Five years later.
Esteban had learned that his friend's daughter was turning 6 this year which meant he would be invited since he was the godfather. And there was no way he'd miss it.
Once he was there, he started talking to other people. Faint Spanish music could be heard playing in the back. But he noticed you, someone he'd never seen before. You were kneeling, seemingly cleaning up a boy who looked like he had fallen in a pile of mud. You were beautiful, and from the looks of it, gentle.
He walked over to you, curiosity sparkling in his dark, brown eyes.
"Excuse me."
He called out softly, not wanting to startle you or the little child.
I look up at him, my brown eyes meeting his, my curly hair lingering on the contours of my face. "Yes?"
He couldn't help but notice your pretty features for a few seconds, before smiling warmly at you.
"I couldn't help but notice you cleaning that little boy up - that's your son?"
He asked curiously, tilting his head to the side. You were so pretty - he thought - and he was intrigued by you. He looked you up and down.
My protective motherly instincts are kicking in. I stand up, covering my son with my body. "Yes... Do you know him?"
He noticed how you protectively put yourself in front of your son, and raised his hands in surrender.
"No, no, I don't."
He shook his head. He thought it was sweet that you were so protective of your child - it made him want you more. His eyes darkened slightly at the protective gesture.
"No need to be alarmed, I just wanted to come and introduce myself."
I couldn't help but be suspicious of him. During the last five years Vincent, my ex-boyfriend, who was now married to his side chick, Melissa, had been trying to take my son away from me. I found out that he was actually the heir of a big and well-known company in the fashion industry. Well, that explains why he always wore fancy clothes. Anyway, after Vincent and Melissa got married two years ago, they couldn't bear a child. Apparently, Vincent became impotent. That suits him perfectly, ha! Don't get me wrong, after what he did to me I wouldn't even flinch if he died right now.
My protective motherly instincts are still burning. "Ok. Go ahead then. Introduce yourself."
He chuckled softly, finding your protectiveness even more interesting about you. So fiery and defensive. It made him wonder just what made you tick. He took a step closer.
"My name is Esteban."
He says, his Spanish accent is very noticeable in the way he speaks.
He then tilted his head to look at your son, who was now behind you.
"And what might your handsome little guy's name be?"
"..." My guard is still up. "Uchenna."
He smiled warmly down at the little boy, who hid behind your legs. He noticed how you still had your guard up, and found it amusing. You really were protective, he thought.
"Uchenna, huh? That's a nice name."
He took another step closer to the two of you. He was now within arm's reach.
"And how old is this little guy?"
"Why are you so interested in my son? Did he send you?" My African accent is evident in my voice.
He chuckled softly, amused and intrigued even more by your accent. It was sweet, and he loved it. He liked how defensive you were being about your child. But why were you so paranoid?
"No, no. No one sent me. I came over here on my own."
He reassured you, but then raised a brow.
"Why? Are you always this suspicious about strangers?"
"Yes. Especially those who are so interested in my son."
He grinned at your response. Protective, suspicious, and sharp-tongued. He was definitely more than just intrigued.
"Can you blame me though? He's very cute."
He teased, a bit of a smirk on his face. He looked down at Uchenna once more, who was still hiding behind you.
"Uchenna, don't look," I say firmly.
He raised a brow at the firm tone of your voice. It was even more attractive to him, and his smirk widened the more he learned about you.
He looked at you curiously, and then at the little boy who hid behind you.
"Why can't he look? Don't want him to see me?"
He asked with another tilt of his head, finding this entire situation amusing. Your protective nature was endearing.
I look at you. "Esteban or whatever your name is. I'll be straight with you. I don't appreciate you wanting you know me or my son. So leave us alone." My Nigerian accent is more prominent now.
His smirk only grew as you continued to be blunt and firm with him. He loved it. Your accent was so sweet and your fire, so fierce. He chuckled softly, his dark brown eyes on you.
"Feisty, aren't you?"
He said, amused. He took another step closer to you, now being even more within reach.
"You don't like me, and yet here I am, still standing here. And you haven't stopped me yet."
My eyes narrow when he comes closer. "Move now while I'm being nice."
He chuckled low at your threat. He loved your fiery attitude, and he didn't listen. He took another step even closer. He could practically feel your warmth now.
"And what if I don't want to move? Or if I refuse?"
He retorted, a challenging look in his dark eyes. He was testing just how far he could take things with you.
"Then you just confirmed that you're a threat to me and my son."
He chuckled again, enjoying everything about you more than he thought possible. You were so feisty, so protective. And that accent of yours, he could listen to forever.
"A threat? To you and your son?"
He teased. He closed the physical distance between the two of you, now standing right in front of you. He had leaned down even closer to you, his face just mere inches away from yours.
"I don't bite, I promise."
"You invading my son and my personal space isn't 'friendly' Mr Esteban."
He chuckled again, finding your annoyance and attitude towards him endearing. As he got closer, he noticed that you were even more beautiful up close. From your pretty face to your soft skin.
"Maybe I am invading your personal space. But aren't you at all curious? Curious as to why I'm still here, talking to you, even though you've been nothing but hostile to me?"
He had a smirk on his face again, enjoying this little game between you two. He leaned down even closer.
"I'm not curious. I just want you to leave me and my son alone." I said simply.
He smirked again. You were stubborn, and he loved it. He could see in your face just how badly you wanted him to go - yet, he still stayed. His eyes looked from your eyes down to your sweet, full lips.
"And if I don't? If I refuse to leave you and Uchenna alone?"
He teased again. He was testing you once more, trying to further get a reaction out of you. He was so close now, his breath almost touching your cheek.
I slap him hard across his face. "You men are all the same." My voice filled with disgust and anger. I say and pull my son out of the place.
He was shocked for a moment, his hand raising to his now reddened cheek. He wasn't expecting you to slap him - yet, he found it attractive. In an odd way. He was used to people submitting to him.
He was left standing there, stunned and surprised as he watched you storm off with Uchenna. He could only watch, but he was surprised to find that he wanted more of your fire. He wanted more of your stubbornness. And he wanted you.