Chapter 46

Her words rattled me. I snapped at her unintentionally. “What do I-?” I shake my head in dismay. “What about me? What do you think of me?! Why do you always treat me like this? Like I’m just nothing for you. Am I just a possession- one that you will discard so easily?”

“You are mine! I have said it countless times. How many more so you’ll fucking get that through your thick skull?” She retorted, brushing her hair in frustration. “If we’re going to start like this then I don’t know why we even came here.”

“You should tell me then. You’re the one who asked me to come here.” I stepped closer to her. Tonight I was taller than her. She had skipped her killer high heels. I’m glad because for once, I want to feel dominant right now. “Tell me that it’s over. We’re done. So you’ll be happily married to that man. That’s the reason why we’re here, right? Tell me, Cara. Just spare me this hopeless case.”

Gritting her teeth, she punched me square in the face. My head whipped to the side at the impact. I touched my cheek, shocked at the turn of events. Still taken aback, she grabbed my collar with both of her hands and slammed me against the car.

“Why do you always test my patience, Dylan Ross?” She breathes. Her face is an inch closer to mine. “You really bring out the worst in me. I can’t even explain right when you’re fucking provoking me. Why can’t you just step inside that fucking restaurant and find me? Maybe then I won’t have to fucking resort to this.”

“You just don’t know what it’s like to feel scared.” I responded defeatedly.

“I don’t.” She spat. “You know why? Because I get whatever I want regardless of bullshit. I’m queen for a fucking reason.” She hissed.

“Easy for you to say.” I breathe. “Just let me go, Cara.” I begged. “Please.”

“Is that what you want?” She asks, letting me go slowly.

I looked down. No. I answered in my thoughts but I didn’t speak out loud.

“Alright.” She said, finally calming down. Both of her hands were resting in my chest. Her answer only put more pain in my already aching heart. I guess this was it. It’s over. She’ll be happily married while leaving me picking up the pieces.

There was a moment of silence before she spoke again. “I have missed you, tesoro.” It was the first time I heard softness and warmth in her voice.

My widened eyes instantly went back to her. I was shocked at her confession and remained speechless. It was out of nowhere and I couldn't believe that she had actually said that. It was too good to be true. It’s not her. It’s just not her to confess these intimate words. I needed to hear it again but the words were stuck in my throat.

“It’s not exactly what I wanted to tell you when I asked you to come. I wanted to explain everything to you– that you had assumed things wrong. Vassily might be my fiance but we were never intimate. Nothing happened between us- no emotion involved, no physical, no kiss, no sex. The marriage was nothing more than an agreement.” Her words were slow and sure.

“How do you expect me to believe you?” I asked, still in disbelief. What if this is just a dream? Cara doesn't lie so I'm sure this is just a dream.

She shrugs. “I don’t. Believe it or not, Vassily is like a brother to me, the same way as I see Leo.” She pauses as we stare at each other's eyes, reading each other's emotions. “I’m sorry, tesoro. I truly am. Because I let you believe things that hurt you. I assure you that it’s not what you think at all.”

“What about him? You say it’s a marriage agreement but no matter how you see it, you are still going to be husband and wife.”

Her lips lift in a vague smile. “We broke it off. It was mutual. We realized we have our own priorities.”

It was natural for her to be surrounded by men. She had been vocal about growing up with them. They were brothers to her. When she said that Leo guy was no different from a brother, I instantly believed her. If Vassily isn't the same then she wouldn't have been a virgin right before I touched her.

My heart was beating fast. I can’t believe this is happening. Not a moment ago, I was sulking about my situation. I thought that I should start moving on because I believed- assumed that I had no chance.

It was overwhelming how my heart not long ago was aching and now it’s beating rapidly for her.

Cara steps back, pulling her hands and herself away from me. “I’m sorry for lashing out on you. I was eager to fix things with you so I was annoyed that you have made me wait for so long. You’re very important to me, tesoro, contrary to what you believe. However… If freedom is what you want, then I will grant it to you-”

“No!” I yell, reaching my hand to her. Suddenly, everything stops. My face reddened, feeling embarrassed at my over the top enthusiasm. Her eyebrow rose questioningly while tilting her head waiting for me to continue. A suppressed smile was leaking out of her lips. “I mean… I… I’m sorry, too, for accusing you, for assuming things…” Her face softens, lips lifting towards a small smile. “I’m sorry for acting like a jerk towards you.”

I close my eyes, feeling her hand caressing my cheek. Our distance had been erased and our bodies pressed closer against each other. Her other hand rests on my chest. I wrapped my hands around her neck as I pulled her in for a kiss.

“I don't want to be away from you.” I whisper, before dipping in her lips.

Everything went so fast. We were about to kiss. The next second, her body suddenly slumped against me.

“Cara, Cara.” I yell as I see her unconscious. I shake her trying to wake her up but she’s not responding. I keep calling her name and all the endearments I could think of. Maybe she’ll wake up because I assumed that she’s already mine.

But I couldn’t mistake the gunshot.

“No, no, no.” I start to sob, falling slowly to the ground as I feel the wet sticky substance behind her dripping to my hand. Her beautiful red dress was now stained with her blood.

“Cara, please, wake up. Please.” I embraced her like my life depended on it while sobbing my heart out for her. My tears fell to her lovely cheeks.

“Cazzo!” I have stayed long enough with them to know it was a cuss. One of Cara’s men dropped down with us and checked her. At least he was sane enough to feel her pulse.

Terzo shifted his gaze towards me. “Get her to the car. I’ll drive.” He said with urgency.

—

I don’t know how many hours have passed, I just blanked out while I waited for the surgery to get done. The whole time I spaced out, unable to comprehend everything that happened.

I hesitated to face her. She came to me. We argued. She explained. I apologized. I just started to confess. We were about to kiss and maybe… maybe things had played out well, my dream with her beside me for the rest of our lives will come true.

The rest of Cara’s men, who’s led by Franco, were out to get the culprit. I don’t know what’s happening but Terzo was kept up to date. He was the only company I have while everyone was out. He had been receiving calls from time to time. He would inform me about their search but I couldn’t hear anything. He had given up on trying to comfort me or talk to me. I feel his eyes on me whenever, just watching me.

Everything in me just shut down and all I could think of is Cara.

We both stood immediately right when the doctor stepped out of the operating room. He informed us that Cara is stable. The bullet luckily missed an organ. She had lost a lot of blood but she's okay now. A huge burden lifted off my shoulders as I breathed a sigh of relief.

I can’t help but think that it was because of Terzo that she was put into priority. After all, he was the one who had been active with the papers and such while I was in the corner trying not to feel dead inside.

It was pathetic really. But I realized then that my feelings for her were more than just… feelings. If she’s gone, I don’t know what to do with my life.