Loving Vicente

XVI

VICENTE’S POV:

My mind races as I look at Luis's dead body. Did he kill my mother? A small gasp brings me out of my thoughts as I glance toward the front door. Daniella's shaking frame steps into view, watching me. How long had she been standing there?

Standing up, I walk towards her slowly. Her features are flooded with fear as I step closer to her. "Daniella, stay calm. He attacked me, I had no choice." My voice breaks. She shakes her head in a daze, "Did he kill your mother?" Her eyes well with tears, awaiting my response.

"I'm not sure, I have to find out the truth," I say, pulling her into my arms. She returns the gesture as her arms wrap around my torso. "If he did kill her, he deserved what he got." She mumbles into my shirt, quietly.

I kiss the crown of her head, grateful she was understanding. After a few more minutes in her embrace, I call up a couple of my guys to clean up Luis. My father is going to flip his s**t when he finds out what happened here. "I need to take you home Daniella. I have to figure things out before we leave."

She nods her head and follows me towards the car. Once she was safely secured, I take off towards her house. With a quick kiss goodbye, I watch her enter through her window and offer a small wave as I back out of the driveway.

On the way home, my mind is filled with Luis's last words. I had so many questions and no answers. My father didn't return for another week, I had to find out what the f**k is going on. As I pull back into my driveway, I rush out of the car.

Stalking towards my father's office, I open up the doors. I have never crossed boundaries this way, but I needed answers and I knew he wasn't going to give them to me. As I search through his desk, I don't find much. Frustration ticks at me as I open drawer after drawer met with nothing.

After an hour's search and nothing to show for it, I decided to head into my room and get some sleep. I tossed and turned all night, tempted to call Daniella. But, I knew she had a lot going on with her and I didn't want to add to the stress.

When morning rolled around, I started my day off with my morning text to my girls and took a long, hot shower. Throwing on a fresh dress shirt and black slacks, I tie up my dress shoes and head out to my car. I was going to visit my mother's and my sister's graves. As I drive towards the grave sight, I stop by for a few bouquets.

Pulling into the graveyard, I decide to visit Isa first. I place the bouquet of daisies down, they had been her favorite flower. Her full name rested on the plaque, I let out a chuckle as I recall the times she nagged me for calling her Isabella. For some reason, she never liked it. Stating Bella meant beautiful and she was more than beautiful.

After a while, I say a prayer over her grave and walk a few feet over to my mother's. Esmeralda Valdovinos, Loving Mother & Wife, it read. I set down the delicate pink roses and take a moment of silence for my mother.

As I'm standing there, anger creeps up on me. How is it that I have all these things, but these two women will never get anything again?

DANIELLA’S POV:

Laying in bed that night, all I can think about is Luis's last words and the look on Vicente's face. He looked like his world got thrown off and I can't blame him. With only a week before we leave, I'm beginning to wonder if he's ever going to make it out of here.

A tear slips past my eye as the thought makes itself present. Deep down, I always felt like I was going to be left alone. As much as I wanted to believe we could get out without any repercussions, I knew better. Vicente's dad is ruthless and controlling.

Falling asleep was a struggle. I kept getting hit with waves of nausea and I have to quietly and slowly throw my guts up. My uncle still was in the dark about everything while he's been home healing. I decide to text Vicente before finally falling asleep.

When morning came, the house was quiet. Usually, Anna or my uncle is awake and in the kitchen, but not today. I pad through the house and glance at the empty rooms. My brows furrow as I continue to the front door. Through the window, I spot Tio and Anna. They were having a bible study together, sitting on the grass.

Deciding not to interrupt the wholesome moment, I trail back into my room and take out my phone. My parents were blowing me up with calls. Hitting answer, my father's excited voice fills the line. "Daniella! How are you, sweetheart?"

I let out a laugh, he didn't sound like the same dad, much more relaxed. "Hi Dad, things are great. Tio and Anna are having a little bible study, I was about to make breakfast." I fill him in on the details of my morning. My mom pops onto the phone to say hello before they both end the call with a big, "I love you! See you soon."

Guilt creeps up my stomach. They had entrusted me this summer and I failed them. The emotions were overwhelming as involuntary tears gush down my face. I bury myself deep into my blankets and let the emotions take their course. I feel like all I did was cry lately.

I didn't feel like doing much the rest of the day, my mood was glum since speaking with my parents. Come dinner, I helped Anna in the kitchen, trying to shake off the bad mood. Vicente hadn't texted me since this morning, doing the daily check-in.

I knew he must be busy trying to find answers after his discovery yesterday. He said his father didn't return until the day we left and he feared questions would remain unanswered. An uneasy feeling settled in my stomach, things felt off.

That night, Anna came into my room well past midnight. I sit up in my bed, seeing her head poke in. "What's going on?" I whisper out. "Want to come with me to my spot?" I shake my head, yes, needing to get out of this room.

Slipping on a sweater and my sandals, I creep out the window with Anna following close behind me. I let out a small laugh as I think about how many times we've crawled through this window. "What's so funny?" Anna asks. "I'm just thinking about how many times we have been in and out of this window." She laughs along with me, guiding us around her property.

Anna pulls out a small flask from her jacket pocket, causing a troubling look to settle across my features. "Anna... All this drinking and partying isn't good for you. I tell you this because I love you and know you can do more." Her face flashes with a pang of sadness. "I know..." She says softly. I decide not to push it any further, knowing she understood where I was coming from.

"Vicente found out some crazy news last night. I don't know what's going to happen now." I say, my voice cracking. Anna stops us, pulling me into a hug. "Everything will be OK. Have you thought about what you're going to do if you have to do this without him?" I nod my head against her shoulder, letting out a sniffle.

"I know that it's a possibility, but I'm praying that it doesn't happen. I want a family, I love him." I explain to Anna. She releases her hold on me, gripping my shoulders and bringing us face to face. "Daniella. You are strong. You can do this, you are not alone. I'm here for you always and so are your parents." Her pep talk causes me to give her a sad smile.

I decide to drop the subject because I wanted to get away from these thoughts, not let them consume me more. We continue walking along the property, admiring the view. You could see some of the city if you walked high enough.

Once it got a little too creepy for us, we ran back inside giggling and shushing each other. Anna was a bit intoxicated as she stumbled into my room. "Do you think I could sleep with you tonight?" She asks. "Of course," I say, tossing off my sweater and crawling to my half of the bed.

My cousin falls in next me to, laying on her back. "I just wanted to say, thanks for coming. Things have been lonely since my mom... And you helped cheer me up." I smile at my cousin, her eyes already closing.