Like it never happened

I barely slept that night.

Every time I closed my eyes, Luciano's words replayed in my head.

You have until tomorrow morning to decide.

What exactly did he think I was going to do?

Leave Alex and marry him?

Absolutely not.

I had spent too much time fighting for my relationship with Alex to let Luciano destroy it with a threat.

But there was one problem.

My father.

I knew him well enough to know that if Luciano told him everything before I did, the situation would become much worse.

I turned in bed and looked at the clock.

2:17 a.m.

I sighed and sat up.

Maybe Alex was right.

Maybe we should tell Dad everything before Luciano got the opportunity.

I grabbed my phone and typed a message to Alex.

Are you awake?

The message was delivered almost immediately.

Yes.

Can I come to your room?

There was a pause.

Wait.

I frowned.

A few seconds later, another message came in.

Don't come.

I stared at the screen.

Why?

I quickly typed.

Why?

There was no response.

I called him.

He didn't answer.

I called again.

Nothing.

A strange feeling settled in my stomach.

I got out of bed and quietly opened my bedroom door.

The hallway was dark.

I stepped outside and walked toward the visitor's room.

When I got there, the door was slightly open.

"Alex?"

No response.

I pushed the door open.

The room was empty.

My heart began beating faster.

His luggage was still there, but Alex was nowhere to be found.

I walked into the room.

His phone wasn't on the bed.

His shoes were gone too.

Then I noticed something.

A piece of paper sat on the table.

I picked it up.

There were only four words written on it.

Don't trust Luciano.

My hands started shaking.

"What the hell?"

I read it again.

Maybe Alex had left it for me.

But why would he tell me not to trust Luciano?

I immediately called him again.

This time, his phone was switched off.

I rushed downstairs.

As I approached the living room, I noticed someone standing near the front door.

It was Sophia.

She looked startled when she saw me.

"Gena?"

"Where is Alex?"

Her face changed.

"What?"

"Where is Alex?"

"I don't know."

"Don't lie to me."

"I swear, I don't know."

I pointed toward the door.

"His shoes are gone. His phone is off. He left me a note."

Sophia's eyes widened.

"What note?"

I handed it to her.

She read it and immediately covered her mouth.

"Oh my God."

"What?"

She looked at me.

"You need to call your father."

Before I could respond, headlights appeared outside.

A car stopped in front of the house.

My heart sank.

I recognized the car.

It was Luciano's.

He stepped out slowly.

He looked toward the house.

Then he smiled.

I knew immediately.

Something had happened.

I rushed outside.

"Where is Alex?"

Luciano adjusted his jacket.

"Good morning to you too."

"Where is he?"

"I thought you were going to ask me something else."

"Luciano!"

He sighed.

"He's safe."

"Where?"

"Somewhere he can think clearly."

My eyes widened.

"What did you do to him?"

"Nothing."

"You expect me to believe that?"

"I didn't hurt him."

"Then where is he?"

Luciano walked closer.

"He's gone because he finally understands that your relationship isn't going anywhere."

I slapped him.

The sound echoed through the quiet compound.

Luciano slowly turned his face back toward me.

His smile was gone.

"Don't ever touch me again."

"Where is Alex?"

"You really want to know?"

"Yes."

He leaned closer.

"Then come with me."

I stared at him.

"No."

"Then you may never see him again."

My heart dropped.

"You kidnapped him?"

"No."

"Then why can't I see him?"

"Because he made a decision."

"What decision?"

Luciano pulled out his phone and showed me a picture.

My heart nearly stopped.

Alex was sitting inside a car.

His face looked tired.

But he was alive.

"Where is he?"

Luciano put the phone away.

"That's not important."

"It is to me!"

"Then marry me."

I stared at him.

"You are insane."

"Maybe."

He turned toward his car.

"But by tonight, you'll understand that I'm your only option."

He got into the car.

I stood there helplessly as he drove away.

Sophia rushed toward me.

"Gena, what are we going to do?"

I wiped my tears.

"We're going to find Alex."

"But how?"

I looked at the road where Luciano's car had disappeared.

"I don't know yet."

Then I remembered the note.

Don't trust Luciano.

I looked at Sophia.

"There is someone else who can help us."

"Who?"

I swallowed hard.

"My father."

For the first time that morning, I realized that hiding the truth was no longer protecting me.

It was putting everyone I loved in danger.

I picked up my phone.

And with trembling fingers, I dialed Dad's number.

He answered on the third ring.

"Gena? Why are you calling this early?"

I closed my eyes.

"Dad..."

My voice cracked.

"We need to talk."

There was silence on the other end.

"About what?"

I took a deep breath.

"About Alex."

Another silence.

Then Dad's voice became cold.

"Who is Alex?"