The next day, Lucia resumed her role as Diego's driver, pulling up to his apartment at precisely 7:30 AM. Her heart pounded in her chest, still unsure of what she'd uncover each time she saw him. But nothing could have prepared her for what she was about to witness.
"Morning, Emily," Andre greeted as he handed her the car key, his smile friendly and familiar.
"Morning, Andre," Lucia replied, keeping her voice steady.
"You're right on time," Andre noted, glancing at Diego as he stepped out of the house, looking as sharp and put-together as always.
Diego walked toward the car, his focus on his phone, as Lucia climbed into the driver's seat. Diego slid into the backseat without a second glance, still preoccupied with whatever business had his attention. Andre opened the gate, waving them off as they pulled away.
"Morning, sir," Lucia greeted as they drove off, her voice neutral yet professional.
"Morning," Diego replied, his eyes still glued to his screen.
Lucia took a steady breath before speaking again. "I'm Emily, sir. I noticed you had quite a hectic day yesterday, so you didn't ask for my name."
Diego glanced up briefly, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "At least I know your name now, Emily," he said, before adding, "I trust you'd do a perfect job, though. It's rare to see a woman as a driver."
Lucia smiled beneath her disguise, her heart racing. "I won't disappoint you, sir," she replied confidently. "What would you like me to play for you, sir?"
"R&B would be perfect," Diego said, leaning back and closing his eyes.
As the smooth tunes of R&B filled the car, Lucia stole a glance at him through the rearview mirror. He looked so calm and unaware, completely trusting her with not just his car, but unknowingly with his heart as well.
But then, halfway through the drive, Diego's phone rang. His expression shifted as he answered, his voice dropping to a more intimate tone.
"Hey, babe," he said, his voice suddenly soft. Lucia's heart froze.
She glanced at him through the rearview mirror, her pulse racing. Babe? Was he calling her—or someone else? Her stomach twisted as she listened closely, her breath catching in her throat.
"Yeah, I'll see you later tonight," Diego continued, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Can't wait to spend some time with you."
Lucia's hands tightened around the steering wheel, her mind spinning. The words felt like daggers, each one cutting deeper as she tried to process what was happening. Who was he talking to? Her thoughts were a blur of confusion and anger, her chest tightening with betrayal.
He hung up the phone, oblivious to her silent turmoil, and resumed scrolling through his messages. Lucia kept driving, her mind reeling, trying to maintain her composure. She had started this game to test his loyalty, but now, faced with the possibility of infidelity, she wasn't sure if she was ready for the truth.
As they neared his office, she parked the car, her heart heavy with the weight of what she had just overheard. Diego stepped out, giving her a brief, distracted nod before walking inside.
Lucia sat in the driver's seat, staring after him, her mind spinning. Was this all just a facade? If he was seeing someone else, how could he claim to miss her so much? The plan she had started in search of answers had now left her with even more questions—questions she wasn't sure she was ready to confront.
Lucia sat frozen in the driver's seat, her hands still gripping the steering wheel even though the car was parked. Her thoughts raced, a mix of disbelief and anger swirling in her chest. The reality of what she had overheard was sinking in, and she felt a deep sense of betrayal clawing at her insides.
Who was he seeing? Was it someone new, or had he been hiding this all along?
Her mind replayed the words Diego had spoken so casually—"Babe... Can't wait to spend some time with you tonight." It was as if everything she had feared from the start of this charade was crashing down around her. The careful facade she had built to test him had taken a darker turn.
She had known this might happen—had prepared herself for the worst—but the sting was sharper than she'd anticipated. She wanted to scream, to confront him, but she was still locked in her role. Emily, the driver. The disguise she had chosen to hide behind was now the very thing keeping her silent.
Her phone buzzed, jolting her from her thoughts. It was Ivy.
Lucia took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions before answering. "Hey."
"Lucia, how's it going? Any updates?" Ivy asked, her voice light and curious.
Lucia swallowed hard, her voice trembling as she replied, "I overheard him talking to someone. He called her babe. He's meeting her tonight."
There was silence on the other end of the line before Ivy finally spoke. "What? Are you sure?"
"Yes," Lucia whispered, her voice strained with emotion. "I don't know who she is, but it's happening."
"Damn, Lucia. I don't know what to say," Ivy sighed. "I told you this might backfire, but I didn't think he'd... you know."
"I know," Lucia muttered, her anger bubbling just beneath the surface. "I thought... I thought he loved me, Ivy."
"He might still love you, but it sounds like he's playing both sides," Ivy reasoned. "What are you going to do now?"
Lucia closed her eyes, leaning back against the seat as she exhaled slowly. What was she going to do? She had hoped to catch Diego's loyalty—or lack thereof—but now that she had evidence of his deceit, it didn't feel as satisfying as she thought it would. It hurt. Deeply.
"I don't know," Lucia finally said. "I need to figure out what's going on. I need more proof... I can't just confront him without knowing the full truth."
"Be careful, Lucia," Ivy warned. "This could get messy."
