Chapter 308

Elena “Did you have fun at the park, Cisco?” I brushed my hand over his hair. I could still not believe that he was Panther’s son, but after close observation, I could finally see it.

They had the same nose, the same eyes, the same smile. “Yes!” Cisco nodded, leaning into my arms. I wasn’t the biggest fan of children, but I didn’t mind his presence.

Today was our last night in Amsterdam, and we had decided to go out for dinner. Ever since yesterday, things had been awkward between Marvin and me.I should’ve kept my mouth shu What if he suddenly decided to kick me out because he didn’t feel like being ‘nice’ anymore?

I ate my food in silence while Panther and Rona, who seemed to be getting along just fine, were having a conversation. My attention was on Marvin, who sat on the opposite side as my mind went to Rona’s words.

I told her about my conversation with Marvin, and Rona’s answer was so easy.Now you know he isn’t into you, get over it—and move on.

That was exactly what Marvin seemed to be doing. I knew he probably wanted to save me from embarrassment by pretending like our conversation never happened.Well, my conversation-

because it was pretty one-sided.

“Don’t you like your food?” Marvin looked up from his phone. I shook my head as my cheeks turned red. “N-no, that’s not it,” I told him.I really had to stop staring at people.

Marvin shot me a smile. “Is something bothering you?”

Was he serious?

I squeezed the fork in my hands, trying to keep my cool as I was seconds away from throwing a drink in his face. This ‘unbothered’ side of him made him a bit less attractive. “No, nothing is bothering me.” I forced a smile on my lips.

“Can I get you something else to drink?” A waiter with a slight accent made his way to our table. He blatantly ignored the other’s presence and stared directly into my eyes.

“No, thanks—I’m good.”

Rona wiggled her eyebrows and nudged Panther while an annoyed sigh escaped from Marvin’s lips.

Was he jealous?

I smiled at the blonde guy in front of me, determined to test Marvin. “So, where are you from?” He asked.

“San Diego.”

“San Diego, nice.” He spoke. “And you’re here on vacation?”

I looked at Marvin, who leaned back in his chair, watching the situation. “Yes.”

“And how do you like it here?”

“It’s…different.”

+15 Bonus In all honesty, I was not interested in him-not even the slightest. All my eyes could see were Marvin, but I started this game, so the least I could do was finish it.

“For how long are you staying here?”

“I’m leaving tomorrow,” I answered.

“That’s too bad.” The guy spoke as Marvin took a deep breath.It was working.

“So what time does your shift end?” I leaned forward. “I still have one hour left.” –

“One hour? Nice.” I smiled. “Maybe you can show me around.”

Or maybe not, but anything to get on Marvin’s nerves. For someone who claimed not to be into me, he seemed pretty bothered.

“Or maybe he can get back to work,” Marvin spoke for the first time. The blonde guy ignored Marvin, as did I. “What would you like to see?”

“She would like to see you get back to work,” Marvin spoke once again. The guy laughed and shrugged him off. “I don’t know, maybe some clubs around here or something.”

“I would love that!”

“And I would love for you to get back to work.” Marvin continued. Only after turning my head, I could finally see the dark look in his eyes. What was I even thinking? This man was a convicted felon.

“Marvin, calm down!” I called out his name. “No, she doesn’t need anything to drink—so 1 think you can leave now,” Marvin spoke rudely.

The guy laughed, pointing at Marvin. “I’m sorry, is this your man?”

“No.” I shook my head. “I’m very much single.”

“Then I can’t see what his problem is.” The guy scoffed. This time Panther took the initiative and slammed his fork on the table. “Aye, listen-”

“Pedro, let him.” Marvin beckoned him to sit down. He got up from the chair and placed his hand on the guy’s shoulder before bringing his lip to his ear.

I couldn’t understand a thing, but by the way the guy ran off-I could tell that it was not something pleasant. Knowing Marvin, it was most likely a threat.

“He’s going to pee his pants.” Rona burst out laughing.

“You’re right uncle, tell him off!” Cisco cheered. I ruffled my hand through Cisco’s hair. “Marvin, was that necessary?”

“You’re asking me?” Marvin furrowed his brow.

“How about that guy?”

“What’s your problem?” I sighed, exhausted. What was this even about?

“You were making plans to walk out with some guy you barely know, and I was looking out for you,”

Marvin spoke.

“So?”

“So?” He said, surprised. “Elena, I get that you’re a good person and all-but not everyone in life has good intentions.”

“I can look out for myself, thank you.” I stated.” And the last time I checked, Elena is still single-so Elena is going to do whatever the hell Elena wants to do.”

“Guys!” Panther stopped us. Rona took a sip from her glass and shot me a teasing look. I bet she was enjoying all of this.

