Romeo walked quietly through the driveway of Amaya's house. His head clouded with the way she looked at him when he bid his farewell. With a click of his tongue he pulled on his hand and fished for his car keys from his pocket, his eyes wandering towards his wrist watch. It was well past 8:00 P.M, and again he wondered to himself, why he always let time get the better of him, when he was with her? He looked ahead and gritted his teeth, he wanted to know.
He reached for his pocket once more, until he got a hold of his phone and went about his steps getting closer to his car and searched for his students name. Had he said something wrong to her father? He clicked his tongue again as he typed away at a message.
He pushed his phone into his pocket, with a sigh and finally made it to the car, parked at the curb. He could hear the sprinklers of her neighbors loudly wet the grass, the streets were mostly empty; except for one person. From afar he noticed the silhouette of a guy walking down the street. Without much thought he unlocked the door to his vehicle. Just before he opened up, someone tapped at his shoulder. Romeo turned around, mildly alert, his keys jingled in his hands, and with a questioning look, his blue eyes made contact with darker ones.
"Good evening," he rose a dark brow, wondering honestly what the boy wanted. He held back from calling him by his nickname, "Conner."
There was a moment of silence from the boy, and his lip quivered as he answered. "Cut the act." Conner's eyes were dark, and Romeo had to sigh. "I know what you're up to."
The scientist closed his eyes and shook his head, "you have it all wrong, Conner. I have no bad intentions with your friend. As a matter of fact I only want to help her." He tried to smile but the jock wasn't having it.
Conner shook his head, "listen I'm only going to tell you once. STAY. AWAY. FROM AMAYA." He gritted his teeth and his hands formed fists at his sides.
There was a slight chuckle from the older guy and with a sudden wolfish grin he shook his head. "I am afraid that that's not possible, kitty litter." The insult slipped out of his mouth without warning, and Romeo almost regretted it.
There was tension in the air as expected, the only noise was from the sprinklers of the neighborhood, and Romeo could tell that if he said something out of place, or taunt a little more that this situation could go wrong in all directions. Romeo knew the past they shared, and it was obvious to both of them that the rivalry that they shared as children had not healed, not even after all these years.
Conner stepped closer to him, to where he was only a foot away from his face, they were dangerously close and Romeo could feel the breath come off Conner. "She will never choose you over me-us." He stuttered and for a slight second this caught Romeo off guard.
Romeo rose a dark brow as the feeling of rivalry settled in the pit of his stomach. So Conner was attracted to HIS protégé. Romeo chuckled darkly and with that grin of his leaned forward. Their faces almost touched and with a whisper he taunted. "What makes you so sure?"
The boys dark blue eyes crashed with the scientists light blue ones, all the while daggers were flown towards him. If only looks could kill.
"I know her." He gritted his teeth. "I know you're nothing but trouble." There was a pause yet he did nothing to step down from the evident confrontation. Conner mustered up all the civility he had in himself, to refrain from smacking that silly smirk off Romeo's face.
He was as usual a cocky bastard. Conner knew what he wanted from his friend, he knew that he wanted to get back at them. He had done so, so many times when they were the hero's. Always tricking Amaya. Just because she had a good heart. No he would not let it happen. He would not let Romeo hurt her. His brows creased, he would not let him have her. Even if it meant to get to extremes to save her. It was his job. He was her friend. And Romeo? He's always been the enemy. His palms were sweaty and Conner couldn't stand that smile on the guys face.
"Even if you say you've changed; you will never be a good guy." He eyed him up and down, taking a slight step back "and no matter how much you try, she will never choose you." His words seemed to come from all the confidence he had, because for a small moment in that exchange, Romeo felt threatened.
Romeo placed his hands behind his back that mocking smirk never leaving his lips, he had a brow risen and he tilted his head slightly. He was threatened and all he wanted to, right then and there, was bet on that. The soft smile of Amaya holding onto the robot bundle as she paced his living room, made him refrain.
The two stood there challenging each other, but neither of them moved a muscle, nor exchanged words. It was silent with tension.
Conner had his brows creased staring him straight in the eyes. His fists clenched at the sides. He was visibly irritated with his chest rising and falling harder than normal as he breathed. It was more than obvious that the intention was real.
They stayed like that for a few more moments, until Conner moved. He brushed his shoulders against the scientist brusquely, making the man stumble as he walked off into the distance, the loud sound of the pavement crunched under his feet.
