THE RELUCTANT MAFIA BOSS

CHAPTER 4

The man’s hair was black as midnight, and its length, which reached his shoulder, added more charisma to his already charismatic appearance. What caught my attention even more was the man’s almond-shaped and brown eyes that stared at me. From the way he scanned the entire library with a discreet movement of his peepers, I could tell that he’s smart and dangerous at the same time.

Oh, I liked him even more, especially when he stood proudly in the presence of someone like Philip Madrigal. His confident stand told me that he wasn’t scared at all. However, I wasn’t prepared when he smiled!

Oh my god!

How could someone look so perfect? From his thick brows to his few day’s whiskers and down to his toes, he’s perfect to me. “I hope he’s the driver,” I whispered into Philip. When Philip nodded his head in response to my inquiry, I grinned like someone who just won a lottery. “What’s your name?” I asked him.

“Enrique Navarro,” the guy replied, and his voice was also perfect to my ears! It’s well-modulated and husky at the same time as if he just got out of bed from all-night lovemaking.

The bedroom voice coming from him made me tingle and out of breath. “I want to see how good you are at driving,” I told him, and Philip gaped in horror. 

I noticed that Enrique’s eyes were focused on Philip, so I ought to explain to him that he would work with me and not with Philip. It seemed that Enrique wanted to converse with the older man, but Philip was getting ready to leave.

“You can ask Michael to assist this guy here on his wardrobe,” Philip ordered before leaving.

“Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it,” I replied. Suddenly, the library felt small and restricted when it was just the two of us who remained inside. “Sit down, Enrique. I still have several questions to ask about yourself.

Enrique moved to a seat opposite to me, and I couldn’t help but stare at him. “Do I have some dirt on my face?” He inquired after noticing my intent gazes.

I was worried that he detected my subtle flirting moves, and then I dismissed his question with just a single wave of my finger. “You look almost perfect that I wonder if you’re really looking for a job or you’re being planted here as a spy.” Enrique was stunned at my observation and squinted his eyes on me.

“I’m here for the job,” he insisted. “Look, if you have suspicions about my background, why don’t you ask our boss?”

I glared at Enrique for talking back to me and narrowed my eyes at him. “Look, Mr. Navarro. If you can’t be nice to me, then I don’t think we can work together.”

“We can just be civil to each other while working for Mr. Madrigal,” he suggested.

I didn’t want to raise my eyebrows because it would cause him to suspect me, but I believed that he deserved to know about the truth. “I can tell that you’re not fond of me, but unfortunately, you are going to work with me, Mr. Navarro. If you have a problem with that, you can quit now.”

“I’m sorry to disappoint you, Miss. Wait, should I refer you as a Miss or Mister?”

“Whichever you preferred,” I replied. “Or you can call me with my first name, you know, we don’t have to be formal around each other.”

“I agree, Tyler.”

Oh my goodness! The way he pronounced my name made him more attractive to my eyes. “Will you be okay working with someone like me?” I had to know so that I could think of my next move carefully.

“As long as the salary is good, I don’t have qualms working with someone like you. Hmmm, can I ask you a little favor?”

“Such as?”

“Don’t try to flirt with me,” he stated.

My mouth gaped open at his warning. “Seriously? Do you know how old am I right now? I’m thirty-eight, Ken, and bald. Do you think I have the luxury to do some flirting?”

“I’m not sure, but who is Ken?” He asked in confusion.

“Ken? Hmmm, that’s your nickname while working with me,” I informed him, and he gaped in shock.

“Just call me, Rick, if you like a shorter one.”

I shook my head to deny his request and replied, “No, Ken will be good. So, why don’t we do something about your wardrobe now? Just to let you know, Philip is strict about our appearance.”

“Will the company provide the new clothes?”

“Of course!” Then, I eyed his physique to estimate his size. “I think you and Marcus have the same size. Follow me,” I told him.

Enrique and I walked together to the stock room full of tuxedos and suits. After Philip chose to live on the island, he ensured that he has several sizes of extra tuxedos at home in case of emergencies, such as Enrique’s arrival.

The stock room was located just behind the gallery of arts and paintings. As expected, the newly hired driver was shocked to see a room full of clothes. “There’s plenty,” he exclaimed.

“Yeah, there is. Come in,” I invited him inside to choose something to wear. After a few minutes, he approached me with a single set of tuxedo. “Just one? You need to wear it every day,” I informed him, and he immediately frowned.     

“No day off?”

“No. Didn’t you read the contract before you signed it? You have to be with me 24/7, and I’m sure that you've already aware of your position.”

“Driver and bodyguard,” he replied. “Mr. Madrigal seemed to like you so much as to provide you with security services.”

