The Foiled Plan (War of Sins Book 2)

‘You can’t catch me,’ she squeals as she dashes down the beach, chasing the advancing and retreating waves of the ocean.

‘Are you sure you want to play that?’ I chuckle.

Turning back, she makes a funny expression, daring me to chase her as she starts running at full speed.

And since what Noelle wants, she gets, I go after her.

To say that the last two weeks have been a miracle is an understatement. We’ve taken the meaning of vacation literally and we’ve done nothing but lounge around all day—playing, talking, and making love.

Not keeping any staff on retainer had been the best idea, since it’s only the two of us in the house and we can truly let loose.

More than anything, we’ve gotten to know each other thoroughly. I know how she spreads butter on her toast and how she takes her coffee every morning. I know she prefers her food spicy and that she’s a Diet Coke addict, or that she loves to be surprised with chocolate whenever she least expects, or in ways she least expects.

We’ve had spa days together where she’d coaxed me into trying face masks—which, admittedly, had been quite nice. We’ve done everything from giving each other massages, to frolicking in the jacuzzi and exercising together.

A while back, we celebrated my birthday together, and it was hands down the most amazing birthday I’ve ever had.

While I’d slept, my pretty girl had spent the entire night baking me a cake and decorating the ground floor. And when I woke up, she handed me a card that said free pass which meant I could do anything I wanted to her for twenty-four hours.

‘Are you sure you’re up to this?’ I’d asked, already planning all the nefarious things I could do to her.

‘Of course. It’s your day. As such, I am fully yours,’ she’d batted her lashes at me before muttering under her breath, ‘not that I’m usually not.’

Her idea had been brilliant, though, and not one to waste an opportunity, I’d used it to pamper her. If there’s one thing that makes me happy, it’s her happiness. And seeing a smile on her face, or hearing her laugh—the sweetest sound in the world—is worth everything.

I would have thought that the more a couple spends time together, the more they start to annoy each other. But it’s been the opposite with me and Noelle.

No matter how much time I spend with her, I still crave more. Not even knowing that she’s in the next room helps sometimes, and she’s started joking that I’ve caught the separation anxiety bug—which I most definitely did.

Something inside of me tells me to grasp at every moment with her, a feeling of ephemerality threatening to drown me. I want to be present in the present so I can store every bit of information about her as I can—every memory and every feature.

And so I’ve done my best to be by her side, but also not suffocate her with my insatiability for her or my ever-growing obsession with having her all for myself.

A few days ago though, she got her period, and with it came the pain. Although it was manageable with pills, she’d spent most of her time in bed, unable to move much.

That’s how my role as a domestic husband had gone from part-time to full-time. I learned how to make desserts for her to brighten her mood, and I started reading her stories to keep the boredom at bay. For the latter, the idea had come to me when she’d told me how much she loved my voice, and that the first time she’d heard me speak her heart had skipped a beat.

I’d also spent an exorbitant amount of time on the internet in search of something to keep her mind off the pain, and I’d found the perfect thing—a pet shelter. Contacting them, I was able to set a visiting day in which they would bring some of their pets to the house and let us spend a day with them.

Noelle had been thrilled.

She has a naturally warm personality and animals take to her immediately. When the dogs had started running about the house, somehow all of them had ended up in her direction, overwhelming her with attention and love.

She’d laughed and played as much as she could, given her condition, but she forgot all about the pain.

As the pets had been taken back to the shelter, she’d begged me to get her one, and I’d promised I would consider it. What she doesn’t know is that I’m already in contact with the shelter to finalize the adoption papers for one of the dogs she’s fallen in love with.

A small, black Pomeranian with a bad leg, he’d immediately won her over as he’d limped gracefully to lick her hand. Even I’d been a little thrown off by how cute and adorable the dog was.

And as the hours trickle by, I can’t wait to see her reaction when it’s time to pick him up.

‘Raf, what are you doing?’ She shouts at me from a few hundred yards ahead, waving her hands in the air.

‘Admiring the view,’ I reply, my voice booming across the rather empty beach.

‘You were supposed to chase me, remember?’ She asks playfully as she gets into position once more, dashing forward.

I know she resents how debilitating her periods are and how useless they make her feel, which is why she’s decided to go crazy the moment it stopped—as in now.

