CHAPTER 25
I blushed at Leonardo's teasing. I was excited when Mr. Montoya permitted me to invite Cynthia over.
Cynthia wore a dark denim corset-style tube top that featured a belted detail at her bust with a gold-tone buckle, which gave it a structured, bodice-like silhouette. She also had on a matching low-rise denim mini skirt and high-octane platform combat boots in black leather.
Her black woven "hobo" style handbag hung on her shoulder. Leonardo wore a black sweatshirt over an army green simple short and a pair of white trainers.
"Finally. The talked-about Montoya estate. So grand on the inside as it is on the outside. Lovely room, by the way, chica," Cynthia said.
"Thanks. Can I get you guys anything?" I asked.
"Oh, don't trouble yourself on our account. I brought my own bottle of water," Cynthia replied.
"But it would have been hot due to the sun by now," I reasoned.
"Well, maybe. But let's talk about you before refreshments. Right, Leo?" she turned to her brother.
"Of course. How've you been coping?" Leonardo asked while simultaneously removing the big black backpack from his back.
"I've been well. Please take your seats," I pointed to the bed and the reading chair. Leonardo took the chair, and Cynthia sat next to me on the bed. "How's my Tía?" I asked. They both exchanged looks. "I'm not going to lie, chica. Tía Elena isn't doing so well, but she has a fighting spirit and she's fighting day by day," Cynthia explained.
A little after I'd started as a nanny to Carlitos and Serena, Cynthia had updated me on the progress regarding my Tía's health. She had told me about the day she went to check up on her, only to find her passed out on the floor. Lucy had raised the alarm, and my Tía was admitted to a hospital.
Thankfully, she survived. As for her bills, Cynthia had organized a fundraising event, and the bill was taken care of. Mentally stressed, I put my head in my hands.
"Don't do that, darling. Tía Elena is a fighter. Until we can come up with the money, she's going to be fine." Cynthia pulled me into a side hug for reassurance.
"Come on, Cindy, show her all you got for her," Leonardo cajoled.
"Oh, that's right!" Cindy stood up and dragged the black backpack they'd brought for me. She opened it and brought out pieces of different clothing: headwarmers, scarves, lace nightgowns, bras, crazy jeans, and hoodies.
"I can't wear all of these here, Cindy," I cried.
"Of course you can. It was Leo's idea to go shopping for you since you are being held a prisoner here. Oh, and the fundraising idea was Leo's idea," Cynthia informed me.
"I'm not being held prisoner here, Cindy, well, not literally. But thanks so much, guys. I really love you a notch more, Leo," I said and walked up to Leo to hug him.
"Hey, and what about me?" Cynthia pouted.
"You know I'll love you always," I said and gave Cindy a hug and a kiss.
"So, time to try them on. Leo, you've seen Alice already, and she's in good health and all. Wasn't there somewhere you needed to be?" Cindy asked and smiled while she batted her eyelids.
"No, Cindy, I'm fine just here."
"Would you guys please excuse me?" I asked.
"Yeah, sure, don't take too long though," Cindy said.
I walked out and made a call to Lucy. "Hey Lucy, can I come over to your room to get those delicious cookies of yours?"
"Um, I'm not around right now, but I could be your room service in a couple of minutes," she answered.
"Room service?" I asked.
"Yeah, like deliver it to your room," she said.
"Are you busy?" I asked.
"Yup," she replied.
"With Sir Sebastian Montoya, I guess?" I teased and winked, even though she couldn't see me.
"What are you on about?" Lucy asked. The image of Lucy and Sebastian Montoya in the woods, up against that tree, crossed my mind's eye again.
"How about we talk about that later?" I said with a smile.
"Yeah, later sounds good," she replied.
I missed my talks with Lucy.
"Later," I said and clicked off the call.
When I walked back inside, Leo was all set and ready to leave.
"A friend will be coming with delicious cookies and milk that she made herself. Why don't you stay a little longer?" I tried to cajole him.
