31

The closer I got to the gate of the De Santis estate, my heart pounded harder against my chest. I'll just drop off Chiara and then drive straight away. Domenico won't even notice me.

I looked in the rearview mirror in panic as the gates closed again. I wanted to go straight back...

When I looked straight ahead again, I saw Adriano coming out of the big front door. I parked my car and got out. Chiara did the same. I was about to run to Adriano to ask him to open the gates again, when he came towards us with quick steps. Right in front of us he hugged Chiara tightly. I just stood there in silence as she wrapped her arms tightly around him and began to sob.

I think that's pretty much the first moment I realize that the De Santis family were just like us. They cared about their loved ones and would do anything for them.

I was so deep in these thoughts that I didn't even notice that they were both looking at me. Not knowing what to say or do, I nervously cleared my throat. That moment was kind of uncomfortable for me. I wasn't scared because I doubt the De Santis will do anything to me now that Ihadsaved their sister.

"Can you have the gate opened again?" I asked Adriano. I just wanted to go home. My feet hurt and I longed for a nice cold shower in this summer weather.

"Cayetana, my father would like to speak to you," he said, ignoring my question. "What?" I asked perplexed. "My father would like to thank you personally and have a word with you," he replied.

I glanced at the gate. "I'm afraid you won't let me out before then?" I spoke in a questioning tone and looked back at Adriano. A small smile played around his full lips. "Sì" I snorted. "But it's really fast, after that you can rush off the site as fast as you want. And besides, I think what my dad has to say will interest you a lot," he said. Curiosity spread through me. I'd really like to hear what he has to say to me. Will he apologize to me?

The only reason I hesitated right now was because I didn't want to see Domenico. Under no circumstances! The dream was enough for me. I looked hesitantly at Adriano. "He was just upstairs in his room, so if you hurry you'll get out unnoticed," he said. Apparently he knew the reason for my hesitation.

I slowly nodded in agreement and started walking. I just wanted to get this over with as quickly as possible. After that, this family is over.

"Thanks. Seriously, Cayetana. Especially after everything that's happened," said Adriano, who was walking next to me. I just nodded. "In that situation, I didn't give a shit if it was a De Santis. Nobody deserves that and I would do it again and again," I replied and meant it.

Arriving at the door, Adriano opened it and motioned for me to go inside. A queasy feeling came over me, it just feels so weird. Being here for the first time in a while and knowing that nothing is the way it was. Or what was, was all a lie. I pushed the thought away again. I didn't want to cry again. I had already shed enough tears because of Domenico.

I stood waiting in the foyer. I didn't know where Eliano was. "Come with me," said Adriano and ran ahead. That moment gave me a violent deja vu and took me back to the night Adriano had caught me here in the foyer looking for the kitchen. I swallowed hard and followed him.

To be honest, I didn't want to remember that night. Preferably nothing more connected to Domenico, but that night...

That night he had told me for the first time that he loved me. And it was a lie. And I, stupid cow, was on cloud nine and had on rose-colored glasses. I barely shook my head at that.

Get out of my head you stupid memories!

Adriano led me across the property once until we came to a door. I assume his father's office door. Adriano knocked before opening the door. "Dad, Cayetana is here," he announced. "Then let her in", came Eliano's voice. Adriano stepped aside and looked at me. I took a deep breath and swallowed before stepping into the doorway. It's not that I'm scared of Eliano, because I'm definitely not. But it was kind of weird.

When I saw him I didn't know how I felt to be honest. It felt like... nothing. I felt absolutely nothing. Not even hate.

"You can go, my son," Eliano said, not even taking his eyes off me. I only heard Adriano closing the door.

Eliano pointed to the chair that was in front of his desk. "Sit down," he said. I couldn't interpret his look or his tone of voice. I walked slowly towards the chair before sitting down on it.

"So first of all, I want to thank you, Cayetana," he began. "I never thought you would do something like that for our family after all. I give you credit for that." I just nodded. What should I answer to that?

"And next I want to apologize to you." I became sensitive. He's seriously apologizing to me? "What we did or rather what we would have done if you hadn't found out. Well, I'm sorry," he apologized. "Are you really sorry, or do you just want to say something nice because I saved your daughter?" I asked dryly, because somehow I didn't buy it. The De Santis are enemies with my family, so why should he be sorry?

Eliano let out a small laugh. "I don't know," he replied, and that sounded more like the truth. "Cayetana..." He paused for a moment. "I don't want that to go unrewarded," he said. I immediately shook my head. "Eliano, I don't want anything. That with Chiara was a matter of course," I said decisively. "Who says I want to give you something?" he asked while a small grin played around his lips. I looked at him confused. what does he mean with that?