A small smile plays at my lips as I shake my head at her.

She’s just so full of life—so fucking beautiful and cheerful—that it pains me to think about anyone hurting her.

‘I’m coming,’ I call out as I pick up speed.

Her giggle is infectious as she keeps looking back at me while she runs, all the while taunting me that I can’t catch her.

Letting her take the lead for a while, I linger behind, simply enjoying the sight of her like this—so happy and carefree.

I commit every second to memory. The way her dress sways with the wind, or how the warm breeze kisses her skin, cheeks flushed, hair disheveled. Then there’s her beaming smile—the way she gets my heart pounding and my blood pumping like there’s no tomorrow.

Running towards her at full speed, I quickly catch up with her, tacking her to the ground. My back hits the fine sand as I bring her on top of me to break her fall.

‘Who said I can’t catch you?’ I raise a brow.

She’s laughing hard, her hands wrapped in my shirt as she’s trying to catch her breath.

‘Let’s do it again,’ she suddenly says, her tone serious. ‘This time you won’t be able to catch me.’

‘Noelle,’ I smile at her. ‘Your legs are almost half the size of mine. Statistically speaking you’re never going to outrun me.’

‘Maybe,’ she shrugs, settling on my chest as she places her hands under her chin. ‘Maybe I really enjoy the chase,’ she winks at me.

My lips tug up in amusement.

‘I know you do. And because of that, I’ll chase you every time you want. Because I know that I’ll always catch you.’

She peers at me from beneath her lashes, her cheeks tinged with red as she blushes furiously.

‘I know you will,’ she wets her lips. ‘I trust you with my life.’

‘Pretty girl,’ I groan. ‘That’s the best thing you could ever say to me. Because that’s who I want to be. Your protector, your best friend, your lover. Your family.’

A smile plays at her lips and she makes herself more comfortable, laying her cheek over my heart.

‘I used to think the world was such an ugly place,’ she sighs. ‘I don’t think I knew happiness before you, Raf. It pains me to admit it, because no one should experience that… I really thought the world was a bleak place. That everyone was evil and only looking out for themselves to the detriment of others.’

I bring my hand over her hair, caressing her lightly as I listen to her speak.

‘I admit I felt an attraction to you from the beginning. But do you know when my heart started yearning for you?’ Her voice is barely above a whisper as she asks the question.

‘When?’

‘We were still at each other’s throats, and I guess that made it even worse at the time, but…’ she gives a sad laugh. ‘When you saved me at that dinner…’ she trails off.

‘Baby,’ I wrap my arms around her tighter.

‘The dark room incident was still fresh in my mind. That type of fear…’ I feel her shake her head. ‘It doesn’t go away as easy. Yet you slipped past that wall of defenses I’d built, and slowly wormed your way into my heart. I asked myself countless times if maybe I was sick. If I was a masochist because even though you kept hurting me, I still yearned for you.’

Emotions clog in my throat at her words and I can’t even find the strength to apologize.

I don’t deserve any forgiveness.

‘You saved me when no one had done so before, Raf,’ she continues. ‘You hated me, but you still saved me. Who does that?’ she asks, more to herself.

‘Then,’ she chuckles, ‘there was the time you brought me chocolate when I was in pain. You kept surprising me and at some point, I think I started believing there might be something more out there. Something other than pain.’

I blink back tears, cursing myself once more for everything I put her through. I don’t think I’ll ever understand how she found it in herself to forgive me.

‘You’re so amazing,’ I gently caress her cheek, my voice full of awe.

‘What about you,’ she suddenly whips her head up, looking at me expectantly.

‘What about me?’

‘When did your feelings for me shift?’

‘They didn’t shift,’ I reply, amused at her little frown. ‘They were always there. But somehow, I doubted every interaction that would put you in a good light. My heart was miles ahead of my head in this instance,’ I chuckle.

What I don’t say is that I’d fallen for her the moment I’d seen her play the piano. Her music is the door to her heart, and unwittingly, she’d welcomed me right in.

I may have convinced myself she was the worst person on the earth, but even then I would have laid down my life to protect her.

‘There’s something about you, about us that isn’t mere happenstance. I know it deep in my gut, Noelle. Nothing worked in our favor, yet we still found our way to each other.’

