I anxiously packed my bags and sped towards the airport in a frenzy. Nervousness consumed me as I contemplated what I was about to do. Convincing myself that it was the best and only way for my child to survive became a constant mantra in my mind. However, deep down, I wasn't entirely convinced, which meant I could back down at any moment.
I recalled the doctor's dark words as they helped my baby in the hospital one more time.
"Your son only has a few hours left ma'am. I suggest you find the father and find him fast."
Taking a deep breath, I acknowledged that it was the fear of seeing Alessio again after two years since our marriage that plagued me. I wondered how I had allowed myself to become trapped in such a dangerous situation in the first place. It was true, I needed a home and money to pay the overwhelming bills, and he needed a wife. And for one year, he had me. Once our divorce was finalized, I packed my belongings and left without even glancing back, escaping to Country Z and then Country D. But now, I found myself returning once again.
Throughout the flight, I attempted to remain calm by strategizing and planning my actions. Maybe I didn't need to meet him in person; perhaps a phone call would suffice and make things go more smoothly. However, my rational mind warned me not to expect too much. I had already tried to reach out to him in the past, and all my efforts were in vain.
I barely paid attention to my troublesome seatmate, a woman who complained about every minute detail on the plane. She criticized the food, the leather seats, and everything in between. While I understood that we were in first class, her incessant complaints irritated me, adding to the anxiety coursing through my veins.
"This is utter nonsense! I cannot comprehend how you can't stop breathing so heavily," she complained. Infuriated, I turned towards her, meeting her with a frosty glare.
"Could you just please shut up?" I snapped, finally reaching my limit. She was the only person on the entire plane making noise, while everyone else was completely engrossed in their own worlds. Taken aback by my tone, she stepped back. I could tell she belonged to the wealthy, clueless class of individuals. Her appearance spoke volumes.
"Excuse me?" she whispered, furious once she regained her composure.
"You are not excused, so just be quiet," I glared back. "In case you haven't noticed, the journey has been peaceful and safe until your irrelevant complaints and nosy attitude started." She gulped, and I couldn't help but sneer, satisfied with the impact I had made.
I turned away from her and plugged in my headphones. From the corner of my eye, I noticed she started to raise her voice, demanding a seat change. I didn't mind as long as I could be undisturbed. Thankfully, her request was granted, allowing me to finally breathe properly again.
Time passed, and soon I arrived in Country Z. As I flagged down a cab to take me to the hotel Alicia had reserved for me, a surge of anxiety coursed through me. I was now in Country Z, inching ever closer to seeing Alessio once more. I couldn't shake off the feeling that my life was nearing its end, but I had no other choice.
"Park Avenue," I informed the cab driver I had hailed. He quickly assessed my outfit with a judgmental gaze, causing a blush to creep onto my cheeks. I knew exactly what he was thinking. "Are you going to take me or not?" I hissed, attempting to maintain my composure.
"Get in," he replied firmly. Though I had plenty to say in response, I decided against it, realizing that I didn't have time for nonsense.
"So, what brings someone like you to Park Avenue?" he inquired within a few minutes of the car ride. I felt his gaze on me and my stomach turned at his audaciousness.
"And how is that any of your business, sir?" I snapped back, struggling to control my frustration. "Could you just focus on driving, sir? Keep your eyes on the road and refrain from speaking." He chuckled, aggravating me further, but wisely chose to remain silent. If only he knew that I was Alessio Rodriguez's ex-wife, he wouldn't dare to run his mouth so carelessly. Ah, the thought of using his status as his ex-wife to do something foolish crossed my mind.
The rest of the ride passed in silence, and the closer we got to the hotel, the more anxiety consumed me. After all, the hotel I was heading to belonged to Alessio. Although he wouldn't be staying there, it didn't stop my nerves from getting the best of me.
As soon as the cab pulled up in front of the building, I hastily exited and paid the driver. Inside the JW Marriott Essex House, the finest and most prestigious hotel on Park Avenue, I approached the front desk where the receptionist greeted me.
"Good morning, how may I assist you?" she asked politely.
"Yes, I'm Reina Montez, and I made a reservation a few hours ago. It was quite rushed, so..." I trailed off as she checked her computer.
"Just a moment, madam," she responded. After a few seconds, she looked up from her screen with a small smile.
"Miss Montez, we have your reservation. Welcome to JW, and here are your keys," she handed them to me, and I expressed my gratitude.
"Thank you," I replied before turning to leave.
"Is there anything you would like us to bring to your room?" she inquired as I began walking away.
"Oh, just a cup of hot chocolate, please," I responded without hesitation. A warm cup of cocoa should help alleviate my frayed nerves.
"It'll be right up, ma'am," she assured me. With a smile, I made my way to the stairs and stepped into the elevator.
