NOTE: For a better reading when I point out in the chapter listen to the song "Come Back When You Can by Barcelona" (let this one on repeat until I point out the second song), and then listen to "Colors by Amos Lee". 

----- 

Valentina's POV

In that split second my body froze, the sight of Luiza thrown on the ground dirty with blood made my whole body stop. As if I had entered another dimension in which I could only fear her loss. I could hear my breathing and my heartbeat slow, almost stopping. She wasn't alone, there was someone with her on the floor, with their body next to hers, making the scene even more startling. 

My eyes diverted from Luiza and landed on the blonde who remained with the heavy object in her hands. Candece laid eyes on me and her expression was almost undefined. A mixture of fear, desperation and anger. And as if a fuse being connected with fire, I woke up.

- You... You killed her! - I let out in a small voice - You son of a bitch, you killed her! - I shouted in desperation.

My only thought in that instant was:

"If she had taken my world, I would take hers."

So I no longer had control over me, I stomped over to Candece in a frightening speed. The anger and the pain exploded in my chest in such a mad and irrational way that my only will now was to kill her. I pushed her body roughly, causing her to fall on the small corner table knocking all the objects to the ground. She stared at me scared, letting the gun that had shot Luiza fall under the shelf. I moved towards her and pulled her body by the blouse she was wearing, throwing the woman harshly to the ground.

- Let me go! - She shouted desperately.

I quickly got on top of her, pinning her body to the ground. And with a colossal force I punched her face. One, two, three times until seeing blood come out of her nose.

- I'll end your life! - I said crying in a desperate way, while I hit the woman with all my strength.

- You bitch! - She shouted trying to push me. 

- You killed her! You killed Luiza! - I shouted amid tears that ran down my face. 

- Get off me! - She pushed me again.

But my body was simply out of control, I hit the woman with the anger, pain and hatred that had built in the few seconds that I saw Luiza on the ground. Candece managed to put her hands on my neck where she scratched hard, making me groan in pain. But I wouldn't give up. I punched her face without pity or mercy, I would kill her in cold blood. I couldn't even feel the pain of my fist pounding hard in the woman, nor her failed attempts to make me stop. It was as if a rush of adrenaline was happening, surfacing my most dreadful instincts.

- You will... - I hit a strong slap - Pay me for this! - I shouted punching her face.

The woman screamed amidst her desperate cries, and in a slip she held me tightly. Turning her body against mine, causing me to fall to the ground. Candece hit me with a slap that surely would leave a mark, her hands came towards me almost desperately trying to defend herself. I tried to hold her arms, but it was almost impossible. I grabbed at her tousled hair, pulling hard which made her scream. The woman by a fraction of a second got distracted by the pain giving me the chance to turn the situation around. I pushed her roughly, causing her to hit the office's desk.

- You son of a bitch! Fucking bitch! You will not stay alive! - I shouted moving towards her again, feeling my hands trembling, my face wet due to the tears that wouldn't stop.

I pulled her by the fabric of her blouse, leaning her body up, and right after threw a strong punch in her mouth which propelled the woman's body to the ground, hitting her head hard. I repeated the action several times in a furious and unhealthy lack of control. Until she in a failed attempt stretched her arm to try and grab something. Instantly I sought what she wanted so badly, and only noticed the glow of the silver gun thrown under the shelf. And I smacked her face with more fury, causing her head to move in an opposite side to the punch. My hands began to hurt too much, and I quickly stood up, grabbing the gun from the floor.

I was breathless, nervous, almost desperate. I held the gun tightly, seeing my hands shake around the cold metal. I pointed towards Candece, feeling all the hate that that woman had caused me. The blonde was completely hurt, her face disfigured in a way that I never thought I was capable of. Red liquid dripped down her nose and mouth, and dirtied the rest of her body. She remained thrown on the ground, moving slowly as if she wasn't capable of a faster action. I blinked a few times, I felt my throat dry and some tears running down. I never thought about really killing someone, I'd never do that. But the image of Luizacrossed my mind bringing a whirlwind of desperate feelings. My heart was pounding frantically, in the same pace in which my breath was flawed. 

She shot Luiza. 

