“Secrets and lies don’t start off a relationship well. I’ve been telling you that in my own way for a while now, and one thing I’m not is a hypocrite.” He quirks an eyebrow. “Who said we were in a relationship?” Just by the look on his face, I can tell he’s being sarcastic. I slap him on the shoulder, and he laughs.
“You’re not gonna like what I’m about to say to you. All I ask is that you don’t lash out.” I sigh in dread. He takes his finger and moves my chin towards him.
“I can promise you, Ale, that whatever you say right now will never affect this.”
I don’t believe him.
“Don’t say something you’re not going to believe after this conversation.”
“You’re making me think the worst,ragazza.”
“Well, because it is.” I stay quiet for a second trying to form my words in the best way. “Spit it out, Ale.”
“When I first found out you hated organized crime, I knew in that moment I was fucked. Xavier happened to tell me, and I was worried in that instant. Not because I had feelings for you at the time, but because my career comes first. I plead in front of you right now that when you get infuriated and disgusted by my presence, set it aside and don’t tell anyone, because if this gets out, I won’t be able to fulfill my life’s purpose and I’ll be in danger.” He stays silent and I can already tell he might know what’s coming, so I just spit it out.
“I grew up in a life that wasn’t my choice. My dad runs the biggest cartel in Mexico and my brother runs the underworld of the city.” I keep my breath in after I exhaled all those words, waiting for the bomb to drop. Instead, he bursts out laughing. I look at him, making sure he understands it isn’t a joke. The look pains me when I direct it at him.
He stops laughing as the news settles in. When he realizes the inevitable fate that the girl he has feelings for is everything he hates, I want to cry, and bad bitches don’t shed a tear.
I see his jaw clench as he looks away, pacing back and forth between me and a tree a few feet away. Then he stops in front of the big plant, turning around to look at me again. I’ve never seen this man speechless, but in this moment, it’s the definition of his whole facade.
“I—” He shuts his mouth and just stares at me in shock. I’m not going to push anything out of him; that’s the last thing I want right now. But when he walks away, all I can do is chase after him. Pushing past all the tourists, he makes his way down all the stairs swiftly. I try to keep up, but his long legs do not help.
He finally reaches the exit, and I hear the person who says goodbye to people say, “I hope you have a good day, sir.” In a thick accent, he replies, “fuck you.” He literally runs past him. The greeter stands in shock. “Sorry. He’s like this because of me. You know, couples and their problems.” He smiles weakly, and I run past him.
He’s already at the top of the slant. Standing a few feet away from him, I stop in defeat as he keeps walking, raking my hands through my hair in desperation. I see him stop and look the other way before he begins walking again.
This is so much worse than I could have ever imagined.
ChapterThirty-One
Maria Alejandra
My eyes hurt, my head is pounding, and I feel like I’ve been drained. Let’s just say that crying is something that I’ve been doing for hours. I didn’t even cry this much when I realized how abusive my ex was, I don’t understand why this is so much worse. I hated this man and now I’m crying over him.
Fuck my life.
The thing we definitely have in common is the fact that organized crime has changed our lives. I knew that this was going to affect me someday, and it was like a slap in the face. I have to see him tomorrow morning for practice, and I don’t know how I’m gonna take it.
I’ve been locked in a dark room for approximately two days. My phone is off, and I don’t feel like entertaining anyone. That’s until I hear my front door open. Who the hell is here? I gave Nieves the day off, and only one person has my key.
Footsteps echo off the walls. I’m just waiting for this person to come in and see me wallowing in the dark. The door flies open, and I’m met with a male figure, one I don’t want to deal with right now. I groan audibly at his presence.
“Maria Alejandra Atena Castillo, levántate ahorita antes de que te saque de tus penas.”I stay under the covers, hoping he’ll let it go and leave. He doesn’t and instead grabs my blanket, shoving it off me.“Déjame en paz, imbécil.”
“That’s no way to talk to your older brother, Ale. I swear to God if you don’t get up, I will drag you by your feet.”
“Remind me to take my key away from you.”
“Too late. I’ve already made copies.” I turn to look at him with a scowl.
“How did you even know I was here?”
“Because I haven’t heard from you in two days. I texted Vio, and she said that the last she heard from you was at the same time as me. But the day you disappeared, she got an ominous text from you. It was then I knew you weren’t fine but thankfully alive.”
“I don’t feel alive,” I groan.
“You sent a text to your best friend saying, “kill me now.” “Porqué crees que vine aquí?”