107

After we had taken a long shower, Hektor brought Arco and all the ingredients to our apartment, including delicious fruit and a few drinks.

When Emilio looked at Hector's face, he was sure he realized what kind of wounds Carlos had inflicted on him, but he didn't say anything about it and glanced at me with a wistful look before the three of us started to prepare the pancakes together.

Hektor told me about his training as a gardener and Emilio added that although he hired him for his garden, over time a friendship developed between the two.

I enjoyed this pleasant rest and also to have the two around me. They really seemed very familiar and Emilio showed himself together with him again from a side I still didn't know about him.

He was not only gentle, loving and absolutely dominant. He was also funny, sarcastic and brought a dreamy smile to my face by making the pancakes together with Hektor and always bringing funny sayings...

Forgotten was Carlos, forgotten was Emilio's father and also all the chaos that kept creeping up between us...

"Where did you get Arco from?" I asked curiously while Emilio removed the flour from his black shirt and put a plate with several pancakes in front of me.

"From one of my security guards," he explained and sat down on the stool next to me, which also caused his gaze to fall on the black dog, who sat calmly and eyed us with a bowed head.

"Shouldn't he be begging for food? Or at least be playful?" I interjected thoughtfully and Hector just put a bowl of chopped fruit in front of me.

"He's trained to take care. He's never learned anything else," said Hector and I immediately looked at Emilio, who was looking very sadly into the dog's eyes. I hated the fate that some had to endure.

"So he was never just allowed to be a dog? Never play or cuddle?"

My eyes fell questioningly to Hector, who was just chewing a piece of melon and shook his head almost imperceptibly.

"That's awful," I murmured, glancing at Arco before turning to the pancakes. I had the bitter thought that this time they wouldn't help like they used to, because unfortunately the evil was always omnipresent. That showed only too well when Emilio suddenly grabbed my hand and stared at me slightly wistfully.

"I have to go to dinner tomorrow night. I can't cancel or postpone it either."

"Can't I come with you?" I asked, looking into his dark eyes pleadingly, but at that moment I didn't see the slightest glimmer of hope in them.

"There are people I don't want you to meet, Isalie. You stay here with Arco and don't open the door to anyone."

I nodded, but just the thought of being here alone made me feel sick in my stomach because terrible things always happened when Emilio wasn't with me.

It seemed like there was a curse on me ever since he'd stormed my office and my heart with it.

But regardless of whether it was a blessing or a curse, I wanted him with me and I would survive a few hours without him. Carlos was history, so was my fear of him.

"Until then, I'll leave you two alone. I'll be at the door tomorrow at 7:00 p.m. sharp," Hector smiled encouragingly and gave Emilio a quick hug before giving me a friendly nod and disappearing from the apartment.

"Are you fed up, butterfly?" Emilio wanted to know caringly and got up to put the plates together.

"Yes, and thanks," I replied, getting up to help him tidy up while I contemplated what kind of dinner that would be. But I didn't want to ask any more questions.

We spent the rest of the evening together on the couch and while we gently caressed each other, I told him about my life in Germany. For who I used to be and instead of being bored with it like I previously thought he was, he seemed like he just found every word out of my mouth just interesting.

Eventually, and I didn't know what time it was, I finally fell asleep in his strong arms and dreamed of sitting with him on a beach far away. There was just us and the rushing waves, while above us the stars did their best to magically enchant this place.

It was the most beautiful dream I've ever had...

***

Unfortunately, the next morning came faster than expected and I was frustrated to find that Emilio was not at my side.

Only Arco was with me and sat in front of the couch while his eyes were directed attentively to the apartment door.

I was sorry that he was probably never allowed to be a puppy, but unfortunately I couldn't change it anymore, no matter how much I would have liked to.

Tired, I raised my exhausted body and looked wide-eyed at the dessert, on which there was a none, yellow sticky note.

Take a break. I'll be right back. E

I read the note several times and was scared to death when Arco suddenly barked loudly out of nowhere, his fur rearing up.

Growling, he stared at the door and I stepped close to heart attack behind him to stare at the door, into which a key was inserted at the same moment.

Holding my breath, I clutched my heart and then, to my relief, looked straight into Emilio's eyes, who was studying me and Arco as if we'd both lost our minds.

"Are you alright?" he asked, frowning, and I immediately sat down on the edge of the couch to take a calming breath.

"Yes, but suddenly Arco barked and gave me a real fright," I explained, looking up at him.

"That's his job too," smiled Emilio, stroking Arco's fur before handing me a small white bag.

"What's that?" I wanted to know curiously and took it hesitantly.

"Take a look and you'll know," Emilio said smiling, crouching down in front of me to put his hands on my knees, which had become weak from him.

"Oh my God," I whispered in disbelief, glancing into his sparkling eyes again to pull out a box with trembling hands, which I was already sure contained jewelry.

"Emilio, you shouldn't spend money f-"

"Open it," he interrupted me and I took a deep breath to slowly open the black box.

"Emilio..." I murmured on the verge of a heart attack, taking out a gold chain from the box with a pendant depicting a beautiful butterfly.

One look was enough and I knew that it was real gold and had certainly cost a lot, which made me look down at Emilio admonishingly, although there was still an overjoyed smile on my lips that didn't want to disappear at all.

"That must have been expensive," I said softly, and Emilio immediately got up to help me up by my arms.

"I don't care about the price," he breathed, rubbing his thumb over my lips with relish. "Your look when you saw the necklace was priceless."

I kissed his cheek gratefully and then turned my back to hand him this beautiful necklace at the same time.

"Would you?" I asked sweetly, lifting my hair.

Without hesitation, he slipped the chain around my neck, kissed the back of my neck tenderly, and then closed the chain, twisting me back around at my waist.

"Beautiful," he breathed, and as he looked deep into my eyes, I knew he wasn't referring to the necklace, which immediately had me wrapping my arms around his neck, eagerly laying my lips on his.

"Butterfly," he warned softly as I removed my hands from the back of his neck and placed them on his belt, but I still didn't stop until he suddenly took my hands tightly in his and pulled his lips from mine. "I still have some things to do and then to the meal."

He gently stroked the heated skin of my cheek and gave me one last kiss on my addicted lips before he pulled away and looked me up and down proudly.

"The anticipation for tonight is all the greater," he winked and I couldn't help but smile.

"And that is known to be the greatest joy," I replied and watched him leave the apartment in his black suit.

I spent the rest of the day showering, eating something and just before 4 p.m. Hektor came by again to go for a long run with Arco.

Then I was alone again... but I didn't mind at all because Emilio was right, as always.

The anticipation of him made me grin unconsciously and with a tingling in my stomach I looked out the window while playfully sliding the pendant of his chain back and forth between my fingers.

I missed him, I did, and while I used to think standing by a window waiting for a man would make women feel dependent, I now had to admit that it was the purest form of happiness and hope .

As the sun slowly but surely threatened to set, Arco suddenly barked again, just like this morning, but I didn't hear a key but a loud knock, which then frightened me again.

My heart suddenly raced and I followed Arco very slowly into the dark hallway to take a deep breath and examine the door.

"Isalie Parker?" came a dark voice and I froze when I realized that it was neither Hector nor Emilio who were standing in front of the door.

I didn't say anything, nor did I intend to answer, and only Arco's growl broke the engrossing silence until there was another knock and I flinched violently.

"It's Ernesto Torres! Emilio's father! I've got to tell you something, don't worry!"

Frowning, I looked down at the doorknob and thought about it all for a moment.

Emilio didn't want me to meet his father. He described himself as the son of the devil. On the other hand, he knew my name and also that I was staying here. So Emilio must have sent him...

Or not?