Page 18 of Sworn to My Heart
She tries so hard to avoid me, and for the first time in my life, I can’t read or understand where it’s coming from.
She’s not afraid of me or my family; she doesn’t even seem suspicious of anything about us. But nothing about her story makes sense either.
What did her biological family do to hide her for so long? Why did she suddenly decide to resurface after all this time? Maybe she’s running from them?
She doesn’t fear people and she has self-confidence, but she’s way too guarded and defensive. Maybe she really is on the run from something.
As it stands, I’ll have to keep tracking her if I want answers because I’m not getting a full picture from her or from the documents Graham sent me. Why do I end up with more questions after every encounter with her than I had before? At least I’m starting to piece together small fragments of the puzzle about her. I’m just not sure if that’s a good sign or not.
If she really is running from something, it means she’s bringing nothing but bad news and danger.
I open the small drawer under my desk using my fingerprint and take out the crumpled drawing she sketched earlier today at the café.
“She still needs to improve her sketches,” I chuckle to myself, but then I remember the way she scrunched up her nose in concentration while drawing in her notebook and I smile.
Why am I smiling because of her? I can’t let her get too close!
I have to control myself more when I’m around her. There’s no room for emotions or flirtatious games in my life. I can’t afford to lose focus in any way.
“Have you taken up drawing now?” Mariano suddenly says from behind, chuckling.
He’s been quietly sitting here on his laptop, looking for some lousy dress Cora wanted to buy from some online brand. It reminds me exactly why I’m not the relationship type and why I’m not married. Such a pushover.
Where’s the Mariano who tortured Angelo compared to this Mariano? Maybe he’s developed a split personality over the years. As long as he does his job right, I’m not complaining.
“It’s not mine, it’s Alin’s,” I reply honestly, still holding the crumpled paper in my hand.
“I heard Cora and Alin talking about your meeting earlier today. You’re putting me in an awkward position with Cora, brother,” he says, sighing as if he already knows it’s pointless.
“You should have investigated her long before. I trusted you to thoroughly check all the people around your wife,” I snap at him, glaring.
“I ignored the weird information about her because this was the first time Cora has opened up to someone from outside. I closed off all other angles; I didn’t want to ruin something just because of uncertainty. It didn’t feel like there was anything too dangerous there,” he answers honestly, knowing he made a big mistake. Whether Alin is trustworthy or not, it’s a huge risk he took, and he knew I wouldn’t intervene because I trusted him enough.
“This won’t happen again. I didn’t want to involve you in this in Vegas, but I’ve been tracking her for a while now. I’ll find out what she’s hiding. Don’t interfere and don’t try to stop me,” I warn him, and he nods.
Good. Now, Alin is left just for me.
“You said Alin was with Cora earlier? She’s here?” I ask belatedly, remembering what he said.
“Yes, they’re downstairs in my apartment. She’s with Cora on the second floor, watching TV. She’ll stay here tonight,” he informs me.
Why does this news excite me? Here’s another chance to see her.
“Tomorrow morning, we’ll meet at your apartment. Update Pedro,” I demand, waving him off to return to his online shopping.
Pedro will update us tomorrow on the situation with the French after the operation he ran while we were in Vegas. Meanwhile, I’ll get another glimpse of her gem-like eyes.
Maybe a small taste of her just once would help me relax and think clearly again.
Yes, just a small taste.
Alin
I wake up in the morning to find Cora’s leg resting on my face. I push it off reluctantly. She’s sleeping so deep, I envy her.
I notice both of us are covered with a blanket, likely put there by Mariano or Maria last night. Carefully, I set my blanket aside, trying not to wake Cora, and check my phone. It’s only 7 AM.
I head straight up to the third floor where the bedrooms are located, to find a bathroom.
