Izan

I had never gasped in my entire life, but with Vera, there was a first time for everything. 

I was waiting for her down the stairs to go on our first official date wearing my best-tailored suit when she walked down so elegantly and regally.

She literally captured my breath, and I wouldn't mind if I died right at that moment staring at her.

She wore the sexy red dress I bought for her when she first arrived and looked extremely entrancing. Her beautiful, luscious hair was in a high ponytail, accentuating her jawline and cheeks, and the heels highlighted her smooth legs. 

After taking in every inch and storing it in my mind forever, my eyes landed on hers, and I didn't know what to feel. Too many emotions in my heart to be described in mere words.

"Are you going to help me or let me fall?" she asked with a grin, breaking my trance. I couldn't form a sentence and just held her smooth, delicate hand and helped her get down on the last few steps. "Do I look good?"

I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out. I was hypnotized beyond repair. I cupped her cheeks gently, minding her makeup, and kissed her lightly. I was pretty sure I smeared her red lipstick, but I had to taste her. Touch her. Savor her.

I broke the kiss, planted my forehead on hers, and smiled. "You look absolutely exquisite, beautiful. No words could actually do you justice, amor." I ran my fingers through her ponytail and was tempted to tug on it but decided against it. Not the time. I needed to control my desires.

"Thank you, love," she replied, using this term of endearment for the first time. I was extremely happy. It felt like the world threw us into a different universe; we were the only ones in it, admiring each other. "You look handsome. I'll proudly walk beside you in the streets," she teased, kissing my cheek and then wiping the lipstick from my light beard.

