The cavern was dark. Umberto could only hear Albina’s soft breathing. He felt his arm was slightly numb after holding her since a long time.
But he was afraid of waking Albina, so he restrained himself from making noise.
He didn’t know how much time had passed, suddenly the sound of someone talking came from outside.
Umberto tensed and listened to it carefully.
The sound was very small and must have been some distance away, but he could hear that there were quite a few people.
He gently pushed the person into his arms and whispered Albina’s name.
Although Albina was asleep, her expression was tense because she was in the field. When she heard Umberto call her name, her eyes opened quickly.
-What is it? -she asked quietly.
If she were normal, Umberto wouldn’t have woken her up at this hour, something unusual should be going on.
-Someone is coming. Don’t make any noise,” Umberto answered her.
Then he led Albina into the deepest part of the cavern.
When Albina saw that he didn’t plan to come out, she knew that those who were coming must not be her own, but most probably those of Jaime and Yolanda.
She bit her lower lip to keep from making a sound.
Umberto felt her body tense, his hand smoothed her back:
-Don’t be afraid, this cavern is covered with grass all around. Most likely they won’t be able to find us.
They were lucky that the cavern was not straight, but had a slight curve. So as long as the others don’t search deeper, they shouldn’t find them.
Umberto hugged Albina and crouched in that corner. He looked down at the floor and noticed the fire that had burned earlier and the cloth, his expression tensed.
-Stay here,” he admonished Albina.
He was about to leave when she hurried to pull him back and asked:
-What are you going to do? It’s dangerous outside.
-Don’t worry. They are still far away, I can come back quickly.
He gave Albina a kiss on the forehead whispering:
-Stay here and don’t make any noise. I’ll erase them from the traces.
Albina was on the verge of tears with red eyes.
It looked like she was giving the last words?
-Don’t worry, I was trained in the Santangel family since I was a child. I’ll be back soon…
Umberto gathered all the things in the cave and went out.
From the moment he came out, Albina felt very worried.
But she also knew that she couldn’t help him, so she waited patiently.
As soon as Umberto came out of the cave, she could see lights up ahead and the sound of people talking, interspersed with female voice.
“Yolanda and Jaime are coming too?”
He would have to clear these two sooner or later.
The light was still a bit far from the cave entrance, they wouldn’t get here for any time soon.
Fortunately, there weren’t many traces here.
Umberto cleaned them all up and threw the used stuff in the stream. After he had everything done, the men were almost in sight.
He quickly returned to the cavern, and looked towards the entrance before entering, making sure he couldn’t see Albina’s figure.
As soon as he entered, he saw Albina’s head peeking around the corner, her eyes already reddened as if she had been crying.
-Albina rushed out from inside and checked him, finding no new injuries, before dragging him into the corner.
Because of the narrow space, the two were almost pressed together.
This scene reminded Umberto of the previous time at Camillo’s father’s birthday banquet.
At that time, the two of them were also hiding in the hole in the wall like now. Albina hated it so much that she wouldn’t even touch it.
But now, she leaned very close to him, almost snuggled into his arms.
Umberto circled her waist and his face showed a very satisfied emotion:
-They were here.
Albina pinched his waist, knowing that he would not dare to utter a sound at that moment.
-They haven’t found us yet and you’re trying to murder your boyfriend first.
-Why were you so bold? -Albina glared at him.
Although she had left some traces during the day, it was not easy to be noticed at night. On the contrary, if Umberto went out and was discovered, the consequences would be unthinkable.
Those people had guns and were determined to kill him.
Umberto gave him a kiss and said:
-I do it for the safety of both of us.
Jaime was a meticulous person, if he really discovered the traces, he should find the bottom of this place.
At that moment, he could not protect Albina either.
-Don’t say anything -Umberto covered Albina’s mouth while her body tensed violently.
He had much more sensitive senses than the others due to the training he had received since childhood.
Albina’s heart also sped up, and even her breathing lightened. It wasn’t long before the sound of someone stepping on the grass and speaking could be heard.
-What is Mr. Seco thinking, he’s been searching for so long and hasn’t found a trace. I think they’ve both been burned.
-Don’t talk, don’t let Mr. Seco hear you, behave yourself and do as you’re told.
-I don’t think it’s a good idea to go on like this, those two have burned to death or escaped. Who would be stupid enough to stay in this forest.
Umberto and Albina were speechless. “Sorry, we’re the idiots you’re talking about.”
-I don’t see anything here either, let’s take a look and come back.
-There’s no sign of anyone passing this way. It’s deep in the forest ahead, even though we all carry guns, what if we get attacked by wild animals if we’re not careful? I’ve heard that wild boars have appeared here before.
Umberto and Albina held their breath as they listened to the talk of Jaime’s men.
They thought these men talked too much.
But it was to their advantage.
At that moment, Jaime suddenly shouted:
-What are you chatting about, hurry up.
-Yes, Mr. Seco.
Those men answered in unison, not daring to tell any more jokes, and hurried off in search of Umberto and Albina’s trail.
The sound of people’s footsteps was right in front of them. Albina could hear it clearly and her legs began to shake with nervousness.
Umberto was holding his breath and felt the person in his arms trembling.
He lowered his head slightly and kissed her gently on the eyelid, his voice was almost inaudible:
-If you are afraid, just close your eyes and lie down in my arms, don’t think about anything.
Albina obeyed and closed her eyes, leaning against his chest. She listened to the steady beating of her heart and her own heart calmed down.
At that moment, Yolanda’s voice came in with a mixture of confusion and surprise:
-There’s a cavern here.