him. We were in a restaurant near the company building for our lunch break.

"Not that I recall. Why? Anything wrong with him?" She shoved a spoonful of spaghetti into her mouth while looking at me.

"I don't know but I noticed that his mood is off this few days or better to say he pretended to be in good mood but I can feel that something is wrong about him."

"Did you try to ask him? Maybe he will tell you since both of you were getting along pretty well in these few months."

"The typical Miguel, changing topic and diverted my attention to other things every time I asked about that. Perhaps, he still doesn't treat me as a friend." I shrugged my shoulder. Not sure why but a hint of sadness suddenly hit me.

"Tell me, do you feel something..?" She trailed off without completing her question.

"No, I just thought that at least he acknowledges me as his friend. You know, since we spend most of the time together and stayed under the same roof. I expected him to share with me if he is having a problem. At least, I can be a good listener. At least." I explained but the truth is that I'm not sure how should I describe this weird feeling that suddenly doing something to my heart.

"Well, enough talking about me. Tell me about you and Carlos." I changed the subject since I don't want it to keep disturbing my mind.

"As you see, we were boss and employee in the office but a couple in the house." I saw her smile; it was no doubt that she was happy with her current life.

"Correction, it is a couple regardless of the place and time. He doesn't treat you as an employee at all, showing the entire world the lovey-dovey scene all the time." She blushed with the fact.

"You don't know how many times I need to remind him that we are in the office and stop acting so lovely. But, you know when Carlos being Carlos, he doesn't mind about other people and acting like we are alone on this planet." She rolled her eyes playfully, thinking about her boyfriend.

"I'm glad you found someone like him. You deserve happiness and I'm sure he can give you that. No, he already did, actually." I chided.

"Never thought this coming, Scarlet but don't worry, you will have yours too. I believe it will come soon and he is probably on his way."

"Is that a statement?" I narrowed my eyes at her.

"A strong statement." We laughed and enjoyed the remaining time to finish our food.

Miguel POV

I arrived at the restaurant that I was requested for through a text this morning. I literally forced myself to be here. My eyes caught a lady in an elegant beige outfit sitting on one of the tables. Having the thought to end everything in a short time, I approached her and flopped into the chair in front of her.

"Hi, mom," I greeted her out of politeness.

"Hi, son. How are you?" She smiled, but I was aware it wasn't a genuine smile. She just put an act and so do I.

"Not bad, as usual."

"Great to hear that." She exclaimed.

"What do you want this time?" I asked him in a cold tone, straight to the point. It had been a while she doesn't come to visit me and I'm wondering what the hidden agenda behind her presence this time.

"I missed my son, even just a stepson. Is there any problem with that?" She snickered.

"That's not what I meant. Just straight to the point, mom. Tell me whatever that you want to say." I urged her. I refused to let her invaded the peacefulness of my mind.

"Ok, as you like then." She took a sip of her drink before continuing, "I have a friend and her daughter just came back from study. They are from a well-known family in Switzerland. I want to set a date for both of you."

I sighed hearing her words. This wasn't the first time she tried to match me with someone from the high society that she seems to get addicted to. I knew she just wants to gain some benefit from it, in case we could really proceed with the relationship to marriage. She never cared about me instead she just used me as a tool to get what she wants.

"I'm not into any relationship right now. I don't think I will go for it." I refused her nicely. After all, she is still my stepmom that I need to respect.

"I didn't ask for your agreement but this is an order. I will arrange everything for you and let you know the details. You just need to get ready for the date and make sure you appear on that day." I hated it when she commanded me with her serious face.

"I have a lot of work that occupied my time now. Besides, I don't have any interest for that." I tried to convince her, hoping that she will forget about her nonsense request.

"Are you sure this is about work or do you have someone in your mind?"

"No, that's not the case." I immediately answered her but out of the blue, the image of Caramel popped out in my mind.

Letting her know about Caramel is like making a death wish. She can be dangerous and hateful in any situation that she dislikes. I definitely won't mention anything about Caramel and pull her into trouble.

"Then, it shouldn't be a problem. Or else, you know what I will do. I'm sure you don't like to be forced." She smirked as she knew how her statement affected me.

I stayed in silence, speechless, and don't feel like I want to say anything at the same time. It doesn't change anything, it won't. I guess, for the time being, follow her plan won't mess up anything.

"Silence means agree then." She raised her brow in satisfaction. "Ok, I take note on that. I will leave for now. Don't forget about the date." She reminded me for the last time before stepping out of the restaurant leaving me alone with my messy mind.

"She will screw my life again," I mumbled with a deep sigh. I don't like to be in this situation at all, yet I can't do anything about this. I felt so helpless when she was involved in my life. How I wish I could get rid of her from my life.

If she doesn't have the thing that she used to threaten me, I swear I will keep my life away from her and treat her like a stranger. But, right now, she doesn't give me any choices. In order to protect my family name, I need to follow what she wants despite how much I hate it. I won't let her ruined my family name. That was the only thing that I promised my dad before his last breath.

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