RANSOM GIFT: The Complete Collection Boxed Set (Commanding Proposal, Hidden Proposal, Ransom Proposal) (2 page)

Chapter 2

              “Ms. Kristina, you’re father wanted to bring you these cupcakes.” Alma said on behind the door.

Alma’s my twenty five year old nanny, yes, nanny. She was hired to take care of my needs, as if I can’t do them myself. In short, she’s employed to make me the biggest baby girl in the history of infancy.

              “Come in, Alma.” I yelled so she would hear me behind the door.

She softly turned the doorknob, and she flashed her sweetest smile to me. “There’s red velvet here…” She said.

Red velvet, really, Alma…
? “Go eat it. I’m not hungry…”

              “Ms. Kristina, do you need someone to talk to? Estoy aqui para escuchar.” She offered her ears to listen to my sentiments.

              “Que es tan dulce de tu parte, but I’m alright.” I told her sounding so appreciative of her sweetness.

She nodded, looking so terribly in pity of my misery. I hated that feeling of being weak and helpless. But as much as I want to be strong for all these who care so much about me to see, I couldn’t. It felt like there was this giant hole inside my chest, and I wasn’t able to breathe. It was like every time I inhale air, a massive canyon ball was what’s trying to force itself in my chest. It was so painful.

              “Si, déjame saber si necesitas algo.” She said to call her if I need anything.

I flashed a weak smile at her. “Gracias…”

But before she could walk out of my pent, I managed to change my mind.

              “Esperar…! Alma!” I called her attention.

She walked closer to me with a face so innocently expecting of whatever it was that I needed from her. “Si, Ms. Kristina?” She asked with a soft smile.

              “Could you sit here for a while, please? I need someone to talk to…” I begged.

She smiled sweetly at me. “That’s what I’m here for, Ms. Kristina.” She said.

              “Please, just Kristina.” I insisted, and she nodded.              

She sat close to me, and I held her hand. I could tell she didn’t expect me to reach out like that, but she managed to reciprocate the gesture with her other hand.

              “It’s so painful, Alma. I can’t eat, sleep or breathe properly. I miss him so much…” I vent my pain to her.

She looked so concerned but also clueless, since I’ve never told anyone this news, which was why she had no idea what to tell me.

              “Okay, I’m going to tell this to you, but do you promise not to tell anyone? Es importante…” I demanded.

              “Si, Kristina. What has happened?” Her voice sounded so concerned and caring.

I started sobbing. Just remembering the fact breaks my heart into shattered pieces. She softly rubbed my hand, and I felt her concern.

              “Clemente is getting married to a Japanese girl.” I informed her.

Her eyes grew bigger, and I can tell that she was so shocked by this news. “But, Ms. Kristina, I thought you and him—” She was smart enough not to finish her sentence knowing she might just hurt me even more.

              “I thought so, too, but apparently, his father made a pact with the Japanese girl’s father. So they’re just going to get married.” I explained my sentiments to her.

She didn’t say anything, which made me talk even more…

              “I can’t seem to get over, Alma. It’s so hard. I’ve been thinking about him so much.” I went on. “I have no idea what to do, and this place just isn’t helping.”

It took her a few seconds before she could speak… “What do you want to do, Kristina?” She asked.

              “Honestly? I want to get out of here. Maybe start a new life. Pursue what I want. For once, do things for myself…”

              “Well then, do it.” She encouraged me. “If it’ll make you happy…”

              “What about dad?” I asked her.

              “Oh, right… I’m so sorry, Ms. Kristina. I was just trying to make you feel better. I didn’t know you were serious.” She took back her encouragements.

Really, Alma…? Are you kidding me?

             
“And Mr. Mora will surely be heartbroken.” She tried to talk me out of it.

              “Then I’m just going to have to tell him properly.” I said to her. “Maybe even just for a year.” I told her.

She’s not giving away anything with her facial expression. She’s playing it safe. She didn’t want to encourage me into something I might blame her for. Her face was very noncommittal.

              “It might break his heart…” She’s good at this.

I stood up at my feet, and it took her by surprise. “Where are you going, Ms. Kristina?” She asked.

              “A mi padre…” I answered her.

As I rushed out of my room and into the hallway, I felt so nervous and clueless of how I was supposed to break it to my father. He’s a good man, I’m sure he can understand.

As I finally reached his office room, I softly knocked at door. “Dad, que soy yo.”

              “Entra, cariño…” He said.

I gently opened up the door, and I saw his face lightened up as he saw me. “Come on in, sweetie. What is it?” He asked.

              “
Papá, I need to tell you something, y es mu importante.” I said to him.

