SIXTY

Kamilla Lopez

I didn't sleep that night, I couldn't, my mind was working like crazy, that was being difficult for me, who could I trust? The one that supported me when I needed it most, or blindly trusting the love I feel for Nick? I was on the edge of the cliff, about to be pushed if I didn't have a certain decision, who should I trust? In my reason or in my feelings?

Nick showed me to be a dangerous man, that from the beginning, with his threatening and possessive words, I didn't know what to do, however, my chest hurts to see that what Dona Carolina told me makes sense. I couldn't believe I had a mafia family, I repudiated the life he led so much, and here I am, informed that I belong to a mafia family in Italy.

I don't know what hurts more, knowing that I was wrong all along, about my mother not wanting me, or realizing that she loved me, but was killed. The early morning was difficult, I cried a lot, Bianca stayed by my side, trying to convince me to sleep, but it was difficult, all the information was difficult, that takes time.

I'm standing in front of the suite's window, I'm wearing a white dress that they brought this morning, Bianca was wearing black jeans and a blue blouse, I turned to look at her, she was sitting in the chair on the table, eating her coffee in the morning.

— You have to eat, you haven't eaten since yesterday. She reminds me again of what I already know.

— I'm not hungry. I repeat the same words from five minutes ago.

— You're not leaving this room until you eat, I don't want you to be sick.

— We'll leave as soon as Dona Carolina arrives, we'll go to Ethan Hunt.

— Fuck her, fuck this guy, am I the only one thinking about your fucking pregnancy? Now she sits and eats! she ordered.

I looked at her, Bianca has been acting strange since yesterday, she still hasn't dared to tell me about her distrust. She was right in the end, I needed to eat and that's what I tried to do. I sat down on the chair and helped myself, I ate with pleasure, I realized that I was hungry. After breakfast Dona Carolina arrived, greeted us and guided us out of the hotel.

In the car, we were silent, there was nothing to talk about at that moment, however, I tried to look through the window, we were in Dubai, I had never been to other countries, except where I grew up. I realized that we had left the traffic, the vehicle entered a very luxurious and huge condominium, and I observed everything.

The vehicle is parked, the door is opened, Bianca and I get out and admire the entrance, we look at each other and sigh, I saw it in Bianca's eyes, before she said a word, Dona Carolina appears and asks:

— They are ready?

— I wouldn't say that word, after all our Kamilla is pregnant and yesterday was difficult for her.

— I know, I had to be strong to tell you everything.

— Of that I have no doubt.

I saw an exchange of looks between them, but in the end, together they gave a small smile, Dona Carolina took the lead and walked, we followed her. The entrance doors opened for us, we entered and faced the highly exquisite place of power and lust, everything seemed to be plated with solid gold. We didn't have time to admire it any longer, we walked right behind Dona Carolina.

We arrived in an open area, a meal table was set, we saw a row of security guards all armed, I got tense. We look at the table, at the end, we see a man having breakfast, we approach him.

— Ethan. — Dona Carolina draws his attention.

He raises his face, I took a false step, I didn't believe it was him, I didn't think it was actually him, at least I remembered him since that day Nick almost killed him. Ethan gets up from his chair and faces me standing, gives me a small smile and shakes my hand.

— Long time no see you? — he asks.

— My God, I can't believe it's you!— I approached him in disbelief.

— Do you know each other? — Bianca asks, I turned to her and answered.

— That's Ethan Hunt, Nick beat his ass. I replied, Bianca opened her mouth in admiration.

I noticed his discomfort when talking that way, Ethan asked us to sit on the table and accompany him in the meal.

— I should state that you know what happened.— I spoke.

— I know everything, Kamilla, and what I'm going to tell you today will also be hard to believe. he said, looking seriously at me.

— It's been difficult to understand all this, I just ask that you help me understand.

— You, when you were still in your mother's womb, were betrothed to me.

Anyway I was taken by surprise, I wasn't able to assimilate everything at once.

— What do you mean I was betrothed to you?— I asked confused.

— Many years ago, your father turned to mine to help him gain territory in New York. My father accepted the request, but for that to happen, he asked for the hand of his first daughter to marry his firstborn, me.

I listened to that nonsense, I felt like I was in an action and horror movie, I couldn't believe all that talk.

— Kamilla, this is very common in the mafia world. — Dona Carolina says, catching my attention.

— When you and your mother suffered the attack in which she died, my father and yours tried to find you, locate you. But the days turned into weeks, months and years, we even thought you were dead.

— And what made you believe she was still alive?— How did you know? Bianca asked.

— At the casino event, I knew it was you when Nick Ross introduced you as a mate.

I was sad to remember, that day it was hard to see him act impulsive and scary. I looked at Ethan and Dona Carolina, it seemed that they were telling me the truth, but why was something inside me asking me not to believe it?

