All the familiar characters belong to J.E. However the story line and original characters are mine. I don't own them and I'm not making any money from them, I'm just playing with them for a little bit.

I'm so sorry that it's taken me so long to get the next chapter out. Everything is fine at home, I just had a bit of writer's block that I had to work through.

I had actually surprised my beta with this chapter this morning.

Authors Note:

I'm thinking that about continuing to do one chapter from Estefania's point of view and then the next chapter from Carlos's point of view.

So the question I have for everyone is do you like me doing them in 3rd person or would you like to see it done in 1st person. Please let me know which you prefer.

Spanish conversations are italicized.

Universidad de los Andes –Merida Venezuela – Where Do We Go From Here?

Estefania was feeling restless and she couldn't figure out why, she didn't end up going home for the weekend like she wanted to and to her it felt like Diego in her face the entire time. She had just wanted to escape for a couple of days, but he wouldn't let her have any peace.

So by Sunday afternoon she decided that she needed a break and wanted to skip her classes on Monday. She asked Isabella if she wanted to skip and just have a girls' day. She quickly said yes and they both told Diego what they were doing.

He tried to argue with Estefania about not being able to go and she told him that he would be able to handle it for one day. Of course he didn't like that and they started to argue more and finally Estefania just walked away from him and didn't talk to him the remainder of the night, having had enough of his crap.

When Monday morning came around Estefania completely ignored Diego and grabbed Isabelle and left the house. They had decided to start just walking around the campus. They were planning on going to get pedicures and manicures and then do some shopping along with getting lunch.

While they were walking around Estefania noticed the guys from the pizza place and started to get excited about seeing them again. She wondered what they were doing.

Isabella noticed her friend staring at something and looked to see what it was. She saw the guys and excitedly said "Who are they?" Estefania smiled still looking at them and said "I met them on Friday at Pizzeria Da Enzo, when I was getting pizza for your brother and me. Well honestly I actually bumped into them earlier in the morning on the way to my class. I was deep in thought and didn't pay attention to where I was going. I ran right into the taller one. His name's Carlos and the other one is Lester. They're cousins."

Isabella said laughing "Wow, They are both really good looking. I wonder if they have girlfriends and if not maybe I'll see if they want one."

Estefania laughed at her and said "I don't know but I'm sure we can figure something out. Let's see if I can get their attention."

She tried to call their names and when they didn't respond she dug into her purse and pulled out a pad of paper. She ripped off a piece and then balled it up. She threw it at Carlos and when she saw it hit him in the head she ran behind the tree trying to hide from him. She was trying not to giggle but it slipped out anyway.

She realized that he had heard her because the next thing she knew he was standing in front of her. He didn't look like he was mad. He just had a slight smile on his face. She thought about the time she had done something similar to Diego and he had gotten so mad that he yelled at her for what seemed like hours.

She stopped herself from thinking about that anymore and knew that she really shouldn't be comparing the two of them, especially since she didn't really know Carlos.

They went back and forth for a couple of seconds about her hitting him and when he finally looked her in the eyes he smiled and said hey in what she thought was the sexiest voice that she had ever heard. She could barely think straight and was so distracted that the only thought that came to mind was to say hey right back to him. After she said that she felt like a dork for not being able to say anything else and couldn't figure out what the heck had come over her.

She saw Lester come over and relaxed a bit, she was able to say Hi to him and that's when he noticed Isabella. Estefania laughed internally thinking this is exactly was Isabella wanted. They laughed for a couple minutes about her hitting Carlos and then Lester wasted no time introducing himself and flirting with Isabella.

Isabella had really grown up to be beautiful and very exotic looking woman, all the guys were always after her so it wasn't a surprise when Lester was acting that way. What surprised Estefania was how Carlos didn't seem to be as affected by Isabella, instead keeping his eyes on her. She saw that Lester discretely move Isabella and him away from her and Carlos and Estefania was curious as to who's benefit that was for his or theirs.

She noticed the face that Carlos made when Isabella had mentioned Diego. Estefania wondered what that was all about, but before she could say anything about it Carlos asked about him. A small sigh slipped out of her and then she went on to explain where she thought he was, thinking back when told her he would just go do his own thing.

She quickly realized that she really didn't want to think about Diego or what he was doing right now. She was enjoying being there with the guys deciding that she would have to think about what that meant later.

After Carlos asked about Diego, he then asked about her bodyguards, they had decided at that point to come over and formally introduce themselves. She knew she wouldn't have been able to keep them away this time. They were way over protective and since this was the third time that she had seen them she knew that there was no way they wouldn't talk to them.

When Tomas and Franco approached Estefania and Carlos, Lester quickly brought Isabella back to stand close to us again, so that they could be a part of the conversation as well.

Once they got to Estefania, Tomas tried to give her a hard time and embarrassed her. She gave it back to them and then trying to ignore them started asking Carlos what they were doing. As she kept talking she thought to herself, what the hell. She was rambling and she couldn't stop herself. Carlos finally took pity on her and answered her questions. She just kept thinking that this day couldn't get any worse somehow she kept embarrassing herself and she didn't know why.

