Chapter 26: Chapter 26

Cecília

It seems like just yesterday that Thomas showed up on my doorstep with this insane marriage talk, but it's been a few months. I've had my face buried in books for so long that I've barely seen the time pass.

At least that's what I tell myself because I can't admit that I'm not even feeling the weeks fly by because that's what happens when the company is good. Except in his bossy, boorish way, Thomas is really good company.

He's… different. Still all grumpy and irritable all the time, but not with me. He picks me up from college every day and has dinner with me. Ask me about my day, my classes. On the weekends, he takes me around town and when he can't, he lets me hang out with Kelly or other friends from college, and as long as Josh isn't in the middle, I don't even have to bring security. I don't understand this pet peeve he has with Josh, but I don't care. I don't even like him that much, so whatever.

The only thing that hasn't changed is that Thomas is constantly stressed about the company. And I can see that the damage Dad did to the accounts was really big, because he doesn't stop working.

I'm trying to concentrate on my work, but I can hear the low muttering of Thomas from here, who's sitting at the desk in the corner of the room looking at his computer and some papers.

I tiptoe out of bed so I don't make any noise and walk over to where he is. I stop behind him and crane my neck to look over his shoulder at the spreadsheet he's holding.

“This thing is too expensive,” I say and Thomas practically jumps in place.

— Holy shit, Cecilia — he complains and closes the folder with the papers. - What do you want?

I pull up the chair next to him and peek at the documents, but Thomas practically hides everything.

"Can I have a look at that one over there?" - I ask and point to what was in his hand.

Thomas crosses his arms and raises an eyebrow.

- For what? Do you want to start training to steal from me like daddy? he asks dryly.

The accusation hurts a little in the chest. I tuck a strand of hair behind my ear and frown.

“I would never do such a thing,” I say. He laughs.

— I thought César wasn't going too, and look where we are.

I sigh and stand up, shaking my head in defeat. I walk around the table, and Thomas reopens the folder he was working on. I run around the other side, take the paper from him and run across the room.

— Cecilia! he yells and gets up from his chair.

I let out a little scream and run across the room away from him.

“Give me that paper back, girl,” he orders through clenched teeth.

I jump on the bed and stand in the middle of the mattress. thomas tries to grab

my ankle and I walk backward until my back is against the wall.

“Cecilia, I don't have time for this,” he growls, but I ignore it and start reading the spreadsheet again. — Cecilia!

- Here! I yell back and throw myself onto the mattress. Thomas stares at me like I've lost my mind. “Come here,” I call and pat the mattress beside me.

Thomas huffs and comes over, sits down next to me.

- What is it? he asks impatiently. “I don't have all day. If you want me to watch that little girl movie with you after dinner, you need to let me work in peace.

— I'm trying to help you, you annoying — I say and approach him. I hang onto his shoulder and Thomas holds me around the waist so I don't fall. “Here, on this line. Why are you paying all this?

Thomas takes a deep breath as if he's using every ounce of control not to explode.

“Because that's how much it costs in the real world, crystal. You're used to paying for everything with a credit card and you don't understand how the numbers work, but...

“Stop treating me like I'm stupid,” I complain and smack his arm. His eyes darken dangerously.

“What did I say about hitting myself? he asks in a lower tone that makes me shiver. But I don't give up and keep talking.