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"And if I don't?"
"You lose on an opportunity. Would you rather die thinking he never cared about you, or that he cared at least a little?"
I don't answer. I can't.
There's a part of me that would take the first one, since I don't want anyone's pitiful affection. But there's another side of me that wants anything it can get. That wants Raf regardless ofanything.
He casually walks out, letting me stare at the sheet of paper. Before I lose my courage, I pick up the pen and start writing.
Are you going to disappoint me again, Raf?
TWO
NOELLE
Andreas comesin to drop my lunch, but instead of lingering, he gets out, letting the way clear for Michele to come inside, a tablet in his hand.
"I didn't realize you missed me so much, Michele," I joke as I dig into the food, too famished to mind his reply.
"Don't flatter yourself," he rolls his eyes. "Although I must say, you're much more agreeable than my brother, so there's that."
"Wow, is that a compliment coming fromyou?"
He mumbles something and I realize it is the most I can get out of him.
Only after I'm done with my food can I concentrate better, and as I push the tray aside to focus on him, I note he's already reading my responses.
"These are good ones," he notes, pointing to the questions I'd come up with as things Rafshouldknow about me.
"Now can you tell me what you're up to?"
"Wouldn't you want to know," he drawls, raising his gaze to mine. "I have a tiny surprise for you," he says, giving me the tablet.
"What's this?" I frown as I note there are video feeds on the screen—all of a room containing a woman inside.
"Rafaelo's final test," he states before zooming in on one of the screens.
My fingers tighten on the tablet, my eyes widening in horror.
"That… How is this possible? She'sdead," I whisper.
It'sher.
Lucero.
The fucking bane of my existence.
"When you mentioned her name I had to make some inquiries to ensure you weren't lying. Well, I dug a bit deeper, and imagine my surprise when I found someone who checked all the boxes."
"That's why you confirmed it with Panchito, isn't it?" I blink.
"Indeed."
"But… How… It's impossible."
"I assure you it's quite possible. I don't know the specifics and why you both thought she was dead," he shrugs. “But this is perfect for me."
"What do you mean?"