After a few minutes of talking Tomas and Franco had decided that they guys were OK at the moment and they walked back to where they were standing. Estefania was glad that they had walked away hoping for a few more minutes of talking to them alone but then Carlos said that they would let them get back to their girls day and they had to go to meet up with the coach.

After he said that all Estefania could think was what had just happened and that she wasn't ready to leave them yet. Again thinking what was going on with her.

The guys started to walk away and before she knew it she quickly looked over at Isabella and grabbed her arm and gave her a questioning look to see if she was on the same page about not letting them go. Isabella nodded her head and then gave Estefania a look that said they will be talking about what's going on later, but for now she was with her.

Estefania quickly yelled "Hey guys wait. We'll walk with you."

Carlos turned around and saw that the girls we approaching them and softly hit Lester with his elbow. He laughed and said "Are you trying out for Soccer too?"

Estefania glared at him and said "No we just want to see if you are as good as you say you really are."

Isabella nodded her head and added "A few of their best players graduated last year, so we want to see if you're at their level and can help replace them."

Carlos and Lester laughed and then started walking towards the soccer field with Estefania and Isabella in tow.

Lester threw his arm around Isabella and quizzed her by saying "What do you know about the team or the game?"

Isabella spoke up and profoundly said "We went to every home game last year, we tried to go to the away games but we had to be careful when we did so we were only allowed to couple of those. Papi wouldn't allow us to spend the night somewhere that wasn't thoroughly checked out before hand."

Lester looked at Estefania and then looked back at Isabella and said "Oh, Is your Papi overprotective as well?"

Isabella laughed at that statement and said "I was referring to Estefania's Papi, since we've been friends since we were 4. He does look after all of us but mostly it's Estefania well-being that he's concerned about."

Lester just nodded his head like he understood and glanced at Carlos for a quick second.

They made it to the field and they guys went to find the coach and the girls went to bleachers. Once they sat down, Isabella looked at Estefania like she was ready to get some answers before the guys come out.

Estefania sighed and said "Look, I don't know what's going on. I get these weird feelings when I'm near Carlos. I know I shouldn't and that I've only known them for less than a week but I feel like I can trust him. Like he'd always protect me and keep me safe. Yes I know, Diego is the same way but sometimes I feel like more of a prize to be won by him than his girlfriend."

She continued by saying "He just makes everything so hard, like last night when he got pissed off at me for wanting to just have a day doing whatever I wanted to do. I mean when we were 10 it was cute, but now that we are older he's just become overbearing and it's driving me nuts. Honestly I know his intentions are to become my bodyguard when Tomas finally gets to the point where he needs to retire, but I don't think I could handle that."

Just as she finished saying that her phone rang, thinking it was Diego she sighed, but then she listened to the ringtone and realized it was her Papi.

She answered it on speakerphone and said "Hello Papi!"

His reply was "Hello Princess, how are you today?"

She said "I'm good, what's up? You never call me during this time."

He sharply said "That's because you are usually in class."

She heard the tone that he wasn't too happy with her, so she quickly said "I'm so sorry Papi, but I just needed a day away from class, and I was bad and dragged Izzy with me."

Softening his tone he said "OK I understand but I don't expect you to make a habit of it. Now I have to ask what happened that prompted you to do this." She replied "Honestly I needed to get away from Diego, since I wasn't able to come home this past weekend. He wouldn't leave me alone and was constantly in my face. He felt that he needed to go and do everything I did."

He made a noise that she wasn't able to understand but before she could question it he said "Tell me about these young men that you and Isabella have been hanging around today?"

At that point she knew that Tomas had told on her and as she looked over at him since him and Franco were sitting down on the other end of the bleachers, when she made eye contact with him he quickly looked away.

Estefania said "Papi, they are nice boys and I would like for them to be my friends. They are cousins and they have been really nice to me. As we speak Izzy and I are sitting on the bleachers getting ready to watch them as they try out soccer team."

Osvaldo sighed "You may think they are nice but remember that you always need to be aware of your surroundings and everyone near you at all times."

Estefania replied "Yes Papi, but trust me. I haven't gotten any type of bad feeling from them, and it's weird like I was just telling Izzy I feel comfortable and safe with them around me."

He laughed knowing that she had always had some type of sixth sense about things and knowing that if she felt like that then she would continue to allow these boys to hang around her no matter what. He determined if that was indeed the case then he knew he wanted to meet them personally.

So he sternly said "Estefania I understand how you feel, but at this point if you want to continue to see them than I will need to come up there and meet them. Otherwise I will make sure Tomas and Franco keep them away from you."

She sighed and said "Yes, sir. I will speak to them after their practice and then let you know." He replied "Very good, and you'll have to let me know if they are any good and if they can replace the guys that graduated. I love you and call me tonight and let me know when would be a good time for me to come up there."

She laughed at that and said "OK Papi, I'll let you know. I love you too."

After they hung up Estefania looked over at Isabella and shrugged her shoulders and said "Looks like I have to talk to the guys. How do I explain this to Diego? He's not going to like this. Shit!"