His facial expression turned to being curious, and I tried to gather up all my courage to break his heart.
Of course, I know that it’ll break his heart. I know him, he’s my papá.

              “Go on, sweetie. What is it?” He asked with so much love.

              “Pap
á, I want to leave Spain.” I said to him.

His eyes widen with shock, and the smile on his face was long gone. “You mean head out to a different country?” He asked.

              “Si, pap
á.” I answered him, resenting the fact that I needed to do this for myself.

              “
Does it have anything to do with Clemente’s engagement? Va a ayudar a sentirse mejor.” He said as if asking for a confirmation that if it was going to help me be better.

              “Si, pap
á.”

He took a desperate sigh, and he looked at my eyes with so much care and love. I wish mom was here, she’d definitely know what I should do.

              “How long?” He asked, and I knew I was already halfway there.

              “Un año.” I informed him that I was going to be there for a whole year.

His reaction obviously said he didn’t expect it to be that long.
Well, I was also wishing it wouldn’t take me that long.

              “Where?”  My father asked.

              “I haven’t made up my mind yet, but probably in US, pap
á.”

He stared at me as if searching the answers in my eyes. I can’t give him those no matter how hard I reciprocate his stares because I don’t have them either myself.

              “Por favor,
pap
á. I need this.” I begged my father.

              “Bueno, go ahead.” He granted me permission.

Tears fell from my eyes as I walked towards him to give his forehead a kiss. “Gracias,
pap
á.”

              “Only because you said it will make you feel better. And also, I have one condition.” He said. “Actually, make that two.”

              “Shoot.” I said with a grin.

He smiled at me, and I knew that smile. He’s going to make me do something I’ve been rejecting to do for so long.

              “First, get as much money as you can from Adolfo, you don’t have to work wherever you’re going. Focus on your soul-searching.” He teased, and I laughed.

Adolfo was my dad’s secretary.

              “Okay, noted.” I confirmed.

              “After a year, you will come back, and you will give this company a try for un año as well. If you really don’t like it, I’ll grant it to your little cousin Estella someday.” He demanded.

Whoa! Wait up,
pap
á…

I took few moments to think about this commanding proposal. I wasn’t really sure that he’s allowing me to go out of pure concern, but what matters most to me at the moment was some time alone, so… “You got yourself un acuerdo, mister
.” I said.
             

              “That’s my baby. Now, can I visit you to wherever you want to mend your broken heart at?” He teased again.

              “Of course, pap
á.” I laughed.

              “When do you plan to take off?” He asked.

              “Tonight…”

              “Why so soon?” His brows rose.

I stared at him as if trying to tell him he just asked me the stupidest question ever.

              “Bueno, go ahead. Ask Adolfo for money. Take as much as you need, or do you want me to buy you a house there?” He offered.             

              “No, dad. I want an apartment.” I said.

              “Let me get you one, then. Or you don’t want to let your old man to have a good night sleep starting tonight.” He made me feel guilty.

              “Fine. I’ll decide where to while packing up and I’ll let you know quickly.”

              “Good. I’ll make sure your apartment will be ready for your arrival.” He said. “Come here.”

I walked towards my dad to give him a hug, and to promise him that I’ll be back here after a year.

             
“Vuelvo en un año, papá.”

Chapter 3

New York was such a crowded and consuming city. Everyone seemed to be very busy doing what they do, while there I was trying to waste time in order to heal.

I just came out from my luxurious apartment dad managed to prepare for me hours before I my flight even touched down JFK.

I sat down to one of the park benches, and stared at the young man who’s on his guitar singing this sad soulful song.

I may not have the softest touch

I may not say the word as such

And though I may not look like much

But I’m yours…

And suddenly, Clemente filled my mind again. Our memories at the café, every single time we sneaked out of the hotel to those cheap shopping stalls in the street, and we’d buy simple things, and we’d sit down in any corner to check them out.

And though my edges may be rough

I never feel I’m quite enough

It may not seem like very much

But I’m yours…

He’s gone.

I stared down at my mobile phone, and I was fighting the urge to call him.
Oh what the hell!
I dialed his number hoping I could at least hear his voice.

              “
Hello?”
A lady with a different accent answered his phone.

Shit. It’s the Japanese girl!
I knew that I should hang up the call, but for some reasons, I wanted to know her voice and how she talks.

              “Hello, uhhh… It’s Kristina. Is Clemente there?” I asked.

There was a lump forming on my throat as I waited for her to answer my inquiries, praying she has no idea who I was.

              “Hey, Kristina…! I’ve heard so much about you. How are you?” Her voice sounded genuine.

              “I’m—alright, I guess…” I answered her reservedly.