‘We did,’ she smiles before dipping her head to brush her lips against mine. ‘And you’ve taught me so many things,’ I feel her smile against me.

‘Like what?’

‘Like…kissing,’ she whispers as her teeth tug at my lower lip. ‘I’ve found that I love kissing.’

‘Just kissing?’ I ask in an indignant tone.

‘And more. Everything,’ she says as she peppers kisses all over my face. ‘I love it when you hug me. When you whisper sweet things to me and tell me I’m the most beautiful woman in the world. And I love when you worship my body, making love to me like we aren’t two bodies, just one.’

‘We are one,’ I state resolutely as I frame her face in my hands, bringing her for a kiss.

But just as things become increasingly heated, a loud cry permeates the air.

We both turn, startled.

A toddler runs at full speed towards us, his cheeks ruddy and tear-streaked.

‘What?’ I blink, but we quickly jump to our feet, ready to offer help.

There’s no one else in sight but the little one running towards us.

‘Shh, it’s ok,’ Noelle hurries to his side, dropping to her knees to be on eye level with him.

I take a step closer just as she tries to pacify him, caressing his cheeks and asking questions in a gentle tone.

For some reason, that sight alone is enough to make my heart ache in my chest.

‘Raf, get me my bag, please,’ she turns to me.

I hand her the bag, watching in awe as she pulls a small pouch, quickly emptying the contents.

‘It’s going to be ok, sweetheart. It’s just a tiny scratch,’ she says as she cleans the sand from the wound before applying a layer of tincture. She tops it with a mini band aid, giving the child a smile.

‘What’s your name?’

‘T-T-Trevor,’ he manages to say between hiccups. He’s all red from crying, but as he looks at Noelle’s sweet expression, he becomes less timid.

‘Where are your parents, Trevor?’ she asks as she brushes a strand of hair from his forehead.

‘I don’t know,’ he says before he starts crying again.

‘Don’t worry. We’ll find them for you, isn’t that right, Raf?’ She turns to me for confirmation.

‘Of course. Why don’t we head towards the more populated area?’ I suggest, and just as I’m about to take little Trevor in my arms, Noelle beats me to it.

For a moment, I can’t move.

I look at her as she hugs his little body to her chest, all the while whispering comforting words, and I bring my hand to my chest, banging against my heart to alleviate the pressure forming inside.

She looks… I’m not sure there are words to describe how she looks.

‘Raf, are you coming?’

‘Yes, of course,’ I shake myself.

Sticking by her side, I watch her closely, worried the child might bring back bad memories.

She’s just so sweet to Trevor, an inherent calmness and gentleness oozing from her as she gets him to stop crying. In fact, now he’s listening attentively to every word she says.

‘Trevor!’ someone yells in the distance.

A couple run towards us, both with frantic expressions as they spot Trevor.

‘Oh my God, he’s safe,’ the man exhales in relief, while the mother takes little Trevor from Noelle’s arms.

‘Thank you so much for bringing him back. He ran off from our side and we couldn’t find him. Good Lord, the scare I got…’

‘It’s ok,’ Noelle smiles. ‘He has a minor scratch on his knee, but I cleaned it for now so he should be fine.’

‘Thank you, really. Thank you so much,’ the woman keeps repeating.

We make a little small talk with the couple after which they leave, taking little Trevor away with them.

Noelle, though, is rooted to the spot as she stares after them in the distance.

‘So that’s what it feels like to be a mother,’ she whispers.

‘Pretty girl,’ I wound my arm around her shoulder as I bring her to my chest. ‘Don’t go there.’

‘He didn’t trigger any flashbacks,’ she says, almost mechanically. ‘Just a deep, deep ache in my heart.’

‘I’m so sorry.’

‘I need to do something about my condition. I’ll do that surgery or whatever the doctor recommended,’ she takes a deep breath. ‘I don’t want us to be childless…’

‘Anything,’ I hurry to say. ‘Anything you want and I’ll be there for you. We can try anything.’

‘Thank you,’ she whispers after a brief pause.

‘It warmed my heart too, you know… Seeing you with him. I kept imagining how you’d look with our child and…’ I swallow hard. ‘We’ll try everything.’

‘You’re so good to me Raf,’ she sighs as she leans into me.

