CHAPTER 13: Who is Benicio?

CHAPTER 13: Who is Benicio?

“Sarah!”

The familiar high-pitched squeal was from a voice that she knew all too well. Sarah froze mid-step and turned around to see Cara, grinning widely, both her hands, on her hips. Sarah blinked in surprise before her lips parted in a stunned gasp.

“Cara!”

Sarah owed her success and current happiness in life to two people, after God. One was Benicio; the other was Cara, Benicio’s younger sister.

Cara was one of the few people who had truly been in her corner since they met, especially when everything fell apart years ago. When Sarah had arrived in Italy after she left the country to join Cara, the latter had introduced her to her brother–Benicio, whom Sarah had formed a deep and strong bond with.

Dressed in a sleek emerald-green dress, Cara’s brown eyes sparkled with excitement. Her dark curls were styled elegantly, and the diamond ring on her ring finger gleamed under the hotel lights.

Cara was now married to an Italian tycoon and lived with him in Italy. Hence, the two friends don't really see each other all the time.

For a second, Sarah forgot everything. Forgot where she was. Forgot who was behind her.

Edward.

With a delighted squeal, she threw her arms around Cara. "What are you doing here?"

Cara laughed, hugging her friend tightly before pulling back to study her. "I could ask you the same thing! I had the intention of surprising you when I flew into the country. But it seems I'm the one who was surprised. I wasn’t expecting to run into you the moment I arrived."

Sarah shook her head in disbelief. "You’re back in the country? How? I thought you were in Italy with Luca?"

Cara smiled. "I was. But Luca is launching a new hotel here.” She darted her eyes around with a wide smile. “—you’re actually standing in it. I came ahead of him to oversee the final details before the grand opening."

Sarah raised an eyebrow. "You mean to tell me I’ve been walking around your hotel all day and didn’t even know it?"

Cara grinned,throwing out her hands with glee. "Surprise."

Cara’s husband Luca Lombardi was an Italian tycoon and was very influential, with a lot of businesses. Sarah was not surprised that he was launching his luxury five-star hotel soon.

Sarah let out a breathless laugh. "You’re impossible. I missed you."

Sarah engulfed her in another hug. She missed Cara a lot, since she got married and moved away.

"I missed you too," Cara said sincerely, squishing Sarah affectionately, her voice softening. "I was going to come find you tomorrow, but I guess fate had other plans."

"Apparently."

A deep clearing of the throat behind Sarah shattered the moment. She stiffened, and she and Cara broke apart, with Cara squinting confusedly at the strange man she was just noticing.

Edward was standing with his hands in his pockets and a neutral face as he watched the women reunite. He was slightly curious about the identity of the only person he had seen Sarah so excited and happy to see.

“Won't you introduce your friend, Sarah?” Edward asked coolly.

In her excitement, Sarah had forgotten that Edward was still there. Slowly, she turned, her expression impassive as she gestured toward him.

“Edward, this is my friend, Cara.”

"Cara, this is Edward Huxley. We’re… working together."

The words tasted bitter on her tongue. She knew that Cara would remember him.

Cara’s easy smile faltered as soon as the name hit the air. She didn’t need much of an introduction. She already knew exactly who he was.

She knew the name of the man that had snapped the final thread of sanity that had been holding her friend together back then. She knew the man who humiliated and broke her friend. Cara had been furious at the time, even more so than Sarah.

She had wanted to smack the man's face for not seeing the truth and hurting her friend deeply, even though she did not know his face.

Right now, as she finally put a face to the name, Cara was not surprised to discover that she still itched to slap his unbelievably handsome face.

Edward noticed how the petite brunette's eyes narrowed slightly at him and wondered what she might have heard from her friend about him. He didn’t need to imagine much. He already knew what it was.

He extended a polite hand. "Pleasure to meet you."

Cara didn’t take it immediately. Her sharp brown eyes studied him, filled with silent judgment. But then, after a beat, she finally shook his hand.

"Likewise,” she replied dryly.

The awkward tension was almost suffocating. Sarah shifted uncomfortably. She could practically feel the questions burning behind Cara’s gaze. She had no idea that she had seen him again—or that they were working together.

What is he doing here? Why are you working with him? Does he know?

These questions burned in Cara’s mind. She didn’t say any of it. Nonetheless, Sarah knew she was thinking it.

"So," Cara finally said, turning her attention back to Sarah with forced casualness. "How’s Benicio? I can't remember the last time we spoke. That one—he can work himself to the bone.”

Sarah’s face lit up instantly. "He’s doing great. I'm still busy as always, but we talk all the time. We actually spoke this morning. "

Edward’s brows furrowed slightly. Who was this Benicio? Was he her boyfriend? Edward was surprised at himself. He had never been interested in the life of anybody in this manner—but her.

"Benicio?"

Cara’s eyes flickered to him briefly before returning to Sarah. “I bet he misses you a lot.”

Sarah smiled softly. The thought of Benicio always warmed her. "I miss him a lot too.”

Edward’s frown deepened. They had casually ignored him , and his jaw clenched. He was not used to being ignored by anyone. This time, his voice was smooth, but there was an unmistakable edge to it.

"Who is Benicio?"

Cara was confused about why he was asking about who Benicio was. She decided to test out a theory that suddenly flashed in her head.

She smirked. "My brother. Someone very important to Sarah."

Sarah shot her a warning glance. "Cara—"

But Cara ignored her, her expression almost challenging as she turned back to Edward.

"He’s been by her side for years. A real gentleman."

Edward’s immediately tensed. While he did not like how Sarah’s friend spoke to him, he found that her answer affected him in a strange way.

Sarah cleared her throat, forcing an easy tone. She regarded him with a straight face. "He’s a close friend."

Again, Edward did not like that answer. His eyes flickered to her, unreadable. "Is that all he is?"

Something in his voice made her pulse quicken, but she refused to engage. Tilting her chin up slightly, she replied to him in a cold tone. "That’s none of your concern."

Cara crossed her arms, watching Edward with quiet amusement. She wasn’t sure what she had expected from him, but seeing him so visibly affected by the mention of Benicio? That was interesting.

Sarah exhaled, turning to her friend. "Anyway, Cara, let’s go on up to my room, yeah? We have so much to catch up on."

Cara’s eyes softened. "Of course. And I want to see—" She stopped herself abruptly, catching the words before they could slip out.

Sarah’s stomach dropped. She knew what Cara was about to say. She held her breath for the next question, which she imagined he was going to ask.

Edward, perceptive as always, caught the hesitation. His sharp blue eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing.

Instead, he turned on his heels and began to walk away. “Have a good evening, ladies. I'll see you in the morning.”

Both women heaved a sigh of relief when he disappeared from the lounge.

“That was close,” Cara breathed, holding her belly.

“Yea. Tell me about it.”

She was scared that Cara might have unknowingly spilt everything.

Cara tore her eyes away from the door where Edward just exited. “Anyways, I have news for you,” she announced to Sarah.