Loving Vicente

V

DANIELLA’S POV:

After my uncle left for work the next morning, Isa and Vicente came and picked us up for a day at the beach. I had braided both my and Anna's hair into two French braids. On our way, Vicente kept catching my eyes. It felt like the first night we met all over again. I smiled at him and try to keep my nerves hidden. Reaching the beautiful sea of water, we park and make our way over to a small crowd.

They all greeted us excitedly. We girls laid out in our bikinis and decided to tan while the boys threw a football around. Taking out my book, I immerse myself in the words of a great poet. I hear all the girls gossiping back and forth about the boys and who's sleeping with who. As much as I wanted to seem part of the group I couldn't bring myself to look up.

Plus I wanted to keep whatever Vicente and I had between us for as long as we could. Anna calls my name, breaking my focus. "Hey, did you want to play volleyball with us?" Smiling at her, I shake my head yes. Putting my book into my bag, I grab my sunglasses and shimmy out of my shorts.

Feeling a burning gaze on me, I turn my head. Vicente had stopped playing his game and was roaming my figure, he looked like he was caught in a trance. A football nailing him right in the head makes him snap back into focus. I let out a laugh, he smiles and goes back to playing. Feeling my face burn hot, I make my over to where the net was set up.

We pass the ball back and forth for a few hours, laughing and having a good time. It felt nice to have friends. At home I kept to myself a lot of the time, school kept me busy. The sun started to slowly set, a nice breeze settling over the beach. The boys had built a fire, keeping the group illuminated. I sat on my towel, watching the waves crash into one another. "Hey." I hear the voice that has invaded my mind like crazy, break through my thoughts. "Hi," I reply. He takes a seat next to me. For a moment, we soak in the silence. Only hearing the distant chatter and laughter from our group.

"I'm sorry about this last week. My life is complicated Daniella." He says softly. Not making eye contact I let out a small hum. I didn't forget what Anna had told me about him, but a part of me didn't want to bring it up and make him feel like that's all I see in him. "It's OK, I understand. I'll be leaving in a few months anyway." My voice sounded small. He lets out a deep sigh. "The thing is, I can't seem to get you out of my mind."

I look at him, eyes wide. "I.. don't know what to say." He looks off into the distance, worry etched into his features. "If we're going to do this, I want to be honest with you. My family runs a cartel, and I am set to take over when my father steps down. I don't want it, but I don't have a choice." I let his words sink in. He's studying my features, trying to read me. "You don't seem surprised." He says. "Well, Anna may have mentioned it last week before our date," I reply shyly.

It was his turn to have shock written on his face. "And you decided to come out with me, knowing what I do?" Unsure of what to say, I just nod my head. "I think there's more to you than what your father may want Vicente." My face blooms a shade of red, that being one of the boldest things I've said to a man. He shifts closer to me, "I think you might be the first person to tell me that." He admits quietly.

I lay my head on his shoulder, appreciating the moment. His large hand envelops mine, our fingers resting together perfectly. We sat for a while, listening to the waves. My feelings for him were growing at an alarming rate. Anna came stumbling towards us, a drink in hand. "Cousin, let's drink!" She yells in a drunken state. "I think you've had enough." I chuckle.

Swatting her hand at us, she collapses beside me on the sand. "I don't feel so good Daniella." I hear her say. Turning to Vicente I ask, "Do you think you could give us a ride home? She needs to sleep this off." He tells me of course and starts gathering our things, loading up his car. I look over to Anna who is laying on her back with a distant look in her eyes.

"Anna, are you OK?" I ask. She doesn't respond. I take the silence as her way of saying she doesn't want to talk about it. Helping her to her feet, we walk side by side to Vicente's car. When we've all piled in, Vicente makes the drive back to our house. Looking over to Anna, worry floods my thoughts. How am I going to help her? Pulling into the driveway Anna stumbles out of the car, mumbling a thank you. I say a quick goodbye, stepping out. Just as I was about to head inside, Vicente calls out my name. "Daniella, wait."

Stopping in my tracks, he walks towards me. Grabbing me by the waist he kisses me hard. His lips felt electric on mine, making my whole body burn. My hands find their way into his soft hair, and Vicente tugs me closer. After we pull away he rests his forehead on mine. I savor our closeness. "Good night Hermosa." He whispers.

VICENTE’S POV:

On the way home, my thoughts are busy. When I didn't call Daniella for a week, it was hell. All I wanted was to hear her voice. This not talking thing just didn't work for me. I had to have her. There was something that kept me drawn to her, like a moth to a flame. Plenty of girls have texted me, wanting me to come out with them. But they weren't her. None of them understood how a man like me could want a simple life. I never wanted this.

