Whispers of Desire

Heartbeat

Amore Rodriguez

Amore paced nervously in her apartment, the soft glow of city lights filtering through the window. Clutching Alejandro's invitation in her hands, she grappled with conflicting emotions. The private event, a glimpse into Alejandro's world, beckoned, but the shadows of her past whispered caution. Finally mustering the courage, she picked up her phone and dialled Alejandro's number. As the phone rang, her heart echoed the uncertainty of her decision. Alejandro answered after a few rings, his voice a comforting resonance on the other end.

"Amore, is everything okay?" Alejandro's concern was evident even through the phone.

She took a deep breath, grappling with the words. "Alejandro, I appreciate the invitation. Truly, I do. But I need to decline." There was a brief pause on the line, and she could almost sense his confusion. "Decline? Amore, is something wrong? Did I—"

"No, it's not you. It's me," she interjected, her words tumbling out in a rush. "I have some personal matters to attend to, and I think it's best if I stay out of the spotlight for now."

Another pause, and then Alejandro's voice softened. "Amore, you don't have to explain. If there's anything you need, you know I'm here for you." Her heart warmed at his understanding, yet the weight of her decision lingered. "Thank you, Alejandro. I just need some time. I hope you understand."

"Of course. Take all the time you need. Just remember, I value your well-being above all else."

The sincerity in his words offered a measure of solace. "It means a lot, Alejandro. I don't want to burden you with my problems." "You're not a burden, Amore. We all have our struggles, and I want to be there for you," he reassured her. Amore sighed, feeling a mix of regret and gratitude. "I appreciate that more than you know. I just need to sort through things on my own for a while."

"Take all the time you need, and when you're ready, we'll face whatever comes together," Alejandro promised.

After bidding each other farewell, Amore ended the call, her hand trembling slightly. The city outside continued its restless hustle, unaware of the complex emotions swirling within her. As she gazed at Alejandro's invitation, a mixture of regret and relief washed over her. The choice to decline wasn't easy, but it was a step towards protecting the delicate balance she had strived to maintain. The shadows of her past, though persistent, wouldn't define her future. And in the quiet solitude of her apartment, Amore began to forge her path, one step at a time.

-

Living alone is so frightening. The buzzer of the oven going off makes me jump, let alone if someone knocks at the door. I approach the door slowly, looking through the peephole. A buff-looking guy wearing a suit is standing in front of me, the only thing between us is the wooden brown door. He looks like almost all the guys that are in the Moretti's mansion. I contemplate opening the door or not. Usually, if someone would send me something from the Morettis', it would be Ale himself or Enzo. My train of thought gets cut when the banging increases, and I think the door might crash down.

My heart beats faster; I can almost hear it in my ears. The banging increases, the doorknob keeps moving up and down like crazy, and tears collect on the edge of my eyes. I back away from the door, tiptoeing back to my room and locking the door, rushing to grab my phone. I can only think of one person right now. Ale. Ale. Ale.

My shaky hands hold the phone as I dial Alejandro's number, the familiar ringing echoing in my ears. Each second feels like an eternity as the ominous banging persists outside my room. The voice on the other end of the line brings a mix of relief and fear. "Amore? What's wrong?" Alejandro's voice, laced with concern, washes over me like a soothing balm. "Alejandro, someone is banging on my door. I don't know who it is, and they won't stop," I stammer, my words trembling with anxiety. "Stay calm, Amore. I'm sending Enzo to check. Don't open the door for anyone until we confirm it's safe," Alejandro instructs, his tone firm and reassuring.