29 - Amore Mio: Forbidden Desire

Domenico 16 HOURS BEFORE

"Here," Adriano said, handing me a cooling pad. "Thank you," I murmured, holding it to my nose. "And that López motherfucker slapped you?" he asked in disbelief and I nodded. "And why didn't you fight back? You could have hit him twice," he said confused. "Cayetana was there," I whispered, thinking about the sight of her. How her red dress hugged her body perfectly. She looked so beautiful.

But what I worried about was the fact that she was drunk. And having that bastard with her got my blood pumping. "I just didn't want her to see that," I murmured softly. The last few days have been pure hell. I miss them. I can't sleep and I think about her all the time. To her and her adorable smile. A smile I destroyed. At night, when I slept and I had bad dreams, I dreamed of her tear-stained face, which she had when she confronted me behind the club.

"Merda, why did you do all this if you love her? You could see that she's good for you," said Adriano. I sighed. "I couldn't help it. I don't know either. I couldn't lie to you guys. I kind of thought I was imagining those feelings," I explained. "But you didn't," he said, to which I nodded. "She hates me," I said. My eyes were fixed straight ahead.

"That's exactly why I only fuck meaningless and don't let any woman near me," he laughed. "That doesn't get me anywhere either, Adriano," I murmured. "Well, fratello, I can't say more like: 'You screwed it up yourself,'" he said and pushed himself off the wall. "I'm going to sleep, crying after Cayetana alone," he said, and started walking. He stopped abruptly. "Oh, you screwed yourself up," he grinned. I shook my head, rolling my eyes. Wanker.

It was easy for him to talk. Adriano probably didn't even come close to knowing what that felt like. Merda, I didn't know until now either. It hurts so weird. And then when I saw her yesterday with Ángel. Dio, I wanted to kill him right then and there.

Back when I was a little kid, I always thought love would feel beautiful and carefree. But not only that, it also hurt like hell.

Cayetana NOW

Alejandro and I stayed in this position for a while before I slowly pulled away because I wanted to get out of this dress. "You should let Adriana know too. She was really worried too," I heard Alejandro call out while I was changing in the closet. "I'll do it," I said and went back to my room, having changed my clothes. "And maybe you should talk to Mom, Dad and the others again."

I stopped and looked at him in disbelief. "Are you kidding me? They don't talk to me," I said. Ale looked like he was thinking. "Maybe they don't have to," he said.

"Do you think that would change anything?" I said to the camera. "I don't know," Adriana replied. "I really don't know, but you should definitely try," she added. Ale had suggested that maybe at the dinner table tonight I should explain how the whole situation made me feel. He said they might understand then.

I was very skeptical. Mainly because I didn't want Antonia talking shit again. But I don't want to be treated like air any longer, so I'm trying my best. I can't help my feelings.

"I just hope it works out," I murmured. "It will. Always be optimistic, Tana," she said. "You're right," I said firmly, standing up. "I'm going to go down there now and straighten everything out!" I said confidently and hung up. wait what I tapped my phone in a panic and called Adriana again.

Laughing, she took the call. "Sorry," I laughed. "I actually wanted to say goodbye to you normally," I said, laughing. "Bye," Adriana smiled. "See you then," I grinned and we hung up. Oh god, sometimes I really am that dumb.

I took another deep breath before making my way downstairs. I nervously played with my fingers as my feet made their way to the dining room. And when I got to the door, I didn't hesitate for a second and went into the room. Everyone was already there. Perfect.

You can do this, Cayetana! Everything will be fine. I walked to my place next to Ale and sat silently next to him. "You can do this," Ale whispered in my ear. I just smiled at him briefly in response.

A few moments passed. I absolutely didn't know how to start. For a moment I even toyed with the idea of not doing it at all. But I can't give up. Always think optimistically. Determined, I sat up straight. I cleared my throat briefly to draw attention to myself.

I took another deep breath before I began to speak. "I'm getting tired of being ignored by you guys. I know what I did was wrong, but is it really necessary to treat me like air?" I stopped briefly. Tears wanted to creep into my eyes again, but I held them back. "You know, I think I was looking for what I've been looking for in Domenico for so long, namely love. And I'm not talking about family love. It's so difficult to find someone in this family, especially when you're so controlling "Brothers like me. I was fooled about Domenico and let myself be tricked. But what you're doing is almost as painful as the thing with Domenico. You treat me like air, like I'm not there and I don't deserve that. Yes , I screwed up a big deal for you guys, but I'm still family after all. Family is more important than business, right?"

