Page 111 of Game of Revenge

“Indeed!” I said, wiping a tear. “So, shall we meet here in, say, forty minutes and head there together? I can believe it’s already 1:50!”

“We can't be served all this wine and be expected to keep track of time!” joked Francesca as we got up. “See you in forty minutes,” she said, giving me one of those long, warm hugs that instantly reassured me. “I promise you, everything will be okay. You just need some time to heal.”

I hugged her back, taking in every one of her words as if it was my faith. I then walked to my villa.

I had been lucky to find a perfectly secluded villa very close to the water when I was looking. It was a highly coveted spot that I had tried to book a few times before without any luck. I was told this villa was almost always reserved by the vineyard owner’s family, so when they told me it had just gotten released for reservations, I jumped on it.

It was a gorgeous three-bedroom, three-bathroom, luxurious, two-story villa with balconies and state-of-the-art amenities. It reminded me a bit of Alejandro’s beach house. The colors took me back to the room Alejandro and I had shared, the memories mending my heart and breaking it at the same time. I could live here forever.

I quickly changed into a bright-red dress that buttoned in the front. I added a thin gold decorative belt and made sure to grab my glasses and floppy straw hat after I put some sunscreen on. The hat was a gift from Francesca who clearly wanted to share her love of hats with me. I had welcomed the gift and really enjoyed feeling like a ‘madame,’ as Francesca described it.

I ran my fingers over the bracelet I always wore, now not only a reminder of my mother but also a reminder of the man I loved.

We met in the lobby by the villas and walked together to the parking area. A golf ca driver was waiting there to take us to the specific vineyard where the tasting was to take place. I loved it here—the smell, the air, the sun. Everything was perfect.

“I can understand why you come here so often,” I told Francesca as I got out of the golf cart. “It's paradise. I wish I could just stay here forever.”

“It really is.”

“I would love to partner with Robledo Estates for Hotel Estrellas. Maybe serve their wine in the restaurants of our hotels or something. I just love this place so much.”

“I think that is an excellent idea! You know, I could help with that. I know the owner,” explained Francesca with a smile.

“Welcome to our wine tasting this evening, ladies and gentlemen,” greeted a man as he came out of the building and approached the small group of eight people that had gathered. I will be your tour guide this evening, and we are going to have fun.”

“He is my favorite,” said Francesca with the excitement of a first timer.

Her joy and passion were intoxicating, and I decided to relax and enjoy the feeling of the buttery chardonnay one of the guides was distributing to the crowd.

These tours were always very informational, with the guide taking the group through the winery and showing us the vineyards used for the wine we were enjoying.

“Everyone, come closer,” said the guide as we followed his instructions. “I have a wonderful surprise for you.”

I kept myself slightly turned to the side as I was texting with Nicholas a bit to pin down our next meeting.

“I have such a treat for you today! I was just told that the man who made Robledo Estates what it is today decided to join us for the rest of our evening together, so without further ado, I want to introduce you to Mr. Alejandro Robledo Carvajal.”

Chapter 55

Amelia

That name resounded through me, twisting my lungs as time seemed to slow down. I let out a shaky breath as awareness crawled on my skin. I slowly lifted my gaze as Alejandro walked out.

“Thank you, John,” responded Alejandro as the crowd applauded.

My heart stopped, and I froze, unable to move, my iPhone falling to the floor.

Alejandro was talking, but I could not hear anything other than my heartbeat drumming in my ears. Maybe it was the alcohol. Maybe I was hallucinating. This could not possibly be.

Francesca gently squeezed my arm, a concerned look on her face as she grabbed my phone from the ground and gave it to me. In an attempt to appease her, I swallowed hard and turned around as the group was laughing at a joke Alejandro must have made.

He was there, dressed all in black, his sleeves rolled up, his hair blowing in the wind, and his skin golden and glowing under the sun. I wasn’t dreaming. If only I could run, but all I could do was stare at him as he smiled and accepted the handshakes some of the tourists were giving him. He was slowly making his way to Francesca and me, but I couldn’t move.

“Amelia? Everything okay?” inquired Francesca.

“Yes, yes, I’m fine,” I managed to say. “I, uh…I have to go.”

“What’s wrong? You look like you've seen a ghost. Have some more wine,” she said as she passed her glass to me. I chugged it in an unladylike fashion, without hesitation, wanting to feel anything else but this.