Lucia had barely finished the last sip of her coffee before she stood and began tidying up her breakfast tray, setting it aside and making her way to the bathroom. She freshened up quickly, and then slipped into her own clothes, carefully folding Diego's shirt and pants from the night before. She hesitated for a moment, clutching the soft fabric in her hands. The night had been a whirlwind, and his unexpected kindness was still sinking in, leaving her feeling both touched and unsettled. She shook her head, reminding herself of the role she was playing, then took a steadying breath and opened the guest room door.
At that exact moment, Diego emerged from his own room, looking as if he'd been waiting for her.
"Oh, hi sir," she greeted him, shifting her weight slightly as she held out the clothes. "I was just coming to return these and then drop you off at work."
Diego's gaze softened, lingering on her face for a moment before glancing at the clothes in her hands. "There's no need for that, Emily," he said, his voice warm but firm. "Keep them. I... actually like them on you."
Lucia blinked, a hint of color rising to her cheeks. "What? But, sir... they're yours," she stammered, her voice tinged with embarrassment. "And besides, I'm a lady. I shouldn't be wearing these."
Diego's expression shifted, something in his gaze growing serious. He took a deep breath, then stepped closer, his hands settling on her shoulders. "Emily," he said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper, "whatever's mine now... it's yours too."
The words hung heavily between them, and Lucia's heart pounded. She felt the warmth of his hands through the fabric of her shirt, and she had to fight the urge to step back, feeling her defenses begin to crumble under the intensity of his gaze.
Diego's tone softened further. "And, I'm not going to work today," he added, releasing her shoulders and crossing his arms. "So, you might as well head home, change into something you're comfortable in, and come back here. I need you to do something for me."
Lucia looked at him, a flicker of concern flashing across her face. "Sir... you're not going to work?"
Diego raised an eyebrow, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "Why do you sound so worried, Emily? I thought you said you felt nothing for me."
The words struck her, leaving her momentarily speechless. She wanted to protest, to argue, but she caught herself, realizing that she was standing on a fragile line. She was here on a mission, and yet with each interaction, the boundaries between her true self and her disguise were growing hazier.
"Sir, I just..." she began, but he held up a hand, gently silencing her.
"Emily," he said, his voice softer this time. "Just go home, change up, and come back. That's all I'm asking." He looked at her, his gaze sincere, and for a moment, she felt as if he could see straight through her disguise.
Lucia nodded, swallowing her words. "Yes, sir. I'll be back shortly."
As she turned to leave, Diego watched her go, a hint of something unreadable flickering in his eyes. Lucia could feel his gaze lingering on her even as she walked down the hall, her mind a whirlwind of emotions. She hadn't expected him to react this way, to be so open, so... vulnerable.
On her way back to her hotel, Lucia couldn't help but replay the morning's interaction in her mind. His words, his touch, the way he looked at her—it was all starting to make her question everything. She had come here determined to test his loyalty, to keep her distance and remain detached. Yet with each passing day, her resolve was weakening.
As Lucia stepped back into her hotel room, she exhaled deeply, still processing the morning's events. The interaction with Diego had left her with a turmoil of emotions she hadn't anticipated. The warmth of his hand on hers, the gentleness in his gaze, and his words had all struck a chord she hadn't expected to feel in this situation. She closed her eyes, trying to remind herself of her purpose here—to reveal his true character, not to fall deeper into this unexpected intimacy.
Once she was settled, she grabbed her phone and dialed Ivy's number. It barely rang once before Ivy picked up, her voice laced with anticipation.
"So? What happened?" Ivy asked, not wasting any time.
Lucia took a shaky breath, recounting every detail of the morning to Ivy—the breakfast in bed, the unexpected closeness, and the way Diego had held her gaze as though he could see right through her disguise. She told her about his soft words, the way he'd seemed vulnerable, almost tender, in a way that left her feeling both comforted and conflicted.
"And then, Ivy," Lucia whispered, her voice trembling as she remembered the moment that followed. "He kissed me."
Ivy gasped audibly on the other end of the line. "Wait, what? He kissed you? Lucia, how did that even happen?"