She shot her. 

She killed Luiza. 

She killed her.

Those were the only things that crossed my mind in that moment, causing me to cock the gun. Candece frowned and groaned deeply in pain. And that for me was still not enough, she had to die. In the instant my index finger positioned itself on the trigger to press tightly I felt arms wrap around me and someone's body join mine quickly.

- Don't do it! Please! - She asked desperately - Valentina! 

And as in a snap that voice brought me back. 

It was Luiza, oh my God! 

Luiza was alive! 

I turned to face her with wide eyes and my breath mismatch, letting the gun fall slowly to the ground. I couldn't believe in what I was seeing. She had a scared and nervous expression. Tears flowed nonstop from her so sad brown eyes. With trembling hands I touched the skin of her face slowly, trying to get my brain to assiLulute the idea that she was alive and that I hadn't yet gone mad. 

- God... Lu... Lu! - I whispered in a small voice touching her face, being able to feel the tears wetting my hands lightly - You... - I whispered amid tears. 

- Stay calm... - She said nervously.

I couldn't think, the emotion that took over me was simply indescribable.

- I'm here. I'm fine, baby. - She whispered nervously. 

- Oh my God. - I let out in a small voice as I pulled the brunette's body into my arms, and I cried with the pain that was in my chest, and the relief. 

In the same instant the security guard from a few minutes ago entered the office with two other men, staring at us with wide eyes. 

- Call an ambulance! The woman is hurt! - The young man shouted. 

The other two men ran quickly in search of help. And Luiza got out of my arms quickly to kneel on the floor beside the security guard that was trying to help the person who was on the floor. 

- Do something, please! - She exclaimed desperately. 

I approached slowly seeing the body of Sinu Campos on the floor. The woman was with her clothes being almost totally stained with blood, the puddle on the floor made everything worse. The young man who was at her side put two fingers on her pulse point on her neck. 

- She's still alive, try to calm down! The ambulance is coming! - He said nervously. 

Luiza squeezed her eyes shut, letting the tears roll down mercilessly. She sobbed desperately, holding the bloodied fabric of her mother's clothes.

- Don't let her die. - She said crying - Please! 

I approached her, touching her shoulders. The woman looked at me with red eyes and stood up to sink in my embrace. I was still somewhat bewildered by all that was happening. Without much reaction, I just wrapped her with my arms, squeezing Luiza's body tightly against mine. I could feel her breathing heavy, the sobs between her desperate weeping. I felt my chest burning, I wanted to cry. Cry for the whirlwind of feelings that burst in me. A mixture of anger, pain, desperation and relief. Relief by the single fact of seeing that the woman I loved, was alive.

In that instant a few men entered the office with the uniforms of first aid. All very fast.

- Is everything alright with you? - A man asked in a worried tone, while the others quickly attended to Luiza's mother. 

- We are okay. 

Luiza was still crying a lot. 

- Please! Help my mother, don't let her die. - The brunette exclaimed holding the shirt of the man who looked at her with pity. 

- I'll do everything I can to save her. - The man said walking towards the others.

Luiza turned towards me. And I swear that I felt my heart being squeezed tightly as I stared into her desperate eyes. She was crying with so much pain and desperation that I'd do anything to take that feeling from her. 

- It's better if you wait outside. - One of the doctors said.

I nodded quickly, but Luiza was still reluctant. And yet I insisted, until I was able to get her out of that office. It didn't take long and the police also was already inside the club. The strong movement made everything even more frantic. I hugged Luiza again, her body was tense. She was quiet in my arms as if she needed that to be alive. In that instant we had no room for words, only the presence of each other would make that feeling calm down. 

We heard a big chatter inside the office, and then we saw some police officers bringing beside them Candece. The woman was handcuffed, with her head down. Her face was completely bruised, with blood stains and some cuts. So far I still couldn't believe how aggressive I had been, but I didn't feel guilty and much less repentant. I'd do it all again if needed. The blonde laid eyes on me, and I just hugged Luiza tighter. Showing her that I would defend Luiza as many times as necessary. 

The police officer pulled her forward, making the woman grumble in pain. One of the other officers approached with a serious expression and stared at us.

