21

"So back to the record: first clothes and then shoes," I played it safe again as we entered the store. "Sí," Adriana agreed. I clapped my hands and couldn't stop smiling. Shopping has always been one of our favorite activities. "Do you already have an idea what you want to wear? After all, this is our first gala, so we just have to look good. In the end, all eyes are on us because we look so irresistibly hot," Adriana said amused. "Actually, I just want a look at me," I murmured to myself, grinning. Suddenly Adriana snorted mock annoyed. "Yes, the look of your dream prince Domenico," she said in an unimportant tone, before turning to me hysterically. " Leave him out! We pick out the best clothes and will enter this hall with full self-confidence. We're going to be hot mafia princesses!" she spoke excitedly. "Mafia princesses?" I giggled softly. "Exactly! "Hot mafia princesses," she repeated. I laughed, shaking my head and strapped my arm into hers as we walked across the massive store.

-

"That's it! That's my dress!" Adriana said enthusiastically while suddenly running. I looked after her confused, not even knowing which dress she was referring to. She had already said exactly these two sentences 5 times and said 5 clothes were in her basket, which was hanging on her arm. I ran after her, laughing. "Adriana, you know you can't wear 6 dresses in one night," I laughed as I walked towards her. "It doesn't matter what you have, you have it!" she argued, which made me laugh. "And at least I have something," she said, pointing to my basket, which still had nothing in it. "I just haven't found my dress yet," I defended myself. "Well then! Hop Hop!"

I laughed, shook my head and kept going. Surely it won't be that hard to find the perfect dress to look like, what did Adriana call it? A hot mafia princess. I laughed at that thought and kept looking around until my gaze suddenly got caught on a dress. On my dress.

In quick steps I ran onto this beautiful specimen. "That's my dress," I beamed enthusiastically and took it off the rack. Dios, now I sound exactly like Adriana. I had to giggle at the thought. "Adriana?" I called softly, looking for her. "Yes?" she said, stepping into my line of sight. I happily held the dress up. "Get dressed! Now!", she said and came towards me. Adriana strapped it on me before pulling me along. When we got to the changing rooms, she went into one and I into the other.

Excited, I peeled off my clothes and slipped into the dress. It is decorated in a glittery pastel purple. I gently pulled the spaghetti straps over my shoulders and, once I had put it on, stroked the corset-like top. The dress fell loosely in a beautiful fabric and lightly brushed the floor. It was also slightly transparent, but that didn't bother me at all. It even had a slit on the left leg. It was perfect.

Head over heels in love, I grabbed my bag and pulled out my cell phone. I hastily hit chat with Domenico and took a picture of myself in the dress in the giant mirror that was in the cabin. I sent him the picture with a small text.

How do you like the dress?

I eagerly awaited an answer while I took off the dress and put on my normal clothes. I put it back on the hanger and was packing it in my basket when my cell phone rang.

Looks good like everything you wear amore mio.

I had to smile, but as quickly as I smiled, I rolled my eyes laughing as quickly as a second message came up.

But I'll like you more and more without it.

-

Domenico A DAY LATER

I looked around the room searching. They still weren't there. I eagerly awaited Cayetana and the rest of her family. I'm generally curious how the evening will go today. "Did she text you when they were coming?" Adriano wanted to know. I just shook my head. "But they should be there soon," I replied and grabbed a glass of champagne, which the waiters were just serving. "Where's Papà?" I asked when I couldn't see him anymore. Adriano just shrugged. "The last time I saw him was with Mateo's father," he said.

I was about to bring my champagne glass to my lips when I saw them. Cayetana entering the room with Adriana. Behind her, the rest of her family. She had sent me a photo of her dress, but it was real. Merda, she looked beautiful.

