Loving Vicente

XIII

DANIELLA’S POV:

2 weeks later

Two pink lines glared up at me as I look down at the stick. Panic sets in as I realize the reality of the situation. I was pregnant. Clutching my head, I slide down the wall and cry. My parents are going to be so upset, they won't ever look at me the same.

A small knock on the door cuts off my sobs, I release a deep breath before finally responding. "Yeah?" My voice comes out shaky. "Daniella let me in." I hear Anna say softly. Turning the knob, I scoot back and let Anna into the bathroom.

"Everything is going to be OK." She says while taking a seat next to me. I collapse into Anna's side, my body racked with sobs. Her hand rubs the top of my back soothingly. "What happened?" I hear her question.

I couldn't bring myself to speak the words so I hold up the tiny white stick that contained my whole future. She stays silent for a moment. "A child is a blessing, no matter the circumstances."

Her words bring me comfort as we sit there. After a while, I decide to head into my room. How was I going to bring a child into this world? Vicente's lifestyle is full of violence and drugs. Things I didn't want my baby around.

Placing a hand on my stomach, I look down. Everything looked normal, with no bump or anything. If I hadn't missed my period, I would've never known.

My phone rings out with a notification from Vicente. What was I going to tell him? I didn't want to ruin what we had but I knew there was no way around it. He was the father and had a right to know.

Texting him back, I tell him to pick me up tonight. The rest of the day, I lay in bed. My uncle had knocked and asked if I was alright. Anna told him that my period made an appearance. He left me alone afterward.

Vicente had sent me text after text but I didn't have the strength to open them. Whatever he had to say could wait for tonight. Who knew what he was going to say? I

couldn't believe this, we only had s*x a few times, and every time we wore protection. After the shocking thought wears off, I realize how ridiculous I sounded. Of course, I was pregnant, that's what happens.

When everyone had gone to sleep, I see Vicente's headlights pull into the driveway. Letting out a sigh, I look down at myself. My outfit consisted of sweats and a hoodie, no skirt or makeup.

Crawling out the window slowly, I spot Vicente. He stood in his usual spot with a dazzling smile plastered on his face. As I walk towards him, nerves course my veins. "Hi, Hermosa." He says, pulling me to him.

I stay in his embrace longer than intended. He doesn't question me, just lets me lay my head against his broad chest. "What's going on?" His voice is filled with concern. Pulling away, I try to muster the words.

When they wouldn't come out, he talks first. "Don't worry about it. We're going to my house tonight, my dad won't be home and I want to show you around." He says with a smile. Nodding my head, I step into his spotless car an instant comfort wrapping its way around me.

The drive to his house was short. When we pulled in front of the gated home, my mouth falls open. His house was gorgeous. He lets out a chuckle while glancing over at me. "Your home is beautiful," I say breathlessly. "Thank you." He says while opening up his door and walking towards mine.

As we step inside, his walls are littered with beautiful artwork. I stand in awe, admiring. Feeling Vicente's hand settle on my lower back, I let him guide me further into the house. Isa comes down the stairs, her face lighting up with a smile. "Hi, Daniella. I'm so glad he finally brought you over." She embraces me in a brief hug. I liked Isa, she was always so welcoming.

Walking into the kitchen with Isa, Vicente pulls out a chair motioning for me to sit. Vicente walks towards the fridge and pulls out a plate of sweets. "You're always feeding me." I laugh. A huge smile spreads across his lips, "Of course Hermosa."

He pecks my lips, making me forget Isa had been standing there with us. "You guys are cute," Isa says, her face beaming. Vicente rolls his eyes, pulling me out of the chair and towards the stairs. I wave goodbye to his sister before disappearing.

Once we reached Vicente's room, excitement rushes through me. I had pictured what his room looked like based on what I'd seen in our video chats. His bed sat in the middle of the room, his sleek black bed frame dusted to perfection.

A flat-screen TV sat mounted directly in front of the mattress. I run my hands over the small bookshelf that was placed in the corner. Classic novels and poets sat on his shelves causing me to smile.

Turning back to Vicente, I notice his eyes already on me. "I love your room, it's very you," I say, taking a seat on the edge of his mattress. I lean back on my hands, watching him. He bites down on his lip, running his heated gaze over my body. My face burns red as he strides towards me. Settling his hands on either side of my hips, he leans his face toward me.

His large body enveloped mine, making my body fill with heat. My heart beat wildly in my chest as I bring my gaze to his. "I love you." He says, catching me off guard. "I love you," I say back softly. He made me feel something I had never felt in my life and I never wanted it to end.

He brings his lips to mine, passionately kissing me. A moan escapes my lips as we deepen the kiss, heat shooting to my core. Laying back, I pull Vicente on top of me. We break the kiss, our bodies entwined together as we lay. It was late and I was getting tired. After a while, I fell into a deep sleep.

A sharp scream wakes me, making me shoot up. For a moment, I forget where I am as I glance around the room. Vicente's warmth brings me back to as I shake him awake. A look of confusion flashes across his face. "Someone's screaming," I whisper. Suddenly, a loud bang and men yelling fill the halls. Vicente shoots out of bed, grabbing a gun by his bedside.

"Stay quiet and get in the closet." His voice comes out to calm and even, steadying my nerves. Vicente dials out a number and barks out an order to whoever was on the other line. Vicente wraps me into his chest, pressing a kiss to my lips. "I love you, Hermosa." He says, then backs me into his closet, shutting the sliding door.

Panic floods me as I think about Isa. She had been in the kitchen the last I'd seen her. Pulling out my phone, I turn the sound off and lower the brightness. 3 AM flashes back at me, we had only been asleep a few hours. I hear gunshots ring out, causing me to let out a cry. I clamp a hand around my mouth, silencing myself.

After what felt like hours, I hear Vicente's door creak open. Footsteps step across the room, causing me to curl further into myself. I prayed they wouldn't find me. The closet door slowly opens, and I let out a cry. "Hermosa, it's OK. Come out please." I hear Vicente say. I let out a sigh of relief as I stand and throw myself into his arms. "Oh thank God. I didn't know what was happening." He crushes me against him, burying his face into my neck.

"Vicente? What's wrong?" I question, pulling away. His eyes are filled with tears, making me panic. "It's Isa.." His voice breaks as he falls back against me. "What about Isa?" My voice is panicked but I can't seem to get an answer from him. Backing away, I run down the stairs. Vicente calls out my name following close behind me.

I ignore him as I search around the house and call out Isa's name. Glass littered the floor, and their beautiful paintings spread around the house as if they were ransacked. As I reach the living room, I see a body laying limp. A sob escapes my lips as I run towards them. Isa's beautiful face was filled with scratches and blood, her body cold. "No, Isa. Please wake up." I cry out, clutching her hand.

Vicente places his hand on my back gently, pulling me away. "She's gone, Daniella." I turn and pull him into me as he lets out loud cries, repeating "I couldn't save her." My heart fills with sadness, "I'm so sorry," I whisper, hugging him tighter. We stand there for a while before he lets me go, taking a seat on the couch

Vicente's men had come as reinforcement but not before they had gotten to Isa. I take a seat next to Vicente and place my hand over his. He has a distant look in his eye as he glances at his sister. "They are going to pay." Vicente's voice chills my bones, what was I going to do? How was I going to tell him I was pregnant?