- Who was in there at the time of the gunshot? 

- Me. - Luiza whispered. 

- We'll have to take your statement, Miss ...? 

- Campos. - She completed. 

- She can do it later, right?

The man nodded in a serious way. Luiza sighed and hugged me again until we saw a strong movement coming out of the office. The emergency team carried with them Luiza's mother who was lying on a stretcher. Everything was too rushed, the siren of the ambulance and the return of Luiza's nervousness. The Latina descended the stairs accompanying her mother who was still unconscious.

- I need to go with her! - She exclaimed nervously to one of the doctors.

- What are you to the victim? 

- I'm her daughter. 

- Ok! Get in the ambulance quickly, we need to get to the hospital urgently. - The man exclaimed. 

- Don't you want to come with me? I'll take you in the car. - I said holding her face. 

- I'm going with her, meet me at the hospital, please. I need you there. - She said crying.

I nodded and deposited a quick kiss on her forehead. Luiza released slowly and walked towards the ambulance where her mother was already properly placed. Luiza looked at meone last time, her gaze full of pain and desperation, before the man from the medical team closed the vehicle back doors, to then enter it.

Luiza's POV

*(Play first song)* 

https://youtu.be/499VOIzowt8

Nothing could describe the way in which I found myself. Everything seemed too surreal, like it was just a damn nightmare on a bad night's sleep. But to my unhappiness and pure desperation, it was all real. I took a deep breath feeling my chest burning in a colossal lack of air. I opened my eyes that until a few seconds ago were closed and looked at my hands dirty with blood along my clothes that were also stained with it. I shook my head, feeling the tears running down my face. I could never imagine that in some day of my life I'd go through a situation like this.

Being a few seconds from saying goodbye to your existence wasn't such an easy task. Candece went far beyond what I imagined she could go. Her hatred and rancor were just consequences of her selfish actions, which could easily have been avoided if she had let me go. But nothing could be changed now. I took a deep breath, seeing the doctor look at me afraid and somewhat worried. The ambulance seemed to be in high speed, the siren sounded alarming throughout the city, trying to arrive in time to save Sinu. I touched her face slowly, in a light caress with my thumb, to then capture one of her hands in which I held.

- Stay with me, please... - I whispered to her, letting a few tears roll down - You shouldn't have done that, Sinu, you shouldn't.

I lowered my head, to the point of leaning against the woman's body. I felt like crying, but I knew that that wasn't the right moment for desperation. In an almost imperceptible way I felt her fingers compress my hand slowly, making me look up and stare at her.

- L... Luiza. - She whispered in a weak voice, groaning softly in pain.

I felt my body tremble. I stared at the woman with a visible nervousness. 

- Don't say anything, stay quiet. Please. - I whispered amid tears.

 She took a deep breath and swallowed hard with certain difficulty. 

- Ma'am, please, avoid making efforts. - The doctor spoke. 

Sinu stared at me with lost eyes, dull almost lifeless. She held my hand tighter, sliding her fingers lightly. 

- I'm sorry... - She began to speak in a farewell tone - Please, Luiza. Just forgive me for everything. 

I felt my lungs burning, the lack of air and the knot in my throat because of the impulsive urge to cry. 

- You don't need to apologize, please... Don't say anything. 

She closed her eyes slowly and opened them again. Wetting her parched lips to continue: 

- You are a wonderful daughter, I'm so proud of you.

I squeezed her hand, letting all the crying that was stuck fall down. The desperate sobs and the violent tears. 

- I want... - She groaned in pain - You to take care of your sister, don't leave her with Alejandro. Make Sofi's life what I couldn't do with yours.

I couldn't even utter a word. The cry that emanated from me was hopeless. Sinu was saying goodbye to me and I couldn't do anything. I sniffled, wiping the tears that insisted on falling.

- Please, do something! - I exclaimed to the doctor who was trying to make Sinu stop. 

- Promise me? That you'll take care of her. 

I nodded. 

- I promise, I promise, mom. - I lowered my head again, getting rid of all that will to cry. Sinu slowly stroked my hair, in a delicate way just like she did when I needed a shoulder to cry on.