Romeo took in a deep breath as he turned to look at the brunette, his temper climaxing with the taunt the jock had just made.
Romeo didn't take his eyes off Conner, until said man stepped foot on his property. Romeo dropped his poise and his cheeks flushed with irritation, he could feel his heart pound against his chest.
The jock looked back at him, their eyes locking in again and with a serious expression he stepped inside his home. The silent threat was alive.
Romeo took in a couple of breaths trying to calm the anger arisen in his heart, yet when he pulled on his keys they frustrated him. This punk ass kid knew nothing about him. Romeo had changed. He was a successful man, even more productive than that little shit ever could be. His eyes wandered towards Amaya's house, and yes if he really wanted to, she would also choose him. He breathed in a little heavier than usual and turned to his car door again pressing the unlock button harder than needed.
He was a calm man. He really was, but it didn't stop him from being just that, a man. He couldn't just let that good for nothing humiliate him. He buckled up and stared at his steering wheel, his eyes lost on the logo of his car.
After a few minutes of aggressive thinking he regained himself. The adrenaline in his veins still leaking through his pores though.
He chuckled to himself at the thought of how the jock would react if he knew that Amaya was going to be leaving with him soon.
He took in a deep breath again and shook his head, opening and slamming his car door to release some tension. It didn't work. His phone rang and he cursed at it, letting the call go to voicemail. His ringtone get on his nerves.
Setting the foot on the break he grinded the shift into gear, and began navigating a little harsher than normal through the silent street. He banged the palm of his hand against the steering wheel, as he eyed Conner's house. The image of the joke shoving him making his blood boil.
He drove into an intersection in the main highway, and pulled out his phone from his pocket. As he neared the red traffic light, his blue eyes skimmed his phone's notifications. The name of his crazy ex girlfriend was the first thing that popped up. 7 missed calls, that made him slightly more irritated. Romeo swiped his thumb and cleared the notification that, Anna had left on his phone. Romeo leaned one hand on the steering wheel and stared at the phone that sat on his lap. There was no reply from Amaya.
He was smarter than this… he tried to convince himself as he had his eyes locked on the notification bar of his phone. He broke his glance and looked at the traffic light, yet there was something in him that was feeding this… emotion.
Romeo frowned again as the girl he wanted a reply from never came. Would she want another ride to her school tomorrow? He tried to make an excuse for himself, after all he was a professional. He had to watch over her, didn't he? He frowned as the image of her solemn face popped up again. She had looked upset just before he had left her house. Had Conner talked to her? Could he have a said something to her while he talked to her father? No it couldn't be, he had never even come in. He shook his head and tossed his phone on the dashboard. He needed to get back to work and treat this as such. Just work. It wasn't his fault that she had silly friends who were perverted. He tried to push the thoughts aside and for a little while they resided.
The light turned green and he went on away in silence, as he drove himself home.
Amaya lay there in her bed, excitement, anxiety, and even worry, filled her belly.
She bit her lip as the empty ceiling of her room looked back at her. She was to say the least, excited about this opportunity she was being given. She was excited to be independent, and away from everyone she knew. This felt like a dream to her. It was too good to be true. She was excited that she would attend a university that was filled with brilliant minds just like, Romeo.
She sat up suddenly her messy bun falling from its spot on her head and her smile faded. What if she turned out to be less than Romeo expected?
Her eyes wandered around her room and she eyed her vanity, catching her reflection on the mirror. Worry settled into her stomach and she sighed, she really didn't know what was expected of her, would she even be a good student? Was she really smart enough? She blinked at the thought, her brows furrowed tightly.
The girl clicked her tongue and shook her head to rid of the though. She turned to face her phone as it lay flat, charging at the edge of the vanity.
With a smile she stood to her feet and walked over to her phone turning it on with a light push of the side button. The battery had run out a little while ago and so she hadn't sent been online in a while. She wondered if she had any missed messages from anyone. Yet the name she wanted to appear was her mentors. Her finger reached the screen and she swiped to unlock it with.
Amaya knew it was late, but she wanted to hear from him. She wanted an excuse to talk to him. She wanted to share with him that she had stood up to her parents, and that they had accepted in the end. Even though he had already got a yes from them. She giggled and an idea popped into her head, she would text him with the excuse of asking for a ride to school tomorrow. Her screen flashed brightly and she half-closed her eyes as she accustomed to the light. There was a couple of messages on her notification bar and her mentors name on the screen made her heart flutter.
'Hey, Amaya… is something wrong? Did I say something wrong while with your parents?'