“You are right, and the feeling is mutual,” I said nicely, but it looked like Enrique misunderstood my drift. “Hell no! We’re not lovers,” I corrected his imagination before he could even ask me.

“Then why are you so special to him?”

“Aren’t you being talkative now? Today is your first day, and you dared to ask me such a personal question!”

“I didn’t mean to pry, but I couldn’t help but noticed your camaraderie earlier,” he explained. “Just don’t answer it if you’re not comfortable.”

“Hurry up so I can show you to your room,” I changed the topic abruptly because discussing my relationship with Philip Madrigal was off-limits.

A few moments later, we were on the second floor of Philip’s house, and I pointed to Enrique, his bedroom. As soon as I opened the door, he exclaimed that the room was huge!

Like my bedroom, his room was decorated in neutral colors with an upholstered bed frame, white bedding, and a cream quilted bedspread. The white wooden bedside tables have two drawers, and their gold legs matched the luxurious décor in the room.  The highlight was a massive king-size bed and the bedside table with a retro-style house phone and a white lamp.

“Do you like it?” I asked him because when it comes to the staff’s wellbeing, Philip ensured that everyone would be comfortable. “We can change the white drapes into dark ones or whichever you prefer.”

“Is it allowed?” He inquired as to if it was impossible to happen.

I smiled at Enrique and responded with, “Of course. Dark blue or brown?”

“Red,” he replied.

I hoped I didn’t roll my eyes backward because when he mentioned red, my mind immediately imagined the two of us having a cozy time together in bed. I had to shake myself to get rid of the naughty thoughts, and Enrique’s brows snapped together when he watched me.

“Why don’t you try your uniform now? I’ll wait outside,” I told him.

“Okay,” he answered and immediately locked the door as if he was scared that I might watch him while changing clothes.

Outside his bedroom, I expressed a deep sigh of frustration because, to be honest, I didn’t know how to seduce him. I believed that I fall in love with Enrique already.

“What are you doing?”

I jumped up when I heard Philip’s voice in the corridor. Did he see me kissing the doorknob which Enrique recently touched? I hoped not because it would be scandalous. “I’m waiting for Enrique, Papa. He’s trying his uniform inside,” I replied.

“Alright. Hmmm, Tyler?”

“Yes?”

“Any news from Ortega?”

Suddenly, I became nervous around Philip. “He’s out of reach as of the moment, Papa. His secretary told me that he’s on vacation.”

“Then what are you waiting for? Go and fetch him!” Philip ordered.

I just nodded my head in response because talking more would only cause Philip to question me even more. “I’ll form a team to fetch him as soon as possible,” I assured Philip that he could meet Alexander soon.

I let out a sigh of relief when Philip was gone. Then, I heard the door creaked open, and my eyes widen in admiration to an excellent creation before me. He looked gorgeous!

It’s formal wear, but Enrique managed to look casual on it, and he’s hot! He left the shirt unbuttoned at the top, and on top of the shirt, he's wearing a trendy vest with three buttons and a very narrow v-line, allowing a significant portion of the top to show even when the suit's jacket was buttoned up.

The jacket was obviously tailored to him, as it was a great match. It has an elaborate yet subtle plaid design that gave the suit a trendy casual appearance. His single-breasted jacket's five buttons have been left unbuttoned; this suit was designed to be worn this way. At the same time, it's casual and elegant. The jacket was slightly longer in the back, and there is no vent, a single pocket on one side, and a breast pocket that has been left bare.

“You look… perfect,” I commented on his appearance.

“Thank you,” he replied.

“If you are done, then we can leave now,” I informed him about my impromptu plan to visit one of Philip’s estate. Enrique didn’t take it seriously and laughed at me.

“Is it for business or pleasure?” He asked.

“Hmmmm both,” I answered, and his expressions darkened. “No, I’m just kidding. Come on,” I said and led the way from the second floor to the main door. Michael saw us leaving and wanted to come along, but I glared at him. Good thing he understood because I didn’t want to scold him later.

“Is it nearby?”

“Yes,” I answered without giving him further details. “I should see for myself how good you are at your job,” I told him why we had to go out for a moment. Enrique just nodded but never said a word.

“Fasten your seatbelt,” he commanded as soon as we were inside the car.

I assumed that he would drive fast, but he did the opposite. From time to time, I glanced at him to see if he was only kidding, but he looked serious behind the wheel. “Is this a funeral?” I asked him because the speed was damn slow.

“I should be extra careful on the road when I am with you,” he reasoned out.

I gritted my teeth in annoyance because traveling at a slow speed would always make me drowsy. “Are you serious? Look, we are in the province, and the road is clear. Why don’t you speed up a little?”

“Okay, if you say so,” he said, and I screamed when he drove like a maniac.