Book Two in the "Alcaraz Duology"
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐅𝐢𝐱𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧
Catalina Alcaraz is a single mother with a past that she doesn't wish to revisit. She has managed to become a successful doctor and to create a life of her own desp...
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I haven't heard from my father and I haven't gotten any information on Kane. All I know is that he is still trying to kidnap me.
I'm visiting mama because I've missed her. I also thought it would be a good opportunity to talk to my father about Kane and his family. I'm sure he must have some sort of information.
Dahlia plays with the gold watch on my wrist. The one her uncle gifted me. It's pretty and it would be a shame to not wear it and show it off. I'm currently seated with mama, my grandmother, and Lucia who also decided to visit.
We're in the garden having some tea and Dahlia is on my lap because she is so adorable, and I love her very much that I need to hold her. She's grown so much since the last time I saw her, but she still seems to love me. I know it because instead of running around in the grass or picking flowers from the ground she chose to let me hold her as she eats cookies and messes with the jewelry on my hands.
"How is it going with your man?" Lucia suddenly asks staring directly at me.
"What man?" I know who she is talking about, but he isn't my man or has anything to do with me.
"Orion's new friend." She adds on with a small smile. I send her a glare because now our mother will ask questions.
"Who is she talking about?" Mama asks, a big smile already on her face.
I stay quiet, fighting the urge to attack my little sister. She knows I won't do anything except not talk to her, but she is still risking it.
"Come on, tell us. Who is the lucky guy?" Mama urges when I still don't respond.
Lucia tries to hide her smile as she drinks some tea.
"No one important." I regret my words the moment they're spoken because he is important. He is taking over my mind so that makes him very important at the moment.
"He is just a friend, and he gets along well with Orion." I add on when she gives me a look that indicates that she doesn't believe me.
"I think it's good for you to find someone." My grandmother speaks also liking the idea of me being with someone.
"You don't have to tell us anything but whether he is a friend or not you should give yourself an opportunity to fall in love." Mama who is sitting beside me gives me a side hug and a kiss on the head.
I once again glare at my sister who gives me one of her sweet smiles in return. She is so going behind my back trying to get me to be with her husband's best friend.
"Being in love and finding your person is a wonderful experience. For all you know he could be the one." Lucia decides to speak again.
"It is a beautiful experience." Our grandmother agrees.
Ignoring Lucia, I glance my mama and grandma. "How do you even know that someone is the one?"
"You feel loved and cared for." My grandmother is the one to speak.
"You feel protected, and you just immediately trust him with your life." What mama says is what makes me feel nervous.
"You also feel safe with him and free." My sister who I am trying not to talk to adds in.
"You just know and if you aren't sure then it's likely that they aren't the one." Mama gets my attention.
I hate to admit that they just described everything that Silas has made me feel the small amount of time that I've known him. I hate to think of myself in a relationship. I just don't think it's for me. I don't understand how someone can even fall in love with me. I know that I'm attractive but that's all there is. How can Silas possibly be the one? How is there even someone for me?
"I'm fine alone. I don't need anyone and that's how it will always be." I try to get rid of my thoughts and how hopeful all three of them look.
"I don't know the situation with you and the man you're seeing but if he is really trying maybe think about giving him a chance. Don't think too much about it either because then you can lose something great." Mama softly speaks to me.
"And you have to be sure of that decision because if you don't make up your mind that man will eventually get tired. Then someone else will get his attention and you will regret things when it's too late." My grandmother adds on to my mother's words.
I may be going insane because I don't want Silas but the thought of him going after another woman leaves me bitter. The mere thought of him treating another woman the way he treats makes me feel some sort of anger.
"Is papa home?" I change the subject immediately.
"Yes, he's in his study." Mama responds and with that I stand from my chair.
I put Dahlia down on the grass with a kiss to her cheek. "I'll be back, princess."
"I need to talk to him about something." I tell the women who only nod and with that I go to find the man.
With a knock to the door, I enter the room. He's drinking scotch and watching a soccer game on the tv he has mounted on the wall. He briefly glances at me as I take a seat on a chair a bit further from him.
"Do you have any news on the Astors?" I ask to earn his attention.
He nods lowering the volume of the television. "Kane wants you."
That I know and I show it with a nod. "He keeps attempting to kidnap me."
He sighs taking a sip of his glass. "Kian and Caroline visited me."
"They asked me a bunch of weird questions as if trying to get information out of me and then they suggested an arranged marriage." That makes me a bit nauseous for some reason.
It's also hard to believe. Caroline hates me. I'm also sure she would rather die than ever suggest having me marry her precious son.
"I declined because I don't want my grandson around that family, and I don't want you with Kane. He's no good and I've never liked him for you." There is an expression of disgust on his face at the thought of Kane.
"What questions were they asking you?" That is what gets my attention.
He hesitates before speaking up. "About you being a single mother, Orion, and who was the father."
That only tells me that they suspect things and I'm more than sure that Kane is aware about Orion's existence.
"Don't worry I didn't say anything. I just told them that they don't know the father." He tells me as if that will make it all better.
I'm only starting to have anxiety thinking about the worst. Kane won't stop until he gets what he wants and if the family knows that Orion carries their blood, I'm sure they'll take him from me without a thought. I'm afraid to lose my son and I'm afraid that they will turn him into one of them.
I'm more afraid that Orion will want to be with them instead of me.
