"Mierda!" He cursed when he could not spot any sign of her on the third floor.
For a woman with shorter legs than him, she sure was fast. Without wasting another minute, he took the stairs going down to the second floor. The gym had an elevator but they were encouraged to take the stairs to keep fit. In this case, Pedro was just used to taking the stairs that he didn't give the elevator a second thought. And to his luck, he happened to see Amy was just about to take the stairs going down to the first floor the moment he arrived on the second floor.
"Mrs. Stanford!" He shouted.
Amy halted in her movement. She wanted to keep going but she was the only Mrs. Stanford on that floor and her name had been on everyone's lips. Pedro took huge strides and was by her side within six steps. There was a layer of perspiration on his face that was flushed red. The man was breathing heavily when he reached her side.
"Please come to my office. There's something I need to discuss with you", he said. His expression was quite serious as he spoke.
Amy wanted to speak but was interrupted by Pedro's hand that fell on her back and led her back upstairs. The onlookers watched everything with questioning stares.
'Whats going on?'
'Could it be they found out about her intentions and are about to do something about it?'
'Oh! My gosh! This is huge!'
"Pedro-" Amy tried to speak when she saw how easily people could misinterpret the situation.
"Please don't cause a scene Mrs. Stanford", he whispered.
Amy sighed and took out her phone to alert Stella that she would be a while before she joins her at the café. When Pedro saw this, he immediately pushed down her hand that was holding the phone to stop her. He couldn't afford any mishaps.
"I would advise against that", he warned.
She chuckled in amusement, "Am I being taken hostage or something?"
Pedro chose not to respond and kept leading her back up to the third floor. Amy took in his side profile. His expression was practically screaming F-off and people made sure to stay out of their way despite how much they were curious. Should she be worried? But she didn't do anything wrong except walk in on them when they were- Well, she did tell them to continue. Why was she being dragged back to that same room?
Amy almost jumped when she heard the door shut behind her. Enzo had been pacing back and forth from the moment Pedro left to go after her. His heart didn't rest easy even when he saw her come back with him. He had no idea how things would end and that alone made him even more anxious.
Pedro led her to the lounge area comprising off a leather sofa set and a glass coffee table. Amy was not wrong, there was a punching bag in the office. But Pedro happened to not be using it when she walked in on them.
"Have a seat Mrs. Stanford", Pedro gestured at the sofa with his hand.
As Amy sat down, Pedro led Enzo to the sofa opposite where the two sat together. The room fell in awkward silence. Amy looked anywhere but at the two. The image of them was fresh in her mind she just could not look them in the eye. Enzo rubbed his sweaty palms against his trousers. Pedro gave him a comforting Pat before clearing his throat.
"Mrs. Standford-" Pedro started.
"Am- Emily is just fine", she interrupted before she awkwardly cleared her throat.
Pedro took in her calm demeanor. His brows furrowed when he saw this. He could not help but be suspicious of her. He hoped this would not be a repeat of the Louise case; at least, for Enzo's sake.
"Well I won't beat around the bush. What do you plan on doing with this?" He asked.
"What do you mean?" She was befuddled by his question.
"You saw us. What do you plan to do?" Enzo spoke this time.
"Am I..... supposed to do something? What are you talking about?" She looked between the two men in confusion.
Pedro and Enzo took in her confused state before looking at each other. Did they misunderstand her? Pedro leaned back in his seat. He could tell Amy was genuinely confused. Still, he couldn't blindly trust her. The joke would be on him if he were to be fooled again by another pretty face.
"You've heard of the Louise case?" Pedro asked. Enzo widened his eyes at Pedro silently asking him what he was doing. The latter held his hand and squeezed it in assurance.
"I have." She had heard it from Adrianne and Stella after the Daisy fiasco.
"You've obviously heard everyone's version. But here's what really happened. She was interested in Enzo, to the point of obsession. But for obvious reasons, Enzo turned her down. Seeing how he and I were close, she came to me in hopes I would help her get with him. Unfortunately, she walked in on a scene similar to the one you walked in on. Unlike you, she didn't leave and instead took photos of us. She threatened to leak them unless Enzo gets with her otherwise she would destroy us. That's why we sued her, had the pictures deleted, and taught her a lesson hard enough to deflate her ego."
"Why are you telling me this?" Amy's brows furrowed in confusion. This was all unnecessary information for her.
"Because Emily, should you try anything funny like that, we won't stay still? Have you heard of anything related to Louise besides this story? No, right? They couldn't stay in this town and I made sure of it. So", he left his statement unfinished trusting she got the silent warning.
"Hold on", Amy chuckled. So this was why they called her back? She shook her head before she spoke so seriously. "What happens between you two is none of my business. But in this time and age, wouldn't it be easier to come out fo the closet than have to worry about someone finding out like I did?"
Enzo squeezed Pedro's hand as his jaw ticked. That sounded easier than done especially for him. He constantly felt apologetic towards Pedro because of this. If only he was a little more brave.... Pedro knew what was going on in his mind but gave his hand a squeeze and assured him he was okay. When Amy received silence as an answer, she figured they must have their reasons.
"Look, your relationship is none of my business. But there's something I need from you two."
The duo exchanged a glance before looking back at her. Was she going to make some demand in exchange for keeping their secret? But didn't she just say their relationship is none of her business?
Pedro's face hardened as he spoke. "Let's hear it."
Amy summarized the current rumor going on within the gym. "And now my friends are getting implicated by such malicious slander. People won't believe me if I try to say something but they'll surely listen to you. I don't want Stella and Adrianne's names tainted because of this."
"You want us to help your friends? Nothing else? You won't make a big deal about us? That's really all you want?" Enzo seemed to not understand this. He didn't expect this.
"Yes, it's why I came here earlier. Will you help me?"
"Sure. If that's all?" Pedro asked.
Amy nodded before excusing herself out of the office. She looked at her phone and there were missed calls from Stella and Adrianne. She sighed, now she has to come up with an excuse as to why she went missing without so much as a word. Back in the office, Enzo and Pedro were still seated on that sofa.
"Are we really going to help her?" Enzo asked.
He still looked worried even when Amy left. Pedro didn't answer. He had a complicated look as he stared at the door had just walked out from.