Panther chuckled. “Come on. We’re on vacation. Let’s all calm down, enjoy-”

“Hey, handsome!”

A woman had appeared out of nowhere and caressed Marvin’s shoulder as she walked past him. I was curious to see Marvin’s reaction, but all he carried was a stupid smirk on his lips.

Pissed, I took a deep breath while Rona took another sip from her glass. “I’m not even going to say anything.” I laughed in disbelief.

Marvin looked at me. “No, please do.”

“No, please don’t.” Panther shook his head. “You know what we should do? We should get Cisco to bed and do something useful with our time, like smoke some weed, go visit some prostitutes at the red light district—“

“Yes, I bet Marvin would like that,” I spoke as we both glared at each other. Rona spilled her drink while Panther cursed under his breath-realizing he had only worsened the situation.

“Pedro, what are prostitutes?” Cisco asked. I scooped some ice cream into Cisco’s bowl, trying to save Panther from his poor parenting skills. “Nothing, Cisco. Eat your food.”

Marvin got up from his chair. “I need a smoke.” He announced before walking off. Panther followed him without saying another word.

“Damn, someone’s mad,” Rona commented. I grew an embarrassed smile on my lips and lowered my head. It wasn’t my intention to get him angry, especially not when I needed a roof over my head.

“I’m sorry you had to see that, Cisco.” I apologized. Cisco smiled. “That’s okay. I’m used to it!”

Poor kid. Karina was his mom, and Mario Castillo was his grandpa, so that wasn’t a surprise, “Rona, did you think I was wrong?” I asked. Rona, who had no intentions of protecting me, nodded her head. “He was just trying to protect you. You didn’t have to be that evil.”

“Neither did he,” I muttered. This was all one big misunderstanding, but I did not mean to hurt his feelings. “I feel bad. I think I’m going to apologize.”

“Yeah, right, you just don’t want to be homeless.” Rona laughed out loud as I left the table. “Shut up!”

I made my way outside and looked at Marvin, who leaned against the wall with a cigarette between his lips. He looked pissed, and not even Panther, who stood beside him, could calm him down.Did I do this?

I cleared my throat to grab his attention, which seemed to have worked as Panther walked past me to make his way back inside. Marvin looked straight ahead and did not say a word.

“Hi.”

Marvin took off his jacket and wrapped it around my bare shoulders. Even until now, he was still taking care of me. “I don’t want you to catch a cold.” He spoke.

“Thank you.”

“I came to apologize,” I said. “You were just looking out for me, and I went all satan on you… I’m sorry.”

“No, I’m sorry.” Marvin chuckled. “You just left your controlling dad, and here I am…..doing the same.”

“Okay, we’re both sorry.

Marvin and I made eye contact.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Depends.” Marvin shrugged.

“Do you think I’m too ugly or too childish?” I somehow found the courage to ask. “Is that the reason why you rejected me?”

“I never rejected you.” Marvin denied my accusation.

“Yes, but you don’t like me.” I corrected him. “At least, not the same way I like you.”

Marvin threw away his cigarette. “I think you’re well aware that you’re not ugly.”

“That’s right. I was just fishing for compliments.” I rolled my eyes. We had to start somewhere.

Marvin looked at me with a pitiful expression as I had al another rejection. “Elena, you’re a nice person, a good frie talk to and I wouldn’t like to lose that friendship.”

“Are you rejecting me again?” I squinted my eyes. “Because if you- embarrassing.”

lly prepared myself for w people I can “Elena, listen.” Marvin continued. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me. I I’m trying to get my life back on track-I don’t want to drag you into my bullsh not ready for any type of commitment.”

It sounded like the typical excuse.It’s not you. It’s me. Only this time, I could understand his feelings.

We were both keeping secrets from each other, and Marvin probably felt guilty. H felt guilty for not telling me the truth about his family, while I could unfortunately not fe any guilt for not telling him the truth about my twisted dad.

That was it. After he would find enough courage to open up to me, he would see that I co not give two shits about his cartel ties, and there would be no reason for him to deny his feelings All I had to do was wait patiently.

“I understand.”

Marvin seemed surprised. “You do?”

I rolled my eyes. “Look, all I want is for you not to kick me out.”

“I would never do that,” Marvin said. “I’m not like that.”

I leaned my head against his shoulder. “Then I guess I’ll get over my feelings and continue being your friend or whatever if that’s what you want.”

“Thank you.”

“Yes, just don’t come running back when you change your mind about us.” I snarled. “I have to warn you. I can get over people in just one snap.”

Lies.

Marvin raised his eyebrows and laughed as if there was no chance of us getting together. “I won’t.”

“But what if you do?”

Marvin went into deep thoughts. “Then you can shoot me in the leg.”

“Deal?” I stuck out my hand with a bright smile on my lips as Marvin accepted my challenge.

“Deal.”