Fighting Temptations with Mr. Castro (Boys of Chicago #8)

Chapter 4

I prayed for my dinner with Graziella to stay a bit longer. I actually didn’t want it to end because I don’t think I would ever be ready to be in the same car as Elliot. Damn it. Why doesn’t he have another car anyway? Isn’t he rich? Why would he use Graziella’s? This is so annoying.

“Are you okay?” Graziella asked me when she probably noticed that I am not touching the food in front of me. It’s not that it’s not good. I just feel like my stomach is already churning just by the thought of having Elliot around.

I looked up and smiled. “Oh, yeah. I’m sorry. I was just thinking about the activity that our professor in Sketching gave us,” I said, an excuse that I hope she didn’t see through.

She stared at me carefully before nodding. “Okay,” she replied and I could only heave a sigh of relief. “Anyway, are you free on Sunday? I want to check on an art exhibit. I have two tickets.”

“Sure! Where?” I asked.

“It’s somewhere near Detroit. I’ll be driving. Or do you want to?”

Detroit? That’s good. It’s out of Illinois but not too far. It would be a breath of fresh air for me if I went there so I nodded.

“Sure,” I replied. “It doesn’t matter who drives though.”

She smiled and nodded. “That’s okay. We can take turns,” she replied.

I agreed and then we began to talk about the things we would do in Detroit on Sunday. Apparently, the exhibit she’s talking about is by a millionaire from Michigan who agreed to do an auction for his wife’s artwork collection because it’s in the final will of his wife who died of cancer last month. All the proceeds of the auction will be donated to the cancer research association and the cancer foundation.

It’s of a good cause so I don’t think it would be such a waste to go there. Who knows? Maybe I could also get some inspiration for my art. It’s going to be okay for me.

Not long after, Graziella’s phone rang and my heart immediately stopped. It could be Elliot. It could be not. Why am I feeling this way?

“Oh hello, Elliot? Are you done?”

I stopped and froze on my spot when I learned who Graziella was talking on the phone. I kept my hand under the table because I was afraid that I would tremble hard just by the thought of having Elliot around.

“You’re coming? Okay. We’re still eating though. Are you with someone?” she asked. I wouldn’t be surprised if Elliot is with his girlfriend but would I be able to survive the ride with his girlfriend around? I don’t know. “Ah, you’re alone? Okay. You can come now. We’ll be done in a while… Great! See you!”

I pursed my lips before sipping on the iced tea we ordered. Graziella looked at me and smiled. “Elliot is on his way,” she told me as she looked over at my meal and frowned. “Aren’t you going to eat, though? Well, Elliot said he can wait until we finish anyway.”

I nodded and forced myself to finish all of the food on my plate as fast as I could so Elliot didn’t have to wait anymore. I heard that he’s alone so he’s going to be bored—well, not that I care but I just don’t like the feeling of making him wait for me.

It just doesn’t sit well with me.

I tried to calm my nerves before looking at Graziella. “Why is he using your car though? Doesn’t he have any other cars?” I just needed to satisfy my curiosity. If I didn’t ask her about it now, then I wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight.

She sighed. “His car broke down. The SUV he’s using sometimes is with Dad because Dad’s SUV is still under modification. Mom’s using her car. There’s only the van left but I know that there is no way in hell that Elliot is going to drive a van to work.”

They have a lot of cars. I can’t believe that they are only using a few. Or maybe the other cars are only for display? I don’t know.

I just nodded because I don’t want to say anything anymore. In situations where I am feeling uncomfortable, the principle is always going to be less talk, less mistakes. That’s right. I just have to keep mum the whole ride and everything will be alright.

And so, after paying, I saw to it that I will not talk nonsense during the whole ride.

Elliot was waiting by the waiting lounge of the restaurant with his eyes glued on the phone. His hair was styled up and with its current length now, it looks clean. His thick brows accentuate his deep set of eyes and they make him look all the more intimidating now that his brows are knitted while he’s staring at his phone screen.

