Chapter 4 I WANT IT NOW

CHAPTER 4

Cathy felt soft and supple with all the spa treatment and salon manicure. The spa experience was a worthy compensation from all the stress of shopping; she could see now why some people love to shop. Cathy felt her body tingle as she recalled how Carlos's eyes traveled down each dress she wore at the clothing store.

"You look stunning." He had remarked with approval when she came out in a fitting emerald dress with lacy furs at the edge.

Cathy soon discovered she enjoyed being fashionable and Carlos's willingness to spoil her plus the way his eyes lit up whenever an apparel looked good on her was all the validation Cathy needed to maintain this new found lifestyle. Her new style of clothing soon caught the attention of other people in the department. She could hear whispers and stories of Carlos funding her expensive lifestyle, some called her a gold digger and as much as she tried to ignore the gossips, she had to admit she could become accustomed to the prying eyes that seemed to follow her everywhere on campus. She had earned some enemies, one of them being Kristen Job.

Kristen, a tall beauty and the only child of Mr. Job, was childhood friends with Carlos and she loved him. She had watched like a hawk as Carlos and Cathy became a pair on campus. At first, she had assumed Cathy was one of Carlos's flings, a random girl he would date for a while and dump but their relationship seemed to blossom before her eyes and not just that, Carlos had stopped his philandering and focused on her. Kristen knew she needed to do something. That morning, she paid Cathy a visit in class. She wore a nude-colored mini skirt and a black top tucked into the skirt which accentuated her flat belly and slender curve, her black boots heightened her slender legs which gave her the rich sophisticated look of a model. Cathy noticed Kristen had an incredibly beautiful blonde hair.

"Hey there pumpkin," Kristen said in a chatty indifferent tone.

Pumpkin? Really? Wasn't pumpkin the word used for chubby people? Cathy wondered.

"Hello," Cathy said, she wondered what the snob had to say to her.

"I saw you reading here and decided to join you so we could have a little chit chat," Kristen said scathingly, "I'm quite sure, you know who I am. Well, what you don't know is that Carlos and I are extremely close"

Cathy said nothing. Kristen waited a bit, probably expecting a response from Cathy but Cathy gave her a level headed gaze.

Exasperated, Kristen flipped "Look we have been close ever since we were kids, his dad and my dad are business partners, I need you to stay away from him, okay?"

Cathy had anticipated this outburst from Kristen so she wasn't surprised. She ignored her and bent her head to continue reading.

Kristen, now livid laughed derisively, "I still wonder what Carlos saw in you, well he would want a toy to play around with before the real deal".

Cathy lifted her head and gazed at her. She could see the look of triumph in her eyes. She was baiting her to react to her words. Cathy shut her eyes and tried to focus on working on her emotions. Kristen smiled knowing she had captured her attention.

"Hmmm, don't tell me you think Carlos is serious about this relationship," she chuckled, "You are not in his class and no matter how much he spoils you with clothes and gifts, you can never measure up to the standard of the woman befitting of his status. You do not belong honey."

Cathy had had enough. She closed her book and faced Kristen, "Please leave" Cathy said, a measure of calmness in her tone.

"His father adores me; he had told me that I would be Carlos's wife no matter what happens. Carlos is just using you; he knows he isn't going to marry another lady."

Cathy ignored Kristen and opened her bag. If she wouldn't leave, Cathy was ready to leave the classroom. She put her books into her bag and stood up to leave. "I don't care about your relationship with Carlos." Cathy said with a dismissive note.

"Well, you should, I am just letting you know that you are living in a fool's paradise" Kristen insisted

"It's my time to waste, I guess, not yours" Cathy replied

"I am being nice here Cathy." Kristen said, her hand on Cathy's shoulder, an icy smile on her face "I might not be nice the next time I decide to do something about this."

Cathy shook her hand off and walked out of the class.

