Chapter Five

Daniela’s POV

The moment I got home, I rushed upstairs for my laptop and immediately looked up flights that were leaving this evening. It didn’t matter where- the next town or the next country. Whatever my savings could afford for my aunt and I was alright for now. We just needed to get away right this moment, and think about the rest when we were safer.

I wasn’t thinking clearly, sure. But today had been equally unhinged. How could my life change so drastically in just one day. One person shouldn’t have the power to do this. It was unfair. And scary. He knew everything about my life, so he could really do all that he had threatened to, but I still couldn’t just sit there and let him. I had to at least try.

And if it didn’t work…?

No, he couldn’t possibly be serious. Marry him? How could he even come up with that in a matter of minutes, and act as if it was completely normal. I thought about how he was able to leave for a meeting right after asking security to help me out the building. He was insane, sick up there. He had to be.

Whatever this was, I couldn’t just give in so easily. We had to leave. My aunt would have to understand.

Later in the evening, I was rushing down the stairs after I heard a car stop in our driveway. I was barely thinking about anything else as I branched out of the hallway and into the living room.

“Tía we have to talk-” I blurted out, but both my movements and my words halted the moment my eyes landed on the two people at the door, specifically, the man holding the door for my aunt as they entered.

“You’re such a gentleman,” my aunt was telling him with an over expressive smile, before turning to me. “Talk, you say? I’ve talked long this afternoon. Your husband beat you to it.” 

My mouth opened, but I couldn’t find the mind to form any words. My gaze switched to Alexander, who was looking right back at me, warning in his eyes.

“Exactly, mija. That’s how speechless I was this afternoon when this gentleman came to the store, claiming to be your husband.”

I took a step back, hiding my shaky hands behind me. How? “And you believed him?”

“Well, if I didn’t, I do now, with this whole expression on your face.” She then turned to Alexander and took some shopping bags I didn’t even realise he was holding, from him. “I get everything, so you don’t have to hide it from me anymore.”

“I…”

Alexander smiled at me, and held out his hand. “Come here, love.”

I looked at my aunt, whose smile was now more subdued and then back to him, swallowing as the warning flashed clear in his eyes. You know what you stand to lose, don’t do anything stupid, they seemed to say.

I walked slowly to his side and slipped my hand in his. He closed his fingers around my hand and drew me closer to him. “I promised you I’d never put you in a difficult position, so I decided to tell her the truth today, before everyone else found out.”

“I’ll just be in the kitchen,” she threw at us.

Once we were alone, he instantly released my hand like I was some virus, and the stone-cold expression was back. “You weren’t planning on doing something as stupid as running away, were you?”

“How did you convince her?” I whispered back.

“It was really simple. A few pictures, some facts, and a good story to present this situation really well. But don’t be disappointed. Bertha isn’t dumb. I just know how to make people see only the things I want them to.”

“Do not do anything to her,” I seethed. “Leave her out of this.”

“Didn’t you just see how smiley she was with me. I don’t think that’s a reaction you give when someone’s hurting you.”

“What did you tell her?”

“You’ll find out when you come to the office tomorrow. And don’t even think of arguing about it. You should know by now that you have no other choice but to do as I say.”

I pursed my lips and glared at him hard when I felt my eyes water again. He was right. I couldn’t do anything.

His smile returned. “Good, now don’t go running away, because I will find you.” His hand came up to my face, wiping a tear before it could make the full journey down my face, and then he did the most unexpected thing. Without any warning, he bent slightly towards me, and placed a soft kiss in the middle of my brows. My whole body tensed as a sudden wave of electricity coursed through me, increasing my heart rate all over again. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

I barely registered anything as he took a step back and turned to something behind me. “I’ll have to leave now, Bertha. It’s been a pleasure.”

“Likewise.”

I heard my aunt’s voice and turned around. That explained it.

It was only when I heard the sound of the door close that I was able to snap back to reality. My aunt was now looking at me with a sad smile on her face.

“Tía…” I didn’t even know what to say to her.

She shook her head, coming closer to me and taking my hands in hers. “I understand your situation. I really do, even though I still wish it was you I heard it from.”

“He… he likes handling these kinds of things. I didn’t know he was going to tell you today.” It wasn’t exactly a lie, but I still felt bad.

“I suspected you were seeing someone after Justin. I didn’t want to pressure you into admitting anything, especially after what you went through with that jerk.”

I lowered my head. That jerk who was technically still my boyfriend. She didn’t deserve all this deception.

“Are you happy with him?”

I smiled as best as I could and nodded. “He’s good for me.”

Her smile widened. “I can see that. I’m glad you have someone like him who’s willing to do anything to protect you and keep you happy. And I want to remind you, that I’m willing to do the same so you can trust me.”

“I do trust you, tía. This situation isn’t to say that I didn’t trust you. I know what you sacrifice for me, and I also won’t hesitate to do the same for you.”

***

That night I had a nightmare.

My aunt was dying and the only hope I had was Alexander.

I looked up from her frail form on the bed, to the man I hated the most in this world. “Please help her,” I cried. “I’ll do anything.”

The was no mercy in his eyes as he spoke. “Too late. You really underestimate me, love.” With no warning, he pulled out a gun and pointed it at me. “You only had one choice. Now, you die.”

Then he pulled the trigger.

I immediately shot up from bed. I was sweating, breathing hard.

“Daniela.” I quickly turned to the voice, and relaxed when I saw my aunt kneeling beside my bed. Then she put a glass of milk on my nightstand. "Are you okay?"

I cupped her face, the relief so intense I couldn’t do anything but weep. She was alive. “You’re fine, you’re here.”

She looked confused and concerned but she nodded, putting her hand over mine. “Yes, I’m here mija. I’m not going anywhere.”

That broke me even more. She loved me, she loved me like her own daughter even though I couldn’t bring myself to get as close to her as I was with my mom. And she still loved me. And I was here, hesitating about what I needed to do to ensure her well-being.

“I’m sorry,” I sobbed.

“No, Ela, it was just a nightmare," she whispered, rubbing her other hand over my arm. “It’s not real.”

But it is, just that I’m not letting you see one bit of it. I promise

“I’m sorry." I moved over to her and hugged her. “I’m so sorry.”

She wrapped her arms, holding me closer. “It’s alright. It’s going to be alright.”