“Shame. I thought he’d be good. He had that whole tall-smiley-charm thing going.” I thought the same. We both shrug it off, making it to the coffee hut, where we place our orders and wait.
“I did manage to work through that romance scene I was stuck on for a few weeks.”
“I’ve been telling you, your interpretation of love is why you always struggle to gel with your authors. Girl, you need to fall in love at some point, even if it’s just for, like, a week or something. It’s all about exposure, you know? Advancing the career.” She slowly drags a hand in the air above our heads like it’s readingout something written in the sky. I follow her hand leveling her with an unimpressed raised eyebrow.
“I need to fall in love…to be better at my job?” We stare in silence.
After a beat we both sputter a breath and break out into a laugh. “You’re right, that was ridiculous,” she chokes out.
“Let’s leave the wispy romance for Jas to fall into every weekend. I have enough trouble dealing with the men in this building, let alone going home and having to manage a man there too.” I swallow the random lump in my throat, and just as our names get called, my phone buzzes in my pocket.
“I’ll get them, you answer that.”
I take my phone out, staring at it long enough with the intensity of someone questioning their life choices, feeling my stomach tighten in knots before I answer, “Hola, Padré.”
“Hola,Rosita.”I bristle at the name, just adding to the list of things I was running and hiding from. “Dinner this Thursday at the penthouse will be at seven, could you please dress appropriately.”
“I’m well, thanks,Padré, I missed you too. Catch the game?” I chide back, not holding back any of the sarcasm.
“Rosita Estefania, watch your tone.” His voice is so deep he practically growls, and that deeply ingrained need to please my father rears its head while guilt and shame set in.
“Lo siento, Padré.I’ll be there.” Wearing one of those stupid dresses Mama likes, a little heel, and of course my winning personality.
“We will have guests and I want you on your best behavior.” My stomach sinks.
“Guests?” I breathe.
“Yes, the Castillos. You will arrive on time and you will be appeasing, is that understood?”
Every bone in my body screams at me to slam my foot down. To stab the heel of my stunning Jimmys straight through his big-ass toe and tell him I am not some pawn or prize, I am a human being and I will behave however I damn well please. But, he’s my father. I was raised to respect him, to protect everything my family has worked generations to build, and to continue with their progress to further the legacy. I was taught to respect tradition, to be there when my family eventually needs me to step up, and despite the way my subconscious tells me everything about this is wrong and horrific, I fall in line as is expected. “Of course,Padré.I’ll be there at seven.”
“Muy bien.” He hangs up with that.
No goodbye. NoI love you, daughter. I miss you, Rosita.
I shake it off like shedding a second skin. Pushing it away to join the second life I built, like my real life isn’t literally calling to drag me back.
Ay, the fucking Castillos. I hate that family—especially their son—with the heat of a thousand suns. Entitled, arrogant, perverted, rich pricks, the lot of them.
“Here, babe.” Halle thrusts a coffee cup into my hand, pulling me from my daze. “Oh, bad news?” Her eyebrows pinch.
“Huh?”
“You’re frowning.”
“Oh, no, just…ugh, my dad. He organized a dinner with some…old family friends this Thursday, and I am not looking forward to it.”
“Get drunk. Anyone worthy? Maybe you can use it as a night of conquest.”
“Ha!” If only she knew. “Not in the slightest, I’m afraid.”
“A shame.” She hums as we direct ourselves back to the escalators.
“A true shame.” But she hasn’t the tiniest idea, the true shame wrapped up in all of this.
“All right, next. Rosie, you mentioned a new pitch, is it ready?” Chris tosses my way, not making eye contact. The poor guy, I think I’ve made him squirm so many times in past meetings he now tries to avoid looking at me altogether.
“Just need another week, Chris. I’ll have it ready for you by the next meeting,” I toss back, never once dropping my confidence.
