The Secret Between Us
Chapter 3

The next day:

Like most of the dawns I spend in this house, the coldness of his absence between these sheets is responsible for my early awakening. Neither the perfect decoration made to my taste, nor the spaciousness of this room, nor the exclusive closet I have here, is able to replace his presence even for a minute. This immense house should have been our home and not our hiding place. The bed where I now find myself alone, should have been an accomplice of endless nights and dawns, but instead it became a witness of moments of passion where most of the time the clock is against us. I snort in frustration and get up to get ready and leave here to face the reality of my life.

I am about to go into the bathroom to take a shower, when I hear my cell phone ring indicating that I received a message. I quickly go to the bedside table, take it and when I see the screen I smile.

My love, good morning, don’t forget that you are the most important thing in my life. I love you, Izan.

I immediately respond to his message while on my face the most genuine smile is drawn thanks to him. And you in mine, take care of yourself. I love you.

He sent the message and quickly continued with what he was doing.

I am approaching with the car to the house where I have to live so I can be, even a little bit free, when I realize that Santiago’s car is stopped in the driveway.

-What is he doing here so early? – I ask myself and move forward with my car until I park next to his.

He doesn’t do anything but see me coming and gets out of the car while I do the same -Where were you? – he asks me as soon as we both close our car doors.

-I left early, is there a problem? – I question reluctantly.

Santiago approaches me when I’m arriving to the door of my house and takes me by the arm -the problem is that I’m your fiancé and we have a business lunch with some businessmen from Turkey in two hours. – He informs me and I move my arm to let go.

I open the door of the house, I go inside and he follows me -I change my clothes and we are leaving. – I say and try to keep walking as I hear the door slam.

-Will you tell me where you went? – he demands.

I turn to look at him and deny -I don’t have to. – I answer.

-You don’t have to, are you forgetting that I’m your fiancé and that in eight months we’re getting married? –

-How can I forget

How can I forget? You remind me every day since you practically bought me with my father. – I reply angrily.

He smiles mischievously and approaches me in a dangerous way – -Everything would have been easier if the day we met, you had accepted me, but no… you decided to play hard to get, but look, whether you want to or not, you will be my wife. – he reminds me and I decide to ignore him and keep walking to my room.

-I’m going to get changed to go to your blissful meeting. – I quickly go into my room and lock the door behind me.

“Damn the time my father signed that partnership with Santiago… ruined my life completely.” I think as I lean my back against the door and let the tears of frustration and anger flow out of my eyes.

One more day in this life that I wish I didn’t have to lead, one more time witnessing the business that my father does with his partner and who by obligation will be my father-in-law. -Izan, come here, don’t just stand there, come and be part of this business. – Lorenzo asks me.

-Lorenzo, you know well that I am only in charge of managing the money, my brother is my father’s right hand. – I explain and he looks at me as a challenge.

-Then, if you will just stand there, go look for my daughter who is bored at home. Take her to lunch or shopping, use your time for something useful. – he demands and I just nod slightly.

-See you later. – I say under the watchful eyes of my father and Lorenzo and without further ado I leave the office.

“Damn the time my father and Lorenzo agreed on my marriage with Giovanna, damn the time I met her at that dinner between our families and she became obsessed with me… damn the way her father always manages to fulfill the whims of his spoiled little girl.”

I open my car door, get in and stand for a moment in complete silence while the hellish heat of the city of Las Vegas makes me feel that the fire that consumes me inside, also exists in my reality. How much I would like to take Mia by the hand and run away with her to a place where it’s just her and me, but things are not so easy, if I break up with Giovanna, my family will pay the consequences with b***d and if she breaks up with Santiago, her father will be ruined… not to mention the revenge that her uncle has sworn to my family including me…

“Think about Miami, just think about that…” I repeat to myself trying to console myself with the idea that at least we will be together for three days.