Chapter 6 On the Edge.
Chapter 6.
On the Edge.
Alicia, with a forced smile, begins to open the gifts one by one, but none are from him, which strikes her as extremely odd. She focuses on him in the distance, next to Carolina, making her feel a sense of emptiness with every box she opens, until she reaches the last one.
"That's all, guys, I'm finished," Alicia declares.
"Oh, Alicia, Rogelio's necklace is beautiful!"
"Go on, Rogelio, give her a kiss! We know you're dying to kiss her!"
Alicia's face loses color; her inherent sweetness and shyness are reflected on her. Her classmates push the popular fencing student forward; everyone encourages him to approach. Lucas looks directly at her, and for an instant, his gaze crosses Alicia's. He moves, taking Carolina by the hips, and they walk away. Alicia cannot help but follow them with her eyes, receiving a kiss from Rogelio on the cheek at that moment, which surprises her.
"I'm sorry, I can't. Excuse me. I feel tired."
"Aw, babe, we're celebrating, don't be a wet blanket, enjoy yourself! You only turn 19 once in your life."
Alicia smiles at them. Rogelio hugs her, diffusing the situation. There are no more strangers, no friends of Lucas, no associates; it's just them, her university friends and her.
An hour later, she says goodbye to everyone at the entrance, noticing her chauffeur, whom she approaches.
"Gabriel, my uncle?"
"He left with Miss Carolina; he didn't leave a message, he only warned me to secure the entrance when everyone had left."
Alicia nods, stepping into the house. She walks through the now-empty space; the servants are doing their work, while she heads to her room. As soon as she closes the door, her heart trembles: there are two gifts on the bed. She walks slowly, noticing one that reads: "Alirio Jank and Carlota Paz."
Upon opening it, Alicia travels back in time. In this package, there is a diary, containing her mother's thoughts, where they encourage her to be happy, fulfill all her dreams, and never give up. It is like a capsule that her parents had prepared for her; although she is not their biological daughter, they loved her as if she were, and the diary reflects it, as well as every wish and the paperwork for her inheritance. In a small envelope are the deeds to her house in Milan, a home that no longer belongs to her, one she doesn't remember. She cannot imagine having to leave Lucas's life; she feels a void and intense pain just thinking about returning to her old home and leaving him.
With tears in her eyes, she puts everything back inside the box and prepares to open his gift: a brilliant diamond piece is reflected in the small black box. Her heart skips a beat; it is beautiful, just like the bracelet and the earrings. As soon as she picks up the ring, she notices an engraving: the date of her birthday along with the date she came into Lucas's life. She remembers it well, which greatly surprises her, moving her heart. It has been 7 years together. She came into his life when she was 13, and since then, she has felt that connection with him. At first, it was hard for her to get close; it wasn't until she was 15 that she began to see him with other eyes, thanks to his affection, care, and the fact that he is a wonderful man, very handsome, tall (1.90 m), well-built, light-skinned, dark-haired, blue-eyed, thick-lipped, handsome. So handsome that no woman resists him, and she is one of those who cannot see him as her uncle, without imagining herself being his.
The fireworks begin to explode in the garden; it is almost 5 a.m. He still hasn't returned, and Carolina's status photos let her know they are having a very good time in his apartment, which oppresses Alicia's heart. She gets up, looking out the window at the display of lights in the sky, a masterful show that joins the light rain that begins to fall. With her heart fiercely beating, Alicia walks to the garden, ignoring the rain. She settles under the doorway, admiring the 19 detonations with tears on her cheeks, profoundly sensing his absence. In the past, he would be here with her, hugging her, admiring this moment with her. But today, today she feels more alone than ever, while he... Her thoughts stop at the last detonation and that imposing presence behind her. The scent of his perfume is a balm for her pain. She slowly turns around, meeting that cold gaze that gives her shivers and makes her tremble.
"You came," she exclaims, emotional.
She hugs him, drenched, and he hesitates to return her embrace before finally holding her.
"What are you doing out here? Are you trying to get sick?"
He pulls her away, covering her with his jacket and guiding her inside the house. Everyone has gone, and only the two of them remain. Lucas leads her to the sofa, searches for a towel, and begins to dry her with frenzy.
"Wasn't spending days in bed enough for you?"
"I'm sorry, Uncle." He looks at her, and she, with her heart racing, approaches him and kisses him on the lips. A kiss loaded with need, with passion. She, being a little inexperienced, closes her eyes, feeling his warmth.
"Punish me if you want, but I love you. Today I only wanted it to be just us. I wanted to confess my feelings for you, because I can't see you as an uncle, when I only desire to be yours," she whispers, rubbing her lips against Lucas's, whose jaw tenses. "This kiss is all I wanted, my first kiss is you, and I can't hold back, not anymore."