#Chapter4

After letting out all my anger, we return to my house. I enter my room and take a shower. When I'm done, I go to my closet, pick out my outfit, and put on a pair of frayed denim shorts and a crop top that ties in the front, revealing a bit of my midriff. Of course, my silver sneakers are a must. Once dressed, I style my hair and apply a bit of makeup. When I finish, I descend the stairs and head to the kitchen, finding Andrés cooking.

Sammy - What are you cooking?

Andrés - Mmm... something delicious.

Sammy - Do you know how to cook?

Andrés - Of course, I had to learn since I live alone.

Wow, apart from being handsome and tough, he knows how to cook. He's the ideal guy for any girl. I wonder if he has a girlfriend.

Andrés - What are you thinking?

Sammy - Nothing. Can I help you with something?

Andrés - Yes, set the table. This is almost ready.

I nod and set the table. When I'm done, he turns off the stove and serves the food onto two plates. He places them on the table. He made grilled meat with a side of potatoes and salad.

Sammy - This looks really delicious. Let's sit down.

We sit down to eat. Nobody says anything, but Andrés has that look of wanting to ask something.

Sammy - Just spill it.

Andrés - What do you mean?

Sammy - I know you've been wanting to ask me something since we left the university.

Andrés - Well, yeah, but I don't want to upset you. I know we're not friends for you to share things with me, but I just want you to know you can count on me.

Sammy - Thanks, I appreciate that. But the thing is, I don't know anything about you. If you share things about yourself, I'll share things about me. How about that?

Andrés - Okay, what do you want to know?

Sammy - Start from the beginning. For example, your full name and age.

Andrés - My name is Andrés Palacios, and I'm 23. And you?

Sammy - I'm Sammy Navarro. I'm 16, turning 17. Do you have a girlfriend, wife, or kids?

Andrés - Not at the moment. No wife or kids either. I know you don't have a husband or kids.

Sammy - I don't have a boyfriend either. Tell me about your tattoos. Do you like them, or were they just on a whim?

Andrés - I like them. They're faces of my family members. Since they live far away, this way I have them close to me. And you, do you have tattoos?

Sammy - Not yet, but I'd like to get one.

Andrés - Oh, really? What would you like to get tattooed?

Sammy - Hmm... I don't know. I still need to see what I like so I can choose. And why did you choose to become a bodyguard?

Andrés - Because of my dad. He was a bodyguard many years ago, but he retired. I followed in his footsteps. How about you? What do you like?

Sammy - I enjoy studying, and I'm into music. You know, I have a recording studio. When I was younger, I always wanted to be an artist – singing on stages and in various places. But what did you want to ask me?

Andrés - Why did you stand up for that girl? Most people in your place would have joined in to bully her.

Sammy - There's something from my past that no one knows about, and I'm not ready to talk about it. If you knew why I did it, you'd understand.

Andrés - Okay, I'll wait until you're ready. But I want you to consider me your friend.

Sammy - Okay, thank you. I appreciate it. Want to join me in the studio?

Andrés - Sure.

We gather the dishes and wash them together. Once we're done, we leave the house and head to the studio. Upon arrival, I unlock the door, we enter, and I lock it again.

Andrés - Wow, this studio is impressive.

Sammy - Have a seat. I'm going to sing you a song I wrote.

He sits down as I adjust a few buttons. I enter the sound booth, stand in front of the microphone, and the music starts playing. I begin singing ("Depredador"). After finishing, I exit the booth.

Sammy - How was it? What did you think?

Andrés - Wow, perfect. You have a beautiful voice.

I blush and do a little bow.

Sammy - Would you like to give it a try?

Andrés - Um... I don't know...

Sammy - Come on. Tell me which song you want, and I'll play it. He gives me the song title, enters the booth, and the music starts ("Invierno"). He begins singing.

After he's done, I adjust the buttons to make his voice stand out. He doesn't sing too badly. When he exits the booth, he asks:

Andrés - How was that? I hope I didn't rupture your eardrums.

Sammy - Yeah, just a bit.

I joke, and then add:

Sammy - No, just kidding. You did great. Want to hear it?

Andrés - Yes, please.

I play back the recording for him. He listens intently, and I watch him without him noticing. I haven't really looked at him closely before. Like this, he looks handsome and sexy. Oh, Sammy, what are you thinking? I chide myself silently. When the song ends, he looks at me, and we lock eyes. We stay like that until he breaks the silence.

Andrés - It sounds good. Can you send it to my phone? Also, the one you sang – I want to send them to my family, yours too. Maybe we can make it our ringtone.

He hands me his phone. I send both songs to him, and when I'm done, I give it back. Unbeknownst to him, I've also sent my song to myself on his phone. After a couple of hours, it's time to sleep.

Sammy - Well, Andrés, it's time to get some rest. I have classes tomorrow, and you need to rest too.

Andrés - Yeah, it's getting late.

We leave the studio, lock up, and head into the house. We say our goodbyes.

Sammy - Well, Andrés, have a good rest. See you tomorrow.

Andrés - Thanks. You too, Sammy. Sleep well.

I go up to my room, put on my pajamas, and lay down. I drift off to sleep.