Pedro's POV
I lead my girl down to the restaurant for breakfast, holding her hand as we walk. I love this woman, and I'd do anything to keep us together. But deep down, I know the truth about my life could change everything.
People see me as just a student, but in my family, studying isn't just about getting an education—it's about securing and expanding our empire. We run a taxi business, but that's just the surface. Behind the scenes, we're deep in money laundering, casinos, and other ventures that come with their fair share of enemies. My older brother studied medicine to run our private medical practice. My stepbrother went into biochemistry to oversee our lab. My father is a lawyer, which means we always know how to stay ahead of the system. We have uncles in the police force and officers on our payroll. And me? I'm doing chartered accounting and IT, the two fields that keep our finances airtight and our digital footprints clean.
Lisa has no idea. And that terrifies me.
Would she leave if she knew the truth?
As if my mind isn't already heavy, my phone buzzes with a message from an unknown number.
"Hey, Pedro. It's Nicole."
Nicole. My ex. The one who disappeared three years ago without a word.
I stare at the message for a moment, then lock my phone without replying. If she reaches out again, I'll deal with it when we're back in Windhoek. Right now, Lisa is my priority.
She tilts her head, studying me. "Babe, are you okay? You seem lost in thought."
I force a smile, reaching for her hand. "I'm okay, love. Sorry about that."
She doesn't look fully convinced, but she lets it go.
After breakfast, we head to the beach. Lisa is in her element, taking endless pictures, and I've somehow become her personal photographer. The best part? She insists I be in some of them, so now we have a collection of cute shots together.
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Lisa's POV
Something is bothering Pedro. I can see it in the way he zones out, even when he says he's fine. But I won't push. He'll tell me when he's ready. Right now, I just want to enjoy this trip.
I've taken tons of pictures—some for my personal collection and a few to post on Instagram and WhatsApp. Nothing too personal, just beautiful views and a simple shot of our hands intertwined. The notifications are already rolling in with likes and comments, but I'll check them later. Right now, I need to call my girls and update them.
Before that, though, Pedro and I are off to the dunes for camel rides.
When we arrive, he laces his fingers through mine and brings my hand to his lips. "You okay, baby?"
I grin. "Of course! Look, it's our turn!"
We get onto the camels, and our guide leads us on the ride. The experience is breathtaking, and I can't stop laughing at the bumpy motion. After that, we go quad biking, and I swear, it's one of the best days of my life.
"Babe, that was amazing!" I say breathlessly, still grinning as we walk back to the car.
Pedro smiles at me. "I'm glad you had fun. Are you hungry? We can grab a late lunch before heading back to the hotel."
"Yes, please! I'm starving."
He drives us into town, effortlessly navigating the streets like he's lived here forever. We find a nice restaurant, order our food, and enjoy a quiet, relaxed meal before heading back to the hotel.
---
When we return, I head straight for a shower while Pedro settles in with his laptop. The warm water soothes my skin, and once I'm done, I moisturize, slip into a light dress, and curl up on the bed, scrolling through my messages.
Angela's texts make me laugh out loud. This girl is crazy.
Pedro walks in just as I'm grinning at my phone. He raises an eyebrow. "Who's making my lady smile like that?"
I chuckle. "Angela and her nonsense."
He shakes his head with a smirk. "That girl."
"She's the best," I say, still giggling.
He leans down, kissing my lips, then my forehead. "I'm gonna take a shower. You look like you're about to nap."
I nod. "I think I will."
"Alright, baby. Rest well."
And just like that, I drift off, feeling warm, safe, and loved.