24

I had probably just lost all facial features. So much information at once. Thursday? My eyes widened in shock and my mouth opened. The drug delivery! I told Domenico everything. ALL.

No! That couldn't be true! It couldn't all have been a lie! all the moments The whole I love you. I refuse to believe it was all a lie! "Yes, luckily I don't have to anymore," replied Domenico. It completely knocked the ground out from under my feet. I slammed my hand soundlessly over my mouth and felt my lower lip begin to tremble while my eyes began to sting.

Domenico doesn't love me? Was everything a lie? It was like having my heart ripped out of my chest and trampled on. And that's exactly what Domenico just did. The tears slid silently down my cheeks while the pain in my chest was unbearable.

I stifled a sob with all my might. I was about to collapse. A sudden fear came over me. Would he do anything to me? My breath was out of control while my heart ran a marathon. I felt like my throat was being tied up.

This can not be true. It can't all have been a lie. I bit my lower lip while crying. "Well, I should go back up. Not that she wakes up and I'm not there," I suddenly heard Domenico's voice.

My eyes widened in alarm. I immediately started to move. my heart was racing with fear. As quietly as possible I opened and closed his door. I darted towards the bed and quickly crawled under the covers. And finally I wiped the tears from my face. Keep calm Cayetana, if you do this he won't hurt you!

As soon as I lay still, I heard the door slowly open and Domenico quietly crept in. I tried to control my breathing as best I could and not burst into tears, which was damn hard for me.

I almost jumped when he gently stroked my upper arm with the back of his hand. To be honest, right now I'm not sure if I'd rather burst into tears or smack him hard.

I grumbled mock sleepily and rolled over slightly. Because if there was one thing I wasn't good at, it was pretending to be asleep. "Good morning, amore mio," Domenico murmured before leaning in and our lips locked together.

Good morning you fucking liar.

"Good morning," I mocky yawned when he finally broke away from me. I had to keep up the facade. For my own good. As I looked at him, tears started to well up in my eyes again. But that couldn't happen. Domenico was not allowed to know that I know. Otherwise he would do something to me.

"Are you all right?" he asked politely. Inwardly I laughed. How good he is at acting. I would love to smack him in his, despite everything, perfect face now. Does he know anything? Miss, I need an excuse quickly!

"Yeah, I'm just having abdominal pains. I think I'll be getting my period soon," I mocked, forcing a smile. I pretended to think of something and slapped my hand over my mouth. "Fuck," I hissed. Domenico frowned questioningly.

"I don't think I can stay much longer. I totally forgot to finish Mona's present," I said upset. I wanted out of here. As soon as possible. I couldn't hold back the tears anymore. I had to process it all.

And when I realized I had to tell my family about this, my heart almost sank. I ruined their business. And then there's the thing with Domenico.

"Mona?" he wanted to know, irritated. "One of our employees. I get along with her quite well," I lied. I was amazed at how good I was at lying right now. Probably because I don't know what else will happen to me.

-

"Do you have everything, tesoro?" Domenico asked. "Mhh," I replied, avoiding his gaze. I really wonder how I got through the last half hour. How I could sit at a table with his family and pretend everything was fine. And her too. How can you take up another facade for so long and fool someone?

I wouldn't be lying if I said I was at the end of my rope. This disgusting feeling of emptiness inside me. "Heyy," Domenico said soothingly, taking my face in his hands. He stroked my wet cheek with his right thumb. Shit.

"Is your pain that bad?" he asked worried. Yes you stupid bastard. And that's because of you. "Mhh hm," I mumbled, forcing a smile, relieved that he thought I was crying because of my period.

He let out a desperate laugh. "Luckily I'm not a woman," he commented before starting the engine. While Domenico drove through the gate, I took my cell phone out of my pocket and texted Adriana that we were leaving.

I felt like a shaken soda bottle about to burst. I finally wanted to let my tears flow freely. This mask had to come off.

I was screwed to the bone. Domenico had lied to my face for weeks. Didn't he have a conscience? How did that go? A laugh escaped uncontrollably from my lips. And I thought he would love me. He looked at me amused. "You have mood swings," he said amused.

And I risked everything for this bastard. I stabbed my family in the back. I lied to her for weeks. How could I be so stupid?

An indescribable fear spread through me when I thought about having to talk to my parents about this. After all, I screwed up their business. dios I could slap myself for my own stupidity. Wasn't it obvious? I mean why did I think Domenico would want to be with me despite the fact that our families are enemies. You are so naive Cayetana.

"Cayetana?" I suddenly heard Domenico's voice. I winced because it was so sudden. A harsh laugh escaped his lips. How I fell in love with that smile. "We're here, you dreamer," laughed Domenico. I was about to smack his fucking perfect smile off his face. To be honest I didn't know how I felt right now. I was sad, devastated. I could cry like a waterfall now, but at the same time I also felt a huge anger.

But nevertheless I had to act normal. Because of my new knowledge, I was also afraid of him. After all, I didn't know what he was capable of. He had lied to me all along, duped me. And I was so naive and I thought he loved me.

I quickly grabbed my bag. "See you," I murmured. However, before I could get out, I felt Domenico's hand on my chin and before I knew it he kissed me. I cursed my body for still sending butterflies flying in my stomach.

"See you," he repeated my words with a smile and let go of me. I got out of the car and took a breath of fresh air. I was able to let it all out. Not long now, Cayetana!

Recognizing Adriana's car, I sprinted over there and hurriedly got in. I exhaled like I'd run a marathon and then the first tear came. "Tana?" she asked confused and worried at the same time. I didn't reply, just put my hand over my mouth to keep from writing in pain.