As soon as I entered my room, I dropped onto the bed and let out a short cry. I was utterly exhausted after the events of the past few hours. The only thing I could do was prevent stress from overwhelming me. Picking up my phone, I dialed Alicia's number. She answered immediately, as if she had been expecting my call.
"Reina, how's everything going?" she asked, her face appearing on the screen.
"I don't know," I sighed wearily. "I'm so tired, and I've had to deal with some crazy people today. I'm just drained." Tears threatened to spill from my eyes.
"Oh, sweetheart. You shouldn't be exhausted already. The most challenging part is yet to come," she offered words of comfort.
"Now, how are you doing?"
"Tired, my dear. The flight was chaotic, and there was this woman who tried to annoy me to no end," I explained as I moved around the room, collapsing onto the sofa.
"Uh oh, I'm sure you put her in her place," Alicia chuckled.
"Not exactly. I simply told her off. How's Nicolo doing? Is he alright?" I asked, unable to contain my worry.
"The doctors said he's stable, and it should remain that way until... well, you know. How about you, darling? How are you feeling?" Alicia inquired.
"I feel like the whole world is after me, exhausted, and as if I'm being mentally torn apart," I confessed.
"I understand. Get some rest, please. What time is it over there?" she queried.
"It's 7 am," I replied.
"A new day. Rest up, and soon you'll feel as good as new. You'll be ready to face Alessio then," Alicia reassured me. She truly was the best friend one could have.
"Talk to you tomorrow, okay? Take care of Nicolo for me."
"Oh, wait before you hang up, what did Marcello say about all of this?"
I couldn't bring myself to share Marcello's true words with Alicia. She would believe he was heartless and bombard me with questions. I loved him, and nothing could change that.
"He wished me luck and expressed hopes that I could resolve everything quickly," I lied.
"Okay, honey, but remind me again, how long have I known you?"
Puzzled, I responded, "Um, since childhood?"
"So you know quite well I can easily tell if you're lying."
I... I'm so sorry," I stammered.
"Tell me what that bastard... What Marcello really said," she demanded, her tone fueled with anger.
I took a deep breath, realizing that lying again would only result in her catching on. "And before you even think about giving me a watered down version! I will know. I want it word for word," she warned.
"Okay, here's exactly what he said: 'You should know better than to disturb me at this time of the day, Reina. What are you going to do? I'm working my ass off here, Reina. You know I don't have enough to cover all those things you mentioned,'" I recited, bracing myself for her reaction.
Alicia's face contorted with anger. A surge of fury passed through her. "That bastard! Why do you even stick around? Why did you agree to date him in the first place?" she shouted, frustration evident in her voice.
"But... I love him, Alicia. I don't want him to leave me," I murmured, my voice trembling.
She sighed, attempting to calm herself. "We will talk about this, but go see Alessio first," she instructed, trying to guide me toward a better choice.
"Alright, babe," I responded, accepting her advice.
"Goodnight, or wait, it's morning there. Well, just have a good sleep," Alicia said, injecting a hint of irony into her words.
"Thanks a lot, Alicia, darling," I said, grateful for having her support. We exchanged a few more words before the line went dead. Taking another deep breath, I began to contemplate my situation.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, and I hurriedly rushed to get my chocolate. Once I had it in my possession, I dumped it on the table and immediately grabbed my phone again. Perhaps, if I called him, I wouldn't have to face him in person.
I dialed his number, but I couldn't bring myself to sit down. Instead, I paced around the elegant room, struggling with the weight of the situation. My child's life was hanging in the balance, and I knew I had to take action.
He answered the call, and for a brief moment, I waited, anxiously awaiting his response. His commanding voice echoed through the phone, causing a shiver to run down my spine.
"Who is on the line?" he questioned, his voice cold as ever. He didn't recognize my number since I had changed lines.
"It's Reina, Reina Montez," I replied, my voice trembling. Several seconds passed before I heard his voice again. My heart raced within my chest, uncertainty flooding my thoughts.
"What do you want, Reina?" he asked, his tone icy and devoid of emotion.
"Erm... Alessio, there's a problem. I don't know how to say this, but I have a child who is yours, and now he is gravely ill. He needs your help," I hurriedly explained, my words pouring out.
For a few agonizing seconds, there was silence. Each passing moment felt like an eternity, my desperation growing. Please believe me. Please believe me.
"Go to sleep, Reina," he finally responded dismissively. The call abruptly ended. I stared at my phone in disbelief. He had just brushed off my words as if they were nonsense. He didn't believe me.
But how could he believe something as important as this over the phone? He would never fully comprehend the severity until he saw me. Going to him seemed to be my only option now.
With a gulp, I smoothed my hands over my dress. It seemed I had no other choice than to meet with the devil himself.