7

Arabella

I was just outside the house, everyone had come in but me. I stayed in the same place holding the handle of my bag tightly until Kaile, who was carrying my suitcase, turned around noting that I hadn't moved yet.

He approached me and put his hand on my back, pushed me in. When the door closed, everyone had moved somewhere in the house, leaving only Kaile and I in the living room.

Are you all right? You look tense and a little pale. Kaile observed.

I'm fine, thank you. It must be the tiredness of the trip, I think. - I answered trying to disguise my embarrassment.

All right, let's just introduce you, Grandma, it's going to be quick. Not least because she's very weak. My mother has prepared a snack for you and the guest room is already prepared for you to rest. Come on, let's meet Owner Elizabeth, you're going to like her. As much as she's not at her best, she's still a figure of person. He said smile.

Kaile was a very handsome guy and his spontaneous manner gave him an extra charm, he would be the kind of guy any girl would want to get involved in. Not that I was thinking about it. Of course i'm not. It was just an observation.

Then leaving my suitcase in a corner of the room near the stairs, he signaled that I would follow him. I walked right behind him until he stopped and spoke to me.

Would you please walk beside me? You look like a ghost walking after me like that. -Kaile said with the shadow of a smile in his mouth.

It's okay, I'm sorry. I said a little embarrassed.

Relax, I was just kidding. I'm a little playful and I hope you don't mind my way during your stay here. Modesty aside, you're going to love my company. - he said it and winked at me.

We crossed a long corridor, folded the left and entered another corridor, at the end of it a door was open and it was possible to hear some voices inside.

As we approached, I saw Miguel's family scattered around the locals. I didn't know if I should come in. The décor of the place was very clear. The wallpaper was a print of roses in a soft tone and the furniture was mostly white. In the center of the room, there was a king size bed and in it was a woman lying down who appeared to be between fifty and sixty years old.

So this must be grandma Elizabeth. She didn't look very well in health.

I was so distracted watching her, I didn't even notice when Kaile pulled me by the arm towards the woman. She looked at us and opened a big smile. A fragile but sincere smile. I felt a little less nervous. When we were already by the bed, she narrowed her eyes to Kaile and sent her a scolding.

So you mean I have to almost die so you can introduce me to your little girlfriend? If you'd told me before, I'd have done it by now. You're the most denatured grandson a grandmother could have. Elizabeth said feigning indignation.

At another time I would have found the joke funny, but at that moment I was embarrassed. My face was probably the color of a tomato. I had to fix the misunderstanding, since Kaile hadn't opened her mouth to contradict her. He just laughed sitting on the edge of the bed.

It's a pleasure to finally meet you, dear. What is your name? That bastard grandson of my grandson didn't even take the trouble to introduce her. I don't know where this boy's education went. - she said making drama.

My name is Arabella, Owner Elizabeth. And it's a pleasure to meet you too. And I'm not your grandson Kaile's girlfriend, I'm your grandson's co-worker Miguel. - I said it timidly.

Oh, what else is that, girl? No calling me owner, it's Grandma Eliza. And I'm going to call her Bella. But tell me, honey, are you and Miguel just co-workers or are you something else?

Oh, my God, i'm so sorry.

If you want, you can tell me later, away from those vultures I call family. They're always surrounding me, waiting for me to die. -Eliza said in a tone that I couldn't tell if it was true or if I was just joking.

Mom, i'm sorry. So the girl will think you're serious. You know we love you very much. You can't try so hard, we're not leaving here anytime soon, we'll help you with whatever you need. Giovana said.

This is what I'm talking about. I have to put up with these beings on my foot day and night. They barely let me take a walk on the porch. I'm a prisoner of this place! You shouldn't have dropped everything just to keep me around in life. I'm not dead and I'm not going to die anytime soon. Eliza said.

Grandma, it's always good to see you, but since we've come a little bit of a trip, we're a little tired. I think Arabella is wanting to rest, she didn't feel very well during the flight. I'm going to get some sleep too, and I'm going to come back and see you later. Miguel said as he approached his grandmother and kissed her on the cheek.

Of course, you're going to rest, darlings. How insensitive of me, you must be exhausted. Get some rest and come see me tomorrow. Eliza said.

Honey, i'm sorry. Eliza signaled me to get closer.

As soon as I did, she passed her arms around my shoulders causing me to lean further toward her and hugged me. I instinctively reciprocated the hug. With a tender kiss on my forehead, he wished me a good night's sleep and let me go.

It was strange when she took her arms back, I felt a feeling i hadn't felt for a long time: empty.

It was as if there, in the arms of that lady I had just met, it was my place. Where I'm supposed to be. I wished for a good night, too, and I left my room. I waited outside the room for someone to guide me to the room where I would stay. The others also said goodbye to Eliza and left the scene.

Bella, can I call you that? Giovana asked.

I said it with my head and she kept going.

- Let's go to the kitchen, you must be hungry after so many hours of travel. I made you and Miguel a snack until dinner's served.

Forgive me, but I don't think it will be possible to accompany you during your meal. I had a pretty bad time on the flight and my stomach's not very nice. -I answered for fear of being offended.