              “Here, let me get Clemente for you...” She said to me.

              “Ai, it’s your shimai…” She called for Clemente.

I don’t know so much about Japanese language because I’ve never really paid so much attention to my Japanese language subject back in my special “nurturing and molding” trainings. But I knew that Ai means love, and that shimai
(
姉
妹
)
refers to a sister.

So he told her that I was his sister? Or maybe he told her that I meant like a sister to him. Okay, but do siblings kiss?

Finally, after few more seconds, I heard Clemente’s voice, and it was my cue to just hang up. I hung up the call. I got what I wanted, and it was more than enough for me. It was definitely
more than enough.

Wow. Just wow.

It was so painful for me. I felt like all those three hours of numbness were in vain after I heard his voice, and after I’ve learned that he only treated me as a sister.
OMG,
it’s so painful.

              “Hi…” A male voice interrupted my melancholy, and I glanced up to look at who it was.

OMG!
This man looked so similar to Sean O’Pry, but why was he talking to me? Well, it was because he needed something from me, something so important that it couldn’t wait. “Can you move your foot a little? You’re stepping on my brochure.” He requested.

Oh!
I looked at my feet, and there’s this one pamphlet. I picked it up, and gave it a look.
It’s a free session of learning how to paint… OMG!
That right there was my momentum.

              “You’re teaching how to paint?” I asked him.

He was surprised by my sudden interest of talking to him. “Uhhh, yes…”

              “Can I join?” I asked. I was never planning on letting that moment go.

He seemed struggling for words to answer me, and I felt rejected already.

              “Oh… I can’t?” I asked again. I was starting to felt the need to bombard him with questions so he’d finally answer me. “I don’t look artistic?”

              “No, no, no… you see the sessions—they were—uhhh—”  “They were actually for—for children.” He corrected me, and he seemed resenting the idea of embarrassing me to myself.

I glanced back at the pamphlet, and it did say for
juniors.
“Right…” I was fighting hard not to laugh, but I wasn’t successful at it. I laughed so hard, and I didn’t care if he’d think that I was crazy.

But to my surprise, he laughed along. I was mesmerized by the idea of sharing a laugh with such a pretty face.
OMG! He’s so hot!
             

              “I’m Gary, by the way.” He said, reaching out his hand for me to shake.

OMG! What’s up with this guy? I don’t really get this captivated by just a pretty face.
Well, maybe added the fact that he paints.

I reached out for his hand. “I’m Kristina.” I answered.

              “You’re not from around here, are you?” He asked.

How can he tell? “I’m Spanish. How’d you know?”

“A Spanish woman has raised me, so I can recognize your accent anywhere.” He informed me.

Oh. Hot…
“Oh okay…” I said.

He stared at me for quite some time, and I’ve noticed that he’s struggling for words to say to me. “But if you like, I can teach you a technique or two.” He offered.
He’d do that??? But why would he do that?
“How much for it…?” I asked. He looked a bit insulted. “Maybe just a favor back will do.” He said. “What favor?”

              “I need a plus-size model.” He said. I was insulted. “Pardon me, I’m a what?” I asked him with obvious tone of irritation in my voice. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to. But what’s it worth, you’re the most plus-size woman that I’ve ever seen, which is why I want you to be my model.” He explained. I didn’t know how to answer him. “Please think about it. Here…” He said, handing over his mobile phone to me. “Please give me your number so we can talk about it once you’re decided.” He confidently said.
Wait, what? He’s that desperate?

              “What made you think I’ll give you my number?” I asked. He let go of a soft laugh. “Well, I can tell by the way you look around, you haven’t made friends with just a single American yet.” He said.              “Only because I was being careful I really don’t want to make friends with psycho, you know.” I teased him. “Fine, I’ll text you my social security number after you give me your number, then maybe you can make some research about me.” He teased me back. “I’ve got to warn you though, what you see is what you get.” It made me smile. “Fine, give me that damn thing.” I teased him again, and this made him laugh aloud.               “I’ll call you after three days?” He joked, and it gave me a sting of sadness. “I’m just kidding. I’ll give you some time to think.” He said, and then he gestured to leave.
Wow. What just happened?
I don’t want any rebound, no. But I needed someone to occupy some of my free time, and Gary seemed to be a good candidate because he’ll teach me how to improve myself on my passion for painting.

I stared down at my phone.
Look at that, Clemente’s contact number will no longer be the only thing on my call logs.
I stood up at my feet, and I started walking around. I planned to go home, and maybe stare at myself in front of the mirror. I knew that I wasn’t skinny, I knew that, but am I really a plus-size?
Well, I don’t mind, anyway, as long as I know that I’m pretty.