22

A loud knock woke me from my sleep. I sighed in frustration. Because of what happened with Domenico last night, I could hardly sleep and now someone woke me up. "Yes?" I yelled angrily, still half asleep. As soon as I called that, the door was literally stormed open. My eyes were still closed. "Who disturbs me early in the morning?" I grumbled with my eyes closed. "Your favorite brother, so open your eyes, hermana!" I snorted in annoyance. "Well, I'm afraid I have to disappoint you. Valentín is my favorite brother," I grinned evilly, still with my eyes closed. Alejandro started laughing. "We both know that's not true, sis," he laughed.

"What do you want?" I mumbled and tried to sleep on unnoticed. "Open your eyes," he asked me. With an annoyed sigh, I opened my tired eyes. I eyed Ale questioningly. "And now?" I asked, yawning. "How do I look?" he wanted to know. Serious? "Are you kidding me Alejandro?" I growled furiously, closing my eyes again on purpose. "Cayetana," he said warningly. "My face," I mumbled and opened it again. Suddenly my cell phone started ringing. I slowly propped myself up on my elbows to look at my bedside table, which was my cell phone. My eyes widened slightly.

Incoming FaceTime call from: Domenico

I quickly grabbed my phone and declined the call. Mierda, if Ale had seen that. I hastily turned off my ringtone and shoved my phone under my pillow before looking at Ale. "Why? Where are you going?" I asked annoyed and hoped he wouldn't get suspicious.

Alejandro seemed to think for a moment before starting to answer. "I want to go out tonight and I wanted to ask you if I look good," he replied. "If you tell me where you want to go," I said and ran my fingers through my tangled hair. "Er, a business dinner. But a very important one!" he replied. I glared at him as I was about to put a bullet in him. "Alejandro, are you all serious about asking me about your fucking outfit, what do you fucking need until tonight?" I grumbled angrily. He opened his mouth but I forestalled him. "Get out!" I growled. "But-" "Get out! Ask Antonia or anyone, but get out of my room now or I swear to God,

And indeed. Ale went. Who the hell picks out an outfit for a stupid business lunch first thing in the morning?! How stupid can you be?

When I was sure that Alejandro wouldn't come in again, I slowly took my cell phone out from under the pillow. Domenico had tried to call me three more times and was now back. I pressed decline again. He had hurt me with his words, drunk or not. I don't care, now he's feeling it. He should have talked to me instead of snapping at me like that. But on the other hand, I wanted to answer, because maybe he really was just having a bad day. But he doesn't have to snap at me about that. Finally, the next time he tried to FaceTime me, I answered, but I answered my camera off. I looked at my phone screen and saw his worried face. "Amore mio?" he breathed questioningly. I saw a hint of regret in his eyes. "Yes?" I mumbled under my breath and got up from my bed and walked to the door to lock it. "Can you turn on your camera? I'd like to see you," he asked me. That sounds more like Domenico. "Why? After all, you wish I'd stayed at home at the club that night," I mumbled, offended, and I remembered his words last night too well. Domenico briefly closed his eyes before he sighed. "Cayetana, please," he asked. With an annoyed snort, I turned my camera back on. "Satisfied?" I wanted to know from him annoyed. I felt a few tears slowly welling up in my eyes. That sentence was really painful. But I swallowed these right away, Mierda,

"Cuore mio, I didn't mean it that way. You have to believe me," he asked. "Oh no? What's my fault then?" I wanted to know. "Nothing baby, really. I just drank too much and sometimes I'm unbearable when I'm drunk." Towards the end he laughed a little. "What happened? And why didn't you talk to me?" I asked. Something had to have been the trigger.

"I just had a freaking bad day yesterday, mia bella," he said. "A few deals went through and then I saw you dancing with that rag," he said. I rolled my eyes. "Domenico!" I admonished him. "What? He's getting close to you! He should keep his hands off my girl!" "Ángel doesn't approach me! We're friends!" I tried to explain to him, but he just clicked his tongue. "Who are you kidding amore mio, huh? He fucks you with his eyes alone!" he growled. "God, you're so damn jealous! That's really ridiculous, Domenico. I would never want anything from Ángel and besides, he wouldn't approach me, that's what he told me yesterday when we were dancing", I said annoyed. "Yeah," he whispered to himself. I just shook my head. "And what about your employees? Speaking of which," I remarked. He frowned in confusion, "What are you talking about?" "From the employee who practically adored you at breakfast the other day!" I prompted the last of his brain cells. "You mean Sarah?" he asked.

