Page 61 of Embriagado

“I’ll always care for you.”

“That’s your problem.” I scoffed. “I have to go get ready for work⁠—”

“You’re still at the hotel?”

I rolled my eyes. “Sadly.”

“What?”

I quickly shook my head, not about to get into it. “Listen, thanks for watching my back and all, but stay away from my work from now on, okay?”

Holding my stare, he nodded. “Yeah, sure. Of course.”

Just like always, he was too nice for his own damn good.

Forcing a smile, I turned and started walking away when he called my name.

“What is it?” I asked, half turning to look at him.

“My offer still stands, by the way. For Cubanos.” Two dimples showed on each side of his smile. “In case you change your mind.”

That made me huff.

“Give up, Gabriel.”

“You’ll see. Eventually, you’ll say yes.”

Somehow, his persistence brought a small smile to my lips.

“In your dreams.”

In the most surprising way, Gabriel, of all people, made me forget about my dream. Or so I thought, until I walked out of the shower to see I’d gotten a text.

Ariyan

I need you to pick up some things for me before work. Be sure to be at this address before 10 am.

Typing the address he sent into my maps app, I cursed the motherfucker because it was some stupid warehouse in the middle of fucking nowhere, and getting there by bus would take me forever. And when I thought it couldn’t get any worse, he sent me another text.

Ariyan

And be a good boy and wear your name tag properly.

17

ARIYAN

“Chairman, it’s always a pleasure to host you in our humble abode,” I said, flashing the man sitting before me my best smile.

“The pleasure is all mine.”

“Of course it is.”

Looking around the office, he tapped the chair’s armrest with his fat finger. As he did, my eyes drifted to the security guy standing near the door with both his palms crossed before him.

“Chairman,” I snapped his attention back. “There’s just one thing I would like to discuss before you leave.”

He raised one brow at me. “What is it?”