Ignoring the actual, logical thoughts, I had another thing on my mind. I made arrangements to transfer colleges. When I initially made the plan, I had no idea that Eloisa Castillo studied at the same college. I decided to remain where I was, not wanting to see her again after the shooting incident. However, things were very different now.
I had to see the look on Eloisa’s face once she realized that we’re going to the same campus; I knew it would be hilarious. But perhaps that's not all I wanted for now. When I woke up this morning, the first thing in my mind was her, and that was enough to irk the curiosity inside of me. Why – after having a great night with a woman I found extremely attractive or the other girl I had been seeing – was Eloisa the first one I thought of?
Nevertheless, I had other things in mind, including the fact that my father decided that I was no longer welcome to today's meeting. I had to take matters into my own hand. The only solution that came to my mind to regain power was to get closer to the one Castillo that mattered the most.
With the drug manufacturing business and their storage facilities under my power, Father would not be able to take it away from me even if he wanted to. After all, the people working in our factories were loyal to me – not to the Carson name – and I made sure of that.
However, most of this plan depended on what would go down between my father and the Castillos in the meeting. I was certain that being close to Eloisa would help in one way or another. Even if it didn't, just being near her was enough to piss off Alesso and my father. That thought gave me a sense of satisfaction.
*****
I had finally gotten ahold of my phone on my way out. The car was already waiting for me, and I really wanted to leave without having to face my father or even look at him.
"Keith, wait!" I heard Isabel call from behind.
I turned to look at her and saw that she was all dressed up. As douchey as I was, I couldn't help but smirk.
"Good morning," I greeted her, and I could see the look on her face.
"You're leaving without breakfast?"
"I'll be late. I should get going," I answered and took a step closer. I could tell she was blushing. "Besides, I'm not that hungry. Oh, thank you for fixing my lip," I teased.
Isabel rolled her eyes. "Bye, Keith."
"I'll see you."
That was not entirely true. I did not plan on visiting Bilbao any time soon, especially after what happened last night.
*****
The car ride was a long one. When I reached the campus, it was already starting to get dark. The first thing I did after meeting the caretaker for my apartment was to pay a visit to my new Castillo friend.
And when I did, the look on her face gave me an absolute delight.
"What are you doing here?" Were the first words Eloisa had been able to muster.
I had to stop myself from laughing. Her roommate – the mayor’s daughter – stood behind her.
"Oh, I thought I'd visit my new college friend. The world really is a small place, especially if it's anywhere near Bilbao. Hello, Allison." I winked at her friend, and she reddened up. I stepped inside their dorm and saw that they had been unpacking.
"This is sad. The great Alesso Castillo's daughter is living in this sad place," I commented.
"It's called a dorm, and it's supposed to be for students who actually want to stay here, you know, for studying," Eloisa uttered, acting as if I was dumb enough not to understand.
I chuckled. "It's nice to see you again. I hope I didn't cause a scene," I replied, talking about the kiss.
"Of course not. My father absolutely wants to get us married," she uttered, smiling sarcastically at me as I sat down at the opposite end of her bed. "Speaking of fathers," she began.
"Yeah, to summarize it, the old man's back, and I'm here." I opened my arms as if I was totally cool with it.
"Oh."
CHAPTER TWO
Eloisa
To say that I was annoyed would be an understatement. It hadn’t even been a full day, and I had to see this asshole again. Sure, things had been talked out and settled, but that wasn’t going to change the fact that he was an asshole.
“It’s funny,” Keith said, looking around the dorm. I could see Allison trying to stay calm in the corner of the room. “We both wasted our time back in Bilbao, only to be pushed aside at the end.”
I rolled my eyes, considering that he had also been kicked out of the meeting that was supposed to happen today.
“I didn’t get pushed aside,” I countered.
“Of course,” he replied, sarcasm filling his voice as he smirked at me.
“You should leave,” I told Keith, pointing a finger towards the door, to which he only chuckled.
“I just got here. Besides, am I interrupting something?” he asked.
“Yes.”
“No.”
I stared at my friend. Allison unapologetically said no, raising her hands when I glared at her.
“See? Allison wants me here,” Keith said, winking at her again.
This whore. I shook my head. “Alright, fine. If you’re staying, you help us unpack,” I told him, knowing there was no way in hell he would agree to that.
“Tell me, Eloisa, what details do you have about the meeting?” he inquired, completely ignoring what I had said.
I sighed, defeated, and went over to my bed, continuing with the unpacking. “Why, your father didn’t tell you?” I mocked, turning to smirk at him.
Keith shrugged. “No, he did not. Now, tell me,” he insisted.
I couldn’t help but roll my eyes this time. “I don’t want to tell you.” I tried to think of a smarter comeback than that, but my brain would do this amazing thing where it would stop functioning in times of emergency. Like now.
“You don’t know shit, do you?” He was quick to catch on, laughing. “The kiss made things that bad, huh?”
I glared at him, pointing my finger in his face. “Don’t bring that up. That was the most stupid thing I’ve ever seen anyone do. You’re a dip shit,” I snapped.
