31

Chapter 31.
Andrianne woke up with a mix of emotions; she was anxious and nervous about meeting up with Carmen. She got up from her bed, stretched and headed for the shower. After a quick shower, she stood in front of her wardrobe for a moment, scanning through her clothes to pick the perfect outfit for the day. She settled for a simple but elegant sundress with a light floral pattern, accessorized with a pair of beige heels, a matching clutch purse, and a pair of earrings.
As she got ready, she styled her hair into a loose bun, leaving a few strands to frame her face. She added some light makeup, emphasizing her natural beauty. Satisfied with her look, she grabbed her car keys, and drove to the restaurant where she was to meet Carmen.
The restaurant was located in the heart of the city, overlooking the beach with a beautiful view of the ocean. As she entered, she noticed the chic and elegant interior design, with soft lighting and classic decor. The tables were set with pristine white tablecloths and silverware, with the smell of freshly cooked food wafting through the air.
Andrianne saw Carmen seated at a table by the window, sipping on a glass of red wine. Carmen looked stunning in a fitted black dress, and her hair styled in a loose wave, cascading down her shoulders.
Andrianne walked up to her with a smile and a warm hug, feeling grateful for having such a good friend. They sat down, and the waiter handed them the menu, and they both ordered their meals.
As they waited for their food, Andrianne fiddled with her clutch purse, feeling nervous about what she was about to tell Carmen. Carmen noticed her restlessness and reached out to hold her hand.
“What’s going on, Andrianne?” Carmen asked with a concerned look.
Andrianne nervously played with her fork as she sat across from Carmen at the restaurant. She had been dreading this conversation all morning, but she knew she needed to tell someone about the threats her father had made.
“Carmen, I don’t know how to say this, but… my father threatened to kill you,” Andrianne finally blurted out.
Carmen’s eyes widened in shock. “What? Why would he do that?”
“He’s trying to force me to stay in this marriage with Lucas. He thinks that if he threatens the people I care about, I’ll be too scared to leave,” Andrianne explained, her voice shaking with fear.
Carmen’s expression softened as she reached across the table to take Andrianne’s hand. “Don’t worry, we’ll figure this out. We’ll make sure you’re safe, no matter what.”
Andrianne felt a wave of relief wash over her as Carmen spoke those words. It was a weight off her shoulders to finally have someone to confide in.
“Thank you, Carmen. I don’t know what I’d do without you,” she said gratefully.
Andrianne smiled reassuringly. “We’ll hire some security guards, beef up your home security, and make sure you’re never alone until we can figure out a more permanent solution. I know some people who can help us with that.”
Carmen nodded, feeling a sense of hope return to her. “That sounds like a good plan. But what about Lucas? What if he finds out?”
“We’ll keep everything low-key and make sure he doesn’t suspect anything. If he does find out, we’ll deal with it then. But for now, let’s focus on keeping you safe,” Andrianne replied firmly.
Andrianne smiled at her friend’s resolve. She knew she could always count on Carmen to have her back.
As they finished their meal and paid the bill, Andrianne couldn’t help but feel a sense of relief. She had taken the first step towards ensuring her safety, and with Carmen’s help, she knew she would be able to face whatever her father threw at her.
As they stepped out of the restaurant, Andrianne and Carmen immediately noticed a car parked across the street. The car was dark and sleek, with tinted windows that made it impossible to see who was inside. Andrianne’s heart began to race as she realized the car had been following them.
“Carmen, do you see that car?” Andrianne whispered, her eyes fixed on the vehicle.
Carmen glanced over her shoulder and nodded. “Yeah, I see it. Do you think it’s the same car that’s been following you before?”
Andrianne nodded slowly. “It could be. I’ve seen it a few times, but I never thought much of it. Now I’m starting to get worried.”
They both turned to walk in the opposite direction of the car, hoping to lose their pursuer. But as they continued down the street, the car followed them, staying a safe distance behind.
Andrianne stood frozen for a moment as she stared at the car. Her heart raced as she walked towards the car, not knowing what to expect. The closer she got, the more she could make out the figure in the driver’s seat, and to her surprise, it was Steve.
Andrianne’s heart sank as Steve’s confession hit her like a ton of bricks. All the memories of their past came flooding back, and she couldn’t believe that Steve was working for her father. She felt betrayed, hurt, and confused.
“Steve, why? Why would you do this?” Andrianne asked, her voice trembling with emotion.
“I’m sorry, Andrianne. Your father offered me a lot of money to keep an eye on you and report back to him,” Steve replied, his eyes downcast in shame.
Andrianne felt like her world was falling apart. She had always trusted Steve, and now she realized that it was all a lie. “How long have you been doing this?” she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.
“Since the day you got married to Lucas,” Steve admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
Andrianne was stunned. She couldn’t believe that Steve had been reporting everything she did to her father for over a year. All the times she confided in him about her marriage and her life, he had been reporting back to her father. She felt violated and exposed.
Andrianne couldn’t take it anymore. She turned and started walking away, tears streaming down her face. She couldn’t believe that the man she had trusted with her life had betrayed her.
As she drove, Andrianne realized that she couldn’t trust anyone anymore. Her father had betrayed her, and now Steve had too.
The rest of the drive home was quiet and lonely. Andrianne was lost in her own thoughts, trying to come to terms with what had happened. When she finally arrived home, she went straight to her room and collapsed onto her bed, tears streaming down her face.
Andrianne lay on her bed for hours, lost in thought, trying to come up with a plan. She knew that it wouldn’t be easy, but she was determined to find a way to protect herself and those she loved. She knew that she had to be brave and face whatever came her way.