+ cuatro
"si yo fuera rey, todo daria yo. solo por tenerte cerca, muy cerca de mi."
"if i were king, i'd give it all. just to have you close, very close to me."

-

"We should probably head back now." Enrique suggested, looking from me to Dieter with some amount of evident discomfort. There he was, most likely feeling vulnerable, with his daughter in his arms while his son was in the care of a person he had just met that day.

My expression dropped instantly at his words. "But we just got here. And I was just about to take little Luis for a walk around the park."

Dieter stood by on the side, watching the two of us have a conversation without saying a word. "I'm kind of tired and want to go back home." Enrique insisted.

I finally nodded, understanding what he meant. He was the one driving and I didn't want him tired at the wheel, putting the kids in danger. Plus, he was my employer and I knew it wasn't correct of me to challenge his decisions like that. Gathering Luis Enrique's diaper bag which was rested on the park bench and strapping the little boy into the stroller, I turned back to Dieter. "It was so nice to meet you." I told him with a warm smile. "I hope I can see you again."

"Let me have your phone number." He blurted out nervously. "Or your address so I can write you a letter."

I smiled wide and pulled out a pen and a shred of paper from a small notebook I carried in my purse. I jotted down the phone number to Silvia and Enrique's home quickly and handed it to him.

I watched him slip the piece of paper into his jacket pocket and then I walked away with Enrique, who seemed almost rushed to leave the park. "Wait!" I huffed, trailing behind him while pushing Luis in his stroller.

He whipped around, eyeing me with an upset look in his eyes. "What do you think you were doing back there?" He asked me, voice dripping with annoyance.

"You mean with Dieter?" I argued back, my shyness from earlier suddenly gone and now I was feeling brave. "Oh I'm sorry. I didn't know that by taking this job I had to give up my social life." The very instant the words left my mouth were the same instant I regretted saying them. If I didn't lose my job after speaking to him like that, then he was either a saint or just very desperate to learn English.

"You could have put my son in danger and I don't think you even realize it. I think I was right when I questioned Silvia about you being right for the job." He spat, ignoring the fact that I had just disrespected him as my employer.

I gasped, outraged that he would doubt my judgement on people. Outraged that he would think I'd put a baby in harm's way. "He is my responsibility. I would never let anyone hurt him."

We reached his black convertible in the parking lot. He was quick to strap Alejandra into her seat while I did the same with Luis. Then the two of us put their toys and stroller in the trunk, while never uttering a word to each other.

Because the two children were on either side of the back seat and I couldn't sit between them, I had to take the passenger seat next to Enrique. But I made a point to show him my anger when I crossed my arms over my chest. A small part of me, the more rational part, knew that I was the one who was wrong. But I knew I could never accept it. He already doubted my ability to do my job and I wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of him hearing it from my own lips.

"I know you want to find any excuse to fire me, so just do it." I muttered, but it was just loud enough for him to catch it.

With my eyebrows knitted together in anger, he finally realized he was being a bit unfair. He immediately started to apologize, "I'm sorry Anna Belen." He heaved a tired sigh, keeping his eyes trained on the road as he spoke. "I just haven't been in the best mood these past few months. Its immature to take it out on you."

I practically felt my heart melt at his words. Ever since I saw him perform on television in 1958, I had been following his career as closely as I possibly could. Ever since he had married Silvia, it seemed like he had put his career on hold for their marriage and their children. He still had fans, but he hadn't produced an album in nearly three years. The media speculated that if he didn't produce something soon, it would be too late to keep his career afloat.

For a musician, I knew something like that had to he tough. Especially since he had that talent, and had produced one of the best solo debut albums of all time in Mexico and the United States. I understood, partially, why he was so irritable.

Placing my hand on his shoulder and offering a warm smile, I told him, "Don't worry. Everyone has their dark days. And you'll recover from it soon."

"Thank you." His lips curled up into a half smile.

With all honesty, I said to him, "I want to be more than just your English tutor. I want to be your friend. You are my idol, Mr. Guzman, and nothing would make me happier."

A chuckle escaped his lips at my formality. "Well if we're gonna be friends, you can't call me Mr. Guzman, that makes me feel old and we're practically the same age. Please call me Enrique, or Kike. That's what my parents and siblings call me."

"I think I'll call you Enrique." I decided with a nod. "I like the way it sounds. Its very lovely."

-

We arrived back at his house just as the sun was beginning to set over the horizon. The two children in the backseat had droopy eyes and I knew it was almost time for them to go to bed.

I picked Luis out of his car seat and cradled him close to my chest. Entering the house, I spotted Silvia in the sitting room who looked up with a smile when she noticed us. She was wearing a white silk robe as she sipped on a glass of wine, reading over what appeared to be a script. She was an actress after all.

"You're back." She grinned at us.

Enrique walked in minutes later with Alejandra in his arms. His face brightened at the sight of her. It was obvious to see he was genuinely in love with her. "Silvia, mi amor." He said breathlessly. She literally took his breath away. "Are you ready to go out to dinner tonight?"

Her face contorted, showing her negative response before she even spoke. "I can't tonight, Enrique. I have so many things to prepare for filming tomorrow."

The happiness that had been evident on his face instantly dropped and was replaced with something that looked like annoyance. But he was good at hiding it and quickly composed himself. "We haven't gone out in weeks." He informed her.

She shot him a not in front of the servants look and I offered, nervous. "I'll just go put the children to bed."

Enrique nodded slowly and shook Alejandra awake, knowing I'd never be able to carry both children up the stairs on my own.

The little girl who looked so much like her father let out a yawn and wiped her tired eyes with the backs of her hands. I grabbed a hold of her small hand and led them up the stairs where it was left to guessing which room was theirs. As we headed up the stairs, I could hear the perfect couple begin to argue in Spanish. I didn't know what they were saying as their voices were hushed, but I knew it was arguing because their voices came out in low whispers that were full of accusations and resentment.

-

I took my time going back downstairs, lingering by the top of the staircase for at least twenty minutes. I didn't want to be around if they were going to continue arguing.

From the bottom of the stairs, I announced, "I put the children to bed."

Walking into the living room, I found the two of them quiet. Silvia was scribbling things in her script, while Enrique was in the same spot he had been standing in before I left. The look on his face said it all. He wasn't going to get to take his wife to dinner. She was too busy for him, all the while he was always making sacrifices and time for her and their children.

"Glad you're here." Silvia grinned at me, getting back on her feet. Her bony hands were placed on my shoulders as she said, "Since I can't go on a date with Enrique tonight, how about he shows you around Mexico City instead? You'll need to get familiarized with this town at one point. Plus, he doesn't really know the city too well either so you both can see it together." She explained to me in Spanish.

"Uh..." I didn't know what to say.

It was like Silvia was trying to set us up, but I knew she wasn't. She was just being nice and probably trying to get rid of us so that she could continue rehearsing her script. A person like her could only have pure intentions. And she would never offer me her husband with whom she lived a perfect life.

-

so now we have another update which I hope you will enjoy.

also just a random note, I am watching the sound of music for the very first time. I know I'm a grown ass woman in my early twenties, but I never watched it before. so far I'm really liking it though.

another random thought, tomorrow is my second job's thanksgiving party and I'm going with my boyfriend. but none of our friends are going. literally, we're only going because our boss asked us to and we didn't want to let her down. but we're probably going early for a little bit, and then returning home.

update: this chapter didnt post when i wanted it to. but i went to the party and a ton of stuff happened.

thank you all loads for reading!

-clary