"I know," Lucia whispered. "But I need to see this through. I need to know."
They ended the call, and Lucia sat in the car for a moment, staring blankly ahead. Her heart felt heavy, but her determination was stronger than ever. She had come too far to turn back now.
That same day at night after she closed from work she went back to the hotel and this time called Diego.
That same night, after she closed from work, Lucia returned to her hotel room, the weight of her earlier discoveries pressing down like a leaden cloak. She stepped inside, shutting the door behind her with a soft click, her mind racing. Without wasting a moment, she reached for her phone, her fingers trembling slightly as she dialed Diego's number. Her heart pounded with each ring, unsure of what she would hear on the other end, but needing to hear it nonetheless.
"Hey, babe," she said, forcing a lightness into her voice, desperately trying to mask the turmoil that churned inside her.
"Hey, my love, how are you?" Diego's reply was warm, his tone familiar and inviting, but there was something—an underlying distraction that sent a cold shiver through Lucia. His voice felt off, as though he were speaking with one foot out the door.
"I'm good! Just finished up some work," she answered, her attempt at nonchalance failing to mask her anxiety. "What about you? How was your day?"
"It was alright," he responded, though his words came with a slight hesitation. "Just the usual grind, you know?"
Lucia bit her lip, her stomach twisting into knots. The uncertainty in his voice triggered a sense of unease she couldn't ignore. "Any plans for tonight?" she asked, her pulse quickening as she waited for his answer.
"Actually, I've got a few things to take care of," he said quickly, too quickly. "I'll probably be busy for most of the evening."
Her heart sank. "Oh, really?" she asked, forcing a smile that he couldn't see but could surely hear in her tone. "I was hoping we could talk all night." She tried to keep her voice steady, but the disappointment was unmistakable.
"Yeah, I wish I could, but something came up," he replied, his words betraying a hint of uncertainty. "Let's make it tomorrow night, honey."
Lucia clenched her jaw, willing herself to stay composed. "Sure," she said, masking the hurt that bloomed inside her with feigned cheerfulness. "Just text me when you're free."
"Will do! Talk later, babe," Diego said before hanging up, leaving Lucia staring blankly at her phone, her fingers frozen against the screen.
The silence in the room was deafening. Her heart thudded painfully in her chest as Diego's words replayed in her mind, but it was his tone—the slight inflections, the way he had quickly dismissed her—that gnawed at her, raising doubts she couldn't ignore. The intimate conversation she had overheard earlier echoed in her head, fueling the rising tide of suspicion.
Was he really as busy as he claimed? Or was there something more—something he wasn't telling her? The weight of uncertainty settled heavily on her chest, and for the first time, she began to wonder if Diego was truly the man she believed him to be.
Feeling a mix of determination and dread, Lucia tossed her phone onto the bed and paced the small hotel room, her mind racing with the possibilities. Diego's sudden plans for the evening felt too convenient, too calculated. She had to know the truth—no matter what it took.
Her phone buzzed, pulling her out of her thoughts. It was Ivy again, checking in. Lucia answered quickly, her voice betraying her unease.
"Hey, any updates?" Ivy's voice was light, but Lucia could hear the underlying concern.
Lucia took a deep breath, struggling to maintain her composure. "I just spoke to him," she said, her voice tight. "He says he's busy tonight."
"What kind of plans?" Ivy asked, immediately picking up on the tension in Lucia's tone.
"He didn't say. Just that he's busy," Lucia repeated, her heart thudding painfully in her chest. "But something felt wrong. His voice, the way he rushed off the phone... I don't believe him."
Ivy sighed, the worry in her voice evident. "I knew this was going to get complicated. So, what are you going to do?"
Lucia stopped pacing and clenched her fists, her determination hardening. "I need to find out who he's with," she said firmly. "I can't just sit here and let this go. I have to know."
"Lucia, wait," Ivy interrupted, her voice urgent. "Be careful. I know you're upset, but this could get messy fast."
"I know, but I'm already in too deep," Lucia replied, her resolve solidifying. "I'm going to follow him. I need to see for myself."
"Lucia, stop," Ivy's voice sharpened. "Listen to me. I know how hard this is right now, but you need to stay calm, okay? Don't make a decision you'll regret later."
Lucia stayed silent, her mind racing. Ivy's words were barely registering, the pull of her own suspicions too strong to ignore.
"Lucia, are you still there?" Ivy called out, her tone softening. "I know you're on the line. You have to hear me. Don't act impulsively. If you get caught, things could spiral out of control, and I don't want you to end up in an even worse situation."
Still, Lucia said nothing, her mind fixated on Diego and whatever he was hiding.
Ivy sighed again. "Alright, I'll talk to you later. Try to get some sleep, okay? Think this through." With that, Ivy hung up, leaving Lucia alone with her thoughts, the phone screen going dark in her hand.
Lucia stood still for a moment, the weight of Ivy's words heavy on her shoulders, but the gnawing doubt inside her refused to let go. She set the phone down and stared at the small hotel room window, her thoughts swirling.