~Viviana~
Sometime in my sweet slumber, I woke up with the need of relieving my bladder. Still half asleep, I admired Roman’s body while he was lying on his back. The soft light of the night sipped through the open windows gleamed his immaculate body.
Unlike him, I’m not that confident in my skin. Even alone, I always sleep with clothes on. Seeing our discarded clothes on the floor, I picked everything up and chose to wear Roman’s shirt over my panties. While I was setting his clothes above his bag, I felt something on the bottom of his duffle bag when I moved it further in the middle of the table.
Fully awake now, I pressed my hand under the bag, biting my lip as I hesitated about what to do.
Since mom and I were always alone, Dad made sure that I knew
~Viviana~Seated facing one another, we occupied a corner booth of Sweet Bits. Magdalenas, Ensaïmada de Mallorca, Bocadillo de queso, Empanadas, and my all-time favorite, Churros, were served on our table paired with iced mocha for me and black coffee for Roman.A few customers were eyeing the displayed treats by the counter while Juan helped Maya, who shooed me away when I tried to lend a hand.“Do you always carry a gun with you?” I asked, grabbing one empanada, taking a bite. My voice was low enough so that only Roman could hear me.Due to his height and long legs, his knee kept brushing against mine. It doesn’t matter where we are. As long as I’m with him, his presence seems to make every room look smaller.
~Roman~Lena’s words linger in my head like a virus waiting for my defenses to weaken and attack me right when I’m unprepared.This led me to show Viviana my gun; it was a test of her open-mindedness on how she would react knowing I own one.And again, she surprised me with her knowledge about guns. That was something Nico didn’t have in her background, and so was the fact that her father taught her how to use them and more.Although the risk of her keeping me at arm’s length was high, I was willing to take chances instead of leaving her in the dark. So I ended up giving her a hint about the Outlaws. It seems only fair to her to know everything about me. The life I have as the leader of a vigilante group; the danger of fighting off the criminals o
~Roman~The last time I saw Romero was on his wedding day. I went with Abuela and on behalf of Abuelo José. I still remember that day perfectly in my head. The most beautiful woman of her generation, Isabelle Santillan, wore a mourning face on her wedding day. That’s how much she detested to wed this man.I wonder what happened to her. The last news I heard of her was that she moved to London the day after her wedding. This man is known for being a womanizer. I’m no saint, but this man is ten times worse.“Mayor,” I kept my voice leveled, “how have you been?”His midnight black eyes bored holes into mine while he flashed me his politician’s practiced smile, the kind that fooled the people of Las Mencía. “I&rsq
~Roman~Detective Gutierrez rescheduled the meeting in two weeks, not hinting why he’s playing hard to get. Seven days after our canceled meeting in the port, the irking feeling that something was up with the old man manifested itself.He was found dead inside his car on the side of the road headed home from his duty—gunshot wound on the head, clean shot, no evidence that the culprit used force on him.From where I stood on the police line, I could tell that he knew the killer. The driver’s door was open, one foot touching the ground as though he was in the act of stepping out of his car. One hand remained gripping the steering wheel, his head flung to the side, a bullet hole present on his temple, piercing through and through, creating a large exit wound.
~Viviana~No one knows what the future brings. It’s the permanent uncertainty in this life. One minute we’re happy, and the next, my blood is drenched in the blood of someone I love.But I allowed myself to believe what Roman said even if I knew how foolish that might be. If I had known that this is what my future with him would be, I would’ve done my hardest to stay away from him. Keyword: would’ve.Although I know, I will always end up in his arms either way. I’m a sucker for him, and my mind just turns into a pile of goo around him.In his sleep, Roman is an exquisite view. I want to wake up admiring him every day.Full lips slightly parted, illegally long lashes grazed his cheekbone, and his
~Viviana~ “The fuck,” I whispered in disbelief. That guy is taking things too far. “I slapped him, of course, but still. Dios mío, I can’t imagine what Mateo will do.” “Oh,” I knew things were going well with her and Mateo, and I hoped he would teach Camilo a lesson, but I’m certain that Mateo will end up wringing Camilo’s neck if he learns about this. “God, you’re shaking. I think you should go home,” I suggested, seeing that she was in no shape to work anymore. “We’re already short on staff,” she shook her head. “I’ll tell David what Camilo did to you. He’ll understand.” ~~ Like I
~Viviana~ Instead of listening to the anxious pitter-patter of my heart, I focused on the slow hum of the ceiling fan and the humid air sweeping from the open window. I’ve run my fingers on the lily printed coverlet over and over as I waited for Roman. I could hear the hushed echo of his voice, but making out his words was impossible. His tone was commanding. I could only assume that he was giving Nico and Mateo instructions on how they’d save Maya. Silence followed the soft thud of the front door, and footsteps headed to my room. Roman wore a soft smile when he appeared at the open door. I remained seated on the bed while he crossed the short distance between us, sitting beside me. The tension in the room was so thick it made breathing hard. If my guess is correct,
~Roman~Daylight waned as we rode our bikes to the abandoned shipyard at the town’s border.This is where the information we got from Julie led us, the same information that got her father killed. Talking to Viviana definitely cleared my head. I need her in my life more than I could ever have imagined. She was right; leaving her wouldn’t solve our problems, and it wouldn’t make these people go away. Ending them will..We are divided into three teams: the ground, surveillance, and extraction. Nico led the surveillance and extraction surrounding the shipyard, while Mateo and I led the ground.Mateo rode beside me, looking agile like a lion ready to pounce at its rival. Chilly Andalusian air slithered into our