She touched up her makeup and smiled, dazzling me away. "Shall we go?" I held my arm out, and she hooked hers with mine. I wanted to be hooked with her for the rest of my life.

~~~

"Mr. Guerrero," a man standing near the entrance of my restaurant walked over to us the moment I helped Vera out of the car. I looked at him with a blank face, and he cowered back a bit but regained his composure when Vera smiled at him. "Do you want me to park your car, sir?"

"Yes." I handed him the keys, and he literally jumped into the car to get as far away as possible from me. 

Everyone who didn't personally know me had this idea I was a merciless Mafia boss, and I didn't do anything to fix this image. I didn't care, and I liked them to stay away from me if their presence wasn't necessary.

"A smile would not kill you." Vera pinched my bicep, and I rolled my eyes.

"It would freak them out. They're used to seeing the cold side of me, and I prefer it this way. My smiles are only for you and my family."

"You're very sentimental, whether you like to admit it or not," she countered with a smirk, and I shook my head and let her inside. The atmosphere was peaceful, per my request when I bought the restaurant two years ago.

I instructed the manager only to hire the best chiefs and the kindest workers. I didn't want to be bothered with complaints every now and then just because the staff was inadequate.

The manager hurried to us when she saw me and bowed her head. "Mr. Guerrero, what a pleasant surprise. We didn't know you were coming today," the manager exclaimed nervously, then eyed Verena with a timid smile.

"Mrs. Shawl, I need a table for two, ocean view." Verena didn't know I owned this restaurant, and I planned to keep it that way.

Mrs. Shawl nodded frantically and led us to the best table. This was only for me and my guests. No one was allowed to sit here without my permission. "Have a lovely evening, sir, ma'am. A waitress will come in a few minutes."

"What did you do to the poor woman? She was shaking!" Verena asked once Mrs. Shawl walked to another table.

"Nothing bad." I only hired her. "As I said before, my image was feared by everyone here. Anyway, what do you want to drink?"

She looked at the menu and smirked. "Strawberry milkshake," she said as she pointed to the kids' section. I meant an alcoholic drink, but this worked, too. I expected nothing less from my chaotic, wild girl. "What do you want?"

"I will take the 1926 Macallan Fine and Rare." I closed the menu and stared at my beautiful woman. She read my order, and her eyes widened, probably at the price. I liked collecting old and expensive drinks, but not everyone dared spend that much money on them. 

I had the money, and I liked spending it. I wouldn't take anything to the grave with me, so I might as well enjoy it, within reason.

"It says here that the whole bottle is 75 thousand dollars. Dollars! Izan, are you okay? I know you're filthy rich, but isn't this a rip-off? I'm concerned for your head..." she rambled on, and I just listened. I loved her voice. I loved everything about her.

"Good evening, sir, ma'am. I'll be your waitress for the night. Have you decided on the drinks yet?" she asked, cutting off Vera. I didn't like that, but I didn't comment when I saw Vera's smile.

We told her our choices, and I could've sworn I saw a hint of disdain on the waitress' face when Vera spoke, but I shrugged it off.

The evening is peaceful. Keep it peaceful, Izan.

The waitress walked away to get our drinks, and Vera reopened the menu to check the meal list. After about ten minutes, our drinks were on the table, and we ordered two different meals with extra fries. What my girl wanted, my girl would get. 

"Is it just me, or does she hate my guts?" Vera asked after the waitress went to place our orders.

I knew something was off about her. "Why do you ask?"

"I don't know, I might be overreacting. It's just that she keeps changing her tone and attitude whenever I speak. Maybe she's just having a bad day," she said and forced a smile. I grew anxious, suddenly feeling alarmed. "Could it be about the paparazzi's scoop? The story's been circling around the net and TV News channels for three days now, and some didn't believe Dexter would do that to me. Maybe she's a fan of his?"

It actually made sense. "Possibly, let's just forget about her for today," I said, noting that now Verena's face was more known to the public. I didn't want her to suffer from her father's fucking supporters.

Twenty minutes later, while chatting about the most random shit one could think about, the waitress came with our food. When she looked at Verena, she changed her demeanor again, and I'd had enough. 

"What the fuck is your problem?" I asked in a slightly raised tone, catching a few people's attention. My patience was diminishing with each passing second.

Vera instantly placed her hand on mine, attempting to calm me down. I took a deep breath and waited for an explanation. "What do you mean, sir?" She didn't look afraid of me. It irked me.

"Why do you keep looking at my girlfriend like that?"

"Izan, just leave it," Verena whispered, looking concerned.

"I didn't do anything wrong," the waitress countered, confident. I noticed that she stepped closer to my side, and I glared at her. She was invading my personal space, and I was sure she didn't know who I was yet. 

She must be a new worker here.

"Did I do something to you?" Vera asked sweetly, and I wanted to destroy this waitress. If she hurt my girl, I would kill her. I didn't care if she was a woman. A single bullet would do the trick.

The waitress scoffed, finally dropping her act. "Yes, bitch. You stole my man," she yelled, now grabbing everyone's attention. Mrs. Shawl watched not far behind, afraid to interfere. She knew it was over for this waitress.

"Are you fucking high on crack, delusional, or drunk? And don't fucking call my woman that." I stood up, towering over her shorter frame. Verena quickly stepped to my other side and held my shoulder. 

The waitress smirked and tried to touch my chest, but I shoved her away with my arm. She stumbled backward but still grinned creepily. "You don't remember our one nightstands?"

She is the gum stuck on a shoe.

I never saw her in my life.

I never was drunk enough to take a girl to bed.

I never even laid hands on a girl when I was drunk.

"I don't because they never happened," I stated, feeling slightly worried that Vera would believe her lies. I looked over at my world and saw her staring blankly at the waitress. She was unusually calm.

"Who sent you?" Vera asked, and I looked back at the nasty woman.

"No one!" she quickly replied, avoiding eye contact. She was lying.

Verena stood in front of her, taller due to her heels, but looked intimidating enough to make the waitress cower back. "You see, I'm a very cheerful and nice person. I love my life. I love my boyfriend. I love a lot of things in this world, but liars aren't one of them. You better start talking before I use my hands, and you better believe I know how to throw a punch painful enough to send you to the hospital." 

Good thing we trained almost every day. Her punches were indeed painful. Me and my brothers were on the receiving end each time she wanted to practice.

"I... I a-am not l-lying!" the waitress stuttered, and Verena smiled. I didn't want to be on her bad side, ever.

"Is it Dexter Amaryllis?" As soon as Vera said her father's name, the waitress flinched. "How much did he pay you?" Verena asked, knowing her father's antics well. 

I wanted to kill him just like I did to Heath, but resorting to these methods to ruin our relationship proved he was struggling. Verena's story did impact his life. So, leaving him to suffer and wallow in self-pity was better than interfering. For now.

The waitress sighed, defeated by Verena's intense glare. "Ten grand," she answered, and I scoffed.

"Mrs. Shawl, this waitress is fired and banned from coming near this restaurant. Get your things and fuck off." I was fuming—more at Dexter than the waitress.

"What? You can't do that!" she tried to argue as Mrs. Shawl stepped closer to our table. Everyone was watching us silently. Some knew me, others knew of me. No one dared intervene.

"I can. This restaurant is mine, and so are many others. You are banned from every business I own, and I own a lot. Good luck finding a job and maintaining your life. Maybe those ten grand will help. Now, fuck off." Verena's eyes widened at my confession, and I sighed. 

The waitress was crying, but I didn't fucking care. She messed with me and should've been prepared for the consequences.

"You heard Mr. Guerrero. Now, get out." Mrs. Shawl turned to the customers and bowed down. "I apologize for the disturbance."

"Mrs. Shawl," I called for her, and she stepped closer to me. "Give everyone here free desserts as an apology."

"Of course, sir," she said and walked to each table to tell them.

"When were you planning on telling me this was yours?" Verena sat back in her seat and pointed to the place.

"I wasn't, but I had to. I'm sorry our date got disrupted." I felt like a piece of shit. I should've checked everyone's background before we came.

"Are you kidding? I loved the drama! It was like a soap opera." I laughed at her excitement.

"Only you, amor."

~~~ 

9.02.2024 

Is it wrong to be in love with my own characters? LOL 

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