Page 124 of The Wicked
“What? You are awfully invested in this. I only want to confirm.”
“I am not interested in you, Marino.”
“Okay, why are you so concerned then?”
“Because Iamconcerned. I don’t trust her. I’m usually not this skeptical about people. But—something about that womanticks me off the wrong way, and I don’t want you…” He trailed off.
“Carry on.” I urged with my hands.
He sighed. “I’ve never seen you with anyone, not since Grace. So I know if this thing with Zahra is a thing, then it might be serious for you, and we know little about her to conclude if she is to be trusted.”
“No one is to be trusted, Angelo. Besides, as far as the situation is right now, there is nothing between her and me. I appreciate that you care, but I am not a child. If I need relationship advice, I will come to you, but I don’t need it.”
He nodded. “All right.”
“Good. Now, about that phone. I was hoping to discuss it when it’s daytime, but I might as well tell you now. I need one.”
He blinked at me like he hadn’t heard me well. “You… you need a phone?”
“Yes. What is wrong with you today? Why are you lagging? Should I be worried?”
“No. I’m just surprised. I’ve been trying for years to get you a phone, but you’ve always refused, so I’m a little shocked that you want one all of a sudden,” he said, and when I didn’t respond, he rearranged his previous blabber because he didn’t exactly ask a question. “Why do you want a phone all of a sudden?”
“Someone might be expecting my text.”
“Someone…”
“Yes.” I leaned off the chair, walking past him. “A very kind woman who gave me a ride in her car. She gave me her number and asked me to text her. She’s my friend. Her name’s Gemma.”
“So… a stranger is the reason you’re getting a phone after all my efforts over the years?”
“Yes,” I said, opening the roof door.
“That doesn’t hurt my feelings at all,” he said, following after me.
“I’m glad it doesn’t.”
“That was sarcasm.”
“I’m afraid I am under the influence; I can’t tell the difference. Minutes ago, the moon was smiling at me,” I said, climbing down the stairs.
“I want to push you,” he said.
“You’d be doing me a favor.”
He groaned.
“Oh, before I forget. Arrange a meeting with Street when the sun is up. I have a job offer for them.”
“Noted.”
The chihuahua painting was lying flat on the board table the next day.
Before the group arrived, I discarded my suit jacket and left just my black button-up with a tie. I had paced the length of the multipurpose space on the casino’s top floor, solely because I was restless.
Casmiro had begrudgingly asked what the matter was with me, but I couldn’t exactly explain to him that my always controlled nerves had gotten the better of me because a certain woman had walked away from me after I kissed her. So, I just settled for doing what I do best, lighting up a cigar and ignoring him.
The moment Street walked in, my pacing stopped as I blew out the smoke I had drawn in. My gaze zeroed in on the entrance as they filed in.