~Viviana~ Our wedding passed by like bliss. I hardly paid attention to everything that we rehearsed, the vow I’ve written, the food we’ve taken time to choose, and the toast by Nico and Tina for Roman and me. Everything was perfect, I’m sure, because now I’m wearing my wedding ring and have Roman’s name. All I wanted to do was get Roman alone. If it was up to me, I would invite him to miss out on our own reception and act as though we’re eloping teenagers, get away with him. But I can’t do that. Nana Teresa was here, and she’d kill us if we did - literally. My mom, who walked me down the aisle and handed my hand to Roman with teary eyes, might understand our eagerness to be alone, but that won’t stop her from chastising us. We cannot just abandon our friends who witn
~Roman~ It’s funny how time flies by when it felt like yesterday; I was naked, kneeling down on one knee, pleading for Viviana to accept me and be my wife. Three months have gone by since then. In our villa’s guest room in Las Mencía, I studied the reflection of the man staring back at me in the full-body mirror. A perfectly pressed Prussian-blue suit clung to his body with crisp white dress shirt underneath and a tie with light blue and silver patterns clinging to the collar. A boutonniere of white orchids and lavenders attached to his lapel, a miniature version of his wife’s bridal bouquet. What he wore looks expensive, a magazine-worthy attire, but that isn’t what he wanted to freeze at this moment. It’s the happiness
~Viviana~ It was no surprise that everyone was already out of the villa when Roman and I stepped out of our room. No wonder they put me far from everyone’s room. I don’t know if I should be thankful to my friends for torturing me. They knew how much I missed Roman and still kept this a secret from me. Anyway, what matters is Roman is here. I won’t feel rueful to have fun while he’s still working. “You should’ve told me.” I nudged his shoulder as we walked down the stone path leading to the beach. We were both sporting casual beachwear. Topping our swimwear with white tanks, khaki shorts, and flip-flops. Sunglasses protect our eyes, but our smiles mirror one another. Roman had his hair tied in a low ponytail while mine was in a high ponytail.
~Viviana~Saturday morning, Penny practically knocked down my door and strutted into my room. I lay on my front, covering my head with a pillow, when she tried to wake me up. When I kept on refusing to get out of bed, Penny dropped her voluptuous blond ass on my back.“Get off!” I groaned, wiggling from under her, but she shifted and draped her entire frame over me like there was no human being under her.“It smells like shit in here,” she murmured, lying eagle spread above me, her front pressed on my back. “No wonder Roman isn’t eager to go home to you.”“Shut up,” I groaned, voice muffled by the mattress as Penny made herself comfortable.It has been six agonizing days s
~Roman~Three days. That’s how long I’ve been away from Viviana, and I was already losing my cool. Turns out, Rio didn’t only make a mess at the Phantom’s pub, but he also messed up a business deal Red was trying to close that night.No wonder Red was damned pissed he didn’t even want to answer my calls. I had to get to the bottom of the situation before seeing him personally. We might be friends, but just like me, he also answers to the people he’s working with.“What do you want?” Was Red’s warm welcome to me, a scowl etched on his face.He kept the door of his Malibu mansion wide open. I took it as an offer to come in. If this was any other guy, I wouldn’t walk through the angry lion’s den. But Red and
~Viviana~Sometimes, knowing the truth doesn’t truly set us free. Sometimes, knowing pulls us back into a limbo of twisted emotions from which we are trying to run away.Mathew told me another piece of the past dad hadn’t written in his journal.Did dad know I would cross paths with Rio? Did he anticipate I would try to kill him? Maybe he expected me to seek justice for his death and find Rio, kill him. Did he purposely withhold the truth to save me from the pain brought by the knowing?Rio didn’t choose his mother over my father. He tried to save them both, but dad knew Summit would find a way for Rio to suffer. He knew his end was about to come in the hands of his student, no less.Did he also tell Rio not
~Viviana~One could hardly tell Rio and Roman’s relationship based on their looks. Roman had electric blue eyes while Rio had smoke-gray hues. Roman had sharp jaws, high cheekbones, while Rio had soft-edged jaws and delicate-looking cheeks.Last I saw him, his figure was lean, not too muscular but taut enough that you’ll know he’s taking good care of his body. Now, he’s almost flesh and bones. His hollow cheeks forced his cheekbones to look edgy, the kind that tells a story on its own. He’s deprived of nutrients - by choice or not, I couldn’t tell. His skin was dry as if one scratch and he’ll bleed. The white shirt he had on and jeans were hanging loose on his body as if they were two sizes too big on him.Even in this state, my heart is void of sympathy for him. All I have
~Viviana~After making sure that Roman had already boarded his flight to California, I also boarded my flight to Colorado.I never thought I would exploit having Zia as a friend, but she and Xavier were more than happy to help me, tossing in Bo as my company. As the miles between me and my hometown grew thinner, my heart kept pulsing against my temple, turning my vision hazy and the knots in my stomach twisted painfully.It had been seven years since the last time I set foot in the states. Even when Lu told me it was already safe for me to go back, I refused to do so. His warning to stay away from US grounds gave me a reason not to visit the painful memory this place had given me, and I kept holding onto it up to this day.Tot steps, I told myself. I have to face my fear
~Viviana~ After giving me a chance to catch my breath, Roman slipped out of bed and headed to the ensuite just in time for the dawn to break. The explosion of orange, yellow, and delicate pink slivers passing through the ajar balcony door bounced on my face, making my eyes squint. Groaning, I groped for a pillow and shielded my face from the soft morning light. The soft tap of Roman’s feet on the carpet mingled with his hearty chuckle. “Come on now,” he scooped my tender frame in his arms, taking me into the bathroom. I sighed as soon as my body submerged into the warm water he filled the tub with. He set me in the middle, sliding in behind me, his masculine scent mixed with the evidence of our coupling, and violet mist demanded me to keep my eyes closed.