Cathy couldn't wait for Carlos anymore; she was so uneasy with all Kristen had said and she walked to her dorm. She avoided Carlos for some days. Kristen's words were like bee stings that kept her awake at night. Cathy had avoided Carlos for a week and as tortuous as that seemed, it was for the best. She had reasoned it was best they ended things before it got messy. She was in her dorm room reading one evening when she heard a knock on her door. Cathy wondered who the caller was. It couldn't be Jesse; she has her key. She opened the door and was surprised to see Carlos standing there; he wore a black leather jacket and blue jean on white sneakers. Cathy noticed he was angry; his eyes shone with pain and anger. He pushed the door aside, got in and turned to Cathy.

"Bloody hell Cathy, why aren't you picking up my calls? He asked, his voice raised

"I didn't see it...." Before she could finish, he cut her short

"If you are going to lie, at least make it a good lie," he said

"I just needed to be alone," she admitted, her voice tinged with irritation. His possessiveness was starting to piss her off.

"Couldn't you tell me just that, you got me worried sick about you " he said almost yelling at her

"I don't need you to worry about me," Cathy replied calmly, determined to keep her cool and not respond to his outburst. She felt overwhelmed and frustrated and began to pace around the little space left in the room.

Carlos noticed her unease and restless pacing, he sighed and held her hand, "What's wrong Cathy, anyone hurt you?" He asked her, concerned

"No, I am fine" she answered, her voice shaky

"No, you not. I know you, Cathy" Carlos insisted

"What is your relationship with Kristen?" Cathy asked abruptly, she couldn't pretend not to care anymore.

"Who the hell told you that?" Carlos asked, Cathy saw he was caught off guard and looked surprised.

"Answer the question." She said, her voice calm but insistent.

"She's a family friend," He answered firmly. Now he was the one pacing and clearly restless.

"What's your relationship with her?" Cathy asked, her tone measured.

"Our both fathers are business partners. Kristen and I grew up together" Carlos replied.

Cathy nodded her head and smiled; she felt her heart skip, it was true indeed. "And your dad wants you to marry her." She stated, her tone distant.

"Yes, but I don't want to, okay?" I love you, Cathy. I do not feel a thing for Kristen, she's a good friend and that's all." He explained

"What happens when your father asks you to marry her?" she asked, Carlos could see the dismay in her eyes.

"Are you asking what becomes of us?" he asked, unsure where she was going with the questions.

Cathy folded her arms on her chest. The incredulous look on Carlos's face made her feel like a fool for asking about their relationship.

"Cathy, are you thinking I cannot make a decision about who I would marry?" Carlos asked softly, he saw a sheen of tears in her eyes, he moved close to her and he circled his arms around her waist. "Cathy nothing is going to change; I will marry the woman I love and my dad's choice means nothing to me" he explained softly.

Cathy felt herself melting into his arms, all the anger and restraints evaporated. "You should have mentioned it to me Carlos, you shouldn't keep me in the dark like that." she protested weakly.

Carlos tightened his arms around her waist and pressed her against himself. Cathy could feel the pulse of his heartbeat. "I am sorry Cathy. I didn't think it mattered." Carlos whispered in her ear as his face rested on her shoulder.

He raised his head to look into her eyes and Cathy could swear by the vulnerability in those deep blue eyes that he was sincere. Carlos held her waist firmly and bent to kiss her, gently, lightly, seeking her consent to go deeper. She held his face and drew him closer; they explored each other's lips with hungry deep kisses. His hand grabbed her butt and lifted her to his waist. Cathy tightened her legs around his waist and dipped her hands into his auburn hair.

Carlos pinned her back to the wall and used his free hand to grab her breasts. Cathy gasped in pleasure and let out a low moan. She felt his hand trail her leg and found its way into the wetness between her legs. Cathy buckled and pushed his hand away. She moved away from him and tried to fight off the desire to run back into his arms.

"Cathy, what's wrong?" He asked, his voice husky and breathless.

"I'm sorry Carlos, not now, I don't think I am ready for this." Cathy said, flustered and embarrassed.

Carlos moved some distance away, his chest heaved up and down, "I'm sorry Cathy, I should have asked if you wanted this."

"Don't be. I want it but not now." Cathy said. She knew it was just a matter of time but not at this time.

Carlos smiled; he could see her struggling with her emotions. He wanted to hug her but he couldn't trust himself to respect her decision if he so much as links his hands to hers.