In the quiet of the guest room, Lucia lay down, trying to find a comfortable position despite the persistent cramps. Diego lingered near the door, his usual self-assured demeanor softened. He looked like he wanted to help, but wasn't sure how.
"Do you need anything?" Diego asked, his voice gentle. Lucia noticed that he was being unusually caring, a stark contrast to his usual stern attitude.
"I'll be fine," Lucia replied, turning slightly to face the wall. Her plan had never included getting this close to Diego—not physically, and certainly not emotionally. Her mission had been clear: expose his flaws, ensure he faced the consequences of his actions, and walk away. Yet here he was, lingering, watching her with genuine concern.
But Diego didn't leave. He pulled a chair close to the bed and sat down, studying her carefully. His eyes traced her face, softer than she'd ever seen them.
"You know," he started, "you're probably the first person to stand up to me like this." He chuckled, a sound filled with a strange mix of admiration and bewilderment. "Usually, people just... agree."
"Maybe they just don't want to lose their job, sir," Lucia said, her voice barely above a whisper, but laced with her trademark sarcasm.
Diego smiled, though there was a sadness to it. "Yeah, maybe. But you're different. You're... honest. Almost brutally so." He sighed, looking away, perhaps embarrassed by the admission. "I need that in my life."
Lucia blinked, caught off guard. This was the closest Diego had ever come to admitting his flaws. She'd seen glimpses of vulnerability in him before, but he'd always masked it with a haughty arrogance, as though being vulnerable was something he couldn't afford. For the first time, though, she could sense the weight he carried—a burden of expectations, perhaps, or just years of neglecting his own self-discipline.
"Sir, you have good in you. But you need to find it," Lucia said softly. "And that won't happen if you keep running around, making bad choices." She closed her eyes briefly, feeling the ache subsiding just a bit.
Diego was quiet for a long time, clearly absorbing her words. Finally, he spoke, his tone tinged with hesitation. "Emily, can I ask you something personal?"
Lucia tensed, her eyes flicking open, but she nodded. "Go ahead."
"Why do you care so much?" he asked, leaning forward, his eyes searching hers. "I mean, why would a driver—no, not a driver, why would you—care about whether I change or not? You could just do your job and leave at the end of the day, right?"
Lucia swallowed, momentarily lost for words. She had anticipated many questions in this role, but this one—this one cut deeper. The truth was far too complicated, and it wasn't something she could just lay out in front of him. She took a breath, searching for a response that would both satisfy his curiosity and keep her disguise intact.
"Sometimes," she started slowly, "we're put in people's lives for reasons we don't fully understand. Maybe I'm here to push you, to make you realize things about yourself. To help you grow." She offered a weak smile. "Besides, sir, seeing you grow might just be the best part of this job."
Diego studied her for a moment, his gaze softening even further. He seemed on the verge of saying something when Lucia's phone rang, breaking the quiet between them. She looked at the screen and saw Ivy's name flash up.
"I need to take this," she muttered, gesturing toward the phone.
"Go ahead," Diego replied, standing up. "I'll give you some space." He hesitated, then added, "If you need anything… just call me." With that, he stepped out of the room, gently closing the door behind him.
Lucia exhaled deeply, answering the call. "Ivy?"
"Hey, how's everything going?" Ivy's voice was cheerful, but Lucia detected an undertone of concern.
"It's… complicated," Lucia whispered, making sure Diego couldn't overhear. "He's… different when he's not putting on a show for everyone else."
"Uh-huh. Don't let him fool you, Lucia. Just because he's showing a little vulnerability doesn't mean he's changed."
"I know, Ivy," Lucia said. "But still, he's… he's got layers. And sometimes I think… maybe this mission I'm on, it's harder than I thought. Pretending every day, keeping up this charade…"
"Stay focused, Luce," Ivy replied firmly. "Remember why you're doing this. It's not about you and him—it's about finding out the truth, exposing who he really is. You can't let yourself get drawn in by the little moments."
Lucia nodded, even though Ivy couldn't see her. "You're right. I'll stay on track. It's just… sometimes, it's hard."
"Of course it is. But you're strong. Stronger than he'll ever know," Ivy reassured her. "Take care of yourself, okay?"
After the call ended, Lucia sat quietly, letting Ivy's words sink in. It was easy to get swept up in the moments, especially when Diego let his guard down. But Ivy was right—this wasn't about sentiment. She was here for a purpose.
After resting for a while, Lucia felt a bit better and decided to check on Diego. She found him in the kitchen, attempting to make tea, though it was clear he was out of his depth.
"Need some help, sir?" she asked, leaning against the doorway.
He glanced over, a sheepish smile on his face. "I was trying to make you tea. I'm not exactly an expert."
Lucia smirked. "Let me handle it."
She moved beside him, grabbing the tea supplies and working quickly. Diego watched her closely, his gaze intense yet soft, as though he were seeing her in a different light. The silence between them was comfortable, almost peaceful.
"So," he started, breaking the quiet, "what's your story, Emily? I mean, really."
Lucia paused, stirring the tea, wondering how much of herself she could safely reveal. "Just a regular person, sir. Nothing too remarkable."
"I doubt that," he replied, leaning closer. "You have this… fire in you. This drive. It's rare." He paused, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. "I think that's why I… I feel this pull toward you."
The words hung in the air, weighty and charged. Lucia felt her heart pound, but she forced herself to stay calm. This was dangerous territory, and she couldn't afford to lose control.
"Sir," she replied, focusing on the tea, "you might just be projecting onto me."
"Maybe," Diego said, a faint smirk on his lips. "Or maybe… there's more to this than you're willing to admit."
She handed him a cup, meeting his gaze with a mixture of challenge and amusement. "Or maybe… you're just not used to people calling you out."
Diego chuckled, taking a sip. "Touché, Emily. Touché."
They sat in silence, sipping their tea. For a fleeting moment, it felt as though they were simply two people, stripped of titles and disguises. But Lucia knew better. She couldn't afford to let this warmth cloud her judgment.
Finally, Diego broke the silence. "Thank you," he said softly. "For… everything. You've shown me more about myself in these past few days than I've seen in years."
Lucia forced a smile, nodding. "You're welcome, sir. But remember—growth isn't just a moment. It's a commitment."
Diego's gaze held hers, and in that instant, Lucia felt her resolve waver, just a fraction. She could see in his eyes a man caught between worlds—a man desperate to change yet haunted by his own demons.
As she excused herself and left him alone in the kitchen, Lucia felt the weight of her mission pressing down on her. It was getting harder to keep her distance, harder to see him as just another target. She needed to remember why she'd started this—to remember the lies he'd told, the hurt he'd caused, and the truths she'd vowed to uncover.
But deep down, a small, unwelcome thought crept into her mind. What if, beneath all the pretense and mistakes, there was a man worth saving? A man who, given the chance, could truly change?
Lucia shook her head, forcing herself to bury the thought. She had a job to do, and no amount of vulnerability or charm would change that. This was her story, her mission, and she wouldn't let anyone—not even Diego—stand in the way.