"I don't care what her name is," I snapped. What he can do, so can I. "Dio, yes she may adore me, but that's only because she never accepted that this was a one-time thing," he explained. My eyes widened. "You laid her?" I asked perplexed. I would have expected that, but that he said it so openly. "Once, but that was a while ago. And besides, I don't usually fuck employees!", he defended himself. "Of course, apparently she was something special," I murmured, while my hatred for this woman grew.

"Okay, what do you think if we stop talking about this now?" he suggested. "Yes please," I said relieved. Actually, I wanted anything but to argue with him. "Sorry again about last night. I'm really sorry. Do you forgive me?" he asked with a pout. That looked so weird. I had to laugh. "If you make it up to me properly," I had to suppress a giggle. "How can I make it up to you, my beauty?" slime. "Mhh, maybe in the near future you'll always talk to me if something should happen?" I helped him along. "I will, I promise," he swore. "But I have to hang up again now, amore mio. Adriano and I still have to go somewhere.

-

I sighed, bored. I did not know, what I should do. I've just put my book down after an estimated three hours because I was gradually losing interest in reading. And now I'm lying in my bed and staring at the ceiling. I grabbed my cell phone without taking my eyes off the ceiling because it was ringing. The corners of my mouth turned up immediately when I saw that Domenico was calling me. "Hey," I smiled at the camera. "Hey," he smiled back wearily. "Are you okay?" I asked while laying on my side. "Sì, the day was just a bit exhausting, we just got home," he said. "Just now? It's half past eight in the evening." He nodded. "Yes, actually I wanted to hit my ear right away, but I wanted to hear your voice again", he murmured before slightly closing his eyes. I had to smile. "When will we see each other again?" he asked. "I don't know, I would have to speak to Adriana," I explained. "What do you think if we break up now, you lie down and I call Adri?" I suggested. "Sounds perfect," he grumbled. "Good night, mi amor," I smiled. "Good night, amore mio," he murmured before I pressed the red phone.

I quickly called Adriana on FaceTime, and it didn't take long for her to answer. Oh. "Oh, were you about to take a shower?" I asked her directly. I saw from her shoulders that she was naked. Or at least on top. "Yes, Cayetana. Can we-" I quickly cut her off. "No, I just wanted to ask you something quickly. It'll be quick," I said quickly. "Cayetana, it's not good right now-" "I just wanted to ask you when you'll have time again because of Domenico?" I interrupted her again. I didn't want to bother you for long. Suddenly Adriana closed her eyes and bit her lip. "Was de-" "I'll hear you, Tana," with that she hung up. What the? I stared at my phone, perplexed.

Adriana

I took a deep breath while my heartbeat quickened a little. I slowly slid my head to the right only to meet his puzzled face. Fuck. "You have exactly two options now, mi amor. Option one: you tell me what the hell she just meant. Or option two: I'll drive home myself," Alejandro demanded.

Still completely perplexed, I put my phone down again. How strange. Other than that, she always made time for me. Especially since they only wanted to take a shower. I got off the bed and slipped on my slippers. Quickly remade my bun, then I grabbed my phone and went downstairs.

As I walked down the stairs, I thought again about just now. What if Adriana doesn't mind that she always has to give me an alibi. I didn't even think of that. Lost in thought, I ran into the kitchen and got myself a pudding from the fridge. I got a spoon from the kitchen cupboard and then ran into the dining room. Alone I sat down at the giant table and thought about everything. Especially about the Domenico thing. I mean, his family accepts us, maybe I should tell mine? Because if the De Santis accept it, I'm sure my family will too. Or?

Minimal flinched when my phone suddenly started ringing. Adriana. Huh. I quickly put the spoon in the pudding and picked up my cell phone. "Adri?" I took her call. "Cayetana," she murmured, sounding desperate. "We have a problem...you have a problem." I frowned. "What are you talking about?" I asked, clearly confused. "Alejandro..." she murmured and fell silent again. My heart started beating faster. "What about him?" I asked worried. Isn't he at his business dinner? "Nothing...he...he knows. That with Domenico, damn Tana he knows," she said suddenly. My eyes widened. As. What. Where from. "Where from?" I blurted out in panic as my heart raced.

