Prologue

Prologue

         I woke up not feeling good, and something is happening inside my body. I can’t tell how or why, but I know something is different. My head is swirling, and my stomach is gagging up with my head. I feel terrible. Slowly I got up from my bed, and I looked at the empty bed beside me. I smile, a sweet smile escapes from my lips. I know Alejandro was in his office right now. I have heard that Emma Dowager is coming today. She is the tenth duchess of Montoro, a very close friend of Alejandro, and one of his business partners. It is early, and now he is busy. Being the country's Count is a big responsibility that Alejandro was carrying every day, and it did not bother me at all, as long as we are happy and always find time for each other. That’s enough for both of us.

         As I struggled to get up, a stem of beautiful fresh white rose caught my attention. I can’t stop smiling like a love-sick fool and my heartfelt warmth. He always does this every morning, he is so thoughtful, loving and caring, and my day is always perfectly perfect because of his sweet gesture.

I grab the rose, and underneath there is a piece of scented paper. When I opened it, my heart momentarily stopped beating. I put my hand where my heart is. Alejandro is so perfect, and I could not ask for more.

         We are so different,

         You and I,

         Yet together are balanced,

         As yin and yang,

         Both beauties,

         Both strengths,

         A perfect match,

         A perfect bond,

El amor de mi vida,

(The love of my life,)

         I always love you, Cameron.

         After reading the love poem Alejandro wrote for me, I can’t help but hug the piece of paper. I want to hug Alejandro and kiss him right now. It is funny how our love story starts. Alejandro found me when my heart was pounding so hard, and my blood ran cold in my veins. And I am in hell. Because, at that moment, an ugly bandit rubbed me and looked at me with his lewd eyes. I remember that I prayed hard for my sins and felt pity that I’m going to die in a maniac's hands and away from my family. Then suddenly, my savior came out of nowhere. I was surprised to see a royalty walking in a dark alley alone. I remember how my heart was beating so fast, not because I am still in danger but to the man with beautiful golden eyes.

         “I believe that's not how you treat a woman, dimwit. They’re meant to be loved and robbed of their heart not their wallet,” I remembered Alejandro's exact words while looking deadly at the thief.

         “She’s mine. Leave now or you’ll be sorry.” The thief said without humor.

         “Make me,” Alejandro replied and then I shouted when Alejandro launched at the burglar, grabbed the knife he was holding and gave him a deadly punch straight to his face. That served him right. The thief tried to hit my savior back but Alejandro didn’t give him a chance. He knows how to defend himself and defeat the burglar. 

         “Are you okay, Senorita?” And at that moment my brown eyes met the most beautiful eyes I ever saw and it all started everything.

         Alejandro saved me. It turns out that he was lost, and I thank my lucky star that he leads Alejandro to me. And after our unexpected encounter, we found ourselves bumping into each other, and I don’t believe in destiny. But at that moment, it seems that our paths are destined to cross. Our bond was so strong we are meant for each other. The unexpected encounter we had was turned into a regular date. That leads to beautiful perfect relationships that last for almost a year now. And I am happy and content that someone loved me endlessly like Alejandro.

         I absentmindedly hugged the white rose. The scent was so strong that it gave me a headache. I taste the acid in my mouth, and I want to vomit. So, I rushed into the bathroom, hugged the toilet, and threw everything that’s inside my stomach. Everything is spinning around me, and I stayed like that for 15 minutes. I keep on throwing up. Even the taste of my saliva makes me want to gage up again. It was awful and draining. I hold the sink and push myself up. And wash my face, hoping that I would get better. Luckily it did work.

         I don’t know what is happening to me. But I was dead on my tracks when I realized that I missed my menstruation last month. I do have a regular cycle. My visitor is always present at the end of the month. But last month…

         It only means one thing.

         I stare at my reflection in the mirror. Am I pregnant? My heart sank at those thoughts. Of course, I am having morning sickness right now. I can’t help being teary-eyed. Finally, after all those months of trying to conceive, it manifested. I should tell Alejandro about this great news.

         I hurriedly went outside the bathroom, just to be surprised when I saw Alejandro standing beside the bed, staring blankly at the pictures that scattered at the top of the bed.

         “Alejandro,” I called him. I can’t hide my excitement. “I have something to tell you.”

         And Alejandro looks at me with sadness in his eyes. “So do I,”

         My forehead knots. “What is wrong?” I asked while I remained standing near the bathroom door.

         I never saw Alejandro like this before. He seems mad and devastated. I carefully walked in his direction, still wondering what was happening? Did the meeting didn’t go well?

         “You tell me, Cameron? Am I not enough?” He looked me straight in the eyes. I see how his eyes dance in sadness in a moment, but it became anger in just a blink of an eye, and he's giving me his cold stare now.

         I took a deep breath as I calmed myself and slowly made my way to where he was standing. “I don’t know what you are talking about? I don’t understand? You already know this. You are the only man that I love. So, this is nonsense. What is wrong with you?” The last thing I want from him is his hug, and together we will celebrate the new chapter of our life.

         Alejandro looks at me from head to toe with disgust in his eyes. “I never thought that I would love a cunning bitch like you. I feel disgusted that I slept with a whore.” He became livid and gave me a murderous gaze.