In real it looked even better. Suddenly, a strange feeling spread in my chest. I took my glass in my left hand and rubbed my right across my chest without taking Cayetana's eyes. It's not going away. What the hell. And when our eyes met, it only got worse. It can't be her fault! She's just a means to an end, nothing more! I reminded myself, but that telltale feeling grew worse as Cayetana gave me a small smile. I sighed in desperation before turning around and hurrying towards the bar.

Cayetana

"What's the matter with him?" Adriana whispered in my ear. By him she meant Domenico, who had just turned and walked towards the bar as if he had seen something he had to flee from. "I have no idea," I mumbled back, not knowing anything myself. I watched every step he took towards the bar. Did something depress him? Was he bad? When we last wrote, everything was actually fine. I watched Domenico sit down at the bar and drain his glass in one gulp. A bad feeling spread through me, but before I could watch him any further, Adriana pulled me straight on. "I know you're probably overthinking it again, but everything will be fine. Maybe he was just having a bad day," Adri assumed. I just nodded weakly. She was definitely right, probably I'm thinking too much again. "And except deeeeeem," she draws the e long. "Today is our debut as mafia princesses ", she grinned to herself. Grinning, I shook my head. "What do you always have with mafia princesses. Mafia boss sounds a lot better," I grinned mischievously. "Yeah, we'll take over our families' businesses and then we'll rule the world!" she said dreamily. "Do you think if I made an effort I'd have a chance?", I asked her interested. she draws the e long. "Today is our debut as mafia princesses," she grinned to herself. I shook my head, grinning. "What do you always have with mafia princesses. Mafia boss sounds much better," I grinned mischievously. "Exactly, we'll take over our families' businesses and then we'll rule the world!" she said dreamily. "Do you think if I tried hard I would have a chance?" I asked her interested. she draws the e long. "Today is our debut as mafia princesses," she grinned to herself. I shook my head, grinning. "What do you always have with mafia princesses. Mafia boss sounds much better," I grinned mischievously. "Exactly, we'll take over our families' businesses and then we'll rule the world!" she said dreamily. "Do you think if I tried hard I would have a chance?" I asked her interested. she said dreamily. "Do you think if I tried hard I would have a chance?" I asked her interested. she said dreamily. "Do you think if I tried hard I would have a chance?" I asked her interested.

Adriana looked like she was considering. She bit her bottom lip, pondering. "I don't know," she murmured. "Especially since I don't think your father has even thought of it until now. I mean, you never showed any interest either," she added. True, I've never cared about what my brothers did or actually taking over the business. But it would be a nice idea. A woman in power. "It would be a nice idea," I admitted. "But it would probably be too exhausting for me to run a mafia and one that's so powerful at that. I mean, we're involved in everything. And besides, I'm firmly convinced that Papa already knows who gets the business," I said and looked meanwhile look around again. Domenico was still sitting at the bar, only now Adriano was still sitting next to him. It seemed like he was talking to him. "And who?" she asked. "Alejandro 100%," I said without thinking too much. I was really sure. Alejandro had been trying for so long, much harder than the others. He worked really hard. Really did everything he could to prove himself. Ale really more than deserved it.

She gave a quick look that I couldn't interpret. "Do you think it would be even more dangerous for him then? Once word gets around that Alejandro is taking over the business?" she asked. I just shrugged. To be honest I've never thought about it. "I don't know, but I don't think so. Ale is already living dangerously, I don't think it can get any more dangerous," I said, shrugging my shoulders. "Well, what are you talking about," Juan's voice suddenly sounded before an arm went around my shoulder. "None of your business," I smiled. Juan always wanted to know everything. "You always act mysterious. What are you hiding? What's your dark secret?" he asked with a grin while playfully waggling his eyebrows. "

-

In the meantime some time had passed. There were a few speeches that didn't particularly interest me. The dance floor was also in full swing. Now that I think about it, I haven't danced in a really long time.