Lucia took a deep breath, replaying the scene in her mind. "After he brought me breakfast and we talked for a bit, he leaned in closer, his hand on my cheek. I was sitting there, stunned, my mind racing, and before I knew it... his lips were on mine."
The memory flooded back with startling clarity—the soft warmth of Diego's lips, the way her heart had pounded as the moment took over. She had felt a rush of emotions she hadn't anticipated, emotions she thought she'd left behind when she'd decided to go through with this plan.
"It was... gentle," Lucia continued, her voice barely a whisper. "Almost hesitant, like he was afraid I'd pull away. But I didn't. I kissed him back, Ivy. For a few seconds, I forgot who I was supposed to be. I wasn't his driver in that moment. I was... just me. Just Lucia."
Ivy was silent for a moment, then let out a soft sigh. "Lucia, that's incredible. It sounds like he's truly opening up to you, and not just to 'Emily' the driver, but to the real you—the person you've always been. Maybe he's falling for the person he should have noticed from the beginning."
Lucia bit her lip, feeling the tug of hope mixed with anxiety. "But Ivy, that's the problem. He doesn't know it's me. How can I trust these feelings if he doesn't even know who he's kissing?"
When she finished, there was a long pause on the other end of the line. Ivy seemed to be processing everything, her silence stretching just long enough to make Lucia wonder if she was even still on the call.
Finally, Ivy sighed. "Lucia, it sounds like he's really changed. A man doesn't go out of his way like that for someone he doesn't care about or kiss someone he doesn't feel a connection to."
Lucia felt her heart skip a beat. "But Ivy, he thinks I'm Emily, his driver, not Lucia, his fiancée," she replied, her voice tinged with frustration. "He's falling for this... this mask I'm wearing, not me. What does that even mean?"
"It means he's falling in love with you, Lucia," Ivy replied calmly. "Regardless of who he thinks you are, his feelings are genuine. And think about it—he's treating you with kindness and respect without knowing you're the same woman he's already promised to. If that doesn't show his loyalty, then what will?"
Lucia slumped against the wall, her mind racing. It was true. Diego's affection felt real. His warmth, his willingness to show vulnerability, all of it was unlike anything she'd anticipated. He hadn't shown this side of himself before, and she couldn't help but wonder if she'd been wrong about him all along.
Ivy's voice softened, drawing her out of her thoughts. "Lucia, I think it's time you end this. Reveal who you are. This game has run its course, and honestly... you still love him. If you wait too long, it could turn into something painful for both of you."
Lucia felt a pang of fear. She wanted to believe it was as simple as Ivy made it sound, but doubts still gnawed at her. "But what if he feels betrayed? What if he realizes he only liked me as Emily and can't accept the real me?" She took a shaky breath, lowering her voice as she voiced her biggest fear. "What if this just makes things worse?"
Ivy's tone was gentle, but firm. "Lucia, no relationship worth having comes without risk. And besides, from everything you've told me, Diego seems like a different man. People grow, and it sounds like he has. If he truly loves you—whether he knows you as Emily or Lucia—he'll understand why you did this."
Lucia nodded, even though Ivy couldn't see her. Her friend's words resonated, hitting her with the full weight of her situation. She had come here to test Diego's loyalty, but along the way, she had discovered that her own heart was still entangled with his. This was more than a game now; it was her life, and she needed to take control of it before things spiraled beyond repair.
"Alright," she murmured, determination building within her. "I'll tell him. I don't know how yet, but I'll do it."
"Good." Ivy's voice held a note of relief, as though she had been hoping Lucia would make this choice all along. "Just be honest, Lucia. He deserves that. And you deserve to know the truth."
As they hung up, Lucia stood in the quiet of her hotel room, staring out the window. She knew the next steps would be difficult, and there was no way to predict Diego's reaction. But Ivy was right; if Diego's feelings were genuine, then it was time for the truth to come out. And if not... well, at least she would finally have the answers she had come here seeking.
Lucia took a deep breath, mentally preparing herself. The web of deception she had spun was delicate, and unraveling it now would take courage. But in her heart, she knew that this was her chance to mend things, to face the truth head-on, no matter where it might lead.