Hot & Wild (De La Cruz Saga) (2 page)

Christian looks at his best SEAL bud.
I can’t
believe that he’s with my baby sister. Asshole better not hurt her,
thinks
Christian passionately.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were seeing Erica? Don’t
you think I needed to know this?  She is my baby sister,” demands Christian
attempting to control all the anger, the intense feelings towards Gabriel.

Gabriel turns, contemplates him. “You’re kidding,
right? I cannot talk to you or anybody else about my private relationship with
the
mujer
I love. This has nothing
to do with friendship, Christian, don’t you get it?  I’m not playing around
with Erica. I love her with all of my
alma
,
corazon
, and
mente
.
She’s the sweetest angel ever!” says
Gabriel scowling at Christian. His eyes reflect his sincere intense emotions. Gabriel
turns away with frustration to pull on his t-shirt.

“Gabriel, I don’t mean that I want you tell me
intimate details like we did with other
chica
s. I want to
know why you didn’t tell me that you found the
mujer
of your dreams.
I feel betrayed on lots of levels,” replies Christian with frustration.

Gabriel turns, looks at him. “Christian, I didn’t
realize that Erica is your hermana until that same night that you did. The
picture that you have of her is from when she was in high school. I never
connected Erica to be your hermana when I met her. It was not my intention to
hurt or betray our friendship,” responds Gabriel with weariness.

“Christian, when you find that special chica that’s
your
alma
gemela
you will understand. She is the one that makes you
loco
.
When you feel the way I do, then you will understand. When you have someone
special in your
vida
and you don’t want anybody to say, to
do, or think anything about your mujer,” says Gabriel with a raspy voice from
his emotions.

“Okay, Gabriel, I need you to know that I’m warning
you. You better not hurt her,” replies Christian angrily. He turns away and
strides to take his shower.

*  *  *

The next morning Monique Acosta is entering the De
La
Cruz Inc. building.
Oh, I’m so nervous,
muses Monique Acosta.
I pray
that I will get this job. I know that I’m qualified, but I don’t have the
experience since I recently graduated. Now I have a Bachelor of Science in
Interior Decorating Design.       

I know that this company is my first choice. The
company is constructing beautiful Mexican influenced buildings. They just opened
up their own Interior Decorating Design department.  This assistant job is
perfect. I can work my way up into the management. It’s the job that I have
always dreamed of working in.  

I’m immensely impressed with
la
familia
and the operation of the
company. All of the managers are
primos
,
familia.  There is only one bachelor that is available. The other two bachelors
are now taken.

This last week, there was a whole page written up on
the engagement of the CEO Jose Enrique De La Cruz and the elopement of one
other manager Ricardo Emmanuel De La Cruz. It was big news. The De La Cruz
bachelors are eligible rich, young, and handsome. They are the most popular eligible
bachelors in Southern California area.

There remains only one bachelor available. He works in
la Familia Company. The news media made a point to write a column on Sebastian
Antonio De La Cruz.  

He’s la familia’s architect. La familia calls him Tony.
He has designed the now famous and much in demand buildings with the Mexican
influence and Eco-friendly environment. Tony is considered one of the most
talented architects in today’s market. Tony has contributed to the growth and
success of the familia company.

I know that I will be able to get a chance to know him.
He’s such a handsome Chico. All of them are, too bad that two of them are
already taken. Yeah, Monique, you’re just a little late.  

Sebastian is just as gorgeous.  Maybe I can get him to
notice me. Then get him to love me and marry,
contemplates Monique striding down the hall.

Then my dream of having a gorgeous, rich esposo and
also having a successful career will come true.

This interview will be my opportunity to get my foot
in the door of such successful company.   

The handsome bachelor is just a bonus,
thinks Monique, smiling.
Si
, I
definitely want a De La Cruz, they’re so gorgeous, smart, and rich.

I made it on time. This is a good thing. I don’t want
anything to ruin this opportunity.
Dios
mio
, please help me out.

Maybe I can get a glimpse of Tony,
thinks Monique grinning. She waits for the
receptionist to get off the phone.

“How can I help you?” asks the receptionist Ms. Jones.

“I have an interview with Ms. Bella De La Cruz at 9:30.
My name is Monique Acosta,” replies Monique smiling.

“Yes,” replies the receptionist. She stands and walks
to the door. “Ms. Acosta, can you please follow me?” requests the receptionist
at the door.

She takes Monique to a conference room where the
interviews are taking place. “Please have a seat, Ms. Cortez. Ms. Isabella
Patricia De La Cruz and Ms. Patricia De La Cruz will be in a few minutes.”

“Yes, of course, thanks,” replies Monique nodding.

Oh yeah, this is it,
thinks Monique.
Just take your time in answering and be positive.

Good thing I brought my portfolio with some of my
designs based on the research I did.  I know they will like my designs. Of
course they will.
Monique gives
herself a pep talk.
I have to have courage, I’m smart, and portray
confidence
.

Jessy, Bella, and Paty enter the conference room. “Good
morning Ms. Acosta, I’m Isabella De La Cruz, HR manager,” says Bella extending
her hand in greeting. She then takes a seat in one of the chairs. Jessy and
Paty are also sitting down.

“Hi Ms. Acosta, I’m Jessica Cortez, the Interior
Decorating Design manager,” says Jessy extending her hand in greeting.