"That sounds lovely, but I have to go now. I'm so sorry to be a party pooper," he said and kissed me on the cheek. "So how do I get to the gate?"
"Hold on, let me call a cab," I told him. He left right after, with a warning to Cynthia to keep some cookies for him.
"Finally, now we have each other. Spill it. And don't hold anything back," Cynthia said. She was referring to my encounter with Mr. Montoya.
"Girl, it's not like it could work anyway. I have a feeling Mr. Montoya is not into females."
"What? Like he's gay?" Cindy asked, disbelief written all over her face.
"No, silly. He's just not into ladies. Anyway, that's his decision. I hope you've been well. How's work? Talk to me," I asked.
"I've been fine. Talking about me or my work is boring. My life in general is boring. This is where the action is. Try this on," she said, handing me a lace bra.
"My current task is finding a suitable and reputable school for both of the kids," I said, taking off my jacket and then my tiny-strapped singlet, thereby exposing my breasts.
"So delicious," Cynthia drawled.
"Focus, Cindy," I reprimanded teasingly. "Okay, okay. So, where are the kids currently?" she asked.
"With Doña Esperanza," I paused.
"Who?" she asked, confused.
"Oh, um, she's the housekeeper. Mr. Montoya gave me some hours off for today, you know, so I can host you," I clarified.
"Oh, that's nice," was her reply, but she was staring at my breasts, now partially covered and high.
"Check yourself out, chica," she said with a smirk. I moved to the mirror. The bra had held up my breasts in such a seductively sexy manner. It looked ripe and plump.
"So what did you do or say to your boss to permit this visit? And he was generous enough to give you moments to entertain your visitors," she asked as she searched for more things for me to try on.
"I didn't do anything, Cindy. I just explained to him how close you were to me as family. I guess he has a heart underneath the cold surface after all. I remember our very first encounter at the restaurant. He seemed calm and human then. Here he is… he's… I really don't know the right word. He's scary, Cindy," I finally said as I undid the bra hook and pulled it off, leaving my breasts bare again.
"I think it's all in your head, chica. Here, try this," she handed me a corset-style tube top similar to hers, but in my size. I proceeded to put it on.
"Plus, you won't find out your true feelings or his true intentions by judging from all you've told me. If he wants to play games, then you play along. That's my opinion. And if you need lessons, I'm your girl," Cindy said.
Cynthia had had sex, and she wasn't afraid of the concept. Meanwhile, the very notion scared me to death.
"Wow… it looks so lovely on you."
Someone knocked, and our heads snapped to the door.
"That must be Lucy. Come in," I said.
Sure enough, it was Lucy, and she didn't come empty-handed.
"Thanks, Lucy, you're an angel. Care to join us?"
"You don't need to ask me twice. I didn't know we were playing dress-up," Lucy said.
She took her seat on the chair and placed the tray of cookies and milk on the reading table. I introduced them to one another, and they shook hands.
When Lucy turned to pick up a cookie, I mouthed, "Be nice," to Cynthia.
"So," Lucy said, handing the cookie she had picked to Cindy, "Alice's childhood friend, huh? How was she like when she was younger?" Cindy didn't miss a beat. She had us laughing in no time.
After talking about my childhood for a while, we discussed school suggestions for the Montoyas' kids that I could consider. Then, with their encouragement, I made three different calls to three different schools to make appointments. After that, we played the game of truth or dare for a while.
"Chica, I'll have to take my leave now. Take good care of yourself. Bye, Lucy," Cynthia finally said.
"How about we escort you to the gate? The fun doesn't have to end just yet," Lucy said with a smile.
"Good idea, Lucy," I complimented.
After we got to the gate and Cynthia alighted from the cab, we said our final goodbyes. I promised Cindy I'd call her.
"So, what was that thing you were on about in regard to Mr. Sebastian?" Lucy asked on our way back to the Montoyas' mansion. I'd reasoned she would ask me in a more private place and not when a third party, like the driver, was present. Well, I guess not.
I went ahead and told her.