Chapter Twenty-Two

I've been alone for an entire day again, almost driving myself crazy.

Seriously, how do people handle being stuck in one place day in and day out?

It"s like a recipe for going stir-crazy.

I"m used to a life filled with constant movement—catching up with friends, grinding away at work, and making my garden Instagram-worthy.

Now, I"m struggling to keep my cool within this confined space, desperately searching for a sense of normalcy in this Groundhog Day lifestyle.

Back in the hustle and bustle of my usual routine, I was thriving on the energy of social interactions, busy workdays, and the thrill of outdoor escapades.

The shift from that dynamic lifestyle to this static existence feels like a glitch in the matrix, leaving me to wrestle with an unexpected stillness.

Trying to combat the emptiness within these three walls has become an uphill battle, and I"m facing the harsh reality of the challenges that come with extended isolation.

Spending every waking moment within the confines of the beach house now feels like a mental obstacle course, and I'm navigating it with a mixture of success and frustration.

On top of that, I gave Marco his letter and he hasn't said anything to me about it. Well, he couldn't say much since he hasn't been here all day.

I'm confused, because we had a nice dinner, we made love again—and I know it was good because we were both just tipsy enough to give it our all, but not so drunk that it was a waste of time—and we fell asleep in the same bed.

Did I miss something that went wrong?

He is acting so differently without giving me any warning.

One moment, he's sweet and kind, and the next, he's threatening to behead me if I breathe wrong in his direction.

I doubt I'll ever be able to read this man properly.

He's hot and cold; one minute he acts like he cares about me, and the next, he could be a complete stranger.

I don't even know when he left the house, either last night or this morning. It's not like he has to answer to me whenever he goes somewhere, but it would be nice to know when he's leaving.

Maybe I'm reading too much into all of this.

Just because I'm cooking him dinner and he's sleeping in my bed, doesn't mean we're becoming a sort of couple.

It's not wise to develop feelings while dealing with a man like Marco.

These men are more worried about their next deal than they are about people who care about them.

So the answer might be to stop caring about him. To focus again on getting home, and stop trying to figure out Marco, when I'm just never going to be able to get through his walls.

I haven't thought about home in a while.

The last time I tried to escape, I gave up after just a few minutes.

I've mostly come to accept where I am as my new home, but if Marco doesn't really want me here, then it might be necessary for me to leave here.

The only other problem I might have then, is whether my brothers will allow me back home.

I don't have access to my own money to find somewhere else to live. And things like furniture and food are all extra costs.

Maybe I can live in Mexico and find a few Mexican roommates who will treat me better than my family does.

We could have adventures every weekend and I could get a job serving Mexican beers at a pub.

When I went shopping, I saw so many little pubs and cafes that I could work at.

I like this idea. If my brothers disown me completely, I could restart my life in Mexico.

Hearing Marco come in the front door wakes me up from the nap I wasn't meaning to take.

He bursts in the door, briefly mentions the letter, and then dives straight into telling me his new plan.

I keep quiet, but inside I'm happy about him coming here to tell me. And that he's read my letter.

Marco's face lights up as he tells me his plan.

This is where he shines, when he is creating his own legacy, making his own path.

I listen until he's done, glad to hear that no part of the plan involves actually injuring my brothers.

I am still very upset with them, but I want them to be safe and alive.

His plan is actually quite smart, and if he can get his contacts to go along with it, he'll easily get everything he wants.

My brothers can then enjoy what they have and maybe one day work, with Marco again while they all get richer and more powerful.

I'm just not sure what any of this means for me, or where I will end up, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

"You're plan sounds brilliant, Marco. I can help you," I say to him, not sure if he's going to trust me.

"I wouldn't mind seeing Luca knocked down a peg or two, and Enzo can afford to lose three trade routes. I'd love to see their faces when these routes are taken from under their noses."

Marco looks at me, an eyebrow raised.

"Help me? With my plan?"

I can hear the suspicion in his voice, and I almost give in to the frustration I feel about him not trusting me yet. But instead, I focus on what's important.

"Yes," I say. "I know my brothers and their business. And your plan sounds like it could do with some insider information." I wink at him. "Would it hurt to have someone else go through the steps with you? Even if I just act as a sounding board?"

He could probably do this on his own, but I like watching him talk about his plans, and I'd do anything for a bit of company in this beach house.

I don't want to spend another night here alone, lying in bed awake, trying to daydream my way out of boredom.

Marco agrees to let me go through it all with him but warns me that it is his plan and he might not listen to all of my ideas.

I'm not too bothered if he does or doesn't, because it doesn't affect me whatsoever. It's not like he's going to share the profits with me if it works.

I open up a bottle of wine and share it between the two of us as we sit at the table, plotting and scheming.

With each glass that I empty, the bitterness of my anger mellows. I hadn't realized how angry I was still feeling towards my brothers.

But with all of the talk about how we could surprise them and make them feel the loss of their money, I can tell that my emotions are still negative.

The deeper we go into this plan, the more the atmosphere in the room shifts from revenge to opportunity.

I've never had much of a chance to be involved in any of the family business dealings, since Enzo and Luca have always done their best to shelter me.

But I know enough about it to have some valuable ideas, and Marco seems to understand that.

We're both buzzing with excitement and a little tipsy.

Marco is still surprisingly sharp and attentive, though, acting like I'm a collaborator now and no longer a captor.

His respect for my ideas soothes the sting of my wounded pride. It's a tiny sliver of validation that tells me I"m more than capable of steering the ship if I need to.

Although, looking at Marco and hearing his thoughts, I wouldn't mind letting him steer the ship.

Amid the strategic talk, I find myself opening up to Marco, sharing my frustrations with my brothers, and my dreams of leaving my own legacy to leave behind.

I talk about the moments when I felt confined within the suffocating boundaries set by my family. And he listens, not just to our plans for revenge, but to my deeper desire for change.

Tonight, it"s my turn to open up to him. It feels odd at first, but I feel more like his equal tonight.

As we wrap up our planning and the wine bottle empties, I lean back, feeling calmer.

If this plan works out, it will bring all of the success that Marco craves. He'll finally feel equal to Carlos and be able to make his own rules in his own life.

I'd be happy for him to receive all of that.

But I can't help but wonder what all of this means for me.

Will he finally see me as an equal, someone he can share his life with? Will he realize that I can be there for him in both the good and the bad times, and let me help him?

Or will he send me back home, where I'll need to try and find my place all over again?

I can't be sure, but I am holding out hope that Marco can see that we make a good team, and that he won't be so quick to throw me away as soon as he gets what he wants.

I have some idea of what is waiting for me back home and it's not appealing to me.

Even though I miss being in my own space, and having the freedom that I used to have, I also know that I'm a different person now compared to when I was last in my home.