~ HOSPITAL ~
Mariano stood outside the ER, waiting for news about Camila when Cesare, Alexis and Stephan arrived.
“How’s she?” A worried Cesare ask.
“They are still operating on her” Mariano replied, ruffling his hair bloody hand.
“Are you okay, boss?” Stephan asked seeing the state Mariano is in.
“The only thing stopping me from going after those bastards is Camila cause am boiling with rage” Mariano said, looking very fierce and crazy with it.
“Our men are at the building you were held hostage, they won’t stop looking for Lilo and his men” Alexis assured.
The ER door open and the doctor came out of the room.
“How’s she?” Cesare was the first to ask.
“The patient is now out of danger. Luckily for her the bullet didn’t hit any vital organ. All she needs now is complete rest for the wound to heal” the doctor told them.
“Can I see her?” Mariano asked.
“You can but the anesthesia hasn’t worn off which means she will be asleep” The doctor warn.
“As long as I get to stay by her side, I don’t mind” Mariano said while the doctor led him to her room.
*****
~ SAND CASTLE ~
Cora called Alexis number for the sixth time and it’s still saying switch off.
“I wonder how Camila is?” Cora muttered.
“Cora” On hearing her name, Cora turned to see Alexis there.
“You are back! Did you know how long have been calling you? How’s Camila?” Cora asked.
“She’s safe now and my phone is dead, which is why I couldn’t answer your call” He said watching her intently.
“Am glad Camila is out of danger. I should…what are you doing?” Cora asked when he suddenly pulled her into his arms.
“I just want to hold you” he spoke against her hair, slowly breathing in her scent.
“That’s sudden” Cora said, wondering what’s wrong with him.
“Maybe it’s the smell of hospital that gotten to me” Alexis said, pulling away to kiss her lightly on the cheek.
“Am going to take a shower” He said and walk off.
As soon as he made a turn, a devilish smirk left his lips.
“It’s so easy to fool her by pretending to be Alexis” Paolo muttered, straightening his hair back to his normal style.
“After all my brother and I are identical” He said softly and went straight to his room.
*****
~ BIANCA’S ROOM ~
“Get me some water, my mouth feels sore” Bianca complain as she was back in her room and in her bed.
After hearing about Camila accident, Lenora went to get Bianca out of the punishment room.
“Is Mariano back? Did he ask you guys to set me free?” Bianca asked.
“No”
“Then did the witch ask you to” Bianca asked referring to Camila.
“She didn’t either. I got you out on my own” Lenora said and explain the current situation to her.
“Is she dead?” Bianca asked.
“No, we just got a call from Cesare that she’s out of danger” Lenora replied.
“Just my luck that she didn’t die. Anyway, help me get dressed” Bianca said, sitting up.
” Where are you going?”
“To see Mariano. He was the one who got kidnapped after all” Bianca replied, going to the bathroom.
*****
~ HOSPITAL ~
Mariano sat beside Camila bedside watching her sleeping face.
It had been hell for him when he saw her wounded and when she fell unconscious and he thought for a splitting second that she is dead, he felt so weak at heart and thought that he’d lost something so precious to him.
It took Camila getting shot for him to realise that she meant a great deal to him.
“Mariano” Bianca call from behind got him out of his seat.
He had been so deep in thought that he failed to notice her entry.
“Why are you… ” She didn’t let him finish his question as she walked into his arms to give him a hug.
Unknown to them both, Camila open her eyes briefly, taking in the sight of them hugging and then she fell asleep again.
“What are you doing?” Mariano asked as he pulled away from her.
“When I heard about your kidnap, I was so worried. You didn’t get hurt right? ” She asked, checking his body for injuries and once again, he pulled away.
“Am fine thanks to Camila” he replied.
Bianca stared at Camila and did her best to hide a smile that threaten to spill.
The door open revealing Alexis and Cesare.
“We need to get Camila out of the hospital” Cesare said worriedly.
“What’s wrong?”
“We spot some suspicious men outside the hospital. They took off before we could get to them but we are sure that they are Lilo’s men” Alexis said.
“Let’s have her move to the castle, get the private plane ready” Mariano ordered.
*****
~ HOURS LATER ~ THY DEVILS ABODE~
“Argh!” Lilo groan out in pain as he kicked multiple of times on the stomach.
“Get up you fool!” The man doing the kicking yelled at Lilo who immediately kneel in front of him, clutching his stomach in pain.
“I only gave you two task. Kill Mariano and bring me Camila, was that so hard to do!” He yelled down at Lilo.
“W..we got sidetrack for a while and th..they escape!” Lilo stuttered.
“Is that why you shot at her? You almost killed her you idiot!” He said, kicking him twice.
“Tell me why I should spare your freaking life!”
“Please….Don’t kill me. I promise to set things right” Lilo pleaded.
“Set things right? Mariano is taking her back to the castle! Do you think it’s easy being a spy there? Do you think that it’s easy coming up with that plan? It was my only chance of getting what I want but you ruined it all!” The man yelled at Lilo.
“If you give me a chance. I promise to give you what you want” Lilo said quickly.
“By doing what exactly?”
“I have an idea and I can assure that we won’t fail this time. I will get you Camila as you want” Lilo said, hoping his boss will give him another chance.
*****
~ SAND CASTLE ~
Mariano rushed down the hall way, ignoring the greetings sent his way.
He only had one thing in mind and that is Camila.
He got to his room and saw the nurse waiting outside.
“Is she awake?” He asked.
“She is and she wants to see you” the nurse replied.
Immediately, he went into the room and saw her on the bed, sitted up.
Without saying a word, he walk towards her and engulf her in a tight hug.
“You have no idea how worried I was” he said, not caring if he let his feelings shown.
As gently as she could, Camila pulled away from him, keeping some distance between them.
“What’s wrong? Do you feel pain? Should I get the doctor?”
“No. I want you to listen to this” she said and gave him a tape.
The tape which had Bianca confessing to her crime.
“I told that I will get the prove. I never brought Lucas up to be a thief and neither am I one” Camila said slowly since the pain kept getting strong with what she says.
“I won’t deny that I was hurt with what you said. You’ve always thought the worst of me right from our first encounter and am used to it but what I can’t forget is how you insulted my moral as a mother”
“Camila I…”
“Earlier…I saw you hugging Bianca” she said quickly, cutting him off.
“And it was then the realization hit me. Bianca messed with Lucas because of you. She loves you and that’s why she is trying her best to make life hard for me and Lucas”
“She won’t be satisfied until we are gone from your life. Which is why I ….”
“Don’t say it ” Mariano let out softly.
“Which is why it’s best we get a divorce. I don’t want to stay here Mariano, let me go, please” Camila said, tears glistening her eyes…..
TBC💚