Alejandro. White. It.

"Cayetana, I told you, let's talk tomorrow," she said desperately. Completely perplexed I stared into the air. "What do you mean? How does he know," I said confused. "He was with me when you called," she said guiltily. "Lo siento," she added. "Ale and I, we...well wi-" "What's going on between you guys?" I asked, shocked if my voice had gotten louder. "Si."

I threw my phone down on the table and rubbed my hair in a frenzy. "Cayetana, he's on his way home now," she informed me. "Fuck!" I uttered, overwhelmed. "Is he..." I started. "Yes, very angry in fact," she answered without me having to finish my question. "Shit!" I hissed and hung up. I took the pudding and threw it in the trash along with the spoon. I stormed out of the dining room in a panic.

What should I do now? When I arrived in the foyer, the front door was suddenly thrown open and an angry Alejandro stepped through the door. My eyes widened in fear as I looked into his eyes, which shone with anger. I've often seen Alejandro angry, but never because of me. I swallowed hard and didn't dare to move. He stomped at me angrily. "Alejandro," I breathed in panic before he grabbed my arm and pulled me up the stairs. A few tears formed in my eyes. His tight grip hurt, but I didn't dare to say anything.

Arrived in front of my room he opened the door and roughly pushed me in before closing it behind him. I stumbled toward the bed, barely able to keep my balance. "Are you kidding me?" he yelled at me in disbelief. I looked down at the floor, nervous and scared at the same time. I didn't dare look at him.

Alejandro will despise you!

"Look at me damn shit!" he snapped in anger. I winced slightly at his loud voice. He had never spoken to me like that before. My eyes started to sting and I felt a tear slide down my cheek. I slowly turned my head up and looked at him with wet eyes. "Domenico De Santis? Cayetana, are you completely kidding me?" he yelled.

"Well, I never expected that from you," he said in a lower, but still angry tone. Suddenly he laughed. "You're letting the enemy fuck you," he roared again. I bit my lip to hold back the tears that were coming.

"What about your loyalty?" he asked. "I'm loyal!" I croaked out. He laughed again. "You're kidding me! And we all believed you yesterday because you don't think of the helpful and loyal Cayetana that she would spread her legs for a De Santis," he said disparagingly. Now I got angry too. "You have no idea about anything!" I hissed, my hands clenching into fists. He just nodded, laughing evilly. "Let's see what mom and dad think of that!" he said and turned around.

"Go ahead and tell him." Alejandro stopped moving. "Let's see what our and Adriana's parents think of you laying her!" I continued. I felt so bad inside because I was kind of blackmailing him. He was still standing in front of me with his back to me. Ale just shook his head before storming out of my room.

Tears welled up in my eyes. I sat on my bed and let them run wild. How could it all get so out of control? "Dios," I sobbed, putting my hands on my face.Damn.

After minutes of silence, I let out a loud sigh. I grabbed my phone and texted Domenico.

Are you still awake? If so please call me.

It was very unlikely, but worth a try. Everything is really going wrong right now. Should I try talking to Alejandro again? Try to explain it to him? The moment I decided to go over to his place, my cell phone started ringing. I raised my eyebrows in surprise. "Everything okay?" Domenico asked after I picked up and said nothing for a moment.

Domenico

"Alejandro knows," she murmured. "What?" I replied, taken aback. "Alejandro knows about us and it's my fault. I'm sorry," she whispered harshly. She had been crying. My chest tightened at the thought. Oh not again. "What does he think of that, or how did he react?" I demanded, while also worrying that it would all come out. I wasn't scared because of the plan I had with my family, I was scared that I wouldn't see them anymore.

I couldn't deny the growing feelings for her anymore. It was too late. Inside, I knew full well that I was about to fall head over heels in love with Cayetana Fernández, and I also knew that it wasn't a good thing. That did not work. We had a plan, no real feelings fit into it. But my head and especially my heart probably had other plans. "I don't know exactly. Before you called I wanted to see him again, but I don't think he will say anything," she answered and I could clearly hear that she was having a hard time. Just everything.

I could hear her sobbing softly in the background. "It feels like things are getting out of hand right now, Domenico," she croaked. Please don't cry. "I love you and I want to be with you, but I'm afraid I won't be for much longer At some point I have to tell my family, otherwise my guilty conscience will kill me," she cried. I don't want that! I don't want to hear her cry! "I know," I breathed. Everything in me screamed to take her in my arms. I took a deep breath in my lungs and searched for the right words.