‘Not yet,’ I brush my lips against hers. ‘I have a surprise for you,’ I tell her, hoping the puppy news would help offset her disappointment.

‘Amaze me,’ she chuckles as I lead her to the car.

We arrived at the shelter just in time for the appointment.

‘Raf…’ she turns to me, her eyes two huge orbs. ‘What is this?’

‘I know we can’t have a baby yet. But maybe a puppy could make you happy for now?’ I give her a tentative smile.

Before I know it though, she’s on me, jumping in my arms and giving me a loud smooch on the cheek.

‘This is the best news! Oh my God, I can’t believe you planned this!’

‘Wait until you see which little guy you’re taking home with you.’

Taking her hand, I lead her towards the reception where I sign the last papers, and an assistant brings over the small Pomeranian to us.

‘You didn’t,’ she breathes in, ‘God, this is the best surprise ever, Raf,’ she exclaims in awe as she takes the puppy in her arms.

‘You chose great, Mr. Guerra. He was rescued from an abusive home recently, so he could really use the love.’

‘Isn’t that fitting,’ Noelle giggles, making funny faces at the puppy.

‘He’s around six months old,’ the assistant details his life history as well as the injury he’d sustained to the leg and why a lot of people had forgone adopting him because of that.

‘What are you going to name him?’

‘Hmm,’ she hums as she cradles the puppy to her chest. ‘Lovely,’ she declares. ‘Because he’s lovely in spite of his defect,’ she beams at me.

‘That’s a perfect name,’ I lean in to kiss her forehead.

We spend some time in the city buying everything Lovely needs before heading back home.

The moment we’re back at the house though, Noelle lets out a loud squeal as she starts playing with Lovely, effectively ignoring me for the rest of the day.

But how can I be mad when she looks so happy?

‘Raf, this is the best gift anyone’s ever given me,’ she gushes as she watches Lovely munch on his food. ‘Look how cute and lovable he is.’

‘He is,’ I agree. Especially as he comes to Noelle’s side, patting her on the leg with his little paw and looking up at her with those big, innocent eyes of his.

So entranced I am in the moment, watching them interact with each other, that it takes me a moment to realize my phone is beeping.

Taking it out from my pocket, I see a few missed calls from Carlos.

Frowning, I leave Noelle with Lovely as I step out for a minute, dialing him back.

‘What is it?’ I ask, thinking he has some news regarding Panchito.

‘You forgot, didn’t you?’ he mutters dryly.

‘What…’

‘The end of the week, Raf,’ he simply states, and my eyes go wide.

I’ve been so lost in Noelle that I completely forgot my predicament, or the fact that she still doesn’t know that I’m basically a fancy addict.

‘Shit… I didn’t think we’d still be here,’ I confess.

At most, I would have thought that we’d be here a week or so. But we’ve been having so much fun that I couldn’t find it in me to suggest we left.

‘What are you going to do? You’re not prepared, are you?’

‘I have an emergency kit. I always carry one with me,’ I reply grimly.

Now it makes sense why I’ve been getting more agitated. It usually happens when my date approaches. Every day until the weekend is going to become increasingly harder to bear. The only positive is that this is just a regular dose, not a readjustment one, which means I won’t be going into withdrawal. I will still be under the influence of the drug, however, and I would never want Noelle to see me like that.

I’ve seen videos of my reactions on that goddamn drug, and I know it’s not pretty. I become aggressive and unpredictable, and I wouldn’t discount harming her. After all, my conscience takes a deep dive whenever the drug takes control. The worst is that all my memories from the time become fuzzy—a mix of hallucination and reality—and I never know what’s real and not.

‘Raf, I can come up there. It’s only a couple hours car ride…’

‘No. It would make Noelle suspicious. I’ll manage it.’

‘You should tell her. Maybe she can help you.’

‘No,’ I state resolutely. ‘I don’t want her to know.’

I don’t want her to ever know that I’m still a slave to those drugs. I don’t want to risk her looking at me like I’m…less. Or God forbid, I don’t want her to blame herself for anything.

‘I’ll deal with it,’ I tell him before hanging up, not wanting to get into an argument and draw her attention.

Leaning against the door’s frame, a smile pulls at my lips as I take in her intoxicating happiness.

I would do anything to protect it—forever.