- I love you, Kaki.

I sniffled, letting fall with all my tears the sorrows that that woman had given me. Despite the difficult life we had, I had a good childhood. In my vague recollection, Sinu was a good and devoted mother. One of those who stay by your side when you are sick or even with a simple cold. One of those who pamper you, that take you to the park and with a lot of sacrifice buy something that you want so badly. In my childhood she was the one who filled my chest with joy as soon as I saw her standing in front of the school gate, with a broad smile and open arms, where I sank with a huge relief for having her with me. Why couldn't that last? Why did she have to change so much? Alejandro's addiction dragged her in a way in which she had no turning back. The old woman, family mother stayed behind. Leaving only a being moved by interest, desperation and pain. I wouldn't blame her, not anymore. Even with all the marks that in my teenage years she had left, all now stayed behind. I loved her, because I knew that deep down in that ill and sad soul there was still love, love for me, for Sofi and for family. 

The heart monitor that before beeped, initiated a single constant sound. The startled doctor tried in every way to revive her. But there was no use.

She was gone. 

Valentina's POV

I walked from one side to the other impatiently when I could hear the sound of the siren approaching. The ambulance where Luiza was had just stopped in front of the hospital entrance. I ran to the vehicle, waiting anxiously to see the brunette come out with her mother. One of the men from the medical team came out of the front seat with a not so good expression, he walked to the back to finally open the doors. I could see Luiza who was sitting beside her mother lift her head and look at me. Her face was bathed with tears making my heart tighten. She stood up slowly and with the help from one of the men she got down from the ambulance and ran towards me. 

Luiza cried desperately as soon as her body joined mine. I knew what that meant. 

- She died, Valentina. - She whispered between sobs.

I took a deep breath and squeezed my woman's body between my arms. I could see the doctor cover Sinu's body with a white sheet, just giving the cue that there would be nothing else to do.

- Cry, baby. You can cry, I'm here with you. - I whispered seeking for strength in all my love for that woman.

The desperate way in which she found herself broke me completely. I knew that even with all the problems that existed between the two, the pain wouldn't be different. Luiza was too good to hold a grudge from her mother, who now was gone.

-I didn't want things to be like this... - She inhaled, still crying - Valentina... Help me.

- I'm here, I'll be by your side the whole time, Lu. - I whispered to her - I promise. - I said looking into her so sad eyes.

She closed her eyes and snuggled in my embrace, fitting her head in the crook of my neck. Letting me feel her tears wetting my skin. And I just hugged her in a comforting way, my love and my support were the only things that I could offer her in that moment.

One of the doctors laid eyes on us and approached. 

- I'm sorry for the loss. - The man said. 

I just nodded. 

- We'll file all the documentation. 

- I'll call someone to handle that. - I said to the man who nodded before leaving. 

----- 

We were all in the living room of Luiza's apartment. She was in her bedroom getting ready with Dinah's help. We were all on our way to Mount Nebo - Kendall Memorial Gardens where Sinu's body would be mourned and buried. Last night hadn't been easy for any of us. As soon as we left the hospital I brought Luiza home who begged me to stay. I gave my support and my love to the brunette during the whole night beside her friends. Even sad the Latina told us how it all happened. So we found out that during the argument with Candece, her mother went back to the office being surprised by the situation. The blonde who was totally mentally unstable shot towards Luiza, but her mother who was by her side hugged her tightly receiving the shot, which made them fall to the ground. And it was in that exact moment that I saw her thrown there dirty with blood.

- This is really too sad. - Normani said.

- Where is Sofi?

- Allyson is taking care of her. The girl is very shaken, she cried a lot, but finally fell asleep. Luiza thought it best if she didn't go to the funeral.

- Absolutely. She doesn't deserve to see that.

- Neither does Luiza. - Normani completed - Do you have any news about Candece?

- We heard she is in jail, Luiza just gave a vague statement to the police last night. But we need to go to the police station to formalize everything.

- I never expected this from her. - Normani said disappointed.

- I imagine, she got a little lost with everything. But she'll get what she deserves during all these years in prison. 

- I heard that she is pretty hurt. 