         Fear crawls in every fiber of my being. I tried to fake a laugh to cover my fear. “That is not a good joke, sweetie. Come on, stop doing this nonsense.” Alejandro bends and picks up the pictures on the bed, and I didn’t bother to look at the picture. My mind was clouded with questions of what is really happening to Alejandro, and I am still rooted in my place.

         ‘He loves you; don’t be scared.’ I keep on talking to myself. Finally, I convinced myself that Alejandro was just having a hard time.

         “I am a very busy person, reading documents after documents before signing them. I barely have time to breathe, and here you are. Having an affair with my BROTHER!? YOU WHORE!” Alejandro screams at the top of his lungs.

         My heart pounded so loud when I heard his accusing tone. I cleared my throat trying to sound nonchalantly. “W-wait. What? That is insane. We should stop this nonsense argument. This is not a healthy topic, sweetie.” I spoke. I tried to reach him but he shoved my hands away. He felt disgusted.

         “Insane?” His golden eyes were beautifully luminous now with sheer anger and hatred. “Explain this to me? And tell me if this is still insane.” and throws the pictures at me. Those pictures hit me on my face, and luckily, they did not give me any damage, and as I looked at the images scattered on the floor. My knees turn into soft jelly, and my body can’t hold me still and drops me on my knees.

         With shaking hands, I picked up the picture. It was me hugging Alexander, and vice versa while we were standing outside the hotel, and the view was at a perfect angle, and for everyone who could see, they would automatically think that we are so in love with each other. Tears won't stop falling on my eyes. At first, it was just a silent cry until I picked up the following picture. I was sobbing hard. This time Alexander was kissing me and he was half naked.

         No…no, this is not happening. I don’t remember having this intimate moment with Alexander.

         “T-these are not true.” I looked at him, my eyes pleading. “B-believe me—”

         “How can I believe you if the evidence slapped me on my face!” he yells at me. “How could you do this to me, Cameron? I always give you what you want, and this… you will give me this? Damn you?!”

         I closed my eyes, and my heart crushed into tiny pieces—this was not the Alejandro that I loved.

         “I love you so much, Alejandro.” The corner of my eyes started to moisture, and I felt my heart was slowly breaking.

         “Love? You said that you loved me but looked at this! Is this how you show your love to me?”

         “Listen to me, Alejandro. Yes, Alexander and I are seeing each other, but it is not what you think!” I tried to reason out, but he just gave me a cold stare.

         “It already came in your mouth. You are seeing and fucking my brother. So, I guess we will end it all here. Stop wasting my time, Miss Bailey.” His golden eyes look at me as if I was the biggest mistake he ever made, and it pains me to see that. “I want you out in my house and my life. I don’t want to see your face ever again.”

         “No! you can’t do this, Alejandro! Don’t do this to me.” I protested and looked at him with pleading eyes. “P-please, Alejandro. I am begging you.”

         He smirked. “Did you also beg for my brother while he was fucking you, slut!” he said with disgust in his eyes.

         “No… it was all wrong. P-please, listen to me.”

         But he never listens to my plea. He turned his back on me and started to walk outside the door. Afraid that I will completely lose him forever, I crawled and grabbed his legs. Tears won't stop streaming like a river in my eyes. “D-don’t.” I still keep on begging, still refusing to let go of his legs.

         I can’t lose him. I can’t bear to lose the man I love. “Alejandro, please…” I pleaded. Still clinging to his legs to prevent him from leaving me. If I let go of him, he will be gone forever. I could see that my vision was starting to blur again with my tears that kept on falling.

         He tried to wiggle me off. But I held him tight until he kicked me enough to lose my balance and I ended up lying helplessly on the carpeted floor.

         “Enough with this nonsense. Leave, don't make me call on the guards and throw you out of my palace. I regret the day that I met you.” And just like that, he completely turns his back on me.

         “But meeting you on that fateful day was the greatest day in my life. Listen to me, please.” I said. Still pleading as my blood runs cold in my veins as I stared at his back walking away from me.

         He never listens, clearly, he doesn't love me as much as I love him. I thought with disbelief.

         I do have my fair share of battles before. But this one kills me a million times around. I felt that I was stabbed multiple times that leaves me breathless.

         I can’t take it anymore. What will happen to my unborn child and me?

         I was still lying on the floor when the door opened, and the young servant came in. I see pity in her eyes, but she just looks away and grabs my luggage and all my things inside the closet.

         “No! Alejandro and I. We are not yet done! We can still resolve this. He can’t do this to me.” I said, still pleading and shouting at the same time. Then, finally, I tried to get up, but I felt that all of my energy vanished.

         “I am sorry, Ma’am Cameron, I am just following an order.”

         I sat at the bed and cried in front of the servant like a baby, I poured out my heart’s content and realized my mistake, and now the only man that I loved turned his back on me. I have to save myself from this. If I continue to prove that I am innocent in his state of mind Alejandro won’t listen to me.

         Save yourself, Cameron. You still had dignity because that is all you’ve got right now. Remember you have to protect someone and that is your unborn baby. And because of that thought, a new set of fresh tears drops in my eyes.

         If this is a dream, please, somebody wake me up from this nightmare.