Hot & Enchanting (De La Cruz Saga) (29 page)

Dios Mio, gracias, mi reina is not mad at me
. Ricky pulls her close and kisses her with todo his amor and pasión.

Jacki pulls back to give him this one warning that he better heed. “Baby, I believe in you. I also know that she is the one that came looking for you. I would have beaten the shit out of her if I was there. I will beat any other stupid mujer that thinks of getting near you. I also will tell you this, I will only tell you once, Ricardo Emmanuel, if you ever cheat on me, I will kill you,” imparts Jacki real sweetly staring into his eyes.

Ricky regards Jacki, gazing into her eyes, and he can establish that she’s extremely serious.
Mi reina is a little possessive and vicious
.
Who would have known that of my sweet serene reina? Dios mio I love her
. He smiles gazing into her eyes.

“Mi reina you know that my corazon,
alma
and body belongs only to you. I also know that, because I can feel your corazon,
alma
, and body, that you’re toda mia, only mia for eternity,” says Ricky nodding.  He states this with all of his amor reflecting in his hermoso green eyes.

“Baby, I love you. I will never, ever let you go,” states Jacki pulling him down, kissing him with todo su amor. 

“Mi reina I was so afraid that you would doubt my amor. I was also afraid that you would not believe in me and of losing you. Gracias for
your true unconditional amor,” says Ricky with emotion pulling Jacki closer.

Ricky and Jacki are in their own special world. Ricky loves Jacki for the rest of the afternoon only stopping to feed their other hunger.  In the evening, Ricky and Jacki enjoy watching a movie in the family room. Her padres return home. 

“Buena’s noches Senora and Senor Cortez,” says Ricky standing to greet them.

“How are you Ricky,” asks Senor Cortez sitting down on the chair looking at his niña and her esposo. 

“I’m doing well,” replies Ricky nodding.

“Buena’s noches Ricky,” says Mama Rosa smiling.

“Will you like something to drink?” asks Mama Rosa smiling.

“No, I’m good, gracias,” answers Ricky returning to sit next to Jacki.

“I’m doing well,” says Ricky. “We’re waiting to see how your appointment went? Is everything okay?”

“Si Ricky, all the exams came out okay and thank you for asking,” says Señor Cortez nodding, smiling.

“That sounds great. I want to take Jacki to my casa to spend a little time with my padres, will that be okay?” asks Ricky looking at his suegros.

“Of course,” replies Señor Cortez with pleasure
. Si, he’s a very well-mannered young man
, thinks Señor Cortez nodding. 

“Gracias,” says Ricky standing, pulls Jacki into his side. “We’ll be back soon.”

“Si, saludos a mis compadres,” says Señor Cortez nodding.

“Si I will,” replies Ricky, walking to the door. They left her padres casa.

The next day Jacki went
into work. She’s very excited. She’s walking down the hall towards her office where she works with other accountants. Three accounts are a little closer to her and are her amigas, Sally Ann, Susan and Debbie. 

Nobody has arrived yet. I always get in earlier than the rest of the associates. I like to be here a little while and work in peace without all the gossiping that goes on all day. I know that they will be a nuisance until I tell them all the details. Si that’s why I have our wedding photos to keep them occupied until I finish my job. 

It’s different now that I’m married to Ricky.  I have to be careful in what I say.  I don’t want any problemas with my Baby and his familia. I have to be sure to keep our vidas confidential. The employees don’t need to know about our familia vidas.

The best thing about working here is that we are able to eat lunch together. We can see a little more of each other in the day.  I just can’t wait until we’re living in our own casa
, ponders Jacki with alegría.

I have to leave early to meet with Erica. We’re going to plan out the details for our church ceremony, reception, food, and music. It’s going to be so much fun. Good thing that we’re good amigas
.

Walking into the office is one of her colleague in accounting department.

“Good morning Jacki,” says Debbie walking over to her desk. Debbie is a few years older than Jacki.  They have always enjoyed working together.  She’s looks at Jacki with mix feelings.
I know her, but now she’s the wife of my employer, consequently my employer. Will she
become a monster now and stop being the sweet person I know
, contemplates Debbie with apprehension.

“Hi Debbie,” says Jacki smiling, turning to look up. She turns to continue with her work.

Debbie walks over to Jacki, stands next to her desk. “Jacki is it true that you married Mr. Ricardo De La Cruz?” asks Debbie. She looks at Jacki waiting for her confirmation. 

Jacki turns around smiling. “Yes Debbie, I did marry Ricky,” replies Jacki glowing. She looks up to look at her colleague amiga Debbie. “Do you want to see the photos? I put the album on that desk. You can see the photos. If you care to see them,” says Jacki turning around to continue working. 

Debbie continues to stand and stare at Jacki. 
It’s totally unreal.  Jacki is still sweet and working hard as ever,
thinks
Debbie smiling.  “Jacki show me your rings, everybody is talking about your elopement,” she leans over to look at her mano.

Jacki stops typing, turns, looks at Debbie smiling. “Debbie, yes, my rings are beautiful. Ricky and I selected them,” says Jacki beaming, her eyes shining with felicidad. 

At that moment, the other accounting colleagues Sally Ann and Susan enter the office, and squeal when they sees that Jacki is in the office. “Oh my god Jacki, it’s so exciting, it’s like a fairytale. Let me see the rings!” squeals Susan again, jumps up and down with excitement.

“Girl you’re so lucky! He’s such a hunk. Nobody can believe that the De La Cruz playboy got married and to our sweet Jacki,” says Sally Ann grinning rushing over to look at the rings.