I was just standing alone. Indeed. My parents, Ramón and Antonia and Álvaro and Lucía danced. Alejandro, Valentín, Ángel and Juan were further away and Adriana had gone home briefly with Sebastián. She used to be so clumsy and totally messed herself up, which is why she's changing right now. So it happened that I was now standing alone at a bar table and sipping at my champagne glass. Every now and then I exchanged a look with Domenico, who by the way was still sitting at the bar and alone. I think he's got a bit more gut and to be honest I was worried about him. The whole evening I was haunted by thoughts of what could have happened. Domenico is not like that. Knowing him, he would have given me a bunch of double-talking looks. What's the matter with my Domenico?

I was also often close to going to him, but I didn't want to risk anything. Maybe I was just thinking too much. I closed my eyes briefly with a sigh. Take it easy, Cayetana. It's all right. "Hello," my eyes snapped open and looked straight into the face of a strange man. He looked a little older than me, had dark blond hair and distinctive facial features. A funny grin graced his lips. "I didn't mean to startle you, sorry," he apologized. "It's okay," I just mumbled. What does he want from me? I took an unobtrusive deep breath before I spoke. "Is there anything I can do for you?" I asked, trying to sound friendly. I found it uncomfortable. Why is he talking to me or scaring me like that? " Oh no, not directly. I've been watching you for a while now," he said with a funny smile and took a step closer. "And I wanted to talk to you ," he continued, taking a step closer with a nasty grin. "Oh me, um. .. not sure what you want from me now," I said, slightly panicked. Can he please go away? His grin got bigger and nastier. "Oh sweetie, I have an idea," he whispered, wanting another one to take a step towards me, but suddenly I was gently grabbed by the arm and pulled towards someone. he continued, taking a step closer with a nasty grin. "Oh I, um...not sure what you want from me now," I said, slightly panicked. Can he please go away? His grin got bigger and grosser. "Oh sweetie, I have an idea," he whispered, wanting to take another step towards me, but suddenly I was gently grabbed by the arm and pulled towards someone. he continued, taking a step closer with a nasty grin. "Oh I, um...not sure what you want from me now," I said, slightly panicked. Can he please go away? His grin got bigger and grosser. "Oh sweetie, I have an idea," he whispered, wanting to take another step towards me, but suddenly I was gently grabbed by the arm and pulled towards someone.

I brushed against the stranger. Relieved that someone saved me from the awkward situation, I looked up to meet Ángel's bright green eyes. Now I was doubly relieved. "If you'll excuse us," Ángel said, pulling me on. Oh god, he pulled me towards the dance floors. "Ángel, what is this?" I asked him while we were almost there. Oh wow, those were the first words I said to him after we last met. "What does it look like?" he asked and we had arrived. He put his one hand on my waist and with the other he grabbed my hand. As if by myself I put my other hand on his shoulder. "I'll save you," he explained, grinning slightly. I replied. There he was. The Ángel I was used to. "gracias", I mumbled. "You really saved me," I laughed softly. "Now I'm officially a hero," he said proudly. "Yes, yes you are," I smirked as we moved. I have to say that Ángel is a really good dancer.

