Episode 13

Alberto was impatiently looking out the window, knowing that Carlos and Bruno had been chased. He had to see Carlos to make sure he was okay. Now more than ever, he was certain that he had fallen in love with him. The fear of losing him and all this anguish was just confirmation.

Alberto saw Carlos' car approaching and immediately went to meet them. He saw Carlos getting out of the car, pale as a ghost. He quickly approached him and hugged him. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?" Carlos took a deep breath before answering. "I'm fine, I just felt sick from the chase. I'll take some medicine and I'll be fine." Even though he confirmed it, Alberto's expression remained worried.

"I'm going to go upstairs, take a shower, and take motion sickness medicine. I'll feel better soon. I just need to grab my things." Carlos was about to turn around to get his suitcase, but Alberto held his arm, nodded towards one of the security guards and asked him to get it from the car. Carlos didn't see the need for that, but he didn't have the energy to argue with him. He looked towards Bruno, who was leaning against the car wearing sunglasses and sucking on a lollipop. "Thanks again, Bruno." Carlos gave a slight smile and Bruno saluted him with two fingers.

"I'd do anything for my brother-in-law," he said, laughing. Carlos rolled his eyes and headed towards the house. Alberto looked at him and made a gesture that Bruno understood. He went inside as well and headed straight to the office. Carlos went upstairs alone, telling Alberto he didn't need to come with him, that he could take care of his own things. Alberto agreed and went to the office to talk to Bruno.

"How did this happen?" he asked without even properly closing the door. "Andrey knows he's here. The car has been following us since we left. I believe the plan was to see where Carlos was going and then intercept him on the way back, and of course, take him." Alberto slammed his fist on the desk.

"I need to get Carlos out of here for a few days. Since I have to travel to Brazil, I'll take him with me. Andrey won't dare do anything there. While I'm away, I want you to find a way to counterattack this little piece of shit, and if you can get hold of Pablo, even better. I have some scores to settle with that bastard."

"Brother, sorry for asking, but have you moved on from him? Just to be sure." Alberto rolled his eyes and sat down. "You know I already didn't like him as much as I used to in the beginning. I cared about him, but it wasn't love anymore. After what he did, I can't feel anything for him anymore. I just want to get revenge on that bastard." Bruno didn't say anything more about the subject, assuming that talking about this Lucas guy would only make Alberto even more irritated.

"And one more thing, that Lucas guy showed up at Carlos' house before we left. It seems he's trying to get back together with him." Alberto clenched his jaw and clenched his fists. "This idiot is getting on my nerves too. I think I'll have to make myself clearer so he understands me." Bruno just smiled. "So, you're truly in love, huh?" Alberto rested his elbow on the desk and sighed. "I shouldn't be, but I am. He's not used to this kind of life, but I don't know if I can let him go now."

Alberto and Bruno continued talking for a while. Alberto gave him some instructions on what he should do while he was away, signed some paperwork, and Bruno left to do what Alberto asked. It was lunchtime already, so Alberto went upstairs to call Carlos. He knocked on the door but got no response. He opened the door slowly. Carlos was lying there, asleep. He was wearing a robe and sleeping peacefully. The way he was lying revealed a bit of his legs and chest.

"You're torturing me like this," Alberto said, looking at him, feeling that someone was already responding to that sight. He sat on the bed and caressed Carlos' face. "You're so beautiful." Carlos stirred a bit, and Alberto decided to wake him up. Carlos woke up with Alberto calling his name. He said that lunch was already ready and came to take him to eat. "Alright, I'll change and come downstairs." Alberto nodded and left first.

Carlos washed his face to wake up from the sleep caused by the medicine, dressed, and went downstairs. Alberto was at the bottom of the stairs talking to one of the maids. She went upstairs and the two went to the dining room. "Is it just the two of us?" Carlos asked. Just the two of them at a big table like that. "Normally Bruno eats here too, but today he's taking care of some things for me." Carlos nodded and they started eating. During lunch, Carlos remembered about the medical leave.

"I just remembered something, how did you manage to send a medical leave to the director at the hospital?" Carlos spoke in a way that seemed annoyed. "I have efficient people working for me. And now it's the best way for you to avoid exposing yourself so much." Carlos looked still a little irritated. "You could at least have asked for my opinion? Or let me know what you were doing, and what if I said something that made the director suspicious?"

Alberto stopped eating, placing his utensils on the plate, and stared at Carlos. He was serious and in some way Carlos thought he might have crossed the line. Just because something happened between them doesn't mean he stopped being who he is, a mafioso that Carlos barely knows. "Understand, Carlos, that in a way I got you into this situation, so I will do whatever I think needs to be done to ensure your safety, even if I don't ask for your opinion." Carlos was somewhat speechless, finding the tone and the way Alberto spoke different from how he usually talks to him.

Carlos looked away, staring at his plate. Having someone controlling his life was in a way a different experience for him, especially him who liked to have total control over it and everything he did. Alberto was still looking at him, sighed, and leaned back in his chair, stopping eating. "I'm sorry. I'm a bit controlling, I like to know everything and I like to control things that involve the people I care about. In my world, things need to be this way." Alberto paused briefly and Carlos looked at him again. "And now you are a part of it, and I need to make sure you are well and safe."

Carlos could perceive the sincerity behind that look, and even though he didn't want to, he felt his heart warming up. Deep down, he knew that what Alberto did was for his safety, and deeper down he ended up liking the feeling of having someone take the reins for him, it was a new experience. "It's okay, I know you did it for my safety, I'm just... I'm just not used to being taken care of in this way."

Carlos spoke, softening his expression. Alberto gave a slight smile and leaned forward again. "Then you should start getting used to it, because I intend to start taking care of you." Hearing Alberto say that with that half-smile made Carlos' heart skip a beat. He swallowed hard and felt his face burning, his lips curved, and he returned to staring at his plate.

The two fell silent again and continued eating. Some time later, Alberto's phone received a message. After reading it, he gave a brief glance to Carlos and asked, "Do you know Brazil?" Carlos shook his head and replied, "No, but I would like to visit. I heard there are incredible places." Alberto gave a little smile before speaking, "Well, then I'll be able to fulfill your wish. We're going to Brazil today."

"Huh?" Carlos didn't know what to say, from Alberto's expression, he knew it wasn't a joke. If he said no, he knew it wouldn't make a difference, so Carlos didn't know whether to laugh or cry, he had no idea what that man was planning. "What do you mean we're going today?" Alberto just smiled and added, "Yes, and your suitcases are already packed." Now he knew, he found someone even crazier about control than himself.