I paused again. Everyone listened intently. "I love Domenico and I hate myself for that. He says he really fell in love with me, but my trust in him is limited. I loved. Is that really so reprehensible? You can de I know I don't like Santis, but I fell in love with one anyway. And I fucking suck that you guys are that way to me."

Silence. Nothing but silence. But what did I expect- "Would you go back to him?" came my father's voice suddenly. My gaze wandered to him and his was on me. I had to think. Despite everything, my heart beats for Domenico. That is a difficult question. But it's very unlikely. I didn't mean anything to him anyway. "I don't know," I mumbled, staring at the table. "It's hard to judge because I don't think that will ever happen," I added. My chest hurt. That's it for my love story.

Even though I long so much for a happy ending.

Cayetana

My cell phone was ringing, waking me up. Why does everyone have to ring the bell to get me out of bed early in the morning? Annoyed, I sat up and groaned sleepily as I reached for my phone. Unknown number. I picked up. "Hello?" I said into the phone. Silence. There was silence until I heard a sob.

I frowned questioningly. "Hello?" I repeated. "Cayetana..." breathed a voice that was all too familiar to me. "Chiara?" I asked confused. What did she want from me? She was crying unmistakably. What did she want from me? Why didn't she call her best friend, or God knows when? Where did she even get my number from? What the hell did Chiara De Santis want from me?

"Chiara, what do you want from me? I don't think we both have anything to discuss," I said, clearly annoyed. She should hear that I had absolutely no interest in that call. But I wasn't able to just hang up. I wasn't that rude after all. "D-domenico...er...he had an accident," she cried.

It felt like the features were escaping me. I was worried. Worry he didn't deserve. "He was in a car accident, Cayetana. Er...merda he lost his memory," she sobbed.

In shock, I put my hand over my mouth. mierda My heart started beating faster. I shouldn't care what happened to Domenico, but no matter how many times I would deny it, I do care. I still loved him. These feelings don't go away overnight. Still, I wondered why she was calling me. After all, I had nothing to do with him anymore. "Chiara, why are you calling me then?" I wanted to know before chewing on the inside of my cheek thoughtfully.

"He can't remember anything, Cayetana. When we stand in front of him, he doesn't even recognize his own family." She paused briefly. "Believe it or not, he loved you. And well, I thought if you might-" "No," I snapped. I knew what she was getting at. I wasn't able to watch him. I just couldn't. After everything that happened. "Cayetana, I beg you," she sobbed. "You're my last hope," she whispered. I swallowed, really toying with the idea. But in the end it wouldn't do any good. If he didn't even recognize his own family.

"I know what happened between you. But I'm asking you. I know you have umpteen reasons not to do it, but I appeal to the helpful person in you Cayetana. And you can't tell me that Domenico is in doesn't give a fuck in such a short time," she croaked. Oh no, he definitely wasn't. I took a deep breath while seriously considering it.

"Which hospital is he in?" I relented. As much as I fought against it, I couldn't just stay here without going there. I wasn't like that. "At Dawson Hospital," she replied. "Okay, I'll be right there," I said. "Grace."

I can not believe it. I can't believe I'm seriously on my way to the hospital right now. He definitely didn't deserve it, but there was nothing I could do about the urge to go. "Fuck!" I hissed, cursing my stupid feelings for this man.

I parked in front of the hospital and practically ran across the, by the way, well-stocked parking lot. With quick steps I headed towards the reception. Completely out of breath, I leaned on my knees for a moment and breathed in and out, panting.

I looked up questioningly at the lady at the reception. "Which room is Domenico De Santis in?" I asked out of breath. She did a quick tap on her computer before looking back at me. "Mr. De Santis is on the second floor in room 25," she informed me. "Thank you very much!" I said quickly and continued to sprint.

I ran to the elevator and pressed what felt like ten thousand times on this fucking button. "Mierda, is there a faster way?" I whispered frantically. The doors closed and the ride up to the second floor felt like hours. Go faster!

The elevator doors finally opened and I ran down the hall. "19...20....21...22....23...24....25. 25!" I dived. I took a deep breath in and out, still not understanding why I was doing it. He broke my heart and I still do it. Can I get any dumber?