I wonder what he’s reading to make him look so serious like that.

“Elliot!” Graziella beamed and waved.

Elliot slowly looked up and kept his phone inside the inside pocket of his coat as he stood up and smiled at his cousin. I bit my lip and stood behind Graziella just so he wouldn’t see me. I just need to be a little more passive so he wouldn’t be able to see me.

“Are you done?” he asked as he finally approached Graziella.

Graziella nodded. “Where’s the car?” she asked.

Elliot smirked before pointing to the parking lot in the left side. I caught his eyes and he smiled at me. I couldn’t smile back. Or maybe I thought I did but I probably looked like someone who needed to poop. That’s how I always embarrass myself.

Damn. Even from afar, I can already smell the musky scent of his perfume and that alone was enough to stimulate all of the teensy weensy bit of emotions that I was feeling inside. I have already moved on from this but why does it feel like I am now on the starting line once again?

He already has a girlfriend. And, maybe, if time permits, they would end up together. Based on Graziella’s words, it seems like she’s decent enough—even though she didn’t come from a rich family.

“Let’s go,” Elliot stated and Graziella and I followed suit.

I pursed my lips and dragged my feet behind them. I should have made excuses and booked some uber. It’s not yet that late, right?

I swallowed hard, wanting so hard to pretend to be calling someone else. I could be pretending to book an uber right now, right?

“Are you not climbing in?” Elliot asked and I was suddenly brought back to reality.

I looked at him and then to the door of the backseat that he had opened for me. I smiled awkwardly and had no choice but to hop in. Now, I can only have one thing to blame—my sluggish reaction to things like this.

Elliot watched me eagerly before closing the door for me. My heart immediately turned when I saw how he stared at me.

Graziella turned to look at me from the passenger seat with a worried look on her face. “Are you okay?” she asked. “You look a little flushed.”

My hands immediately rushed to my cheeks and they indeed felt hot. I blew a harsh breath before nodding at Graziella. “Yeah, I’m good,” I said, reassuring her that she doesn’t have to worry about me. “I’ll just sleep it off later when I get home.”

Graziella sighed and stared at me for a little longer before finally nodding. “Okay,” she said before looking at the front again because Elliot has finally sat on the driver’s side. She fastened her seatbelts and so did Elliot.

I looked at the front and saw him looking at me through the rearview mirror. I immediately averted my gaze and pretended to be so fascinated with all the things outside the car window. I heard him let out a heavy sigh but I tried my best to ignore it.

In the end, he revved the car and started to drive away.

Silence filled the inside of the car and I couldn’t have wished more for time to tick faster than now. I was fine if it was only silence that’s in the air, but it’s not. Because I can feel awkwardness winning. This is frustrating.

Graziella was already sleeping when we finally reached my house. Elliot pulled over the gate and even went down to open the door.

“Careful,” he said as he attempted to hold my hand but I didn’t let him.

What did he even think of me? I couldn’t walk down the car? My, I have been riding high SUV cars since I was little. I am stronger than he thinks I am.

I pursed my lips before sighing. “Thanks for the ride,” I mumbled before turning my back on him.

I didn’t know if he was about to tell me something because I didn’t give him any chance to even tell me anything. When I finally mumbled a simple thank you, I turned my back on him and walked inside the gate immediately.

I sighed as I closed the gate behind me. I leaned on the cold metal of the gate and held my beating heart. I must be crazy. Mom is probably going to laugh at my face when she learns about this. She’s the one who always tells me that I haven’t moved on from Elliot.

I’d like to think that she’s wrong. But based on my reaction right now, she could be right by the slightest bit. Damn it.

I have probably moved on…but I have never been this close to him before. I was totally doing a great job in evading him. And maybe that could be the reason why I haven’t been used to being with him this close again.

I let out another deep breath before shaking my head. I should just let this go. After all, I will get used to him around me. And time will come when his presence won’t bother me anymore.

I just can’t wait for it to be now.