"Umm... We are going to be late for dinner, Luca," I mumbled when my back hit the wall, and he still kept walking towards me.
"What are you doing?" I asked as he leaned closer, closing the space between us.
My heart was about to beat out of my chest. His hands, however, just stretched out and tugged at my hair band. I gasped as I felt all my hard work of putting my long mass of hair into a good bun flush down the drain. My hair bounced on my shoulders.
"Brush it and leave it down!" He ordered, tossing me a brush and walking away. I let out a breath I didn't realise I had been holding and did as he instructed, wondering how I'd eat with my hair down.
The dinner was held in a very exquisite restaurant. I watched as the waiters came around to ask us what we would be getting. Everyone placed their orders, but I was a bit lost.
This was my first time in a Spanish restaurant and I had never seen such a strange menu before. Every meal was written in Spanish, and I had never seen them in my life.
What on earth was Cocido Madrileño, Fabada Asturiana, Rabo de Toro, and all the strange meals I w seeing on the menu?
I caught sight of Rosa wearing a mocking smile as she watched me. Alonso also had his eyes on me, and I suddenly felt self-conscious. What was I going to order?
The waiters slowly approached me, and my heart was racing at this point. "¿Qué le gustaría pedir, señora?"
I raised my brows, staring at him in confusion. When he said something else and nodded towards the menu, I waved it slightly. "I-uh- I haven't thought about it yet."
He looked confused as he stared at me. He obviously didn't understand English.
I didn't want to embarrass myself by trying to speak Spanish in front of these highly traditional Spanish families, so I sighed. "Please excuse me. I think I need to use the bathroom." I mumbled, pointing in the direction of the bathroom, and he nodded. My face was burning with embarrassment.
"What's the matter, wife? You don't understand your husband's language? How pathetic!" Rosa's voice was snide as she spoke.
Alonso looked disgusted as he stared at me, and as usual, Isabella had a neutral expression on her face. Amelia had a look of pity on her face, and Mateo was neutral as well. Diego, who had also come along for the dinner, also looked torn between pity and neutral expression.
I was about to stand up when I felt Luca's hands on my thigh, keeping me in my seat. "Ella tomará lo mismo que yo, Luciano."
Luciano gave me a kind, polite smile and nodded before walking away.
I lowered my head, avoiding the eyes of Luca's family as they pored into me. Why had they decided to have this family dinner? At this point, it seemed like they all just wanted me to make a fool of myself in front of them.
Tears burned the back of my eyes. Ugh, these emotions of mine!
I forced a smile as I relaxed in my seat, feeling hot.
"You look hot when you're embarrassed, wife," Luca whispered into my ears. My eyes widened, and I turned to him sharply. He only wore a smirk as he stared ahead. Heat crept up to my cheeks.
"Awwn. She's blushing. I can't wait to find my own Mr. Right who will make me blush the way you are, Marta," Amelia sighed dreamily. The attention of everyone focused back on us.
"He will have to go through me first," Luca butted in, a playful smirk on his face.
This was the lightest I had ever seen him. Amelia stuck her tongue out at him, and they spent the next few minutes bickering until the food arrived.
I breathed in the aroma of the food, and my mouth watered instantly. I could already tell it was going to be delicious.
Mateo made a toast to me and Luca, and we all dug into the meal. The burst of flavours on my tongue made me release a sound of pleasure. I think I was in love with the food already.
I felt Luca's dark eyes on me as I ate and paused. Why was he monitoring me? Was I eating too fast? I licked my lips guiltily. He couldn't blame me. The meal was so good, after all.
He leaned closer. "You have some sauce by the side of your lips." He mumbled.
I was about to wipe it off, but he swatted my hands away.
My eyes almost popped out of their sockets when he used his tongue to swipe it away and then hummed. At this point, I was sure my whole face and ears were red.
When I realised that his family was watching us, I remembered that this was just a show. After all, this was what they had come here to watch.
"So, tell us about yourself, English girl." It was Alonso who spoke. "We're curious to know all about you."
My heart skipped a beat. His glaring eyes looked like they would see through my lies, but he wouldn't.
I cleared my throat, setting down my cutlery and telling him what I told Luca without making any mistake.
Alonso stared at me, absentmindedly picking his meal. "So, what was your job before you came across Luca." He asked.
The question made me feel like he knew something I didn't, but I refused to deny my story.
"I was a tourist. I loved travelling and making memories, Mr. Castillo," I answered, still eating as though everything was alright, even though I was trembling inside.
"Hmm. And how did you fund your tourist lifestyle?" He pressed on. "What did you do before that? Do you have any family we should know about? Why should we trust you?"
Luca's hands slammed on the table before his father could ask anymore questions. He was obviously angry.