Susan laughs, moves around Debbie, to get closer to look at Jacki’s rings.

“Gosh, they’re so beautiful! I’m so happy for you,” squeaks Susan giving Jacki a hug.

“Susan, I was just telling Debbie that I brought in the photos of our wedding for you to see if you want to,” says Jacki nodding, indicating the table across the room.  She then turns around to continue to work.

Susan, Sally Ann, and Debbie run to the desk to look at the wedding photos. “Jacki you look so beautiful, just like a queen,” says Sally Ann smiling.

“Jacki your husband looks really in love with you. You’re a lucky girl!” squeaks Debbie nodding with pleasure.

“Yes, we’re very much in love.” states Jacki turning around to smile.  The cell phone rings, Jacki knows it’s her Baby.

“Baby,” whispers Jacki, turning around, trying to gain some privacy.
This is not going to work. They will know all about our vidas and then the entire company will know. I better learn to be short and sweet
, thinks Jacki.

“Mi reina, I love you. I will go over to your office around 11:30 to pick you up for our lunch date. I miss you already,” says Ricky with lots of hunger in his voz.

“Baby you know I do to. Yes, I will be waiting for you. Love you,” Jacki ends his call and continues to work hard.

Debbie, Sally Ann, and Susan start to work as soon as they finish looking at the wedding photos. 

They know that Jacki is very private and also a hard worker. It’s very obvious that she still is going to work hard as always.

That’s a huge relief to them considering the position that she now has. It is unreal thinks Susan, looking at Debbie.

Jose Enrique calls Ricky, advises him of the meeting at eleven with Gabriel. 

“Primo I have great news, Gabriel called and he wants to meet at eleven. I told him that was a good time,” says Jose Enrique smiling with gusto.

“Yeah, I’m real contento that he’s able to get some leave. I really want to make sure that we have that position taken care of before our bodas. Let me know when he gets here,” says Ricky, nodding, smiling.

A few minutes to eleven his secretary Ms. Jones advises that Gabriel is here. 

“Mr. De La Cruz, your eleven o’clock appointment is here, Mr. Corona,” says Ms. Jones.

“Ms. Jones, please bring him to my office,” requests Jose Enrique. Jose Enrique calls Ricky to get him to come to his office.

“Primo, Gabriel is here to discuss our job proposal. Can you please come to my office?” asks Jose Enrique.

“Si primo, I’ll be there in a few,” says Ricky. He stands and pulls on his coat.

             
             
             
* * *

“Yes, Mr. De La Cruz,” replies Ms. Jones.
She stands, walks to the door “Mr. Corona can you please follow me.”

“Of course,” replies Gabriel, standing to follow the receptionist.  They walk down the hall, turn the corner, and enter Jose Enrique’s office. 

Jose Enrique stands, greets Gabriel, beaming with pleasure. He walks around his desk, hugs and slaps him on his back with enthusiasm. “Nice to see you Gabriel,” says Jose Enrique. He turns to look at his secretary. “Thanks Ms. Jones.” 

“Will you like anything else sir?” asks Ms. Jones brightly.

“Gabriel will you like something to drink?” asks Jose Enrique turning to Gabriel.

“I’m good, thanks,” answers Gabriel, he scans the office.

“Nothing for now Ms. Jones, thanks,” says Jose Enrique to his secretary smiling. 

Ms. Jones smiles, walks out of the office. 

Ricky walks into the office just after Ms. Jones exits. Ricky strides over to Gabriel and hugs him. “Hola primo, it’s great that you were able to meet with us today,” says Ricky grinning.

“I agree Ricky. It worked out that our instructor has some of his own personal errands to take care of. He decided not to take our training into the weekend. It’s a great help for me.  Mis padres are coming over manana to talk to your tios.  I also wanted to discuss the interesting job proposal,” says Gabriel looking at Jose Enrique and Ricky.

Ricky walks over to the door, closes it, and he turns around. “Why don’t we sit down and discuss the job proposal?” says Ricky nodding with pleasure.

They sit down into the deep rich burgundy leather arm chairs that are arranged across from the matching leather sofa sitting area. Jose Enrique had this sitting area arranged by the entire glass window looking over the city and mountains. 

“Si primo, we’re real excited in having you work for la familia and especially since you’re now part of la familia,” says Ricky looking at Gabriel.

“Si primo, we know that you’re qualified for this position. You’ll be the demolishing manager. You will have a crew to work for you. You will handle everything that is needed to get the job done. We want you to review the crew we have now and select the ones that you feel are qualified to work on your team. You will be responsible for your team, all of the materials, and equipment your team will need to complete the jobs,” says Jose Enrique looking at Gabriel and observing his reaction.

“We know that you have the experience, knowledge, skills, and your business degree that designate you for this position,” says Ricky nodding in agreement with Jose Enrique.

“Christian was here this morning running an errand for la familia. He highly recommends you for this position. He said that you’re the man
for this job,” says Jose Enrique smiling.
I feel that Gabriel will fit in perfectly with la familia and the company’s goals
, thinks Jose Enrique.

“I see that you have already looked into my background. I really appreciate that you recognize my abilities. The job sounds like it will be ideal for my experience. I do feel that we can work together and accomplish great job projects. I will be available until after my duty with the Navy expires,” says Gabriel. He looks real feliz at los primos.

“Primo I’m feliz that you will accept our job proposal.  We’ll give Bella the details of your start date as soon as you advise us.  You will be starting off as an experienced manager. I know you will be very pleased with the salary,” says Jose Enrique nodding, confident with the offer.