I shrugged remembering the moment of fury when I found her.

- I gave her what she deserved.

We heard the noise of the door opening and soon saw Luiza and Dinah in the hallway. The brunette was wearing a completely black dress, loose in her body. Her hair was pulled back in a neat ponytail. Her expression wasn't one of the best, she was with a tired and sad expression. I quickly got up from the soft couch and approached her, who opened a sad smile in my direction.

- Are you ready to go? - I whispered making a light caress on her face. 

She didn't say anything, just nodded. Dinah touched her shoulders and gave me a complacent look. I held Luiza's hand and guided her out of the apartment. 

----- 

Contrary to what I imagined, Luiza was visibly struggling to stay strong. The brunette stood by her mother's coffin for a few instants, touching its every detail without saying absolutely anything. I was along Dinah, Normani and Ally seeing that situation. There also were some relatives and family friends who mourned the loss, others who whisper nasty ideas about how they had funded a lavish funeral like that one, or the fact that Luiza was in a relationship with a woman. I didn't care about any of them, the only person who really had something of me there, was crying almost silently beside her mother. I approached Luizaand hugged her lovingly, being reciprocated in the same way. 

In a matter of a few minutes the woman's body was buried, being covered with flowers on the coffin. The relatives and friends didn't take long to leave, leaving only Luiza and I in that place. She sighed defeated and stared at me. Now she wasn't crying anymore, but her expression was still tired.

- Let's go home? - I whispered to her. 

- Where are the others? 

- They are in the car up ahead. 

- And Sofi? 

- Taylor proposed to stay taking care of her while we were here. She's in my apartment, try to relax. - I spoke affectionately. 

- Thank you, Valentina. - She said staring at me deeply. 

- You don't have to thank me, Lu. 

She hugged me tight and I just reciprocated, sliding my hands down her back in a calm caress. I could feel her breath against my chest. 

- Let's go home, I'll take care of you. 

She nodded.

The way back was made in pure silence. Her friends were left in Dinah's apartment and I followed with Luiza to mine. I felt that the Latina needed to be taken care of, and I'd do that for her how much she needed. Arriving at the building, we met with Taylor who paid her condolences to Luiza and informed that Sofi after a long afternoon had finally fallen asleep. We said goodbye to my sister who promptly left. Luiza walked to the guest room where the little girl was sleeping, staying a few minutes there just making a light caress in Sofi's dark locks. 

I leaned against the doorframe watching them together. It was beautiful the love between the two sisters, obviously it saddened me to see the situation in which the two found themselves, but I knew that with time that would pass.

I headed towards the living room, seeing through the glass window the beautiful night outside. I poured myself a glass of Whiskey with some ice cubes, I needed that after two exhausting days. I shook the liquid, causing the ice cubes to make a little noise inside the glass, to then take a big sip of the alcohol that made me relax. I felt tired in all aspects, physical, mental and emotional. But I knew that it didn't come even close to how Luiza and Sofi were feeling, now I'd have to be strong enough to take care of both women who would be part of my life. I would need to show to them that a new era was coming, and that wonderful things waited for us from then on. I took a deep breath, taking another sip that made my interior warm up. I left the small glass on the center table and went towards my bedroom.

I could hear the sound of the shower, Luiza wasn't with Sofi anymore. I took off my clothes slowly as I walked to the bathroom. As I entered it I saw her under the shower, with her head leaning against the cold marble. She didn't even notice my presence there, she seemed to be lost in another dimension. I approached taking the last piece of clothing off my body, opening the glass shower box slowly.

In that instant there was no malice, there was no desire and much less arousal. I didn't want anything that night, besides taking care of the woman of my life. I grumbled softly when I felt the water get in touch with my body, but I approached her. And with delicateness pushed her hair to the side making her sigh. I united my body to Luiza's in a comforting embrace, letting the water that was running down her now wet me. She collapsed in a compulsive crying, and I held her tightly to me, my hands making a light caress on her smooth tummy up and down.

- I'm here to take care of you, baby. - I whispered depositing a kiss on her shoulder -Everything will be alright, I promise.