She blinked at the screen then read the message again, a heavy feeling fell on her chest, why was he saying that? The memory of her mood had been when her mother had scolded her in the kitchen settled in her head and she gritted her teeth, she had made him feel as if he had done something wrong. Amaya checked the time and it was well past 11:00 P.M, she wondered if he was asleep. Hesitating on what to say, she typed away.
'Romeo, I'm so sorry. No you did nothing wrong! Can you come by tomorrow for me?'
'please?'
She typed again, 'I'll tell you everything in the morning. I promise you did nothing wrong.'
Romeo lay in his bed, his mind going in circles. He had never wanted to hurt, kitty shit so much in his life.
He sat up on his bed with a sigh and pulled off his shirt. He couldn't get any sleep again.
Romeo pushed the duvet over to the side on the empty spot next him. He looked over and his mind contemplated the idea of a shower. The room was warm to him again, but he knew that it was just his crazy mind keeping him from resting properly. He gripped the white sheets covering the frame, and he silently sat at the edge. He looked at the white ground, his bare feet touching the cold tiles of the floor. The feeling of cold relaxed him a little, but the loudness of his mind created heat again.
Romeo stood, wondering why he was getting so worked up over the little confrontation with he had had with Conner. He began his way out of his room without the help of any lights. Why was this bothering him so much? He went into his living room finally turning up the lights. He smiled suddenly wondering why he hasn't installed an Alexa. His blue eyes settled on the thermostat and he walked over to it, with the intention of bringing the temperature down. His hand reached the little box and he pushed the buttons setting the device lower. When he heard the old thing hum he turned to look towards his bathroom. He had spent too much time in Knightsfairy that he had completely abandoned this apartment. He looked around, suddenly become aware of all the flaws his little home had.
Even if he tried to ignore the thoughts, he went back into thinking of his situation. The boy had challenged him… that was it. That was the reason. A heavy feeling settled into the pit of his stomach as the girls face crept into his mind. He sighed again and placed his palm against the cold of the wall near the thermostat. No… it couldn't be that.
Romeo gritted his teeth. It wasn't that it was just… he was mentally that little boy that couldn't stand the leader of the PJ pests.
There was a small shake from his head, and he headed to the bathroom leaving the door open as he unclothed himself. He would run a shower.
His ego was hurt, that's what it was, right? He only wanted to prove to the jock that he could win for once... right? Romeo flashed himself a look in the mirror, trying hard to convince himself that all of this was just a little game, Conner had planted in his mind. He had no feelings for Amaya, she was his student.
He frowned and he noticed how there was small dried droplets on the mirror. He made a mental note to have it cleaned in the morning. He had come to appreciate, Amaya that was it. With her amazing personality, and her positivity. It was just that, attachment. They were after all spending a lot of time together lately. It was just that she was new to him.
Romeo leaned against the sink as he stared at himself in the mirror his usually perfect fluffed hair was all over the place right now. He ran a hand through it, only making his locks fall into his face. He would let it go. He had to. He had to not let that kids crazy idea get to him. It was already and that terrified him. It meant that he was easily emotionally manipulated.
Romeo broke eye contact with himself with a swift movement ran the shower. Without waiting for the water to go warm he stepped in. The cold made his skin tighten and form goosebumps all over. He shuddered in pleasure as his warm skin slowly went cold. He scrubbed at his skin with just water then slowly pulled on his body wash that lay at the corner of his shower, and a sponge too. With a flick of his thumb he poured the liquid from the bottle onto the fluff of the sponge and began to scrub himself harder than necessary. The water finally went warm and soon his body relaxed.
Romeo stepped out of the shower and with his skin finally refreshed he dried off with a nearby towel. There was mist in the bathroom and with the towel he rubbed the mirror. Making small trails of droplets in a circle. The scientist looked at himself in the mirror, his hair was relaxed against his forehead and the white streak of hair hid under the rest of his locks. The idea of feeling the way he had towards Conner finally settled into his head. He knew what was driving this absurdness. Jealousy. He stepped back away from the mirror and wrapped his towel over the waist, covering his nakedness from no one.
His eyes darkened as the evidence pointed towards his true feelings. If this was true then he knew exactly why what Conner had said; that she would choose him over himself bothered him so much. He leaned against the sink pulling the tooth brush and paste from their spots, and shoved the toothbrush in his mouth. With his left hand he scrubbed and the other sat with the palm resting on the cold of the porcelain.
