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

Chapter 2

He’s here and his back is turned towards me. The only prayer I have now is for him to not look behind him and meet my gaze. I have tried avoiding him in the past four years. There’s no freaking way I would fail right now. Just because of the dentist.

I didn’t dare look up. I could keep on pretending to not have seen him or keep on pretending that I am busy with something on my phone. It would be great if I find someone to talk to while I am here so I wouldn’t try hard in acting that this episode of the CNN news is very interesting. I don’t even understand a thing.

“Dr. Smith is still with a client, Sir. You may wait on the couch for a few moments,” the receptionist politely told him.

From my periphery, I am watching where he’s going. And when he started walking my way, I immediately sat straight and moved to the right so we would have enough distance between us.

Elliot sat beside me and now I know that he’s already seen me. I continued acting like I am indifferent to everything around me and only care about the show on my phone until I could. I was internally hoping that Gian would call me. I don’t know why it randomly came to mind. Maybe because I wanted to show him that I have finally moved on?

Idiot, Shiela. If you have moved on from him, why are you still awkward around him?

I scolded myself mentally. Why would I even think that I haven’t moved on from him? Sure, he’s gotten even more handsome now that he looks more intense and serious and, damn it because I can smell his scent from my seat and it smells so nice but I am not going to cave in, thinking that I haven’t moved on from him. It’s been four years. Of course, I have moved on!

“Are you alone here?” His low, serious baritone resonated in my whole system. He’s only uttered four words but here I am, almost trembling in my spot.

I slowly looked up, hoping that he’s not looking but I was wrong. Because the moment I lifted my gaze, it immediately met his dark brown and brooding eyes. I swallowed hard. “I am waiting for my mother,” I replied before instantly breaking eye contact.

“So, you were not making excuses when you declined Grace’s invitation…” he mumbled under his breath but it was loud enough for me to hear it.

I narrowed my eyes on the phone and tried to pretend that I didn’t hear any of it. If I retaliate now, it would only make the conversation a whole lot awkward. So, I chose to stay quiet until I heard my mother’s voice laughing with Dr. Smith.

“I will definitely go on my next appointment, Glenda.” I heard her tell the dentist.

“You better,” Dr. Smith said. “Or else I would ask Shiela to drag you here again!”

I stood up and walked to where Mom and Dr. Smith are standing. Mom was shaking her head before wrapping her arm around my shoulder. “She’s a great but an annoying daughter,” she said. “But you wouldn’t need to ask her to make me come to my appointment next month.”

Dr. Smith laughed before nodding. “Fine. I’ll see you in a month, Faustina,” she said before waving her hand at Elliot who they finally notice now.

Mom raised her brow and immediately gave me a knowing look. I rolled my eyes because I already know what she’s going to tell me.

“Elliot, you’re late for this month, too,” Dr. Smith chimed.

“I was busy with the company,” Elliot replied. “I’m sorry.” He looked at my mother and smiled. “It’s great seeing you, Faustina.” Our mothers are friends so he’s a little friendly with Mom. He then gazed at me and just gave me a small nod.

“Don’t stress yourself too much,” Mom told him. “If you need something, you can always come by my house. I promised your mother to take care of you before she left.”

Elliot nodded before excusing himself. That’s the only time that I was able to heave a sigh of relief.

I immediately grabbed my bag and prepared to walk out of the clinic. Mom has already paid her fee pre-appointment so she doesn’t have to pay for anything right now.

Mom was humming a tune behind me while we were walking to the car. I know she’s teasing me. She knows how awkward I was with Elliot and she even said he’s welcome to come by our home if he needed something.

Even when we were already inside the car, she was still humming that stupid sound. I had enough. I glared at her and she only smirked at me. How is she even my mother when she’s not even trying to sympathize with me?

“You’ve moved on, right?” she asked before buckling her seatbelt. “I mean, I am friends with his mother so I have to act like a mother to him, too.”

I pursed my lips and started to drive the car. “I know. I didn’t say anything,” I replied without giving her a glance. “I am not affected or anything. I am just annoyed at the way you’re humming. You’re not a good singer, Mom…”

Mom laughed and shrugged. “It’s funny seeing you act like that,” she countered.

I narrowed my eyes. “Like what?”

“Like you have moved on but has clearly not?”

I stepped on the brake and glared at her but she’s obviously not budging. She’s only smiling widely like an i***t who won against me. “This is annoying,” I uttered and just drove away. I know I won’t win against her anyway.

***

Life was better the next morning. I somehow had forgotten that short encounter with Elliot in the dental clinic and just went on to make sure that I pass my practical exams the next day. We’re almost on our fourth year in college so everyone is on their toes. We want to graduate already and maybe find our spot in the artist industry.

“Are you okay?” Graziella asked me when she saw me sketching something on my sketchbook.

I lifted my head and looked at her before nodding with a small smile. “How was the dinner?” I asked before going back to what I was previously doing.

I heard her let out a heavy sigh before bringing out her iPad. She’s been into digital art these days and I could see her watching tutorials on Youtube.

To be honest, Graziella is extremely talented. She always gets praised by our professors because her works seem to always have life. Looking at her works makes one feel the message that each of them entails. It’s amazing. I have seen her portraits before and they are even the inspiration for some of my works. With her permission, of course.

“Elliot bailed on us,” she uttered and I can imagine her pouting. “He said he had to go to the dentist last minute.”

I pursed my lips and recalled my encounter with her cousin in the dental clinic. I don’t even know he goes there. Dr. Smith has been our family dentist since I can remember. Their clinic was passed on from her grandfather to her mother to her. I basically know Dr. Smith’s family tree.

“Did you see him there?” Graziella asked. “I don’t even know he goes to a dentist.”

I gave her a look. “How could you think of him as someone who doesn’t go to the dentist?” Elliot has the best set of perfect white teeth amongst all the men I have been laid my eyes on. It’s definitely far from someone who’s not going to the dentist.

Graziella rolled her eyes. “Well, I don’t know. I just never thought of him going to the dentist. Anyway, why are we even talking about him?” she uttered, already getting annoyed at the topic.

I shrugged. “I was just asking how the dinner went last night,” I stated. “But then, if it didn’t go well…” I trailed before shaking my head.

“The dinner was good,” she clarified. “The food was great and of course my parents were talking about business even when we’re already by the dining table. That’s why I was asking if you really couldn’t come. I am already bombarded by topics about the airlines. I don’t even know anything about it.”

I chuckled. “I seriously think that you need to learn about those things now,” I said. “You’re the only daughter. You’re going to inherit everything.”

“I already told Mom that it’s better to have Elliot handle all the business affairs. He’s more versed on business talk than I.”

I shrugged but then she’s right. Elliot is a good businessman. Even when he only took over the company of his father a few years ago, he’s slowly been recognized as one of the rising businessmen of the generation.

I sighed and looked down at my sketch once again before seeing Elliot walking inside the campus. I narrowed my eyes because I think I was dreaming but I wasn’t wrong. It’s Elliot and he’s walking with a woman.

He’s holding her hand.

A pang of pain crossed my chest as I watched them. Who is she? Why is he holding her hand? I want to know.