chapter 10

Judith Gonzalez Romero is one of the most powerful women in Spain. Coming from a modest family, she did the impossible to realize her dream; work in the world of fashion. She studied design in one of the schools in Barcelona. Three years later, she found a job as an assistant of the famous Spanish designer Adolfo Dominguez thanks to her talent and the many designs she presented. Her work and determination were appreciated by the man, she became a favourite in the company and he allowed her to release her collection.

Later, she became one of the most famous fashion designers; all the celebrities, men and women, wanted her to design their gala outfits. Judith worked with Adolfo for ten years until she was 31 and had enough money to start her own business.

Now, she’s 38 and the creator of Elegancia, a luxury brand that has been successful during the last seven years. 

Judith isn’t only a fashion lover, she also has a weakness for handsome and elegant men. She has been meeting a lot of them since she entered this industry, dated a few of them, but it never lasted long as she was still waiting for the one. 

Six years ago, she met Mateo Alejandro García, a Colombian model who participated in one of her shows. Their dating life was followed by everyone on the internet until they got married a year later. Her husband also took the position of director of the company and helped her build her empire. 

Today, he isn’t the nice and classy man he was before, he became one of those cheating husbands who take advantage of their wives’ wealth to seduce younger women and sleep with a different one every week. 

That’s what I learned about Judith Gonzalez Romero’s life thanks to the file Vicky sent me earlier.

I sigh and scratch the back of my neck. I look at the coffee cup on the desk and frown because it’s almost empty and I have to get up again and fill it. How tiring. 

I can’t sleep tonight, not only because I’m nervous about my second mission— and the fact that I have to leave the country with the fear of being caught in the airport. Also because of my last encounter with the Black Tiger. 

The way he looked at me when I was smiling to him can’t be chased from my mind. What saddens me is the fact that he thinks that I’m disappointed and disgusted by his kiss when it’s the complete opposite. His reaction makes me wonder if he had a bad experience with some girl before. I wonder who’s stupid enough not to like his lips.

I already spent two hours in the research room to collect information on Judith and her husband. I’m going to Barcelona in two days and I need to be ready to complete my mission. I have a meeting with Vicky in a few hours so that she introduces me to the agent who’s going with me to Spain, and I can’t hide the fact that I’m a little anxious about it. I just hope it’s someone nice and well experienced. I take a sip of the hot drink and click on the official website of Elegancia. I open the female section and gasp when I see the prices. The clothes are nearly as unaffordable as Chanel and Armani, but I must admit that I love the designs. The dresses and shirts are simple and elegant, no extravaganza, no weird patterns, but it looks classy and perfect for women who love simplicity and comfort like me. Opening this website just gave me more motivation to work my butt out and win this mission. Who knows, Judith might offer me one of the dresses, perhaps this blue one my eyes can’t stop staring at.

I leave the research room at 7 am, the agents are just waking up, so I quickly jump in the shower and change my clothes. 

Jayden is still sleeping, but I decide not to bother him and head to the cafeteria. The tables are empty so I eat my breakfast peacefully as I memorize all the information and names I’ve learned earlier. Surprisingly, I am doing a better job than when I was in college.

I finish my cup of orange juice and eat the last part of my bread before I leave the tray on the counter and run outside the cafeteria. I stop in front of Vicky’s office and take a breath as I’m so nervous. I close my eyes for a moment and shrug, “It’s no big deal.” I mumble to myself before knocking. 

“Come in!” I hear Vicky say.

I open the door and the strong smell of luxury and expensive furniture slaps my nose. “Hey sorry I’m l—”

What the hell?

I freeze when I spot a familiar agent sitting in front of the desk. I can only see his back but I know who it is judging from the black clothes and the charismatic posture. What the hell is the Black Tiger doing here too?

“Sit down Keira.” I can feel a tiny bit of amusement in Vicky’s voice which gets me annoyed because it isn’t the first time I get teased for being with the mysterious agent. But it looks like I’m not the only one who’s surprised because the Black Tiger widens his eyes the second he hears my name. 

I clear my throat nervously and sit next to him, facing the mission programmer. Vicky crosses her arms and stares at us, smirking. 

“So, why is he here too?” I ask, pointing to the agent on my right.

“Because you’re going to Barcelona together,” answers Vicky calmly. I can feel the Black Tiger tense. 

“You’ve got to be kidding me, right?” I chuckle nervously. “I mean why again? I already went on a mission with him.”

