Chapter FORTY FOUR

It is Saturday today. If it was any other Saturday, I would have been on a plane to California, but not today. Today I am at a bookstore trying to find a new book to read to get inspiration for my book. I started spending a lot of my free time writing and reading again. Most of my free time was spent with Stefano. I really miss him. While I am looking through the shelves, I feel my phone vibrating. I check the caller ID, and it's Aurora. 'Hello, Aurora," I say answering my phone. 'How are you doing, Andrea?" She asks, a hint of worry in her voice. Aurora has been a fantastic friend throughout my breakup. The week I moved back to Miami, she spent two weeks with me before going back to Italy. I asked her if she knew why her brother suddenly stopped having feelings for me, she said she does not know. 'I am doing great, how are you?" 'I am also doing great. How is work?" 'It's good, how is yours?" I know she is calling to see if I am still doing fine after the breakup. 'It's good, I am happy you are doing well. If you ever need someone to talk to, do not hesitate to call me. If you need me to fly to the US, I would." 'I know, Aurora, don't worry, I am not crying any more" I am getting a little tired of everyone worrying about me. I know my breakup with Stefano was terrible, but everyone should take a chill pill. I am surprised that no one is angry at him for breaking up with me. It is like they all know something I don't. 'That is wonderful to hear. I will leave you for now. Bye." 'Bye, Aurora," I say hanging up. Stefano watched as she put her beautiful brown hair behind her ears so that she could read what was written in the book in front of her. He missed her like crazy, he would do anything to hold her right now, but he knew he couldn't. He was not supposed to be in the US right now, but he had to see her after a month apart. He thought he would get over her with time, but he only fell in love with her more every day that she was not with him. He missed having her in his arms every night when they went to sleep. He missed waking up to her delicious breakfast that she always snuck out of bed to make him. He missed her scent in his bed, he wanted her more than anything in the world right now. He planned to watch her from the car, but he could not resist the urge to see her face more clearly and walked into the bookstore. He watched as she picked up a book and muttered to herself. He wished to wrap his arms around her waist and bury his nose in the nape of her neck. He wanted to kiss all her sorrows away, and tell her he loved her, that he only broke up with her to keep her safe. He wished, because he knew he could not. He loved her too much to be with her and put her life in danger, again. Andrea I feel someone's eyes on me while I roam the bookstore to find books. I turn a few times to check, but every time I look, no one is there. I believe my mind is just being paranoid, so I continue to walk around. While walking out of the bookstore, I see someone I never thought I would ever see again, since he has no business here anymore. I walk closer to make sure my eyes are not playing a trick on me, and they aren't. I watch as the love of my life steps into his car and drives away. I can't believe I saw him; I am so confused, I wonder what he is doing here. Did he come to see me? If he did, why didn't he come up to me? Maybe he was the pair of eyes I felt following me around the bookstore. Does he miss me? I keep asking myself these questions that I don't have a single answer to. I take a deep breath and dial his number. I want answers, and since he is here, he is going to give them to me. I don't believe he broke up with me because he doesn't have feelings for me anymore. I know deep down there is another reason, and since he is here, I will need to find out. I wait for him to answer the phone, but he doesn't. I redial his number, the same thing. I dial for the third time, and it says switched off. I can't believe he switched off his phone. He must have realized I saw him, and now he is ignoring me. Does that mean he didn't come here to see me? I can't believe I gave myself hope that he came to see me and wanted to be with me. And was worried I would not take him back. Someone who wants to be with you doesn't switch off their phone. I feel tears stream down my face as I realize that Stefano and I will never be together. I quickly walk to my car and cry there; I do not want to go home and cry. I don't want mom to see me crying. I promised myself I would not cry because of him anymore, but it's so hard. Why wouldn't I, when I love him more than anything in the world, and he wants nothing to do with me. It breaks my heart every time, and when I realize that it makes me cry. I am so happy today is Monday I can drown myself in paperwork and think about Stefano less. While walking into my office, Emily speaks. 'Good morning, Boss," she says, smiling, once she takes in my appearance, her smile turns into a frown. 'Boss is something wrong you don't look so good," Emily says, worried. 'I am fine. Why do you ask?" I ask, taking my phone out to check my appearance. I look a little pale, but I do not think I look bad. I am sure I am just tired from everything that is going on in my life. 'You look pale and exhausted. Did you get enough sleep last night?" 'Yes, I did." 'I think you should take the day off." 'That won't be necessary, I know I look pale and exhausted, but I am fine." 'Really, are you sure?" She asks, concerned. 'Yes, I am, stop worrying about me," I say with a reassuring smile. 'Alright if you say so, but if you need anything, let me know." 'I will," I say walking into my office. Later in the day, while working, I feel the urge to throw up, it goes away until after lunch. I stand in the restroom today for the second time after emptying my stomach. This is the second time today; I don't know why. I must have eaten something terrible during lunch. I rinse my mouth with water and sprinkle some water on my face before walking out of the restroom. I don't feel so good, I am sure it is nothing serious. I will stop by a pharmacy on my way home to get something if it continues. While walking to my desk, I feel my head getting heavy. The objects in front of me start to blur, and I feel my legs about to give out. What is happening to me? Why do I feel like I am about to faint? I try to blink to clear my vision, but it feels so hard to do. It takes all the strength in me to dial Emily's number on my phone. It's a good thing I always carry my phone with me to the restroom. Emily answers immediately, but before I can mutter words to her, my vision disappears, and my world is filled with darkness. I open my eyes, and the first thing I see are white ceiling tiles above me. I must be in the hospital. Thank God I was able to call Emily before I blacked out. I turn around to press the button to let someone know I am awake but stop once I see Santiago. 'Andrea, you are finally awake," Santiago says, sounding concerned. He and Emily walk closer to me, standing beside the bed. 'Yes, I am, what did the doctor say? Why did I faint from food poisoning?" I ask getting comfortable in the bed 'There is a reason you are sick to your stomach, but it was definitely not caused by food poisoning," A doctor says from behind the curtains. 'What is it?" I ask, eager to find out. He speaks after he moves the curtain to reveal himself. 'Hello, I am Doctor James, I ran some test on you, you did not faint because of food poisoning." 'Really, I thought I fainted because I vomited too much." 'No, you didn't. You vomited because you are pregnant," The doctor says. 'What!!" All three of us say. 'You are six weeks pregnant, Miss Lopez. Congratulations, you are going to be a mother." Doctor James says with a smile on his face, all that is written on mine is worry. I can't believe I am pregnant with Stefano's child.