Just about that time the Carlos and Lester came outside with the coach and started their drills and they forgot about the conversation.

The girls watched them and realized that they were really good. The coach was really impressed and quickly asked them to join the team.

When Carlos and Lester were shaking the coach's hand and thanking him the girls cheered and the coach made a joke about them bringing their own cheerleaders. The guys just laughed and nodded their heads.

Carlos ran over to where they were sitting and said "Hey we're going to take a shower real quick, will you wait for us?"

Estefania said "Sure and then we'll go somewhere to get something to eat, because I have to talk to you two about something."

Carlos just looked at her funny for a second and then said "OK we'll be back in 10 minutes."

While they were gone, Estefania asked Isabella "What am I going to do. You know if they agree to meeting Papi Diego is going to want to go. How do I get myself into these messes?"

Isabella said "Maybe we can introduce them to Diego and he'd be cool with them."

Estefania rapidly shook her head and said "What I forgot to mention was the day I accidently ran into them, Diego found me as I was apologizing to them and he started yelling at me. He wanted to know who they were and why was I hanging out with them. He wouldn't listen to me explain what had happened and now he's going to flip knowing that I'll have to tell him the whole story about meeting them later that day and that you and I hung out with them today."

Isabella gave her best friend a hug and said "We'll figure it out."

Exactly 10 minutes later Carlos and Lester came out looking freshly showered and walked up to the girls on the bleachers.

Carlos said "So you wanted to talk to us and you mentioned something about lunch. Where do you want to go?"

Estefania said "How about L'Abadia?"

Carlos and Lester have heard about this place and knew it was a little pricey so trying to keep up the appearance of not having a little money both started to look a little uneasy.

Estefania looked at them and said "Guys don't worry about the cost. I've got it covered, especially since it was my idea to go to lunch."

They looked like they were going to argue but then Isabella stepped in and said "Look I can tell you from experience that whatever Estefania wants Estefania gets. She doesn't get told no and she doesn't accept hearing the word no, so you might as well get used to it if you are going to be her friend."

So everyone agreed that's where they were going to go for lunch. It was just a short walk to L'Abadia and as soon as they walked in they noticed that it was crowded and people were waiting to be seated.

Carlos was about to say something about leaving when the hostess saw Estefania and immediately walked over to her and hugged her saying "Ms. Jimenez it's so great to see you again and by the looks of it you have a 4 of party?"

Estefania said "Yes there are 4 of us, can you put our name down for a table?"

The hostess said "Nonsense you will not be waiting, we have your table waiting for you. Please follow me."

Carlos and Lester looked around to see if anyone was going to get mad but all they saw were people moving out of her way and giving her looks of awe. They looked at each other and shook their heads.

Isabella noticed how the two guys were acting and quietly whispered "Just a heads up if you plan to continue to be around her you'll need to get used to this type of treatment. Her Papi is a very powerful man in Venezuela and she's treated like royalty everywhere she goes."

Carlos and Lester just nodded their heads and followed Estefania to their table. Carlos sat in between Estefania and Lester and Isabella sat in between Lester and Estefania.

The waitress came over taking their drink orders, she was primarily focused on Carlos and Lester even while she was taking Isabella's order but the minute she heard Estefania clear her throat and start to speak she quickly changed her focus and apologized to her and said she would get everything for them right away.

She quickly brought their drink order and Estefania pulled a page out of her Papi's book and ordered everything that was on the menu. Once that was done and the waitress walked away with their order. Carlos and Lester looked at her like she was insane, so she said "I know you think I'm crazy, but you both looked like you hadn't been here before so I wanted to give you a chance to sample everything they have. That was one of my first memories I have of my Papi and me together. It was a few months after I went to live with him and he took me to my first restaurant near our home and he wanted me to sample everything and even though it was more food than I could handle I loved that. We even did the same thing for Izzy and her family when we first met."

They just laughed at her and agreed and in that moment while they were waiting for the food Estefania decided it was time to talk to the guys.

She said "First thing I want to say is you guys were really great on the field today and I was really impressed with how you play. I think you will be a great asset to the team. Now the second thing I wanted to discuss with you is my Papi."

Carlos and Lester looked at her with their eyes wide open, not knowing what was getting ready to be said.

But she continued and said "While we were waiting for you to come out on to the field, my Papi called and pretty much demanded that he meet you two. He said that if I wanted to continue to be friends with you that he would need to come up here and give me his approval. He told me to get with you two and figure out when would be the best time for him to come up would be. I told him that I needed to speak with you but he made sure to tell me that I had to call him tonight and let him know."

Before either one could reply she added "and just to let you know he was very serious about it and has already said that if you don't agree to meeting him that he will get Tomas and Franco involved and will stop me from seeing or talking to either of you."

Carlos and Lester again were sitting there with their eyes wide staring at her and as they were thinking about answering their food started arriving.

Estefania said "Why don't we table this conversation until after we eat, this would also give you some time to think about it as well."

They all agreed and started to eat.