37

"Tell me, could it be that Adri made you a softie?" I tried to lighten the mood a bit. Alejandro burst out laughing.

"Don't distract hermana," he laughed lightly. "It's about you," he informed me. "Oh I didn't know. Thanks for the info," I replied wryly.

"Cayetana?" "Mhh?" I hummed. "Don't let any thoughts affect you. For example how Papá or the others can think. Make up your own mind,” he said before standing up. “I hate seeing you like this,” he let me know. The last few weeks have been really bad, and so has my mood.

Now I asked myself the question: What do I want? What do I need to be completely happy? It didn't take me long to answer that question. I nodded absentmindedly before getting up as well. "I know what I want," I said firmly. A small and above all proud smile spread across his lips. I couldn't help but grin a little. "Esta es mi hermama" (That's my sister) he grinned.

"Come here." Alejandro spread his arms. I ran to him and put my arms around him. "Whatever you decide..." he paused and gently rubbed my back up and down. "...don't let them fool you again," he begged me. I nodded eagerly while I didn't even begin to know what exactly was happening to me and Domenico right now.

After Alejandro and I had detached ourselves again, we made our way back into the living room. "See you later then, right?" Ale asked when we got to the living room. "Sí," I replied, clearly feeling Domenico's gaze on me.

Alejandro stopped moving and seemed to be considering. I couldn't react that quickly when he stormed towards Domenico, grabbed his collar and pushed him against the wall.

"Alejandro!" It escaped me loudly and completely perplexed. Domenico looked at him. I couldn't make out anything on his face. Simply neutral. No fear. no anger

Alejandro, on the other hand, looked angry. Something at least. "I have absolutely no idea what's between you two now, but if she gives you another chance and you break her heart again..." Alejandro tightened his grip. "...Then I'll break all your bones, De Santis." "I'm really serious about Cayetana this time and I won't even dream of hurting her again. I love your sister," he said seriously, looking him straight in the eye.

I didn't know how to feel. Just like Domenico spoke to him right in the face. So serious.

I love your sister.

That sentence made my heart jump. The only question is: does he mean it seriously? Alejandro lets go of him and takes a few steps backwards. "I would like to advise you too," he threatened. Ale walked towards the door before giving me another look. "Lo mataré si te vuelve a lastimar" (I will kill him if he hurts you again) he said. I just nodded, perplexed. Alejandro nodded in confirmation before opening the door and leaving.

"Um, I'm sorry," I mumbled, pointing to the door. "I didn't think he would treat you like that," I added softly. Domenico came up to me and our eye contact didn't break for a second. "It's okay," he breathed, taking my face in his hands. "I just meant it seriously."

He meant it seriously. He. Has. It. Serious. Meant.

My heart jumped again. "I love you, Cayetana" He looked me straight in the eyes. His beautiful blue eyes completely captivated mine.

"I love you so much," he breathed. His gaze flitted to my lips for a moment before he looked back into my eyes. My stomach tingled. It felt like I needed those words for so long. Again he let his gaze wander to my lips. This time he looked longer than usual.

Domenico let his hands slide down my body until they rested on my waist. He pulled me a little closer to him. God, this tension.

I swallowed hard and dared a look at his lips as well. I felt this urge to press my lips to his. To show him how much I missed him. How much I love him. But the thought of the pain I was going through stopped me.

I can't go through this again. I wouldn't do it again! Before anything else could happen, I quickly turned away from him. I nervously took a few steps back and looked down at my feet.

"Don't freak out again." He approached me again. "Cayetana, please," he whispered. I still didn't raise my head. This pain. I shook my head. Not again.

Domenico took my face in his hands again and forced me to look at him. An unwanted tear ran down my cheek. I bit the inside of my cheek to stifle more. "Please don't flinch again," he pleaded. "Please,amore mio."

"I love you," I whispered, closing my eyes. I couldn't hold it back any longer. As much as I feared the pain. I just had to say it. I was about to open my eyes again when he pressed his lips to mine.

My stomach exploded. It was like a million butterflies were flying through. My heart was beating hard against my chest as our lips moved in perfect time. But I couldn't help but think about the pain.

"Now you don't have to pretend you care about her."

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

Unwanted tears welled up in my eyes as I thought about this scenario. I broke the kiss and look down. The tears flowed down my cheek. My lower lip started to tremble slightly. I didn't want to go through that again.

Domenico moved my head again so that I looked at him. He wiped the tears from my face with his two thumbs. I looked at him with wet eyes and a trembling lip.

"I can't go through this pain again"

"I'm really serious this time," he promised me. "Cayetana, you have to believe me," he breathed, resting his forehead against mine. I swallowed hard. "But it's hard for me. You hurt me, Domenico," I whispered. Now he was the one swallowing hard.

"I know," he murmured, looking into my eyes again. "I missed you," I confessed. "You too," he replied. A few moments passed. We just looked at each other. God, how did I get through all these weeks without him?

"Domenico?" "Yes?" I took a deep breath. "Please don't break my heart again. I can't survive this pain again," I pleaded softly. Domenico took my face between his hands.

"I swear on everything that is dear and sacred to me. I will not even dream of it," he said. "Does that mean you give me another chance?" he asked after a short silence. I considered. My heart wanted so badly to give him a second chance, but my head feared more pain.

"If you show me how much you love and want me," I whispered. A small greasy smile played around his lips and I knew right away what he was thinking. "Without sex!" I clarified. His smile faded before reappearing. "You know how much I love sex, especially with you, but your giving me another chance is all that matters to me," he clarified. "You won't regret it. I swear to you!"

"Hopefully," I said. Domenico grinned so stupid. So full of joy. As if I had given him the best gift he had ever received. I don't know why, but somehow I also had to grin.

"Does the no sex rule apply to kissing?" he asked curiously. I had to grin. "Find out," I smiled. He smiled closer to my face and placed his lips on mine. With that kiss he showed me all his love. My heart was literally racing. And a trace of happiness and joy ran through me.

-

Ever since Domenico left, all I had was that permanent grin on my lips. But I didn't care at all. I missed him so much. I grinned and turned off the engine of my car and headed for the front door. I hope nobody spoils my good mood now.

"Miss Fernández?" one of the security guards stopped me as I kicked the door. I stopped and turned around. "Yes?" "I've been instructed to tell you when you arrive to go into the living room," he informed me. I eyed him skeptically. "OK."

With a questioning look on my face, I made my way to the living room. Have I done something again that I didn't know about? When I got to the living room, all eyes were on me. When I say everyone, I mean ALL.

Ramon, Alejandro, Sebastian, Antonia, Valentin, Mom and Dad. I couldn't read their looks. Especially since I was completely overwhelmed. What did they want from me?

I looked at her undecidedly until the lightbulb in my brain lit up. My gaze wandered to Alejandro. "You traitor," I hissed. Couldn't he keep that to himself for now? Inwardly I sighed. At the moment I had absolutely no desire to explain myself about Domenico.

"So you're dating De Santis again," my father stated. I sighed. "Not really, actually. Domenico says he's serious and I believe him. Let's see how that develops. So now you have two options: either you don't talk to me again and are angry with me, or you accept my decision. You You have the choice, because I don't want to have a discussion about it," I said directly.

My father nodded slowly. "You're a grown woman, mi hija, and you make your own decisions. And as long as you don't let yourself be fooled again, I don't care what you do with Domenico," he said. I exhaled in relief. "I think that's how the others see it too." "Gracias," I murmured. I started to walk before stopping. "There's an aftermath to this, hermano," I said to Alejandro, eyes narrowed, before turning and walking away. In the background I just heard him laughing lightly. Asshole.