Keith raised his hands in defeat. “See, this is why you’re single,” he muttered, though the words reached my ears loud and clear.
The audacity of this little—
“I’m not!” I exclaimed without thinking. I realized I was doing it more and more – talking without thinking – whenever this douchebag was around.
“You’re not?” Allison asked, her eyes wide.
I threw the jeans in my hands at her. Was she always this dumb? I felt like killing her for spilling shit in front of Keith.
“I really wish I had popcorn with me right now.” Keith sighed, leaning back in Allison’s bed as he looked back and forth between the two of us.
“You know, you’re not really allowed in here,” I said, ignoring his comment before turning my back on him.
“Nobody actually cares, you know. Besides, you’re a Castillo, and I’m a Carson. do you really think someone’s dumb enough to knock on that door and pull me out?” Keith asked smugly.
I shrugged.
“You know, it’s funny how the two of you were pretty much ready to shoot each other last night, and now you’re like buddies,” Allison interjected, sitting next to Keith on her bed. I could tell how greatly she was enjoying this.
“If things go south again, I think we can shoot each other just fine,” Keith replied, as if asking me for my confirmation.
I nodded. “I’d have no problem shooting you in the head any time of the day – not because you’re a Carson but because you are annoying,” I retorted.
Keith nodded as if he understood it well. “How very thoughtful of you,” he mused before getting up and running a hand through his hair as they fell over his forehead.
Just then, my phone began ringing. As I pulled it out of my pocket, I mentally cursed myself. It was Will, one of my three brothers.
“I’ll be right back,” I excused myself, not wanting to talk to him in front of these two. I walked
out and hit the Answer button on the corridor.
“You didn’t call when you reached the dorm. You were supposed to call home, Eloisa,” a very concerned William began without any greetings.
“Hello to you, too.” I couldn’t help but smile. No matter how things were or what was going on, I was really lucky about was how much my brothers cared for me.
“Yes, hi – whatever. How are you?” he asked.
“I’m fine. How is everyone? I was going to call, but—” I stopped talking, not knowing what to say.
“Yeah, everything’s fine. Father was just so busy with work today.” I could tell that Will was trying to build up an excuse for why he had to call instead of our father. Despite that, I was pretty sure that the phone was on speaker, and Father was in the same room as him. He might angry at me, but he would always care for me – that I knew.
“How did the meeting go?” I asked.
“The business will run smoothly now. Nate Carson was easy to negotiate with,” Will disclosed.
I wonder why, but I said, “That’s great! How’s Father?” I asked.
“He’s alright—”
I caught the hesitancy in my brother’s voice. “Father’s right there, isn’t he?” I uttered. I could feel myself getting angry. It was not like I had committed a crime.
“He—”
“You know what?” I countered without waiting for Will to finish his excuse. “Tell him to only call me when he’s done being upset, okay? Love you. Bye.” I hung up and walked back to the dorm room.
I really was exhausted and did not wish to deal with any more family drama. It’s not like I could escape forever, considering Keith Carson would always be breathing down my neck now that we’re enrolled in one college. Fuck my life.
I sighed, leaning my head against the wall. Just as I turned around, I was started as I bumped into Keith.
“You scared me!” I exclaimed, looking up at the man who stood there with his hands shoved in his pockets.
“You look sad,” he uttered, tilting his head to the side, staring at me as if I was a small child.
“I’m okay, but thanks to you, my father’s very pissed at me,” I replied, frowning.
He chuckled as I took a step back, leaning against the wall again. Only a few students were passing by since it was already dark and kind of late, too.
“Why was he pissed at you? Was it because I kissed you?”
I nodded. For once, this guy said something that did not make my blood boil. “Yeah, though it wasn’t all about that. He’s pissed that I even bothered with you at the gala, but thank you so much for that.” I smiled sarcastically at him, crossing my arms over my chest.
There was a slight glint in Keith’s green eyes that made them shine slightly in the dimly lit corridor.
“You’re welcome,” he teased, placing a hand on the wall next to my head.
I felt my breath hitch. Maybe it was all the talk about him and Allison convincing me about how sexy he really was, but I couldn’t help but stare at his face. Damn, Keith Carson is good looking. I could not deny that even if I wanted to.
“Do I have something on my face?”
His words snapped me out of my thoughts, and I was quick to regain my composure.
“I don’t know, but whatever it is, it is very punchable,” I retorted.
Keith smirked. “Is that so?” he asked, leaning in mockingly.
“I’m going to go now,” I told him, not being able to help the smile on my face.
“Okay.” He nodded, taking a step back. “Just one question.”
I turned to look at Keith, and his expression seemed slightly different from the usual smug, teasing look on his face. This one was hard to place.
“What is it?” I asked
“Would you be okay if I took Allison out on a date?”
Asshole. “Don’t you have a girlfriend already?”
“Yeah, but I haven’t heard from her since the gala.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “You really are an asshole,” I replied, unable to hide my thoughts.
Keith mocked feeling hurt, placing a hand over his chest.
“Why do you care if I’d be okay with it or not?” I asked, turning around to face him.
It looks like both of us just wanted to talk to each other right now, but the damn ego kept on ruining it.