"It's going to be alright, amore mio," was the only thing I managed to utter, and to be honest I didn't know what to say. "I hope so," she murmured.

"I'm going to hang up now. I want to go talk to Ale again," she said after a short silence. "Okay, we hear each other," I replied. "Bye," with which she hung up.

I sighed and buried my face in my hands. Why did everything have to turn out like this? Why did I have to develop feelings for her. Now Cayetana was no longer the only one with a guilty conscience. merda

I desperately needed someone to talk to. I hastily jumped out of my bed and left my room. With quick steps I ran to Adriano's door and without knocking I opened it. I stopped abruptly in the doorway and narrowed my eyes. "Sarah, if you would leave me and my brother alone for a moment," I asked the woman who was about to ride Adriano. "Uhmm, of course Mr. De Santis," Sarah stuttered. "Merda, Domenico, are you serious?" he growled, rather unhappily, while I heard him zip up his jeans. "Sì," I replied calmly and opened my eyes again. Sarah was about to put on her work clothes. And as soon as she was done with that, she was gone.

As the door slammed shut, I ran towards his bed before falling backwards onto it. "I think I have a problem," I said, overwhelmed to my face. "What?" I heard Adriano's voice. I let out a sigh before saying "I think I've fallen in love with her".

-

Cayetana MINUTES AGO

When I got out of bed, I touched my clothes briefly and left my room. I stood in front of Ale's door for a moment, undecided whether I should even try. But I didn't let these thoughts get me down and knocked. No Answer. I took another deep breath before turning the handle and entering his room. "Get out!" he grumbled. I didn't listen to him and closed the door behind me. "Cayeta-" "Now just fucking listen to me!" I growled. Alejandro clicked his tongue.

I walked slowly towards his bed and sat down next to him. "Just listen to me," I said quietly. "When we met, we didn't know who we were. It wasn't the first time I saw Domenico at the dinner. I can't help my feelings and neither can Domenico. So please don't judge me just because I love someone, even if it's a De Santis because that's hard in this family when you're hardly allowed to go anywhere by yourself. I love Domenico and you or anyone else won't be able to do anything about that. So the choice is yours. Either you accept it or you hate me right," I said resolutely. I hoped he would accept it because I didn't want to lose my brother.

He snorted and rubbed his forehead in stress. "I could never hate you," he murmured. I breathed out a sigh of relief, barely audible. Thank God. Then there was silence. Neither of us said anything. "Is he at least good to you?" Ale suddenly wanted to know. I nodded eagerly. "Oh yes, he is," I said, and it was. He treated me like a queen. Alejandro nodded. "Good for him," he commented.

"Since when have you and Adriana been going, huh?" I changed the subject. "2 months," he replied. Wow, she's been hiding this from me for so long? "Why didn't you ever say anything?" I asked him. He just shrugged. "We didn't know if it would work and besides, you don't have to say it right away. Especially since we didn't know we would react to her. Especially you," he explained. Suddenly I remembered something. "That's how Adriana knew about the hotel," I mumbled, lost in thought. "Hm?" "The morning you called me about the hotel, she brought it up on the car ride. And I felt like I hadn't told her," I told him.

"Do you love her?" I wanted to know. Now Ale looked at me. "Yes I do, very much so," he smiled, which automatically made my lips smile as well. "Come here!" he said and spread his arms. I was only too happy to put my arms around him and enjoy the hug.

Alejandro does not despise me.

"I love you, Cayetana. Nothing would change that," he grumbled into the crook of my neck. A few tears formed in my eyes. Tears of joy.

"Hey, but isn't that really handy?" I asked after we broke up again. "What do you think?" "Well, we can be each other's alibi," I said. "If you want to go to Adriana, I'll go to Domenico. We could say for mom, dad and the others that we're going to do something. Win-win," I grinned. Alejandro raised his eyebrows questioningly. "Why should I give you an alibi that you can go to De Santis? I'll get out like that too," he smiled cheekily. I opened my mouth in disgust.

"And I'll tell you one thing, Tana. If he hurts you, I'll break his skull in with a baseball bat," he warned, which made me laugh.

If he hurts you, I'll smash his skull in with a baseball bat," he warned, which made me laugh