“Is there any problem?” Vicky raises an eyebrow, “Did something happen in the first mission? Did he bother you?”

“What? No!” I frown. 

She shrugs, “Then I don’t see why you can’t go together again.”

I sigh and rub the back of my neck, “Yeah.” 

“One of our translators will accompany you and Ms Romero’s men will be in charge of taking you to her,” she adds. “Having a translator by your side doesn’t mean that you don’t have to learn a new language.” 

Of course.

“As William says; in our company, we’re not only working and getting money, but we’re also learning.”

“Okay, okay. I’m going to need to wake up my inner Spanish side.” I chuckle.

We laugh and a sigh of frustration comes from the silent tiger who surely has had enough of our childish jokes.

“Anyways, next Thursday one of our agents will drive you to the airport, don’t forget that the flight is at 1 pm,” Vicky says.

“Okay, but what about me?” I ask with a small smile, “The police are searching for me, you know. They can catch me at the airport.”

“Keira,” Vicky rolls her eyes, “Trust me, you’re not the only one the police are searching for in this agency. Here, your tickets and your new passport. I open the travel document to see the photograph of a person who looks like me and at the same time not. 

“Photoshop on point, right? I told you we have our ways.” Vicky chuckles. 

“Yeah, but that police officer who’s going to check my passport should be stupid not to notice the difference between me and this,” I say, pointing to the photography.

I hear a snort and it isn’t coming from Vicky this time. I turn my head and see the Black Tiger hiding his mouth, I know he must think I’m an idiot which is so embarrassing. 

“Makeup, wigs... Haven’t you ever heard of these things?” asks Vicky, “Stop complicating things, the company is in charge of everything. What you have to do is get your pretty butt to Barcelona and find all the damn proofs that Mateo García is a cheating bastard, understand?”

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Barcelona El Prat Airport. It is 7 pm and the temperature is 28 degrees.

For your safety and comfort, please remain seated with your seat belt fastened. Pearl Airlines and the entire crew would like to thank you for joining us on this trip and we are looking forward to seeing you onboard again shortly. Have a nice stay!”

I look through the window and smile because it’s sunny outside, I just hope it isn’t too hot. The Black Tiger sat next to me during the flight, and it was the most pressuring thing ever. I spent the entire hours sleeping or reading the airline’s magazine to avoid his stares. This agent does something to me, I don’t know what it is but what I’m sure about is that I always get nervous around him. So nervous that it’s unhealthy.

I look at him as he’s sleeping peacefully, his dark locks are hiding his eyes and his mouth is slightly open. How can someone look so innocent while sleeping when he’s a charismatic bomb while awake?

“Miss Kathlyn Brown and Mr Andrew Stark?” a man wearing a black suit approached us. He smiles and shakes hands with us, “I am Pablo, her secretary.” he speaks with a Spanish accent.

“Nice to meet you, Pablo!” I exclaim. I hate being awkward and shy with new people so I want us to be cool since the beginning. 

Pablo drives us in his black Mercedes, I sit on the back next to Andrew and the translator sits on the front. 

A beautiful scenery interrupts my thoughts; I look through the window and see the most spectacular architectures around me. I read in some articles that Barcelona is famous because of its architecture and it’s indeed what I’m witnessing at the moment. The buildings are old but the power of their beauty isn’t ready to age. A beautiful Gothic style mixed with classic and colours creates a perfect harmony along the large street called Passeig de Gracia which is the most luxurious and fashionable street in Barcelona, and maybe even in Spain.

I look at the Black Tiger who’s sitting next to the other window, “We should come back here. We need to get pictures.”

Tiger turns and stares at me with a blank face. He leans his head toward me to say something and I do the same. I feel his warm breath against my ear and I hear him whisper, “Who said I want to come with you?” I roll my eyes and mentally curse him. 

“La empresa de la señora Romero está en este barrio, llegaremos ahí en cinco minutos.” says Pedro. Hearing him confirms that I’m in love with Spanish even though I can’t understand a single thing. t’s a sexy language. 

“He says that the company is near, we’ll arrive soon.” says our translator, Daniel.

“Oh, claro!” I exclaim and I hear the Black Tiger snort again.

“Señora Romero, los agentes Kathlyn y Andrew.”

“Bienvenidos, es un placer conocerles a ambos.”

“Welcome, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” translates Daniel.

