Page 91 of Game of Revenge

“George!” I said, more startled than happy. “I have to go,” I whispered as I quickly hung up the phone.

George grabbed me and kissed me like never before. I should have felt joy, peace, but I felt nothing.

“I've missed you so much. I am so happy you are okay!”

“I am.” Ashamed, I didn’t know where to look.

“Did they do anything to you?”

“No, no, they didn’t. I’m fine. I am, but I'd rather not talk about it.”

“Of course. I understand.”

I got saved from what promised to be an awkward conversation when Martha walked in the room. She insisted that George let me rest. Martha never really cared for George. She always saw him as a reminder that Richard ruled over my existence. She said I was settling rather than living my life. And I always knew she was right. I was just more comfortable admitting it to myself now. I was eternally grateful. I wasn’t ready to deal with George or the guilt I felt.

“Now you go take that bath I prepared for you. You can talk to George later,” she ordered as she closed the door behind him.

I obeyed, and when Martha left, I started undressing myself. I welcomed the smell of Eucalyptus and mint that was filling up the air and the hot water that was slowly relaxing my muscles in the bath. I took a few slow and deep breaths, hoping that the relaxing smell would slow down my heartbeat. It felt weird to be back.

My mind was spinning, taking me back to just last night. To a time when I felt safe, felt cared for, felt whole. And how over the course of a few months, I came to find comfort in my new life. This place no longer felt like home to me.

I also thought about Alejandro. How much I missed him and wanted to be in his arms. And with those thoughts, George came to mind. What would I tell him? I had technically cheated on him, and I felt awful.

But I now knew, even if I couldn’t be with the man I loved, I could not marry a man I didn’t want to be with and fake a happy marriage for the rest of my life. It would be impossible now, after Alejandro had created a thirst for more in me, both physically and emotionally.

It was already very late in the night when I finally got to bed, imagining Alejandro holding me as I fell asleep.

Chapter 45

Amelia

The next day, when I woke up in the late morning, I felt confused for the first few minutes. As the memories started pouring back in, I felt a surge of anxiety rise through me. It was time to put my best acting skills in place. I was to reach out to Alejandro once I got the diamonds so we could meet and I could give them to him. The idea that I would get to see him again filled me with joy and excitement.

Alejandro and I had never really discussed what we were or what we would be—if anything—once he had the diamonds. I figured he would stay with Elena, get his revenge, and move on with his life, without me in the picture. But part of me hoped he would ask me to be with him. He’d alluded to that a couple of times, and he had saved my life, after all. Surely he cared for me. But did he? Or was that just guilt he felt that he had put an innocent life in danger in his quest for vengeance? Would he break my heart?

I impatiently looked for something to wear in my closet, still lost in my thoughts. Alejandro could never be mine. Our lives were on two different tracks. It just wouldn’t work out.

But I also couldn’t ignore the memories of the way he held me, the way he touched me, calling me “mi niña.” In those moments, I could have sworn…

The idea of being with him scared me, though, with the way I felt for him. Having another person’s will take over me and absorb me wasn’t part of my plan. That was why I had dated George. He felt safe because he didn’t cause a storm to rise up inside of me with just one look. The fact that I didn’t love him meant he had no control over me. But I would give my life for Alejandro.

I put on a pair of dark-blue jeans and a simple pink t-shirt. I finally found the courage to go downstairs, joining Richard in the dining room for breakfast. I was hoping that he would be absent, but there he was, wearing jeans and a gray dress shirt, reading the newspaper while he enjoyed his coffee, not a frown of worry on his face.

“Hello,” I said as I grabbed my usual chair to his right.

“Hi! You’re awake! Did you sleep well?”

“I did, thanks.”

“I’m glad. How do you feel? George said you seemed…distant yesterday.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m sorry. Did he expect smiles and giggles?”

“I guess that was a bit…insensitive. I’m sorry. I imagine it wasn’t the most pleasant time for you for these past few months.”

“No, it wasn’t,” I responded between my teeth, avoiding his gaze as much as I could. “Why did you take so long to come for me?” I asked, honestly hurt at his lack of concern for me.

“It wasn’t like that,” he explained. “These people, these criminals, they wanted everything. They made the negotiations for your safety hard, Amelia. You can ask George. We tried everything to get you here. You should be thankful that I risked my life and paid a large sum for your return.”