“I actually don’t. In truth, I think it’d be unfair to her,” he uttered, taking a step closer to me.
“Don’t mess with her; I know guys like you,” I warned him.
Keith scoffed, asking, “What exactly do you think I’m like?”
“I don’t know; you just don’t seem like the type who’s never going to love someone, and Allison doesn’t deserve that,” I said honestly. I just wanted to tell Keith how he came off as, and I’d hate for Allison or any other girl to have her heart broken by a douchebag who didn’t really care about them.
Keith looked taken aback by my words. If I were to give a name to his expression, I would say that he looked almost hurt.
“I’m not that awful, Eloisa,” was all he replied.
I almost felt bad for what I said, but I stood my ground. “I guess, but I don’t know you that well,” I just uttered before walking away from him and going back into my room.
As soon as I closed the door behind me, Allison started gushing about Keith. “What took you so long? I have so much to tell you! I’m pretty sure he’s into me—”
I wanted to smack my friend over the head, but I just raised my hand to stop her from talking instead. “Allison, trust me – he’s not worth it,” I advised her.
Allison knew I was exhausted, so she just didn’t argue with me. “Yeah, I guess,” she said. “I can tell he’s only going to be into me as a way of trying to get to you.”
“And you don’t deserve that. You should be with the best guy in the world.”
She smiled. “Damn straight.”
“Fuck him,” I uttered.
“Yeah, fuck him,” Allison echoed.
Both of us broke out in laughter.
After a while, she mused, “He’s hot, though.”
I nodded. “I’m not going to lie – he smells good, too.”
“I told you,” Allison replied, giggling and smacking my arm.
CHAPTER THREE
Keith
When I returned to my apartment, a few of my old friends who lived in the area decided to show up. One of them was Kyle Harper, who I had known since middle school. We stayed in touch because his father was among our distributors, and now, he left Kyle in charge of the operations and went off to Greece for a vacation with his third stepmother. Kyle was a good guy. He was there for me when my mother passed away. Though we did not talk every day, he was always a call away.
Another friend of ours was Brady Coleman, whose father had a little cartel and was still in alliance with our business, supplying at least forty percent of our stuff outside of Bilbao. Brady was extremely dumb – that boy must have been dropped on the head as a child so often that his father decided to leave him there.
Last but not the least, there was Adam Westwood. His father owned three vineyards in Bilbao, mixing top-notch alcohol with our drugs. That’s how their products got the highest demand in the north.
“I heard you almost blew up the Castillo chick,” Adam opened as Brady handed out beers.
“It’s a long story,” I replied, waving a hand. “She’s a piece of work, that one.”
“Is she hot?” Brady asked, taking a seat on the bean bag opposite us, the fire crackling in the fireplace.
“I have her on Instagram; she’s very beautiful,” Kyle interjected, all eyes to him.
“What the fuck?” Brady uttered, frowning. “She’s blocked me. How did you get added?”
I couldn’t help but laugh out loud at that. “Probably it’s because she already knows you’re a dumb fuck,” I jeered, causing him to flip me off as the other two laughed.
“Eloisa studies at your new
college. Did you know that?” Kyle asked me, taking a sip of his drink.
I shook my head. I don’t know why I did not tell them the truth; it’s not like anything was ever hidden from them. But I did.
“It’s not like there’s anything there. She’s a fucking Castillo, for goodness’ sake,” I replied, acting nonchalant.
I didn’t know if I was trying to convince them or myself. That girl’s entire existence was a huge red sign that kept staring at me in the face, but I still did everything to ignore that.
“Yeah, as if rules have ever stopped you.” Kyle chuckled.
I sighed. “Touché.”
“Honestly, I don’t know why y’all are trying to set that girl up with Keith when he’s been getting it somewhere else,” Adam uttered.
I rolled my eyes. “I wonder why I tell you anything at all. You’re a fucktard anyway,” I countered.
“What’s going on?” Kyle piped in suspiciously.
“He fucked Isabel,” Adam disclosed proudly.
Great. Just fucking great.
“You did not!” Kyle exclaimed, his eyes almost popping out.
“You fucker! Your dad’s totally gonna kill you!” Brady laughed, hitting his hand around, and I threw a middle finger up in Kyle’s face.
“When?” Kyle asked when he got over his shock.
“Last night,” Adam supplied.
I dropped my face in my hands. It’s really a wonder that no matter how much older they’ve gotten, they still acted like that.
“You’re a fucker, indeed!” Brady barked as they went on among themselves. The conversation died down slowly, and they moved onto the next best topic, which was a debate on what video game they’d play or if they should just throw a party.
“Pause on that thought,” I interjected. “Let’s throw a party next weekend – I like that idea.”
Everyone agreed. I just didn’t tell them that it seemed like a good way to get closer to Eloisa. If she even bothered showing up.
“What are you up to?”
The question interrupted my thoughts. Kyle took a seat on the couch next to me, holding another beer for me, which I gladly accepted.
“A lot,” I uttered.
Cruel Hearts : An Enemies to Lovers Mafia Romance (Ruthless Legacy Book 2) Page 2
