Saving his life

Chapter 8

I hated how slowly this week was going, I just wanted it to be the weekend already. I was so excited to see Leonardo again and if I’m honest, I really missed him. He wasn’t really replying to my messages and when he did, they were extremely slow. It caused me to become anxious and concerned. I hated thinking he was in some kind of danger and I had no idea where he was. I just had to trust him and let him get on with his business. 

Thursdays were so slow at work, not many people go shopping on a Thursday but it was the last shift I had to work until I was going away with Leon. I just needed to survive the next three hours and I’m free to enjoy my weekend. I had taken time off for the camping trip, I was constantly working all the time so the manager was happy for me to take some of my holiday. 

One hour to go and the minutes were ticking by slowly. I heard the door open and I lifted my head to see who it was.

“What the f**k do you want?” I snapped, looking at Austin who was standing there full of apologies. 

“Maria, can we talk?” He asked.

“No, get out before I call security” I threatened but he didn’t move his feet at all. Instead he sighed and made eye contact.

“Maria, I’m really sorry. For everything. For the cheating, the name calling, the rudeness... all of it” he apologised and I rolled my eyes at him.

“It’s too late for that now Austin, we are over, done and you’ve made sure of that” I clearly told him. 

“Come on Maria, don’t let that Spanish prick ruin what we have” he tried to persuade me but it only caused me to become more aggressive. 

“That ‘Spanish prick’ has shown me more respect in one day than you have for two years” I defended him and Austin didn’t seem to like that at all. His expression turned serious and tensed his jaw. 

“Have you two kissed?” He bluntly asked.

“It’s none of your business Austin” I barked at him and he seemed to fill with rage.

“That was quick, I must say, you move on fast” he spitefully replied. I narrowed my eyes and told him to leave once again.

“f**k it then, hope you and your pimp have a wonderful life together” he spat and left the store. His reaction strangely made me laugh. I was seeing just how childish he really was compared to Leon. It makes me appreciate him even more.

I locked up the shop and drove back to the house. I started packing for the camping trip in the morning and I was so excited. A little get away with someone I was really fond of. I felt like a teenager all over again. I took out my phone and text him.

Maria

I miss you

I waited for a reply and as per usual, I got nothing back. I sighed and put the phone on my desk. Once I had finished packing, I checked my phone again and started smiling at the reply Leon had sent.

Leonardo 

Me too, make sure you bring something sexy to wear tomorrow

Maria

Already packed it

Leonardo

See you tomorrow hermosa

I was sitting by the front door, waiting for Leon to arrive. I was so excited to be spending time with him this weekend but I was super nervous about meeting Carlos’s girlfriend. What if she doesn’t like me? It will make it awkward for the boys and that’s the last thing that I wanted.

“Hello sweetheart” my dad said, walking into the living room and seeing me sitting there impatiently.

“Morning dad” I replied and continued looking out the window. He stared at me and asked “looking for Austin?”. I shuddered at the mention of his name and shook my head.

“Did something happen between you two?” He investigated and I shrugged. 

“Come on sweetheart, talk to me” he pressed and I sighed. 

“We broke up” I replied to him and he stood back in shock.

“What? Why?!” He exclaimed and I rolled my eyes. 

“Doesn’t matter dad, he’s gone and I don’t want to see him again” I growled. He walked up to me and said nothing, instead, he wrapped his arms around me and have me a tight hug.

“I’m sorry darling” he softly said and I hugged him back.

“It’s okay dad, it’s for the best. I just... I can’t trust him anymore that’s all” I claimed and he let go of me with concern.

“What has he done? Did he hurt you?” He asked. 

“Not physically” I concluded and he groaned.

“Want me to go and sort him out?” He joked and I laughed at him. 

“No dad, I’ve dealt with him” I said innocently and he smirked.

“That’s my girl”. He looked at my packed backs and lowered his brows.

“Maria, why have you packed your bags. Are you running away or something?”

“No, I’m going to go camping with some friends” I replied. He relaxed his face and then peered out the window.

“Are those your friends?” He asked, pointing out the window. Leon’s car was parked outside and Carlos had his head hanging out the back window, beckoning me to hurry up. I giggled and nodded to dad.