His own eyes stared back into himself as acceptance settled in his mind. A smirk formed on his lips as an idea brightened his head. He could prove to Cat-boy that she would choose himself over him.
He walked out of the bathroom with a dark expression, he didn't know what this new auto-discovery was going to lead to. But he knew better than anyone else that feelings lead to roads that were dangerous. He sighed as he began out of his bathroom, his feet echoed through the walls of his apartment and he turned to head towards his room. A heavy feeling rose into his chest as he again accepted the facts, her face appeared in his head, and this time guilt settled in the pit of his stomach. He would try hard to be professional. After all feelings of infatuation faded quite quickly, didn't they?
Romeo sighed as he entered his bedroom. He walked across the room and from his closet pulled out a pair of black boxers. He quickly slipped into them, he tossed the towel in his laundry bin and sat at the edge of his bed, his hands going straight to his head. He stared emptily at his knees accepting the new feeling that are at him. The cold of the room finally took its toll and he lay back into his bed. Now that he had a cold head he decided that he would try and act as of no revelation had come to him.
He would be civil towards Conner and try to get this feeling for the girl over quickly, he decided. He would try to stay away until Mike had the papers ready and he would go out to distract himself of her. He grunted and turned to reach for his phone. Sleep was out of the question anyways.
Romeo caught sight of the message on his notification bar, thinking fate was playing a game on him. Without thinking he typed against the screen, 'Of course I can drive you to school. I'll go by in an hour.'
His eyes lingered at the time and of course night had been spent away thinking. It was already five in the morning. He shook his head as he sorted out his mind. He would just buy himself an energy drink to function throughout the day. Maybe he would even do a walk in and leave early. He had pushed aside all his projects as of late anyways, he would organize a zoom meeting to check up on things back home. That was a good idea.
There was a message pop up and this time it was from Mike. 'Hey, Romeo… good morning. I made sure to have those files you wanted ready. Can we get them signed today? I'm going to be out of the office due to a family emergency. I'll be leaving for a couple months, unless you can wait until that long, until I come back… Either way I talked to John, and he's ready to witness the signing.'
Romeo stared at his screen in slight disbelief, his tongue scraped against his right side of his molars, was this really happening? 'Morning, Mike. Sure, have John come down to their house. What time?' He typed again.
'you think we could do it right now at around 6 AM? I'll have Janice submit the paperwork before I leave.'
Romeo blinked at his phone, and he almost felt this was a joke. 'I'll send you the address in a bit.'
His blue eyes landed on his ceiling as he tossed his phone across his bed and for the first time in a long time his heart fluttered with nerves. He would officially be her tutor. She would live with him. She would be under his care. He would provide for her. She would be his family… a soft tingling feeling settled in the pit of his stomach, as he remembered as she was holding the little infant robot in her arms. The way she cradled it up against her breast and how she hummed softly to it to bring it to sleep.
Romeo placed his palms against his eyes and pulled himself off the bed. He had to be ready in less than an hour.
Amaya readied herself, she had light makeup on her pretty face, only defining her features. She had awoken in a good mood today. She wanted to go out of her way to be extra happy, since Friday was going to be her last day of school here. She grabbed at a brush and she swirled the tips of her hair. Her brown eyes caught were laced with mascara and to finish off her routine she placed a decent amount of lip gloss across her plump lips. With another look at herself in the mirror she turned left, then right and with a smile she turned to walk towards the door of her room.
"Good morning mom!" Amaya rushed halfway through the hallway, when she caught a glance of her mother walking up the stairs.
Her eyes were wet and she had a pen stuck between her index and thumb fingers. Amaya rushed towards her and with worried eyes she stared.
"What's wrong?"
"He's here for you… with his lawyer and notary." Gretel walked into her daughter and embraced her thick tears ran against her cheeks and Amaya blinked, "wait, mom, what?" Gretel let go of the girl and Amaya in return rushed down the flight of stairs in her home.
She took the last two steps of the stairs and the sight that greeted her caught her off guard. She was greeted by her father signing away at some papers at the kitchen table. There was two men that carefully watched as he signed they were both in dark grey suits. They looked to be important people.
"Romeo?" she smiled nervously, "what's going on?"
The boy stood there in a leather jacket with a dark blue v neck shirt under it. He wore a pair of dark pants, again with heavy black boots on his feet. His aviator glasses were at the pouch of his jacket and he held a soft smile. "Good morning, Amaya." He glanced over at her father who was just finishing up. "I'm sorry that we showed up so abruptly, but Mike is going to be away for a couple months… and he's leaving before 10:00 today, I wanted to get this out of the way so it wouldn't interfere with our schedule."
