13

“Maybe her and her husband are going through a rough patch,” Riccardo shrugged. “The last thing she needs is her ex-boyfriend comforting her.”

He rolled his eyes sarcastically.

“I need to speak to her,” I snarled.

“Don't be stupid!” Riccardo sighed exhaustedly.

“I don't give a fuck,” I shot back bitterly, and began bolting out of the ballroom, heading straight for the direction that Sofia went.

Sofia fucking Martinez.

The love of my life…

Even if I wasn’t hers anymore.

14

sofia

I bolted away from all of the dancing couples, and made my way to the rooftop terrace, needing to get some fresh air. In this moment, I felt so damn pathetic.

I'd never hated the sight of myself so much. I was never going to be enough for Bruce.

And the scary thing was…

He was an influential man.

I knew that I wouldn't just be able to ask for a divorce, or to walk away from him.

That was what he said to me himself.

He was tied to me for life.

And he made me feel like he was the only man who would ever put up with me.

Like nobody else would want me.

I knew my parents wouldn't be happy, either…

I didn't think he was cheating on me.

But he made me feel so damn worthless…

Ugly…

Fat…

To the point that I could barely look at my own reflection.

He was a handsome man.

It was no wonder women flirted with him so much.

Threw themselves at him.

And I couldn't compete with them.

It didn’t matter how much weight I tried to lose…

Or how much surgery I tried to get.

Bruce knew the real me…

And he knew that I would never really be them.

My heart hammered against my chest, feeling like it was being ripped out of my chest. My whole body on fire, feeling like it was about to explode.

But a sudden deep, raspy, husky voice snapped me out of my thoughts. I jolted upwards in shock, my whole body trembling into a frenzy.

“Can I have this dance, baby girl?” Arturo breathed.

I turned around to face him, his eyes burning into mine. I scratched my arm timidly, feeling undone as he undressed me with his eyes.

As soon as I heard that voice, I knew it was Arturo.

The only man who'd ever called me baby girl.

It was a masquerade ball…

But his unbuttoned jacket gave it all away.

I could spot those tribal tattoos across his chest from a mile away.

And I found myself asking…

What the hell was he doing here?

“I don't mean to make you uncomfortable,” Arturo mumbled sheepishly. “Everybody's dancing… And the press will be taking photos.” He broke off his sentence, letting out a deep breath. “I saw you running away from your husband. I don't want you to feel left out. It's a masquerade ball anyway. Your face won't be on display.”

When he said this, I surprised myself when I let out a giggle.

“What's so funny?” he remarked, taken aback.

“You,” I said sarcastically. “Thinking you can dance.”

Arturo rolled his eyes, as I continued to laugh.

“I'll have you know, I've improved from all those years ago,” he grinned coyly. “I remember how much I used to make you laugh. I've barely spoken to you for five minutes and you're already in stitches.”

I let out a giggle, feeling butterflies hammer against my chest.

“You're so full of yourself,” I retorted, smirking.

Arturo’s eyes darkened, and I bit my lip, my heart skipping a beat as he stared at me. Before I knew it, in one swift motion, Arturo had his arms around me…

And then pulled me into a dance.

I was caught off guard by this and didn't know how to react.

My skin was burning…

Trembling…

Just by him touching it.

He lifted my chin up to force me to look into his eyes.

I had my hands on his bare chest, while his hands were wrapped around my waist, keeping me steady.

“You look stunning tonight, baby girl,” he groaned against my ear.

I didn't respond. My throat felt dry.