Chapter 3 BE CAREFUL OF LOVE

CHAPTER 3

Cathy's relationship with Carlos took off beautifully. They became an inseparable pair, always together; kept each other company, they would go on movie dates, to the park, to their favorite garden. Cathy at first was cautious but loosened up soon enough, Carlos was an interesting company, it didn't take long to fall in love with him. They spent most of the time together in school, at her dorm. It didn't take long before everyone on campus knew they were a couple.

A lot of girls soon became envious, they started with threats and warned Cathy to stay away from Carlos but Carlos made sure he reassured her that he would always be there to protect her. Cathy also helped Carlos in his study and his grades improved noticeably, his old man could not help but notice. One day after a test, they went to their favorite cafeteria.

"What time will you be going to work," he asked

"I have an evening shift today so by 4 pm" she replied

He sipped his cup of coffee, he frowned slightly and observed her, "You know you don't have to work; you are my girl and I can give you all you want."

She smiled, "Carlos, we have been through this, frankly I appreciate you wanting to help me but I don't feel relaxed taking things from you." Cathy explained.

Carlos sighed and looked away; Cathy was too independent and would not let him fuss over her. "For God's sake Cathy, why do you have to be this stubborn?" he asked in exasperation.

"I'm not stubborn." She replied and feigned to be angry.

Carlos held her hands, his voice soft with a plea, "My love, you and I have been dating for a little less than 4 months ago, the only thing you let me do is pick you up in the morning and drop you off at school," he mumbled

Cathy smiled and squeezed his hand, "That's fine for me, you are being more than helpful to me." She reassured him.

He squeezed her hand and kissed it. "I feel like I'm not doing enough because you wouldn't let me. I fear you would reject my gifts because they are expensive," he caressed her face and continued, "I want to be able to walk into a clothing store, see an elegant dress and get it for you, I want to be able to buy you all the things you need"

She saw the sincerity in his eyes, his hands still wrapped in hers and her hands looked so fragile in his. "I don't need all that, all I need is you," Cathy maintained. Cathy wished she could make Carlos see she had become accustomed to taking care of her needs alone. It scared her to expect anything from anyone.

"Cathy, I know that, but I want you to let be the man in your life," he said

Cathy glanced at him; she hadn't had any man wanting to be the man in her life. She wondered how Carlos can be the man for her. Hell, she doesn't really know what a man in her life is supposed to do or be.

"How do you want to be the man in my life?" Cathy asked, intrigued

"Well, for starters, the way you dress," he said with a grin, "as the man in your life, I would love to have you dress like my woman."

"What's wrong with the way I dress? " She replied, surprised

"Nothing," Carlos answered with his arms up, "you look beautiful with whatever you put on but I love my lady dressing a bit more elegant with style and class."

Cathy stared at him, then glanced at her dress. Cathy had worn a polka dotted blue gown with black flat sandals which she had gotten recently, wasn't this stylish enough? She wondered. "You know I'm not into all that stuff."

"Yes, I know that, but soon enough I would want you to meet my family." He said, his tone serious, Cathy's heart fluttered a bit. Carlos leaned closer to her and continued, "I have told you about the kind of family I belong to, they would want a girl with more class. If it was up to me, I am perfectly fine with who you are." He told her

Cathy understood him perfectly; his father was one of the wealthiest men in the country and she knew she fits nowhere near his social standards. She loved Carlos and would do anything to please him.

"Okay," she said in a flat tone, "let's do it."

"So would you give it a try? the new clothes and shoes?" Carlos asked with a smile

"Yes" she answered reluctantly

He hugged her and kissed her on the cheek.

Carlos came to pick her by 9pm after her work shift and told her he had booked a date for her at the mall, salon, and spa. Since the next day was Saturday, he would pick her up by 10am. Cathy got to her room and was surprised to see Jesse. Jesse never spent a night on Fridays in the room, she was always at one party or the other.

"Miracle on a Friday night? " Cathy teased

Jesse smirked " I just decided to seat this night out and besides I have a report I need to turn in tomorrow."

"On a Saturday?" Cathy asked

"Yes, I don't know what's wrong with some lecturers." Jesse complained

"Well, at least it kept you in tonight and I can eventually see how you sleep without being drunk on a Friday night" Cathy teased again

"Haha, funny" Jesse sniggered. She stared at Cathy, "How is Carlos?" She asked, cautiously.

"He is fine, he dropped me off" Cathy answered with a smile

"Nice. How's it going with you and him?" Jesse asked with concern

"It's been awesome." Cathy said, her eyes warm, "he booked a spa day for me tomorrow and we are going shopping."

Jesse widened her eyes in feigned surprise, "I thought you weren't into all that," she teased.

"Well, I'm not but..." Cathy stuttered

"But what?" Jesse asked, laughing

"Carlos said he would want me to meet his family soon and he said I need to make an impression, you know, those high-class social stuff"

"Yes, so he doesn't think his family would like you the way you are?" Jesse asked

"Well, not so" Cathy replied, "I think Carlos had butted head with his father on many occasions and he doesn't want a repeat of that in our relationship."

"Well, I think he should be delighted to introduce you to his family. You don't need to change the way you dress or look, just to impress them" Jesse replied

Cathy mulled over what she said. She understood Jesse's point but this wasn't the case here. "Well, I am not changing how I look wholly, just a few adjustments." She found herself explaining.

Jesse looked up and studied her briefly. "Cathy, I just don't want you to get hurt. Carlos is way more complex than you think," Jesse said, her eyes soft with concern

"You don't know him as I do, he is different around me, when we are together, he is gentle, comforting, sweet, protective, and remarkably caring," Cathy said, her eyes filled with love.

"Well, just be careful, I see you are already so much in love with him." Jesse cautioned her

"Yes, I love him." Cathy admitted shyly

"It's written all over you, I don't want him to hurt you so please be careful," Jesse told her

"I don't think Carlos will ever hurt me; he loves me"

"Okay, just don't dive down deep, you might drown," Jesse said with a note of finality.

"Where are you going?" Cathy asked, surprised

"I'm so bored, I am going out" she announced.

Cathy watched her wear her sneakers and laughed. Jesse gave the peace sign, opened the door and left.

Cathy laid down on her bed and thought about Jesse's warning. She tossed and turned on her bed and fell into a fitful sleep.