"Cayetana, I want you to know that we won't stand in your family's way anymore. We'll leave you alone. No more hostility. We give up. That's the least I can do for you."

What?! I looked at Eliano, completely taken aback. "Are you serious?" I asked, making Eliano nod. "I'm serious, Cayetana," he assured me. "You have my word," he added. "It's hard for me to believe," I said honestly. "I can imagine that, but this time we have no ulterior motives. After what you did for Chiara," he said. I nodded hesitantly. I was completely taken aback. I would never have thought of that. And as strange as it may sound, I kind of believe him. He gave me his word. Nevertheless, I'm skeptical, which I really don't have to be, because I won't have anything to do with this family anymore.

"Well, okay. Can I go now?" I wanted to know. Eliano nodded and stood up. He came running around the desk to me and when I got up he held out his hand. "Thank you Cayetana." I nodded and shook his hand briefly. "You know where the exit is?" he asked and walked back to his swivel chair. "Sí," I replied, taking steps towards the door.

Before leaving the room, I glanced over my shoulder. "Adios," I said. "Ciao Ciao," he replied.

As I left the office, I recognized Adriano leaning against the opposite wall. And when he saw me, he pushed himself away from it. "I'll take you to the door," he murmured, walking alongside me. "I told you you'd be interested," Adriano said with a slight smile on his face. "It's kind of hard for me to believe your father," I confessed, amazed at how easy it was to talk to him. "Cayetana, do you seriously think my father would set you up for something like that. No. And besides, you saved his daughter from being raped, he would never go back on his word," he replied and we got to the door.

Adriano stopped and looked at me. Apparently he still had something on the tip of his tongue. "Do you remember what the bastard looked like?" he asked and I saw his muscles tense. "Well, it was relatively dark behind the store, but I noticed that he had shoulder-length blond hair and a fairly broad build," I said. Adriano nodded. "I'll see what I can find out. There are one or two cameras. That bastard won't get away with it," he growled angrily.

"I hope so," I replied, really hoping Adriano would find him. Men like that got my blood pumping.

There was silence, which was kind of weird considering we were both standing in the middle of the foyer and there was a security guard at the door. "Thank you," said Adriano. "Thank you for helping her, Cayetana. I don't know how to thank you," he said. I just waved him off. "It's okay. As I said, I would do it again and again and besides, I'm perfectly happy that our family are no longer at enmity. At least on your part." At the end, however, I had to laugh a little.

"No seriously, Cayetana. If you ever need anything or help with anything or God knows what, give me a call, I owe you a huge favor and you have my number now," he said. "Okay," I replied. Maybe I really need his help someday.

"Okay, I'll do mi-" "Cayetana." I was interrupted by an all too familiar voice. She sent a chill down my spine. I didn't want to turn around, but my body did it by itself. I saw Domenico standing at the beginning of the stairs. He looked at me pleadingly. It broke my heart.

I quickly turned back to Adriano. "I'm driving again now. Have a good time," I quickly said goodbye. "Cayetana, wait!" I heard Domenico call and I heard him approach me. I didn't pay any attention to him, I just wanted to get out of this house. "Josh!", I heard Domenico's voice again before the security guard blocked my way. I snorted and rolled my eyes, shaking my head. I felt Domenico's presence behind me. "I'd like to go now, please," I said to the security guard, who appeared to be named Josh. He didn't reply. "Cayetana, please let's talk for a minute. I'd like to explain-" I turned to him angrily. "Jesus Domenico! Don't you check it? I don't want you to explain anything to me. I don't want to know anything about you. I know everything I need to know. So leave me the fuck alone!" I snapped at him.

His eyes looked hurt. "Oh, did I hurt you?" I asked mock-pity, taking a step closer to him. Part of me wanted to punch him over the head and part of me wanted to grab him and kiss him. Fuck, what about my mind?!

I cursed myself for still loving him. I looked at him angrily. "I hope that one day you will feel the same pain as I do," said quietly and was on the verge of tears again. The way he looked at me. I turned and looked back at Josh. "I'd like to go now. I was just at Eliano's and he said I can go, so I'd like to now," I muttered. He should just step aside. Thank God he stepped aside.

I was about to walk through the door when I heard his voice again. "I love you, Cayetana," he breathed. I stopped moving. I couldn't hold back the tears that came up. "You have no right to say those words," I tried to get out as clearly as possible and left without turning back.