“Hi Ms. Acosta, I’m Patricia De La Cruz, a manager,”
says Paty smiling, extending her hand to Monique.

“Good morning Ms. De La Cruz’s and Ms. Cortez, it’s a
pleasure to meet you,” says Monique smiling, she shakes their hands. She then
sits down after her greetings.

“Ms. Acosta, we have reviewed your resume.  I would
like to know what your expectation in this position is,” asks Jessy.

“Ms. Cortez my expectations in this position are
several. I want to learn from the best, grow in knowledge, and develop my
skills with such an accolade company. The De La Cruz Inc. has achieved
recognition and awards in the building designs and eco-friendly environment. This
company is known for the ability to create and look into the future,” answers
Monique confidently.

“Ms. Acosta what type of work environment is ideal for
you. Will you be able to work under an Interior Decorating Designer as an
assistant?” asks Paty contemplating Monique’s attitude and presentation.

“Yes Ms. De La Cruz, I can work as an assistant. I’m
looking forward to working and following Ms. Cortez instructions.  I know that
I still have a lot to learn and that it’ll be a challenge. I have confidence
that I will be able to follow through with the assignments and directions. The
biggest benefit is that I have a strong desire to produce my best. I am excited
in having this opportunity,” replies Monique.

“Is there anything that you will like us to know about
your experience, knowledge, skills that will be beneficial for our company?”
asks Bella observing Monique with interest.

“Yes there is.  I also would like to advise you that I
have excellent customer service skills. I worked part time while I went to
school at a retail store in the furniture department,” replies Monique. “I also
like to work hard until I complete my projects.”

“Ms. Acosta one of my concerns is that you graduated a
few weeks ago. I want to know if you are ready to start to work in a full time
position. This job is demanding and sometimes will have long work days,” asks
Bella contemplating Monique’s countenance.

“Ms. De La Cruz, it will not be an issue. I’m
acquainted with working long hours and going to school. I will not have any
issues in working long days,” replies Monique with poise.

“May we see your portfolio Ms. Acosta?” asks Jessy smiling.
“I am anxious to see your work.”

“Yes of course Ms. Cortez.  I did a little research on
the company and I did a few designs that I know you will like,” replies Monique.
With pleasure she hands Jessy her portfolio.  

Jessy is sitting in the center of the table with Bella
and Paty on each side. They are able to review Ms. Acosta’s designs at the same
time.

I know that they will like my designs. I put a lot
work into them.  I can see there facial expressions and they appear to like my
designs. Yes,
thinks Monique with
pleasure.

“I do like your designs. They have a fresh, young,
clean eco-friendly quality.  I can also see some of the Mexican influences in
your designs,” says Jessy, smiling.

“I like them,” says Bella.   

“Yes I can see how they fit with our building designs,
very good,” says Paty, nodding in agreement.

“Ms. Acosta, we have one more interview on our
schedule. We will be in contact with you,” says Bella handing Monique her
portfolio.

“I will be waiting for your call. I look forward to
working with De La Cruz, Inc.,” replies Monique. She stands and shakes their
hands in the process of departing. “It was a pleasure to meet you and to have
this opportunity.”  

Monique exits the conference room with a good feeling.
I know they will offer me the position
, thinks Monique. She passes the
receptionist desk and waves. The receptionist is on a phone call.  

I wish that I could run into Tony. It would have been
awesome. That’s okay. I will get to know him when I start to work.
Monique walks down the hall to the elevator. She’s not
really paying attention when she turns the corner.  

Christian Arturo De La Cruz is in a hurry trying to
get some paperwork to his
primo
Jose Enrique. Christian is a Navy SEAL
and is off on leave for the weekend.

He lives for excitement. The extreme pressure, danger,
and the rush of adrenaline pumping through him is a thrill for Christian. Christian
is twenty-six and is one of the De La Cruz bachelors.

The media has not had the pleasure to know or discover
the hot, wild, and sexy Christian Arturo De La Cruz. This is due of course to
his Navy SEAL career and the huge time away from home.

Jose Enrique De La Cruz, the CEO for the De La Cruz
Inc., is the eldest of the De La Cruz bachelors. Jose Enrique has managed to
obtain a nice niche in the market. The De La Cruz Inc. has been building some
buildings with the elegante Mexican influence that has been a huge success.

The buildings that have been built by De La Cruz, Inc.
have been recognized as innovative and Eco-friendly buildings.

La
familia
has recently started to enjoy the fruits of all his and
los
primo’s
consistent hard work. The achievements have been impressive.

Today Jose Enrique called me for assistance. He wants
me to investigate what’s happening at the job sites. There is a huge order of
material that is scheduled to be delivered to the job sites this morning. Jose
Enrique does not trust the drivers and managers. He feels that there’s
something going on with the materials that have been missing or of poor quality.

My primo asked me to get the materials and deliver
them to the job sites to see if I can get a feel or see what’s happening. I
just have to give him the report on what I discovered
, contemplates Christian striding quickly out of the
elevator down the hall.

Christian is thinking of the report and his findings. He
turns the corner and collides with Monique. All of his papers go flying all
over the hallway.  

Christian responds quickly due to his fast reflexes
and training. He’s able to react instantly to catch the
hermosa
chica
before she falls onto the carpet.
Incredible,
thinks Christian stun.
This
chica is classy and
bella
. Oh
dios
mio
,
she smells delicious
.