No Ordinary Love

Chapter 13

******Not Edited *******

Zayra stood in a daze watching the swarms of people who showed up for her family's funeral. She recognized only a handful besides the Alonzo's. Emily was right, seeing them gave her some comfort.

Her heart was broken but a small piece remained intact for them. She said hello to them softly. She let Dona Lourdes and Marina hug her tightly, both crying for her loss. They were also sad because they had loved the children and Lucia as family. They insisted over and over for Zayra to count on them for anything.

Zayra smiled tightly, she was too proud to ask for anyone's help. Rudy stood next to address her, his eyes rimmed red a tell tale sign of tears. She gasped, remembering how much he had loved her sister and because of that, she loved Rudy more. He squeezed both her hands tightly, bowing his head, he looked at his feet. He tried to find the words to explain how he felt for her loss yet couldn't because he felt it too.

A strangled noise came out of him , it escaped from him and it showed Zayra how much he was in pain. She gently squeezed his hands. Slowly, he looked up at her face.

"It'll be alright Rudy." she said softly.

He looked at her confused, he should have been the one to try and give her some support and she had managed to give him some. The corner of his mouth twisted in a smile, nodded and walked away. Slowly people began to gather for the service.

Before mass began, she felt someone squeeze in next to her. Her heart raced and her palms sweated at his proximity. She recognized his cologne, it was spicy and foreign. She was grateful for the handkerchief she held in her hand, twisting it over and over. She heard his shaky breath. She didn't dare to look his way and he didn't dare speak. Mass had just begun.

Zayra looked as his left hand as it slowly inched closer and closer to her thigh where her hands were clasped together.

Slowly, his hand found her right hand and placed it in his, interlacing his fingers with hers. Zayra's breathing came in short puffs as she felt his skin contacting hers. The electricity igniting their senses. He pulled her hand to his cheek before kissing the back of her hand.

She tentatively turns to her right and met his eyes. His eyes were full of a pleading sadness. She was left breathless by his sadness. She heard herself whimper, her tears beginning to fill to the rim.

She desperately tried to blink the tears away, not wanting to break down but afraid that with just that one look, Roman had accomplished to do what everyone around her had been trying to do since the incident, penetrate her walls.

He placed both arms around her, hugging her tightly to him. He let her cry on his chest, away from everyone's stares. He was torn for her, he was glad he had made it on time. He couldn't stay away any longer.

As soon as he spotted her sitting in the front he had quickly marched to her, interrupting someone's seat. He didn't care, he wanted to be with her. He inhaled her scent, her hair smelling like jasmine, whilst feeling her body convulse in deep sobs.

He soothed her by whispering he was there for her. He would stay with her if she wanted him to stay. He rubbed her back and soothed her hair in place. He didn't care who stared at them, it didn't matter. He just wanted to tell her that he was there for her.

He'd always be there for her.

*********

After the services, everyone headed to Emily's house. Roman had insisted Zayra ride with him. Emily had narrowed her eyes, she had known the Alonzo family for many years. They had been her father's clients for many years so she knew Roman since he was small. She watched him grow. She was surprised at the attention he was giving Zayra. She smiled at it, it was endearing to say the least.