"Ángel?" I whispered after a few moments. "Si?" I swallowed. "I'm sorry about how this all turned out. Really, I didn't mean to hurt you," I murmured sheepishly. He just smiled and shook his head. "It's okay. Really, I can handle it. Only it was so...so weird. Nothing to expect, but if you're happy then I'm happy for you. I'm serious Tana, while I would De I'd rather kill Santis than have him by your side, but if you really love him then I'm happy for you," he said. I had to smile. The right one for him will come, I'm absolutely sure. "Uh oh," he said suddenly, but seemed to be suppressing a grin. I frowned questioningly. "What is it?" I asked him. " Have a look at the bar." Slowly I let my eyes weld to the bar only to meet the angry, sparkling blue eyes I had fallen in love with. I sighed and let my head hang briefly. "Now he will I mumbled desperately. Now Ángel burst out laughing. "He wants to kill me?" he laughed softly. "He should try that!" he said amused. "Ángel", I admonished him. "Lo siento. But Domenico should know that I would never approach you unless you want to or are in a relationship," he said. He was right about that. I should tell Domenico. that I fell in love with. I sighed and hung my head for a moment. "Now he'll want to kill you even more," I mumbled desperately. Now a laugh escaped Ángel. "He wants to kill me?" he laughed softly. "He should try that!" he said amused. "Ángel," I admonished him. "Lo siento. But Domenico should know that I would never approach you if you don't want to or are in a relationship," he said. He was right about that. I should tell Domenico. that I fell in love with. I sighed and hung my head for a moment. "Now he'll want to kill you even more," I mumbled desperately. Now a laugh escaped Ángel. "He wants to kill me?" he laughed softly. "He should try that!" he said amused. "Ángel," I admonished him. "Lo siento. But Domenico should know that I would never approach you if you don't want to or are in a relationship," he said. He was right about that. I should tell Domenico. Ángel," I admonished him. "Lo siento. But Domenico should know that I would never approach you unless you want to or are in a relationship," he said. He was right about that. I should tell Domenico. Ángel," I admonished him. "Lo siento. But Domenico should know that I would never approach you unless you want to or are in a relationship," he said. He was right about that. I should tell Domenico.

I didn't want him to be jealous of Ángel. Ángel is my friend and always will be. Domenico has to accept that.

"Do you think my parents and siblings would accept Domenico and me?" I asked him. Ángel shrugged. "It's hard to say. I don't know. Your family has been at odds with the De Santis for a long time . And as I know your father, but there are miracles Cayetana", he said and I nodded. I really wish for a future with Domenico. Does he also want one with?

"And you look beautiful in that dress, by the way," Ángel said. "Gracias," I murmured, embarrassed.

The song slowly came to an end and Ángel and I stepped off the dance floor. We sat down at a high table and talked about everything. Until suddenly I was startled from behind and almost everything screamed together. Holy Mother of God! "Adriana!" I hissed, startled, and turned to her. "Are you still okay? I almost screamed with fright!" I hissed, but she just laughed. "That's why yes," she grinned and stood next to us. "What do you have to talk about?" she wanted to know curiously. "Anything," Àngel replied calmly. Adriana eyed us sceptically. "So everything is alright between you?" she asked uncertainly. "Was it ever not alright?" Ángel asked a confused question. I have to smile.

"Fortunately, I'm not the only one who knows that anymore," Adriana said liberatingly. Ángel just rolled his eyes and said: "Just because I know about it doesn't mean I like it or despise De Santis any less". "You're just jealous because he has Cayetana and you don't," she said teasingly. "Adri!" I hissed and punched her in the arm. She just grinned at me before the corners of her mouth dropped again and she looked in one direction, perplexed. "What's the matter with him?" she asked confused and pointed in a direction. "Is he drunk?" she asked afterwards. What or who does she mean? I slowly turned in the direction she was pointing and suddenly my heart started beating faster. Prevention.

I curse the fact that I can't just go to him. "Something's wrong!" I mumbled, lost in thought, and continued to watch my friend. "Something must have happened," I stated. Domenico would never give up at a gala, never! Everything in me screamed that I should go to him. But I can not. I was right from the start! My feeling was right from the start! I looked around the room searching. where is his family

When Domenico suddenly got up from the stool, my heart almost dropped when I saw that he could hardly keep his balance. "Dios," I murmured. In slow and shaky steps he ran towards the toilets. My chance. "I'll be right back!" I informed Adriana and Ángel, and slowly stormed off. I mustn't draw attention to myself!

From a short distance I saw Domenico walking down the toilet aisle. By the time I got down the aisle, he had already disappeared into the men's room, but that's okay. I can wait. And lucky for me nobody can see us here. Otherwise I would have had to go into the men's room for better or worse.