He lowered his head and Amaya blinked, he looked to her again, yet she noticed something different. "You're parents were nice enough to, one trust us, and two cooperate."
Her father signed the last page and straightened his back. His attention had fine from the law men towards his daughter, his eyes watery, "it was going to be done anyways, right?" He turned to face Romeo with a sad smile.
A few moments of silence passed and Amaya ran up to him, wrapping her arms around the man. He embraced his daughter tenderly and tears finally rolled off his eyes. Romeo pinched his lips together as the scene of sincerity unfolded before him.
The two men on the other hand finished signing the remaining papers elegantly and quietly, away from the family.
Amaya held on to her father without saying a word. All anyone could hear was the soft sobs, and reassuring words that passed between the father and his daughter.
The two men in suits walked up to Romeo and he signed the papers too, finalizing the deals. Finally she was under his wing and from then on she would be off to bigger and better things.
"Well Mr. Mecano, she is now legally yours." Mike nodded his head and shoved his hand forward towards the scientist and they shook hands. Everything was happening too fast and Amaya felt dizzy. Gretel came up behind her daughter and with more tears she embraced her to, hugging onto both her and her husband.
John and Mike, turned to the family and walked over to shake their hands in thanks for their trust and service, and then slowly walked over towards Romeo, who handed each a small yellow envelope. He once again shook their hands and half walked them towards the entrance of the house. "Mike make sure to tell, Janice. I want no delays." Romeo went on about things until the family inside the home was alone.
Gretel was the first to let go and with tear stricken eyes she smiled. "just remember that your father and I will always be here for you. It doesn't matter whatever happens. Always trust that we will help you." She held at her hands and laughed. "I know that it's not what you want to hear right now, but it's something that you have to know. You can always count in us." She smiled that warm mother smile, "just like we're counting on you right now."
Amaya sniffled, nodding her head quickly. "I promise."
Her dad places his hand in her head and shook her hair, "and remember no boys!" he widened his eyes threatening her, and just them Romeo walked back into their house.
Dan turned to face the young man that now stood in the middle of his living room. "come here." He opened his arms and his wife did too. "bring it in. Let's celebrate the future of my little girl!"
Romeo smiled awkwardly and slowly he gave in, bringing himself in to the family hug.
They embraced tight, and Amaya giggled, this. This was all she wanted now. This is what made her happy. This felt right here is what she wanted.
Her brown eyes caught that of Romeo. He was being almost head locked by her father, and she giggled at the awkward face her mentor expressed. He was blushing with a small smile and his blue eyes glanced over to her. He flashed her his white teeth and soon they all pulled away.
Romeo laughed nervously and rubbed the back of his neck. It had been obvious that that 'hug' was a threat. He eyed Dan and the man took a step back to settle comfortably at his wife's side.
Amaya suddenly jumped on him, her breasts crashing against his chest. He couldn't help the smile on his lips, then his eyes went to his father's and he stopped. "When do we leave!?" She let go of him and with excitement in her brown eyes she pulled towards the exit of her home.
Gretel took in a sharp breath at the comfort her daughter shared with the young man, and suddenly her husband's arm was wrapped around her shoulders. She looked up to him with a worried expression and he smiled with a small nod. That knowing look on his face made her sadden. She leaned her head towards him and he leaned his head in return so they could touch. They watched as their daughter pulled on the young man's hand, dragging him out of their house.
There was a sigh from Gretel's lips and she couldn't help but wonder how time had slipped by so fast. It had been not long ago that her daughter was a little bundle, not long ago that she was learning how to walk, not long ago that she taught her how to ride a bike. It had not been too long ago that she watched as she tried, and failed, and tried again. Time went by too fast not forgiving the feelings of anyone. Tears welled up on her eyes again and all she could do was stare off at the open front door.
"It's all that matters… that she's happy." Dan turned to look his wife in the eyes.
Gretel sniffled. "I know."
She connected to him too, worry in her eyes. "She's in love with him, you know that?"
Dan chuckled warmly and nodded his head. "I saw it the moment she brought him home."
"Aren't you afraid?"
"I'm terrified." There was a pause. "But I hope that whatever happens she knows that we'll be right here for her. That she can count on us. And that she is safe to return to us no matter what."