“El señor García sale del trabajo a las seis de la tarde, tiene que seguirlo y saber a dónde va y a quien habla.”

“He says that Mateo García leaves work at 6 pm, you have to follow him and know his whereabouts.” the agent translates the secretary’s words. Tiger and I simply nod.

“But I don’t want you to start now,” Judith speaks in English. “You must be tired because of jet lag.” she smiles.

“Yes,” I smile nervously, “I am a little sleepy.”

“Just rest for today, you can start tomorrow,” says Judith.

“Thank you, Señora Romero,” I say, doing my best in pronouncing the Spanish word. I turn to look at the Black Tiger, “Let’s go.” 

“Pablo will drive us to the hotel.” the translator tells us as we leave the building and get inside the car. The hotel is near the company; we get there in less than ten minutes.

“Welcome to Hotel Royal Passeig de Gracia.” the Spanish concierge welcomes us inside. Our luggage is immediately transferred to our rooms while we wait for the receptionist to give us the key cards.

“Room 401, Mr Daniel Kim.” she smiles to our translator. “And room 403, for Kathlyn Brown and Andrew Stark.” I’ll never get over our fake names.

I press my lips because I have to share the room with the Black Tiger. After all, two partners should always stay close as William always says. We take the elevator and head to the fourth floor.

I sigh and open the door to the royal suite. It’s more spacious than I imagined. There is a big sofa in front of a large flat screen and a small golden table where there is a beautiful flower bouquet. 

The bathroom is bigger than my old room, it has a jacuzzi and a shower cabin, without forgetting the luxurious counter made with marble where a golden washbasin is put in the middle. 

I leave the bathroom and see Tiger standing in front of the bed, wondering why he looks so pissed off. He’s only staring at the single bed so I don’t know what’s wrong. 

Wait, did I just say single bed?

My eyes grow wider when I realize that the royal suite they gave us has only one bed. Damn. I turn and catch him staring at me with an angry face. I put my hands up, “Hey, it’s not my fault, okay?” I scratch the back of my neck and take my phone to dial Vicky’s number.

“Hey, you arrived well?” Vicky's voice sounds tired.

“Yeah, we’re good. How about you? You sound weird.” I ask.

 “I just argued with Kyle.”

I roll my eyes, “Don’t tell me you’re still mad because he went to his brother’s wedding.

I hear her sigh, “Let’s talk about this later. Why did you call me?”

“I just wanted to know who took care of our hotel reservations.”

 “Me, why?”

I frown, “You? Didn’t you realize you booked a room with a single bed for me and the Black Tiger?” I feel my cheeks warm up for no reason.

“I know.” Vicky chuckles. “The hotel is full, consider yourself lucky that I got you that royal suite.”

“But—”

“Go to sleep Keira, you have a mission tomorrow.” she hangs up.

I press my lips and stare at Tiger as he sighs and grabs his purse and the spare card before heading to the door. “Where are you going?” I ask.

“None of your business,” he mumbles before leaving.

“None of your business.” I imitate his grumpy face and start laughing.

I’m tired, so it’s a perfect time to take a warm shower. I spend half an hour under the showerhead, thinking about the first time Jacob invited me to a hotel. It was two years ago when we travelled to an island. It was only a three-star hotel, but I spent one of the most wonderful nights. This was where I experienced my first time, I offered him my body, and trusted him to take care of it and always protect it. Who could have thought that one day he would cheat on me?

Sometimes, I think that it’s my fault that Jacob chose to cheat on me because I’m too shy and we didn’t have many intimate moments together. I’ve only slept with him twice, and it was enough for me because it was special but it seemed like it was nothing to him. He needed more and that’s why he went to Julia. I’m good for nothing.

I don’t realize I start crying because I’m submerged in my thoughts. The tears roll down my body and disappear in the middle of the water. I wish that Jacob could be patient with me, and wait until I learn to be a better girlfriend to him. 

After the shower, I put on some nice clothes I bought before coming to Barcelona, without forgetting to put on some perfume and brush my hair. I leave the room and walk around the hotel. It’s my first time travelling outside the country, so I’m surprised to see so many people from different countries and hearing multiple languages. 

Some tourists are preparing to go out, a group of young girls and guys are surely going to a night club, and I see some couples entering the restaurant of the hotel. I stand in the middle of the reception hall, wondering where to go. I’m not hungry to go to a restaurant and not that energetic to go clubbing. I only need something to relax me and make me forget the past. Live music maybe. 