I didn't want to eat now, I just wanted to take a nice bath and fall into bed. Of course I couldn't sleep right away. Of course i don't.

I was in another state, another city, another house, another bed, another pillow and other sheets. yes, I'm pretty boring about that stuff. To fall asleep in my house was already a sacrifice, imagine being in a totally different place, where I know nothing and knowing that there are other people in the house besides me. It would be a struggle.

It's okay, no problem. Come on, I'll show you your room. Kaile dear, where did you put Bella's bag? Giovana asked.

I left it in the mother room. You can take her to the room, I'll come up with the bag in a moment. Kaile replied.

Giovana showed me the guest room where I'd stay. It was a wonderful suite. All decorated in shades of light blue and white. The bathroom was on a door to the right of the bed, there was a closet, a door to the left of the bed, to store my clothes.

There was also a bedside table and a princess-style dressing table next to the closet. I found it all charming. I did not continue my observation because I was tired and as soon as Giovana left, I lay face down in that wonderful bed. It was so soft! My exhausted body felt in the clouds.

So that's when I heard someone snoot and in the fright I jumped, but as the smart one here was on the edge of the bed, I ended up going to stop on the floor. And then a hot laugh, which I joined came next.

- I swear, I tried not to laugh, I really tried, but I failed miserably. It was pretty hilarious, admit it. Kaile said.

I was still sitting on the floor laughing with my hand covering my face when I felt it approach and gently pull my hands. Looking into my eyes to make sure I wasn't upset and seeing that i didn't, reached out and helped me get up.

- I came to bring your bag and ended up winning the night. - said laughing. - You're still going to learn the meaning of fun with me, kitty. I will teach you many things, among them how to fall the right way in any situation and anywhere. You're going to love it. He said it and winked at me.

He came up to me and hugged me by taking me by surprise. And since he was a lot taller than me, I ended up disappearing into his bear hug. I returned it to be over soon, because it was dirty and my skin was sticky because of the trip. I just wanted to be alone and rest. Then I heard him say it before he left me.

You're pretty short, huh? He laughed.

- Good night, shorty, rest well. - he said goodbye and then left the room closing the door.

After I showered, I brushed my teeth and combed the hair that was still wet because of the bath. I put on plain pajamas and lay down in that bed dream. And amazingly, I fell asleep quickly. It was a miracle, or maybe it's because I was really tired, but the fact is, I fell asleep.

I woke up with my stomach snoring with hunger and it was still two o'clock in the morning. No one would be awake at this hour and I couldn't rob the refrigerator at strangers' house. Besides, I didn't even know where the blessed kitchen was.

I went to the door opening a crack and peeked outside. As I had already imagined there was not a single person taking a walk around the house at this hour.

Drug!

I was starving. Since no one would show up there so soon, I decided to sneak out like a criminal.

My God, what a level of idiocy I've achieved.

Sorry I left the room, I turn to back from where I should never have left and I end up bumping into something. A wall of musclesurrounded me so I wouldn't fall and I would have screamed if it wasn't for a huge hand capping my mouth.

I almost had a scare. My heart beat uncommised as he approached his mouth from my ear and whispered.

Shiiii... Don't scream, it's me. - his hot breath caused the threads of my nape to bristle.

I turned my gaze to Miguel and he was shirtless and just a badly shaded sweatshirt at the waist. His golden threads that were misaligned made him even more beautiful. I mean, not beautiful, but more natural. Where you've seen me think you're beautiful! I swerved my embarrassed eyes and crossed my arms. When he intended to return to his room, his warm hand held my arm holding me in the same place.

Is everything all right, Arabella? You look like you're about to pass out any minute. He commented.

It's just that... that I... Never mind. I'm going back to the room, I'm sorry to bother you...

- Speak soon or I won't let you go so soon. Miguel insisted that he was still holding my arm and dangerously approaching each other's bodies.

It's just that I... - I started saying embarrassed.

He waited for me to continue staring at me passively.

- I woke up a little hungry, I didn't eat anything when I arrived. I shrugged and felt his fingers relax the grip around my wrist.

That's all it was. I went out just to see if there was anyone out there and how I hadn't decided to go back to the room.

Without saying anything, Miguel smiled lazily and pulled me toward the stairs. We followed a hallway and finally reached the kitchen. Miguel indicated a seat around the countertop for me to sit down and went to the fridge.

Apart from a jar of orange juice deposited on the countertop, removed a platter of something that I could not see what it was and put it in the microwave. Meanwhile he went to the cupboard and picked up glasses, plates and cutlery. Leaving everything on the counter went to the microwave that whistled indicating that it was ready be-there-what-was, removed the platter and deposited it next to the juice jar.

He served us and we started eating. The silence between us was very embarrassing. Not that there was any kind of subject to talk about in the middle of the night, yet the situation was still strange.

I avoided looking at Miguel as much as I could as he did. a lot of exposed skin, and when I did the way, I was caught in a bust, so I preferred to keep my eyes on the plate.

When we finished the meal Miguel kept the food in the fridge while I took the dirty dishes to the sink. I washed everything and left it on the sink because I didn't know where to keep it.

As I walked away from the sink, Miguel who was sitting stared at me with a strange look as he stretched out the dish cloth so I could dry my hands.