Something was definitely wrong.

Ever since Adriano had woken up, he had a sinking feeling about the trip he was about to take with Ximena. Granted, he was happier than usual but there was something that just didn’t feel right. He couldn’t exactly put his finger on it; he knew that the honeymoon was going to end unexpectedly.

The worst thing was, he couldn’t express his concerns to Ximena. She was already over the moon with excitement to visit Ibiza, since she had never been there before. And he just couldn’t bring himself to tell her no…which could potentially be a problem someday in the future.

Santiago was right; she really does have me wrapped tightly around her little finger…

Shaking away his thoughts, he tuned himself back into the conversation that he was currently having with his new wife. “…sea diving. That sounds fun. I heard they even allow you to swim with sharks. Wouldn’t that be cool, Adriano?” she babbled animatedly, scrolling through the pictures o the online catalogue. They were a few minutes to touch down at the airport. The flight had been long and tedious. At this point, Adriano was just ready to get the hell out of the confines of the jet and kiss the ground hello.

Knowing about Ximena’s nervousness about flying, he had devoted most of his time to keeping her distracted be it by chatting about anything and everything, watching Marvel movies which he found rather childish and even taking selfies on Snapchat and Instagram. At some point, they had even listened to music and sang along together. Bottom line was, she was alright throughout the whole flight and that made him feel content.

He nodded absentmindedly at whatever she had been saying over the last twenty minutes. She looked over at him, and frowned. “Hey, did you hear anything I said? Are you even listening to me?” she asked with a pout. Such a spoiled brat, he thought mentally with an eye roll.

Nodding his head more convincingly, he grinned at her. “Sure, baby. When we get there, we can do whatever you like,” he told her but she didn’t believe him.

“But you don’t even seem excited. Since this morning you’ve been acting strange. Do you not want to spend time with me? Did I do something wrong? Is it because we didn’t…you know, last night?” she rambled, pout still intact and he laughed at her cuteness.

Grabbing her free hand, he placed a kiss on it. “Not at all. I’ll have you know that there is nothing in the world that I enjoy more than being in your company. It’s just that, I have this sinking feeling that things are not going to go according to plan. When ever I get this feeling, something terrible happens but it could just be me being paranoid. So, rest assured, amor, it has nothing to do with you.”

After saying that, the pilot announced that they were landing soon and that they needed to fasten their seat belts. Ximena exhaled deeply and closed her eyes tightly. It was the landing that made her freak out the most. Sensing this, Adriano grabbed her hand and squeezed it. “Breathe, sweetheart. I’m right here and I always will be.”

She opened one eye and peeked at him. “Promise?”

“Promise.”

About twenty minutes later, they touched down. It was late at night when they landed so they decided to rest up for the night at the villa they would be staying at. A BMW SUV was waiting for them once they exited the jet and drove them to their destination. Adriano had purchased it a week earlier, along with a yacht because he had planned to make it a vacation home for them. The Balearic Island had always held a special place in his heart, despite all the painful memories he’d kept locked up in the deepest crevice of his mind and he was hoping Ximena could erase all the unsavory thoughts about it…about his past.

When they arrived at the pristine abode, he jumped out of the car and helped his wife out. Bending down, he hooked the posterior of side of her legs and carried her bridal style. She yelped in response and immediately wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Hey, put me down! I can walk,” she squeaked and simultaneously blushed, hiding her face in the crook of his neck. He laughed at her sudden shyness. He would always like that about her; confident one moment and timid the next.

He placed a kiss on her forehead. “I know you can walk with those fine endless legs but as a wedding tradition, I am supposed to carry you over the threshold, right?” he said with a smirk.

She didn’t respond and let him carry her into the villa, worker in tow to bringing their luggage. Once inside, he placed her on the floor and gave her a short tour. It was indeed truly a magnificent structure, all white and over the top. He’d become painfully away that all the things around him were priceless and fragile, and one day it might all just shatter before his eyes…something he’d feared would happen sooner or later.

“What can I say? It’s beautiful,” Ximena gushed as they entered their master bedroom. Large king-sized bed with a white and black duvet, white walls, large window overlooking the ocean, gigantic flat screen TV, walk in closet and ensuite bathroom.

Adriano came behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I guess…but not as beautiful as you,” he whispered huskily, taking in her familiar peach-lavender scent.

She smiled. “When did you become so cheesy, Mr. Dos Santos?” she echoed teasingly.

