Loving Vicente

XII

DANIELLA’S POV:

That night, Vicente and I made love. It had hurt a bit at first but once we got past that, it was an indescribable bliss. The burning feeling of his hands was forever etched into my memories, and the sweet words and blushing compliments entwined in my soul. Our bodies were in sync from dusk to dawn, feeling as if we were one. Loving Vicente was like no other, he was an addiction. Someone I couldn't shake even if I tried.

Waking up that morning, his strong arms snaked around my waist caging me against his warm chest. A smile slowly stretches across my lips as I admire his peacefully sleeping frame. I trace my finger lightly around the ridges of his face. My touch must've startled him awake because his big brown eyes flew open, pinning me in place. "Good morning Hermosa." His deep and sleepy voice grumbles out. "Good morning-" I'm cut off by the sound of my door opening and Anna's questions filling the room.

"How was your dat- OH MY GOD. I am so sorry." She quickly backs out of the room, slamming the door shut behind her. Glancing over to Vicente he lets out a laugh. "Well, that was a way to start our day." He says jokingly. Leaning over, he pecks his lips to mine. "I've got to get going. My dad is expecting me." He says stoically. "You don't have to keep doing this Vicente," I respond softly.

He lets out a deep sigh, pulling me back into him. We lay there a while before he finally gets up and gathers himself. Walking him out, he kisses me goodbye. "I love you." He says softly. I watch him leave with a sour look on my face. I hated this. "So, why didn't you tell me he was staying the night?" Anna's voice cuts me out of my thoughts. Groaning, I take a seat on the couch.

"I'm sorry, I don't know why. Maybe I felt ashamed?" My voice comes out quiet. Anna sits next to me, consoling me. "I would never judge you, Daniella. It's natural." She says with a shrug of her shoulders. Smiling at her, we sit around the TV most of the day. Vicente calls me almost every night, but his week was so full of things his father needed we barely caught a glimpse of each other. He needed to get away from this life.

When my uncle got released later that week, Anna and I made him a huge welcome-home dinner. My uncle was beaming, with a smile that stretched from ear to ear. We all ate and talked, filling him in on the novellas he missed. As we're finishing up dinner, my phone lets out a sharp ring. My parent's number flashes across the screen.

My finger hovers over the declined call until my uncle spots my phone. "Is that your mama, Mija? I'd love to talk with her." He says excitedly. Answering the call, I slide my phone his way. "Hola hermana, como estas?" (Hello sister, how are you?)

My mom lets out an excited laugh, "Hola hermano, estoy bien!" (Hello brother, I'm good!) They chat back and forth before settling into an important conversation, their Spanish too fast for me to pick up. Settling into the living room, I let my uncle and mom talk. After a while, he finally brings back my phone wishing me a good night. "Hey Mom, how's everything?" I ask. "It's going great Daniella! We're having so much fun."

I listen to her gush about the trip for a while. "How about you mija? How's your trip been?" My stomach turns, I hated lying to her. "Everything's been fine. I've just been reading and riding the horses." The lie slips past my lips so easily, I had only ridden the horse once. "That's great! I'm so glad. Do they still have Estrella?" She asks. "Yeah, she's so beautiful." Once our conversation finally dies down, we say good night and end the call.

Hopping into a warm bath, my thoughts are flooded with everything. Things had gotten so messy and I knew it had to be cleaned up before I left. A sudden wave of nausea rolls through me, making me jump out of the bath and run to the toilet. Anna knocks on the door, asking if I'm OK.

Letting her know I'm fine, I hear her footsteps retreat to her room. Weird. Maybe dinner just didn't sit right with me. After washing myself off, I step into my room and dress in my pajamas. My phone rings out with another call, only this time it was Vicente's name.

Answering it quickly, I set the phone on the charger and grab my book of poetry. Sure enough, Vicente lay in his bed. "Hola hermosa, how are you?" His voice fills the silence of my room, making me feel comforted. "I'm OK, I just puked tonight's dinner out though." His face fills with concern, "Are you alright?" He asks. "I'm fine, just need to drink some water. Wait one second." I say, leaving the room and going into the kitchen for a glass of water.

Once I'm back, I settle into my covers and turn on the small bedside lamp. "How's your week been?" I ask Vicente. Even though I wasn't thrilled at what he did, I knew it was a part of his life and he would want to talk about it. "Eh, nothing special. Same old same old." His voice comes out sad, almost bored. Dropping my phone next to my head, I grab out my book and begin to read out poetry. He slowly falls into a deep sleep.

VICENTE’S POV:

My thoughts are filled with my night with Daniella. It was something so intimate and special, something I had never experienced before. My dad's obnoxious voice cuts through my daydreams, frustration coursing through my veins. "What do you need?" I ask shortly. My dad lets out a frustrated sigh. "What happened to you Vicente? Your head is so out of wack lately. Ever since you-"

I cut him off before he can finish. "Leave her out of this. I'm done listening to you spew your hate." My voice is laced with anger as my chest heaves. "You're weak." He spits out. I watch as his figure retreats out of the kitchen. Leaning against the cool countertop, I take deep breaths.

Isa comes in shortly after, her face filled with worry. "What's going on?" She asks, taking place by my side. "Everything is fine Isa." I kiss the top of her head and walk towards my room. I know she wanted to put this family back together, but we were damaged beyond repair. Once inside and away from everyone, I hop into my shower and wash away today. All I wanted was to be with her.

When I finished changing and getting ready for bed, I dial out her number. Her bright blue eyes fill my screen, turning my night around. When she tells me she puked today, a thought crosses my mind. Could it be? I shake the feeling away, it wasn't possible. We used protection. After telling her about my day, she brings out her book of poems and lulls me into a deep sleep.

The next morning, I'm shaken awake by Isa. "Vicente!" She whispers fiercely at me. "What's going on?" I ask tiredly. "Somebody is in the house." Hearing those words, I tell Isa to stay put and grab my gun. Walking around slowly, I check hallway after hallway. When I reach the living room, I'm met face to face with my father. "What the f**k is going on?" I ask. "What did I tell you, Vicente? There is a war brewing and this is just the start of it."