Mom. She's gone.

The words rung in my head, over and over. I still can't believe it. Stella was like a second mother to me. She treated me like her like one of her own and I can't process it.

Adrian looked at me, trying to search for a reaction but I didn't show any.

Yes, I was devastated, but if I cry or show any sadness, he will feel sadder than he already his and I don't want to make him feel that way; I won't.

I pulled Adrian into a hug and held him as close as I could. He wrapped his arms around me and rested his face in the crook of my neck.

Occasionally, he sobbed and whimpered but all I did was hold him even tighter.

We stood like that for what felt like hours when it was only a few minutes, the both of us trying to process the information and grieve for our loss.

"Come on. Sit." I said, pulling away. "I'll get you some water."

He nodded and pulled away, sitting on one of the chairs at the table. I walked into the kitchen and filled up a glass of water for Adrian.

Walking back outside, I handed him the glass and sat opposite him. He downed the whole glass in one go, keeping the glass on the table, he started to explain,

"It happened last night, she had been complaining of chest pain so Dad got worried and decided to take her to the hospital. By the time they had reached there, she died of a heart attack. I came to know last night."

I felt a pang of guilt in my chest. Last night, when he received the most bitter news that one could ever get, I was with the Ramirezes, enjoying my life by watching movies.

"I'm so sorry." I condoled, holding his hand across the table. "She didn't deserve that."

I wanted to tell him about Devon so badly but I thought for a while. I can't do that. I have to be by his side while he goes through this. I have to take care of him, not the other way around.

But on the other hand, if I don't tell him, I won't have anyone to go to or even talk to. I made up my mind and was going to tell him but he spoke up first.

"Her funeral is at 4:00 PM so I'll be leaving for New York in a few hours." He informed, his voice cracking a little.

My heart broke for him. I can tell that he's trying to be strong in front of me because normally, he is a very emotional person. A month ago, he cried for about two hours after watching the movie 'Inside Out'.

"Do you want me to come? I don't mind. I can close the shop for a few weeks, it will be fi-" I said, before I was interrupted.

"No, no. I'll go alone. It's alright." He sent me a sad smile.

"Are you sure?" I asked, still worried about him.

"I promise."

Not being able to convey my emotions, I stood up from my seat and gave him a quick hug.

"Be careful and don't do anything that makes you feel unsafe." I told him, leaving out the part about Devon somehow being alive.

"I will." He gave me a weird look but agreed nonetheless.

"Call me if you need anything, alright?" I questioned. "I don't care if we're on the opposite sides of the globe. I will come, okay?"

"I'll be fine, don't worry." He said, giving me one last hug.

"Will you be going home now?" I asked him, resting my head on his shoulder.

"Yeah." Adrian replied in a sad voice.

"Could you drop me to my apartment? I walked here today and I'm tired to go back home." I explained.

"Sure." He pulled away from the hug.

Adrian looked at my face and it seemed as though he was studying my expressions, furrowing his eyebrows, he asked, "What's wrong?"

I wanted to break down in tears right then and there, as soon as he asked me that question. When other people ask me if I'm alright or not, I tend to lose control over my emotions.

"Um..." I debated on whether I should tell him or not. "I do have to tell you something, but don't worry, I'll tell you when you're back. It's alright."

"No, tell me what's wrong."

"It's alright, Adi."

"Hey, listen to me." He said, holding my face. "Just because I'm a little sad now, it doesn't mean that I will neglect you. Come on, tell me."

"It's nothing. Come on, let's go." I brushed it off, taking my purse.

The both of us left the bakery a while later, after I cleaned everything up and locked the door.

The whole way there, I was paranoid; discreetly looking outside the windows every five minutes and checking the mirrors to see if someone was following us.

Once we safely reached outside my apartment complex, I bid goodbye to Adrian and scurried to my flat.

I expected to see the usual plain cream colored walls as soon as I entered but instead was met with a sentence painted onto my wall in red color.

Everything else in the living room was messed up; the couches torn apart, the windows broken and the frames that were once on the walls were smashed on the floor.

I could feel the bones in my body trembling with fear and my heart pounding against my rib cage.

Without wasting another second, I ran as fast as I could to my car. I know it isn't the best idea but it is safer than my flat.

Not wanting to risk my life, I checked the backseat first and sighed in relief when I saw that it was empty.

I drove to the next safest place that I could think of after mine and Adrian's houses. The Ramirezes; right now, I could care less about the fact that they were part of the mafia.

On reaching the driveway, I jogged towards the mansion and ran to the door, ringing the doorbell.

I could feel my ears getting hot and lose balance of my body; I felt dizzy, and it was getting difficult to breath.

What was happening to me? It's probably everything that happened at once taking it's toll on me.

A minute or two later, the door opened and there, Antonio stood at the entrance in a suit.

"I need....hel-" Was all I could get out before everything went black.

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