— Everything is so confusing. I blurted out, wiping away a tear. — I don't know who to believe, who to trust.

— My girl, I know it seems to be difficult, after all you love him, but remember, Nick proved to be a bad person, I risked taking you out of his hands, I promised that I would take care of you and the baby, that's what I am going to do!

Carolina's words were convincing, I looked at Bianca, she had a blank face, she seemed uninterested in the conversation.

— Did you bring me here just to say that?— I asked, I saw the two face each other.

— My girl, you know as well as I do that he won't give up, just yesterday, he showed what he's capable of, he used a man as a protective barrier to reach you.

— Yes, I saw. I said, controlling the tremor in my hands.

— We need to kill him, we can't risk him finding you, hurting you.

Bianca at that moment entered the conversation.

— Kamilla won't get involved in this. she said with a serious look.

— I don't want to participate, I'm pregnant.

— We are not asking you to get involved in the plot, but you need to make a decision so that your mother's death is avenged, so that your baby does not have the same fate as yours.

I put my hand on my stomach, smoothed the volume with sadness, would he be able to hurt his own daughter?

—Kamilla. Bianca calls my attention. — She knows she doesn't have to do this.

— What I have to do? I asked them, completely ignoring Bianca's words.

— Nick Ross is a powerful man, he has a lot of power and influence in almost every country, one of which is Italy. However, we will only have access if you marry me. Ethan said, glaring at me.

I was thoughtful with his words, I didn't know what to say. I looked at Dona Carolina, it seemed like she knew what was right for me.

— Marry? I asked to be sure.

— Yes, with the help of your family's mafia, we'll manage to destroy him, that's the only way you'll be able to have your daughter, without him coming after you. — Dona Carolina answered me.

— Kamilla.... — Bianca calls me again.

— I do not know what to do. I said, controlling the urge to cry.

— You must marry Ethan, Kamilla. Think of your daughter! — Dona Carolina insists.

My head gave strong pains, how am I going to kill Erick's father? My son? How will he be? No! At that moment I hate him for killing my mother, for destroying my life, but I don't want Erick to suffer, so, decided, I say:

— I marry you, Ethan. But I don't want you to kill Nick.

— Are you sure what you're saying? — he asks.

— Yes, just put me somewhere safe that makes sure he doesn't find me.

— Kami, this isn't safe. — Dona Carolina said, I narrowed my eyes at her.

— We're not going to kill him, we're not a murderess, I thought you'd support me, in the best for me and my baby.

— And I do, daughter.

— Then it's decided, we don't have to kill the father of my children.

— Fine, so be it.

Ethan gets up from the table, stands in front of me, reaches inside his suit and pulls out a small red velvet box. My heart sinks, how I wish it were Nick instead, the emptiness that was growing inside me, was ripping me apart like a deadly virus, from the inside out.

He opened the small box, revealed a beautiful diamond ring, the dazzling object dazzled my eyes, but I didn't feel the yearning I would feel if I thought about getting married someday. I held out my hand, let him guide the ring onto my finger, it's done, I'm engaged to Ethan Hunt now.

— You made the right choice, Kamilla. he said, sitting back in his chair.

— We have to plan the wedding in a week. — Dona Carolina spoke enthusiastically.

— How about we let Kamilla decide? After all, she's the one getting married. Bianca suggested.

— All good. I said, showing a small smile. — You and Dona Carolina can plan, I only ask that it be something small.

— All good.

— We can go? I'm very tired, I didn't sleep well last night. I asked yawning.

— From now on, you'll stay on my property, which place is safer than your future home, isn't it? Ethan said, smirking.

— Yes, Dona Carolina will show us the room.

The three of us got up from the table and let Ethan finish breakfast, we entered the mansion, Bianca was beside me, I realized that she was worried about my decision. We arrived in a huge room, it had two beds, Dona Carolina showed us the room and then left us alone.

As soon as the door closed, Bianca began to speak:

— Kamilla, you have to think very carefully about what you want, it's your life.

— I already thought, even if I wanted to avenge my mother, I would never kill the father of my son.

— Kamilla, that's not the point.

— And about what then?— Since we were rescued by Dona Carolina, you've been strange.

— Nothing makes sense Kami, don't you see?

— I don't see anything, I'm fighting myself, with my feelings, trying to deal with the revelations of my life. I'm scared Bianca, I'm confused, I'm scared of everything and everyone.

I burst into uncontrollable tears, the pain in my head intensifies, Bianca sighs and holds me tight, cradles me in her arms.

— Shh, you have to be strong, this will all pass.

— No, Bianca, I'm going to marry someone I don't love.

She took me to one of the beds and laid down with me, while she ran her hand through my hair, I slowly fell into a deep sleep.