Chapter 13: Midnight Confession
The night air was alive with the sound of crickets and the distant hum of cars as Lia, Marco, and Victor huddled together in the shadows. They had just left the small, nondescript building where Victor had agreed to join their cause, and now they were making their way back to the mansion.
As they walked, Lia couldn't shake the feeling that they were being watched. She glanced over her shoulder, but there was no one there.
"Hey, are you okay?" Marco asked, noticing her unease.
Lia nodded, forcing a smile onto her face. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just a little jumpy, that's all."
Victor, who had been walking silently beside them, spoke up. "We're all a little jumpy, Lia. We're taking a big risk by going against Maximo."
Lia nodded, knowing that Victor was right. But she also knew that they had no choice. They had to take down Maximo, no matter what it took.
As they approached the mansion, Lia could feel her heart pounding in her chest. She knew that they had to be careful, that one misstep could mean disaster.
But as they slipped back into the mansion, avoiding the guards and making their way to Lia's room, Lia felt a sense of relief wash over her. They had made it back safely, and now they could start making plans for their next move.
As they entered Lia's room, Marco turned to her and said, "We should get some rest. We've got a big day ahead of us tomorrow."
Lia nodded, knowing that Marco was right. But as she looked at him, she saw something in his eyes that gave her pause.
"Marco, can I talk to you for a minute?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Marco nodded, and Victor, sensing that they needed some time alone, slipped out of the room.
As the door closed behind Victor, Lia turned to Marco and said, "I need to ask you something."
Marco's eyes locked onto hers, his expression serious. "What is it?" he asked.
Lia took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest. "Why are you helping me?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Marco's expression softened, and he reached out to brush a strand of hair out of Lia's face. "I'm helping you because I care about you, Lia," he said, his voice low and husky. "I care about you a lot."
Lia's heart skipped a beat as she looked into Marco's eyes. She saw something there, something that made her feel like she was home.
"Marco, I..." she began, but Marco cut her off.
"Lia, don't say anything," he said, his voice urgent. "Just listen. I know that we've only known each other for a short time, but I feel like I've known you my whole life. And I know that I want to spend the rest of my life making you happy."
Lia's heart was racing as she looked into Marco's eyes. She saw the sincerity there, the genuine emotion.
"Marco, I feel the same way," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
As the words left her lips, Lia felt a sense of relief wash over her. She had been feeling this way for a while now, but she had been too afraid to say anything.
But now, as she looked into Marco's eyes, Lia knew that she had made the right decision. She had found someone who truly cared about her, someone who would do anything to make her happy.
As the clock struck midnight, Lia and Marco shared a soft, gentle kiss. It was a kiss that spoke volumes, a kiss that sealed their fate.
As they pulled away from each other, Lia smiled up at Marco. "I'm glad we had this talk," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Marco smiled back, his eyes shining with happiness. "Me too," he said. "Me too."
As they stood there, wrapped in each other's arms, Lia knew that she had found her soulmate. She had found someone who truly understood her, someone who would stand by her side no matter what.
And as they drifted off to sleep, wrapped in each other's arms, Lia knew that she would never let Marco go. She would fight for him, fight for their love, no matter what dangers lay ahead.