Venessa sank into the plush seat of the private jet, the steady hum of the engine beneath her offering a sense of calm. As the plane ascended into the sky, she felt a little more at ease. The worries that had clouded her mind seemed to fade as she leaned against Vincenzo, resting her head on his shoulder. The tension in her body slowly started to melt away.
Vincenzo noticed the way she tensed, her body stiff against him. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked, his voice low and filled with concern. "You don't seem very comfortable."
Venessa wanted to tell him everything—about the weight of her emotions, the fears she was hiding, the way everything felt too heavy lately. But something stopped her. She didn't want to burden him with it, not now, not when things were already so complicated. So, she stayed quiet, forcing a small smile.
Before she could say anything, Vincenzo pulled her in for a kiss, his lips soft and insistent. His hand gently rested on her chest, and for a moment, everything else disappeared. Venessa pulled herself closer to him, losing herself in the kiss. She let herself feel the warmth of his embrace, the comfort of being in his arms. But just as quickly, Vincenzo pulled away, his gaze searching hers.
"Do you want me?" he asked, his voice filled with a quiet intensity.
Venessa turned her face away, her heart pounding in her chest. The truth was, she did want him—desperately. But she also wanted something more, something simpler. She wanted a life where they didn't have to live in fear, a life where they could just be together without all the tension, the danger, the uncertainty.
But the words didn't come. Instead, tears welled up in her eyes, and before she could stop them, they started to fall. She let them, unable to hold them back any longer. She felt like her love for him was a crime, something that could never be fully realized, something that would always be tangled up in complications.
Vincenzo immediately pulled her into his arms, his strong hands comforting as he held her close. "Babe, it's okay," he whispered, his voice gentle and soothing. "I know it's a lot... with the baby and everything. It's overwhelming."
He kissed the top of her head, his warmth surrounding her. "We're heading to Colombia. After that, I'll make sure we have time—just the two of us. No distractions, no responsibilities."
Venessa closed her eyes, letting his words wash over her. For a brief moment, the weight on her shoulders felt a little lighter. With Vincenzo by her side, she could almost believe that everything would be okay. But deep down, she knew the challenges weren't over, that they had only just begun.