Chapter 5: Carlos’ phone

LUCIA

Knowing that Carlos had the same thought as me just made this whole shit a lot different. It felt like I now had a good chance of escaping and getting out of Alejandro’s grip.

We just had to figure out a good plan, one strong enough to make Alejandro stop the wedding. Or if he doesn’t, a plan strong enough for Carlos and I to stop the wedding.

I paced intently around my room, thinking of a way out of this mess.

Anything at all.

There had to be something. There had to be a plan we can set in motion for this wedding not to hold.

“What are you doing?” Carlos asked, and I looked up at him. His eyes lurked on me filled with confusion and partly disgust? I couldn’t tell but I wasn't going to let him look at me that way.

It wasn’t my fault that we were in this situation. For all I know, I was just scooped up from my fence and thrown into a car, then shipped to Italy to be married off.

Definitely wasn’t on my to do list when I woke up this morning.

I stopped moving, “what do you think?” I locked eyes on him, my brows furrowed as I wondered if he was just being dumb or not realizing that I was trying to think of a way out of this mess.

“You…you keep pacing around without saying anything” he waved his hands and pointed at me.

Yep…he’s dumb.

I sighed and facepalmed my forehead “because I’m trying to figure out a plan? Or do you have any? You can let me know so we can get this over with…I’m starting to get uncomfortable with you here”

“If you can’t tell, i don’t really like you… same with your father, who practically just ruined my life for no reason”

He chuckled, then walked towards the table and chair that was at the corner of my room “well i don’t like you either…i guess we have something in common, don’t we?” He sat on the chair.

I scoffed. “Nice…now i don’t appreciate you being comfortable in my space” my eyes locked to the chair he was sitting on.

He had no right to be comfortable around me, no right at all. Matter of fact, this was all his fault. If it wasn’t for his father’s will of wanting him to get married, I wouldn’t be here.

On the other hand, I couldn't say it was entirely his fault. This was mostly Alejandro’s thinking.

Damn it! I hate that man.

I have to make sure I get the hell out of here at all costs. I wasn’t going to allow him ruin my life and dreams.

I walked closer to Carlos and sighed “But, i guess in order for this to work, i have to compromise”

“Okay, what do you suggest?” He asked.

That was it, I had no idea.

For some reason, I couldn't think of a good foolproof plan to get us out of this mess. Every plan I dug up, I could see Alejandro standing right there and crushing all hopes.

“I don’t know” I sighed and took a seat on my bed.

“I can’t think of anything good at the moment”

“Or what do you think about us running away together and when we get to a safe destination, we go our separate ways?” Immediately I said that, his eyes widened, and I just knew this plan wouldn’t work.

“Are you crazy?!” He muttered as he inched closer to me.

“That’s practically impossible! My father will find us even before we leave the city. I’m sure that right now he knows that I'm in your room with you. Although he might be thinking we are bonding or something”

My lips parted. For fuck sake, what kind of fucked up man is Alejandro?

My neck fell to the back and I groaned.

Was there even a way out of this mess? Was I really going to be stuck here for life? Will I really have to marry this man sitting right in front of me?

Thoughts spiraled through my mind, and I felt so irked.

My life couldn’t end like this. There was no reason why I had to go through all this…what did I ever do to deserve this?

Anger rose through me as every incident that had happened in the previous hours started flooding back. Waking up this morning, I had thought I was starting a new life turning twenty. I thought I would now be free to do things I wanted at will, but no, doom was shoved right into my face and I had no say in it.

I was angry…I was pissed. Pissed at Alejandro for ruining my life, but most especially, I was pissed at my father for agreeing to this. For letting an unknown man take me away from him and my brothers. I wasn’t even sure if my two brothers knew about this.

I was sure that if they found out, they would be pissed shitless. Maybe if I could just find a way to call them, to inform them about this, they could save me. Maybe they could figure out a plan for me.

Wait! Hold on a second.

My head flipped back right into place and my eyes flew to Carlos.

“Carlos, your phone please” I hurriedly asked for his phone.

Why the fuck didn’t i think of this sooner? I could use Carlos’ phone to contact my brothers and they can get me out of this shithole.

He searched his pockets rapidly and paused “i think i left it upstairs, in my room”

I stood up “okay, i need you to go get it quick! I think i might have a way to get us out of this”

“What? What are you planning?” He asked as he also stood up. But i didn’t answer, now was not the time to start explaining plans. Every minute right now counted.

I pulled him towards the door "I'll explain later. Just get your phone and come back immediately”

“Okay okay fine” he hurriedly rushed out the door, and I shut it.

I walked back to my bed, and towards my suitcase. Zipping it open, I began to bring out all my contents in it. My few clothes, my college books and textbooks that I had managed to pack up at the last minute. I brought everything out until I found the particular book I was looking for.

In it, had the contact details of both my brothers. I was so thankful that I had written them out in case of emergencies.

And now was an emergency. I began to flip through the pages until a set of numbers popped up.

Yes! This was it.

I stood up and walked towards the door, anxiously waiting for Carlos to walk through the door at any moment.

But he never did.

I didn’t know how long time passed, but i knew i was standing at that door for too long of a time.

Where the fuck was he? He was supposed to be here minutes ago. I was so sure that just grabbing his phone and coming back here shouldn’t take a maximum of three minutes.

When I waited a few more minutes and he still didn’t arrive, I decided to go find him. I dropped the book down on my bed and went out of my room.

I didn’t know where his room was, so I couldn't even identify where I was going.

I just took the particular route the butler had followed when he was bringing me to my room. Probably if I found butler Miguel, he would tell me where Carlos’ room was.

When I got downstairs, the first person my eyes caught was butler Miguel.

Great! Just who I was looking for.

I rushed over to him “oh, hello”

“Yes Ms. Lucia, what can I help you with?”

“Ehm…” I looked around.

“May I know where Carlos’ room is please?”

He let out a faint smile and nodded “yes, please come with me”

He started to walk forward, and I followed behind him. We climbed up the stairs again, but this time to the third floor. He took a turn and I followed, then he stopped in front of a door.

“Figlio di Don Alejandro stays here ma’am” he pointed at the door.

~son of Don Alejandro~

I couldn’t quite understand what he meant since I wasn't really good with Italian but from my quick observation I knew he was saying this was Carlos’ room.

I nodded and muttered a “thank you butler Miguel”

“Sì. You can just call me Miguel Signora”

~ma’am~

Okay, now that I understood. I slowly nodded. He bowed and excused himself.

I turned back to the door and knocked.

Carlos better be here. If he bailed on me last minute, I would rip his earlobes off. This was my chance to set things back in place and I wasn't going to lose it.

I waited a few seconds but there was no response. I knocked again, this time harder. Still nothing.

“Carlos…are you there?” I knocked once more.

Nothing. I was starting to get worried. Did he not come to his room at all? Or was he avoiding me?

I didn’t know and I had no way of finding out unless I pushed through this door. And i knew it was a stupid idea, i shouldn’t go into peoples room uninvited but to be honest, i didn’t care.

I was not losing this chance. I placed my hand on the door handle and pulled it down. Right as I was about to push the door open, I heard something that made me pause.

“Dad! What do you mean by you are confiscating my phone?”

My heart dropped. Oh fuck!