"Please drive off and take me away from here," I asked her after the time, because she hadn't driven off yet, because she stroked my back soothingly. Will Adriana think I'm completely naïve too?

Will Adriana think I'm completely naïve too?

I cried my heart out the whole drive. For now I was really thankful to Adriana that she didn't push me and to be honest I didn't want to talk about it in the car either. And without me having to say it, she knew that too, and respected it.

My breathing was uncontrolled and I was shaking. The tears had stopped now. I've probably just used up my tear supply for the next three years. The silence that reigned in the car was oppressive. I didn't want to tell Adriana about it. Not because I don't trust her, because I do with my life. But I didn't want to feel any more humiliated.

I trusted Domenico blindly and didn't think about it. I was blind with love. When we arrived at the Lopez's estate, she drove through the gate and as we got out, there was still silence.

I was sure that Adriana certainly didn't know what to say. She didn't even know what it was about. We entered the house together, taking the direct route to her room. Luckily nobody crossed our path, it's bad enough that Adriana sees me like that.

We arrived at her room and as soon as I closed the door, Adriana pulled me into a tight hug. I automatically wrapped my arms around her and started crying again. Sob after sob escaped my lips. "Shh," my best friend reassured me, gently rubbing my back up and down. "I'm so stupid," I whimpered through tears. She gently pulled her arms away from my body before cupping my face in her hands. "What do you mean, sweetie? What happened?" she asked softly and calmly, and without pressure.

I swallowed the fat lump in my throat. The voices of Domenico and his father still echoed in my head.

"Yes, luckily I don't have to do that anymore."

"Domenico," I croaked, but was interrupted by an annoying sob. "He was ripping me off! All the time," I managed through tears. She looked at me perplexed. "Que?" she asked me in shock. I could only nod. My voice was too cracked. "Let's sit down and then you tell me everything. Okay?" she suggested and I nodded in agreement.

Domenico

I sat with my family in the living room, lost in thought. I could not concentrate me. My only thoughts were with Cayetana. I felt miserable for what I did. But I had no choice.

I wasn't like her. I couldn't lie to my family. It just didn't work. There was simply too much at stake for me. Like the opportunity to take over the business one day.

But still, my feelings for Cayetana threw a spanner in the works. I've been thinking all along that maybe I'm just imagining them, but I'm not. I love her and it hurts so damn that I stabbed her in the back. She trusted me...

"Domenico my son, are you even listening?" My dad's voice got through to me. I lifted my head, dazed. "Mhh," I grumbled, rubbing my face. "Well, I think that's how we should do it," my father said seriously. I didn't notice anything. "What should we do?" I asked. He sighed annoyed. "So much for you listening," he laughed desperately. "Because of Thursday. We set the warehouse under explosives and boom: we're finally rid of the Fernández," he says enthusiastically. A sharp tug ran through my chest as I nodded. Cayetana will never forgive me for that.

Cayetana

Adriana sat speechless in front of me. I'm afraid she's at a loss for words. "What a bastard!" she hissed furiously before standing up. She ran back and forth wildly until she suddenly stopped and gave me an apologetic look. "I'm so sorry, Tana," she apologized to me, which made me look at her in confusion. "What is it?" I asked while wiping the rest of the tears from my face. "Well, it's my fault anyway! I told you to get involved," she said guiltily, but I just waved him off. I certainly didn't want her to blame herself! "In the end, I got involved with Domenico. It's all my fault," I commented.

"You know, I don't think I've ever been so devastated while also feeling such anger inside," I said, my eyes fixed on the floor. "I'd like to smack his beautiful face," I mumbled, which made Adriana laugh briefly. I couldn't laugh. I didn't even twist the corners of my mouth slightly. Domenico took away my smile.

"I'm going to have to talk to my parents," I said, tucking my hair behind my ear. "You're going to hate me," I murmured, feeling my eyes start to sting again. Adriana came towards me in brisk steps. "Don't talk like that!", she said and hugged me. "And if you do, you'll always have me, Tana. I'll always be there for you, do you hear?" I just nodded. I wasn't able to do more.

-

A few hours had passed. Adriana and I went to bed and turned on a movie. Luckily, her tears slowly stopped. I'm starting to think I don't have any left. It was now late afternoon.

"I want to meet him," I mumbled without even thinking about it. But I really wanted it. "I want to look at his face while I confront him about this. I want him to know that I know," I continued.

"But you do know that that's way too risky, right?" Adriana wanted to know. I know that, but I was so angry with Domenico. And he shouldn't think he's going to get away with it. I bit my lower lip, pondering. How can I face Domenico without being scared? A weapon! i need a gun "I need a gun," I murmured, turning my gaze to Adriana.

"Can you give me your gun?" I asked her. If I had a gun with me, I would definitely feel safer. "My gun is in my dad's office and if I went to get it now he would ask why and blah blah blah," she explained. I nodded while continuing to think. At least that thought distracted me from crying.

"Okay, where can-" I cut myself off. "Is your brother home?" I asked her. "Which one?" "Ángel," I replied and she nodded hesitantly. "He's down in the dining room, I think, working on some paperwork," she informed me. I nodded and got up from the bed. Ángel will surely be able to give me a gun. "Wait, do you want to ask my brother for a gun now?" she asked, perplexed. "Sí", I said monotonously and was already out the door.

The only thing I could think about at the moment was that I will confront Domenico about it later. And that I was afraid. Afraid I might have to use the gun.