Now that my breathing was normal again, I knocked gently and then entered the room. Chiara, sitting on a chair in front of the bed and apparently conversing with Domenico, looked at me, as did Domenico. He looked at me right...alien. Not like I was used to from him. Chiara got up and came towards me. She grabbed my hand and squeezed it before smiling gratefully at me. "Thanks Cayetana. Seriously, you have no idea how much I give you credit for that after what happened," she said quietly. She was on the verge of tears again. I honestly didn't know what to say in reply, so I just nodded.

"Okay, uhmm I'll leave you alone then," she mumbled and started walking. Before leaving the room, she glanced over her shoulder and gave me a grateful smile. I sucked in air from my lungs before slowly turning to face him.

For a brief moment we both just looked at each other. It was a weird feeling. I cleared my throat. "Hi," I said softly. How am I supposed to start a conversation with him?!

"Hey," he replied as quietly as I did. With slow steps I headed towards the chair on which Chiara was just sitting. I sat down and first had to think about how to start this whole thing, but Domenico beat me to it.

"Chiara told me we were dating," he murmured. I nodded and eyed him. "Yes we were. I was very happy," I whispered. Domenico looked at me thoughtfully. As if something was going on in his head right now. He eyed me skeptically. "Your name is Cayetana, isn't it?" he questioned. My breath hitched as I stared at him in disbelief. "What?" I breathed. This can not be.

How is it that he remembers me and not his own family? "You know my name?" I asked, my heart racing. He nodded slowly before narrowing his eyes like he was in excruciating pain. "I remember you," he said, slowly opening his eyes again. My heart was racing wildly. How the hell can that be?

"I remember the night we were at the restaurant. All alone," he murmured, rubbing his face. The words stuck in my throat. "Or um." Again he narrowed his eyes. "The dance at the club," he said. Suddenly he looked at me questioningly. "Why did we break up?" he asked confused. "We were happy, weren't we?" he asked.

Please what? Is this serious? Tears welled up in my eyes. He can remember the good things but not the bad? He can't remember ripping my heart out of my chest and stomping on it like crazy? "Is that all? Can't you remember anything else?" I wanted to know, on the verge of tears. Domenico slowly began to shake his head. "I can only remember how much I loved you or love you," he replied. I laughed unintentionally, which made Domenico raise his eyebrows questioningly.

"Why are you laughing?" he wanted to know. "Because you didn't love me," I murmured. "Mhh?" "Domenico, you just ripped me off. You can't tell me that you only remember the good times!" I hissed. I became angry. Angry, but also damn sad. I felt tears running down my cheeks.

Domenico looked at me completely perplexed. "I'm sorry but I can't remember anything else. But I can't imagine hurting you. As strong as my feelings are," he said. "Are you kidding me? You're not really trying to tell me that you love me! You ripped me off and took advantage of me!" I sobbed. "I can't do this!" I mumbled quickly, standing up. I had to get out of here!

"Cayetana!" he called after me, but I kept walking. I could not do it. That was too much. I fled the sickroom like mad. "Cayetana?" I heard Chiara's confused voice. I shook my head. "Go in to him, because I can't do this," was the only thing I managed to get out before I left at a rapid pace.

Still crying, I turned off the engine of my car. How can he only remember the good stuff and not the bad stuff? I got out of my car and ran in. I just wanted to crawl into my room. I slipped in unnoticed and I figured I'd make it unnoticed, but before I could open my bedroom door, I heard Alejandro.

"Cayetana?" he asked. I didn't want to turn around because he saw that I was crying. However, he would come after me if I didn't. Mierda! I slowly turned around and when he saw me, his gaze changed to concern. "What's going on?" he asked worried. My breath caught because I had to think about Domenico again. dios The last few weeks have been all about him.

Alejandro came up to me and hugged me. "What's the matter princesa?" he asked softly. "D-domenico, he's lost his memory," I sobbed, trembling. Ale grabbed my shoulders and pushed me slightly away. "What?" he said confused. "Chiara called me earlier and told me. He doesn't recognize anyone and she asked me to come over. I don't know why I really did it either, but Ale... He remembers me, but only the beautiful ones Things. Not about how much he hurt me," I whimpered.

"How can that be? He has to remember the bad things too! He can't leave them out...."