He abruptly spun her around so she was flat against his chest now. “The day I married you, Mrs. Dos Santos,” he added seductively and then connected their lips. It didn’t take long before she responded to him, hand getting lost in his hair and the other fisting his t-shirt. Hell, Adriano had had his fair share of kisses but neither one of them came close to the ones he’d shared with Ximena Dos Ramos. She was a bombshell in every sense of the word, but that was not her only redeeming quality. She was absolutely intelligent, judging by what he’d recently read on the internet about her closing multiple deals for her father’s company. Just like her father, she was a force to be reckoned with despite many thinking she didn’t have what it takes to take over the empire. And not to forget how sweet, kind and funny she was…a total package. How had he gotten so lucky? He most definitely wanted to give his past self for claiming he wasn’t her type.

Before things could go any further, he pulled away first and cupped her face. “Let’s get ready for bed now. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.” Nodding her head, they separated and each went about their business in preparation for the night. Heaven knows that if he hadn’t done that, he wasn’t going to maintain his self-restraint. Once done, they got into the bed, kissed each other goodnight and both drifted off to sleep in each other’s’ arms.

***

The first two days of their honeymoon had been eventful and blissful. Adriano had taken Ximena around the island, showing her the rich culture and exotic sites. He found her keen curiosity and child-like wonder all too adorable. It reminded him of the first time he’d been there, with his family. The sad memory threatened to ruin the day for him but for her sake, he kept a smile plastered on his visage.

Their second night he’d taken her out to a karaoke themed food outlet. That night, she had dressed in a pink maxi dress which accentuated her meandering curves and it made a certain part of his anatomy a little too excited. As usual, she had her voice devoid of any make up and that pleased him. Natural beauty.

At the restaurant, they had dined and talked about their childhoods. He had found courage to open up to her about how he’d been to Ibiza a lot when he was young. She had been so attentive and patient with him, making him feel like whatever he said was interesting. No woman had ever made him feel that way. But alas, he still couldn’t pin point what it was he was beginning to feel for her just yet but he was quite certain it was more than simple attraction.

Many people went up on the stage to sing, horribly at that, so he had dared her to sing for the people. At first, she had vehemently refused, but after convincing using his charm, she had given in and next thing she was on the stage with a mic in hand. She seemed terrified at first but when he cheered her on, she chose a song, Senorita by Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello, she belted out every tune and note so well, even swaying her hips seductively at him that by the end of the song all had stood up to give her a standing ovation. What could he say, she was just that good.

The second day they had spent it sailing the waters on his yacht. The temptation did not end because underneath her sundress, she wore the sexiest white one-piece swimsuit that he’d ever seen. He was really glad that not many people had been around to see her like that… he’d have definitely bashed a couple of faces in.

Now it was the third day and as per her request, they’d gone sea diving and jet skiing for the most part. Being underwater for that long petrified him but at the same time, it was amazing. He felt like a child all over again, with not a single care in the world. He hadn’t experienced that in a long time.

“Today was great,” said Ximena as she laid down on a chaise lounge beside him, sunbathing in a red bikini that left little to the imagination. It was nearly sun down so they had decided to cool off on the beach along with other beach goers.

He shrugged in response. “It was alright, I guess,” he muttered and she smirked at him.

“You were totally scared when we went sea diving. I swear you almost wet your pants,” she giggled softly and he scoffed, rolling his eyes.

“I was not,” he countered arrogantly.

“Was too,” she added challengingly and they continued to bicker for about five minutes before he stood up. “I’m going to the tiki bar to grab something to drink, and I am not bringing you anything,” he said and stuck his tongue out at her.

She stuck her tongue at him too. “Whatever, loser.”

Laughing to himself, he made his way over to the tiki bar. It was currently unoccupied and the server had her body turned away from him, arranging a few things. He took a seat on a bar stool, clearing his throat to make his presence known.

But what he saw a second later had him choking on his own saliva. He froze and instantly felt all the blood in his body get replaced with ice. He couldn’t believe his eyes. No, he had to be dreaming. The one person who he swore he’d never ever want to see again stood right before him.

“Estefania?”

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Hi guys. Sorry that this is incoming a bit late; today is my birthday so I was celebrating it. Anyways, a bit of a cliffhanger over there...who do you think Estefania is??? 🤔🤔🤔

Stay tuned 😘