I look for a bar and find one in front of the pool. I open the door to be welcomed by loud jazz music and green and blue lights. There are all sorts of people inside; groups of friends talking and laughing while drinking beers, couples enjoying the music while drinking a cocktail and solo drinkers who spend the entire night drowned in their thoughts— like me.

I head to the counter and ask the barista to get me a martini. I don’t enjoy alcoholic beverages, but I just felt like it tonight. I sit on the barstool waiting for my drink until I spot the Black Tiger sitting alone in a small table in the corner. His face is resting on his palm while he’s staring at his glass. It seems like I’m not the only one who needed a good fresh glass of alcohol to make me chase the negative thoughts.

“Get me another glass,” I tell the bartender who simply nods with a smile. I head to his table and place the glasses in front of him. “It’s not good to drink alone,” I say before sitting before him.

Tiger lifts his head to look at me and frowns, “It’s not good to drink with you.”

“Oh, come on! It’s fun to be with me.” He doesn’t answer and just keeps looking around. I smile and push the glass toward him, “I got this for you.” 

“Why?” he asks, avoiding my stare.

“I don’t know.” I shrug, “I just thought you needed it.” He simply nods and lets out a heavy sigh. I just stare at him and wonder what’s making him so sad and tired all the time. “Say, why are you at the bar instead of going outside and discovering the city?” I ask.

Tiger looks at me and crosses his arms, “Look who’s asking. What about you? Why are you here?”

“Because I need to drink. I’ve got so many things in my mind, that’s why.”

“It’s the same for me,” he mumbles.

I start feeling a little warmer after I finish my first glass and ask for another. I rest my cheek on my hand and stare at my partner; his eyes seem concentrated elsewhere, so I follow his gaze to see an old man playing the piano. The Black Tiger looks hypnotized by the gentle melodies coming from the black and white keys.

“Do you like the piano?” I ask with a lazy voice. He hums. “Can you play it?” He hesitates for a long moment before shaking his head.

I drink a second martini and my head gets heavier. I sigh and gaze at him once again. Tiger looks incredibly hot with his simple white shirt and his messy black hair covering his eyes.

I let out a small laugh and approach to cup his cheeks. “Your cheeks are red.” I smile. He widens his eyes and stares at me with surprise, “What are you doing?” he asks.

“You look cute.” I giggle. “So cute!”

He quickly pulls my hands away from him and clears his throat before looking around. I laugh when I see his cheeks reddening and I know it isn’t just the alcohol effect. I stand up and nearly stumble but a woman was quick enough to grab my arm. “Gracias!” I exclaim with a ridiculous accent.

“Another glass,” I ask the bartender who laughs nervously, “Are you alright, miss?”

I take my glass with a wide smile and go back to the table. I close my eyes and beg my brain to erase Jacob’s image from my mind. I take a sip of my drink and smile, “Life is good.” I always lie to myself to make me feel better. I lift my head and catch him staring. This time his eyes don’t look cold, they look so warm and bright. 

I keep smiling, thinking that he’s the most beautiful person on earth. Ah, I loved how alcohol works like magic, making me see beauty everywhere.

I giggle and cover my hot cheeks, “What? Do I remind you of our kiss?” I ask with a pout. He doesn’t answer.

“Do you want to kiss me again?”

When he doesn’t say anything again. I stand up and lean to cup his cheeks. I look right at him and whisper, “Here is another one.” I close my eyes and place my lips over his. That’s the last thing I remember until the sun rays wake me up the next morning. I groan because of the horrible headache. 

I turn around and move my hand until it touches something soft. I keep caressing it, and I open my eyes to see a naked man lying beside me. My vision is still blurred, so I open my eyes wide to finally realize that the Black Tiger is sleeping peacefully next to me. A white sheet is covering his lower body, but I can still see his v-line and it makes me blush so hard. 

I rub my head and try to remember what happened the night before. We were at a bar and I drank a lot, we shared only a few words and listened to jazz music. Then I started getting too drunk and said some things I can’t seem to remember. Something else happened.

“Oh, no.” my eyes grow wider when our second kiss comes into my mind. I don’t remember how we came back to the suite or why he’s naked.

Wait.

I slowly look under the sheets and I panic when I realize that I’m naked too. “Hell no.” I cover my mouth.

Have I slept with the Black Tiger?!