“Okay, just be careful” he warned me. I rolled my eyes. “Of course, I’m always careful” I said with a grateful stare,

“Have you told your mum?” Dad questioned and I shook my head again.

 “Okay, have fun and I will deal with your mother” he demanded and I thanked him once again with a hug.

Grabbing my bags by the front door, I threw them into the boot and hopped in the passenger seat.

“Ahh, finally! What took you so long?” Carlos joked and I looked back him. 

“Don’t be rude Carlos” Leon bluntly snapped. Carlos rolled his eyes and flashed a grin at me. 

“Still think I’m cute?” He changed the subject and I giggled at his cheeky remark. 

“Very lindo” I smirked and he sat there chuckling. We made our way to pick up his girlfriend, my legs were shaking uncontrollably with nerves. Leon settled his hand to my thigh and looked at me in the corner of his eye.

“Calm down hermosa, Charlotte will love you” he reassured me, reading my mind. My attention turned to the side window after flashing him a smile. 

“Hey guys!” Charlotte greeted jumping into the back seat. Carlos stuck his tongue straight down her throat before we could greet her back. Charlotte pushed him off her gently and sniggered.

“Carlos! Will you let me greet the newest member of the crew” she laughed and I turned my attention to her.

“Hi, I’m Maria” I introduced. She flicked her curly brunette hair over her shoulder and gazed at me with her bright blue eyes.

“Charlotte, I’m so happy you agreed to come” she exclaimed and I was slightly puzzled by her words.

“Leonardo doesn’t shut up about you, when he said he was going to invite you I was ecstatic to have another girl come along” she explained. I blushed at the thought of Leon talking about me to his friends and glanced at his embarrassed expression.

“Cheers Char” he growled with his cheeks turning a slight shade of pink. 

“Well at least we don’t have to hear you moan about being the only girl anymore” Carlos cheekily commented and Charlotte slapped his arm playfully.

“You’re such an idiota” she giggled. I couldn’t stop looking at Leon throughout the journey. He was so beautiful and I could stare at him all day long. 

“Something interesting hermosa?” He asked. I blushed, thinking about the first time he asked me that when we met outside my house. 

“Just you” I giggled, turning my head towards the road. 

Many hours into our journey, I had woken up from a nap. It was dark outside and the orange streetlights flashed as they passed us one by one. I twisted my waist and looked in the back seat where Charlotte and Carlos we’re asleep on each other’s shoulders. It was so cute to see how much they loved each other, even when they were unconscious. I then glanced over at Leon, who’s eyes were narrowed with tiredness. He had been driving for hours and I was concerned about his health. I stroked his cheek with my fingers and his eyes blinked slowly. 

“Pull over” I commanded gently. He shook his head to me, blinking harshly to open his tired eyes.

“It’s only a couple of hours from here, I’ll be fine” he tried to excuse but I wasn’t listening to it. 

“I will follow the SATNAV to the campsite and you can have a nap” I ignored him and he looked over at me.

“What if you get lost?” He asked and I giggled, “then I’ll wake you up”. He bit the corner of his mouth whilst he thought about it.

“I promise” I prodded and he sighed.

“Okay, fine... but you wake me up if there is any issues” he demanded as he pulled over on the side of the road. We swapped seats and I adjusted it so I could reach the peddles. Before reclining his chair and getting comfy, Leon kissed my cheek softly and whispered “gracias”. I smirked at him and replied “da nada”. He chuckled softly before closing his eyes. Before I drove away from the curb, I noticed that there was a gun hidden in his side compartment. I gritted my teeth as I scanned the black plated hand gun, wondering if he had used it before. I shook my head to shake myself from my thoughts and drove off. 

It took me a little while to reach the campsite, due to taking a few wrong turns. However, 3 hours later we had arrived. I looked around the car as I parked up and everyone was fast asleep. I couldn’t get comfy in the drivers seat to I went to the boot and took my pillow that I had laid on top of the luggage I closed the boot gently so that I didn’t wake any one up and headed over to the grass in front of the car. I spread my jacket on the ground to lay on and positioned the pillow. I laid my head down and admire the stunning view of the hills in the distance. Soon enough, I managed to nod off to sleep.