*(Play second song)*

https://youtu.be/1FtvF4k2QaQ

After a few minutes there, I took Luiza to the hot tub that was in my bathroom. The water was warm, in a relaxing temperature, there were some bath salts that left everything with a wonderful aroma. She was sitting in front of me, with her back leaning against my chest. While I was making a caress on her arms and distributing a few small pecks on her neck. 

- I like to be taken care of by you. - She whispered with a tranquil voice. 

- You like it? How much? - I tried to talk. 

She took a deep breath and arched her head back to the point of resting on my shoulder. 

- A lot, baby. 

I smiled and kissed her neck. 

- I'll always take care of you, Lu. 

- Thank you for the support you gave me today, you are being incredible. - She said staring at me. 

- I just want to make you feel well, even with all of this happening. 

- And you do, if I'm well in my life is thanks to you. 

 We looked at each other for a few minutes and even with the sadness I could already see Luiza's bright eyes in my direction. 

- I love you, so much. - I whispered in the most sincere way. 

- I love you too, Valentina. A lot. - She tilted her head to the side and kissed my lips slowly. 

Nothing nor no one could ever explain how I felt complete when I was with Luiza. Even amid the chaos her embrace comforted me, her lips took me off orbit. She was my safe haven, it was in those so intense brown eyes that I lost myself. I loved her unconditionally, I loved her in a way that I could never understand or explain. I wanted her always with me, I wanted to be to her what she was to me.

Everything. 

- Wait a minute. - I said as soon as I let go of her lips.

She stared at me confused, but just nodded. I got up from the hot tub quickly, I wrapped myself in one of the white towels and left towards my bedroom. I opened my nightstand drawer picking up an important object, and then went back to the bathroom. As I entered I saw Luiza with her eyes closed and her head resting on the edge of the hot tub. She looked beautiful, as always.

I let the towel fall to the ground, to quickly get back in the hot tub, but now facing the brunette who stared at me curiously, opening a little smile. She was still sad, her expression wasn't one of the best, but I felt that that was the exact moment for that.

- What were you doing, Miss Albuquerque? - She asked with a smile. 

I was nervous, afraid. I took a deep breath and swallowed hard to then stare at her. 

- Are you feeling sick? - She asked worriedly. 

I shook my head and smiled. God, insecurity? Precisely now? 

- I need to tell you something very important, Lu. - I whispered. 

She stayed with her eyes glazed on me and nodded, she inched her body closer to mine slowly. Leaving us very close to each other. 

- You can tell me, Valen. 

I sighed and stared at her. 

Come on, Valentina, it's your turn. Courage. 

I held with one of my hands Luiza's hand, who was staring at me without understanding. 

- I've been thinking over these last few days about everything that happened to us, since when I saw you on that stage, then in my office and even the moment when we met. - I inhaled - I know that we started everything by pure desire and lust. But I also know that this has changed, changed in a way that not even I knew to be possible. Luiza, you came into my world like a hurricane, unmounting every wall that I had built around me. With your sensual and provocative way you made me desire you ardently, but with your gentle, kind and caring way you made me hopelessly in love with you.

Luiza stared at me without saying absolutely anything, her eyes were now teary. Leaving them with a gorgeous glow. 

- I wish I could explain to you everything that goes on in me, every little detail of this so great feeling that I have for you. But no word will be enough. I love you, I love you more than I love myself. And you might find it crazy, but it's the truth! I don't know in which moment you took so much of me, but I only ask you not to stop, that you let this feeling grow. Because today it is what moves me, it is what makes me happy. You have become my world, Lu.

The tears began to fall as much in me as in her. God, I shouldn't be crying, but I simply couldn't hold it.

- Yesterday my only fear was to lose you, and today I was sure of it. When I got to that office and saw you on the ground, nothing made sense to me anymore. Because there is no world for me if you are not in it. And much less if you are not with me. You are the woman of my life, Luiza. And I want to live with you forever.

- Valentina... - She whispered amid tears.

I raised the other hand that was under the water with the foam, showing the beautiful and shiny ring. She sighed as soon as she saw the small object in my hand, and then looked deep into my eyes.

- Marry me, Lu. Let me make you happy. 

-----