I walked towards the wall and slowly leaned against it while waiting for Domenico. It wasn't long before I heard the faint sound of a faucet before the door opened. When Domenico saw me, he stopped dead in his tracks. His posture was still very shaky. With slow steps he stepped out of the door. Mierda, I'm afraid he'll fall over at any moment the way he wobbled. Neither of us spoke, we just kept eye contact. Something was wrong with him, I wanted to be there for him, just hug him. When I pushed off the wall and started to walk towards him, he held up his hand. I stayed where I was, perplexed. "What's the matter, Domenico?" I asked cautiously. He let out a laugh while shaking his head. "There's so much going on, Cayetana", he slurred and leaned against the opposite wall. "Did something happen?" I asked worried. This is definitely not the Domenico I know! "Why do you want to know that, huh? You always want to know everything, although not everything is always your business, Cayetana!" he growled, slurring. I looked at him in surprise.

"I'm not accountable to you! For nothing! Merda, this is all your fault!" he snapped at me. "It's your fault fucking shit! If only you'd stayed home the night we met!" he mumbled under his breath before rubbing his face. A wet veil formed before my eyes. What did he say? His words left a sharp pang in my chest. Unable to say anything, I pushed back the tears that were forming. Still, I tried to get a few words out as best I could. "A-are you jealous of Ángel? Is that why you snap at me like that?" I croaked out. He laughed again. Dios, what's the matter with him? "I'm not jealous of that López bastard!" he slurred, laughing. " Then why are you saying something like that?" I wanted to know, almost in tears. Domenico would never say something like that to me. Never! I..." he started rubbing his face. "Fuck I don't know. I...I've had a pretty stressful day and well...I dunno. I'm sorry," I slurred, slowly bobbing his head back and forth. He closed his eyes for a brief moment before slowly opening them again. He opened his eyes again and... it felt like like my heart stopped. His eyes were sparkling. "I'm sorry, really everything amore mio," he slurred under his breath, rubbing his eyes. "Everything," he murmured to himself. I sucked in air before leaving without saying anything else. I ran as fast as I could out of this fuckin' aisle. With mixed feelings, I swept my gaze across the crowd before settling on one particular person.

I didn't think about it, just ran to him. I don't care what others might be thinking right now. I was talking about Domenico. "Adriano?" I said quietly when I reached him. He turned to me and looked at me questioningly. He probably hadn't counted on me, I mean, why should he? "Yes?" I swallowed to hold back tears. The words Domenico said to me literally ran through my brain. "Domenico, he...he's drunk. He said weird things. II don't know if anything happened, but someone better take him home," I said. Overwhelmed, he looked at me before looking across the room. "Where is he?" Adriano wanted to know and emptied his glass in one gulp before setting it down on the bar table. "

I swallowed hard and started moving. Don't panic, Cayetana! YOU are a caring and nice person and you just wanted to help! That's how you are. I told myself. And I was sure my family would buy that. Oh man, I'm getting deeper into this fucking shit every day.

"What was that?" Ramón asked me when I got to them. I took another deep breath before I began to speak. "I was in the bathroom and there I was in the hallway," I paused and pretended to think. "What was his name again?" I mumbled to myself, lost in thought. I acted as if it had occurred to me. "I saw Domenico De Santis drunk in the hall and well I just told one of his brothers," I explained, actually sounding believable. Suddenly this disgusting feeling of bad conscience spread through me again. I just lied to my family right in the face. It felt like my stomach was being completely constricted by this lie. I didn't want that at all but what should I have done? Should I have left Domenico there? With the fear he could get more drunk. No, I really didn't want that. One thing is for sure, if my family doesn't find out soon, I won't be able to take it anymore. The bad conscience almost crushes me.

Ramón just shrugged. "We don't care if that motherfucker gets drunk at a public event!" he just said. I wanted to jump in my brother's face for that jerk off. "Oh hermano, you know what our little sister is like," said Alejandro and put his arm around him. Ramón laughed lightly. "Oh yes, she worries about everything, even the enemy," he said, grinning. Domenico is not my enemy.