My thoughts are interrupted by the sharp ringing of my phone. Isa and I make eye contact, sharing a knowing look. "Jefe," I answer. My father's cold tone comes through the line. "Donde estas?" (Where are you?) Feeling anger brewing, I take a deep breath. "On my way home." The call goes silent. An unnerving feeling stirs in my stomach. "We need to talk, straight to my office." And just like that, the call drops.

The rest of the ride was spent in silence. This has been my whole life. Running drugs and selling guns. Making drops, meeting disgusting people with no morals. That was how my life was spent. I felt like I was drowning. Anxiety started to build up, I almost felt like I couldn't breathe. My father's words repeating in my head. "You know who you are Vicente." But the truth is, did I?

All I know is, this was never how I expected my life to be. I wanted to be a husband and have kids. Make a simple life for me. A quiet one. As I pull into my driveway, my stomach drops. Isa gives me a supportive hug before making her way inside, she knows how anxious our father made me. Not ready to go in, I stand leaning against my car.

Placing a cigarette between my lips, my thoughts drift back to the one person who made me feel different. Who listened to my vulnerable side. She was a light coming into my life. Like I was in the dark for so long and she came to help me out of it. It sounded crazy, I didn't even understand my feelings myself.

My dad comes bounding down the steps of our house. "Vicente! Que te dije? We have a business that needs to be discussed." I felt like I was going to snap at any moment, but I swallow the lump rising in my throat. "What's going on?" My face is stoic. "Who's the Americana you've been seeing?" (American.)

His words felt like a punch to the gut. I've been trying to keep her discreet, but he's been keeping eyes on me. "Don't worry about it, just some girl." I try to downplay her importance to me. If he thought I was getting wrapped up in a woman, he would ruin it. Filling my head with his poison every day until I broke down and gave in to him.

He gives me this look, his eyes filled with hate. "No dejes que esta mujer arruine lo que hemos construido." He spits out, grabbing my shoulder roughly. (Don't let this woman ruin what we've built.) The look in his eyes made me uneasy. Shaking him off me, I make my way inside and into my room.

After taking a hot shower, I relaxed on my bed. Deciding I needed to hear her voice before sleeping, I video call Daniella. Her beautiful eyes pop up on my screen, instantly silencing any negative thoughts. She wore a lacy tank top, her delicate neck, and slender shoulders on show. "Hola hermosa." I let out in a sleepy voice.

She shuffles around on her bed for a second before finally settling into a comfortable position. "Hi, Vicente. You OK?" She asks, her voice laced with concern. "I'm alright. Just a rude welcoming." Trying to shift the conversation, I ask what she had been up to. "I was up reading. The usual." She laughs.

I loved her laugh. It was soft and gentle, it made me feel even sleepier. Suddenly an idea pops into my head. "Will you read to me?" I ask. The line goes silent for a second, making me feel a bit embarrassed. Just as I was about to tell her never mind, her soft voice starts reading out loud, filling the silence in my room.

For hours Daniella had read me poetry until I fell into a deep sleep. When I had awoken the next morning, our call was still connected. I heard her steady breathing as she slept peacefully. Deciding to remain on the call till she woke up, I busy myself getting ready for the day. Leaving my phone on my desk, I walk into my bathroom and brush my teeth. Coming back into the room, there's a shuffle on Daniella's end.

Her bedhead comes into the frame, "Good morning Hermosa." She lets a surprised yelp. "Oh my gosh, you scared me. Good morning handsome." I stop dead in my tracks. This was the first time she had ever called me a nickname. Pride burned through my chest as I realized this beautiful woman was on my phone, calling me handsome. I see her face bloom a bright shade of red, it makes me smile.

I loved watching her blush. "I'm going to get ready for the day. Bye." She hangs up quickly. Letting out a chuckle, I get dressed. Walking into the kitchen, I'm greeted with the smell of our maids cooking. Thanking them all, I take a seat and eat my breakfast. Scrolling through my phone, I text my men letting them know what needs to be done for the day. Isa comes bounding into the kitchen, greeting everyone with a cheerful "Good morning."

Taking a seat across from me, we eat together in comfortable silence. "I'm going shopping today, I'll see you later," Isa says on her way out. Texting one of my men I make sure they keep a tail on her. Isa hates it when we use security, she tries to fight it most of the time so I have to keep it discreet. Picking up my keys, I make my way to my car and head to the warehouse.