Letting out an involuntary groan. Alfredo reached only to find an empty cold space beside him. Furrowing his eyes with clear confusion... he could have sworn, he slept with his arms wrapped around her. He left women not the other way around. He assumed maybe she was freshening up in the bathroom. Deciding on calling her name, it dawned onto him that he did not even know her name or a single thing about her. Why did this bother him? He should be glad she left without asking for a payout not that it would have been a problem. It stung because he knew she had left.

"Hermosa!" He called softly, the new profound nickname that he had given her. Deep down he knew, she had left. Calling her was just reassuring himself that he was right. His muscles hurt, everything hurt— Alfredo felt a void. This was his life and just like that he was back to being a loner. A lover would be nice. Lola Fernandez, counted as his long time lover but not exactly a friend. He was yearning for someone who satisfies him and is willing to listen to his concerns as well as his worries. Something genuine not fueled by the love of money and reputation. His life was lonely... Alfredo wondered if he had scared her off? Did he come off as rude or maybe a little too entitled? Why was it bothering him? She isn't suppose to bother him like this... as if she left a mark on him. That she did, she marked him as if he belonged to her.

Alfredo replayed their moments.

How is this girl playing tricks with his brain? It frustrated him. Suddenly his Felipe entered the room, dressed in all black and ready for the day.

"She left, didn't she?" Alfredo asked sitting up straight, leaning against the headboard. The man shrugged... he knew the truth and wondered if Alfredo had figured it out too. The chances of them ever meeting again were very low but it happened. Felipe, wanted to always protect his son even if Alfredo did not even know that Felipe was his father. Alfredo saw Felipe as a bodyguard, a loyal right hand man who would never betray him considering he had done nothing but serve the Molinero clan for years and years.

"The girl?" Felipe questioned knowing the answer.

"Yes... who else could I be speaking of?" For some reason Alfredo seemed bitterly angry. It was not supposed to matter, he had to compose himself.

"She left around 5am..."

"Did she say anything?"

"Not that I know of, Julio was the one on duty."

"Alpha, she is just a girl... why are you bothered?"

"Uh—" He suddenly panicked. "We did not use protection and I promised, we would get precautions today but she left... I'm afraid she purposely wants to get pregnant and... uhm come back with a kid to frame me."

Honestly, Alfredo did not believe the things that were coming out of his own mouth either. He believed her when she said she did not plan on getting pregnant or— Funny enough, Alfredo found himself wishing she gets pregnant and has no choice but to come back?! That sounded ludicrous but he was not sure what he wanted anymore. She seemed like the type to get rid of it. He still did not understand why he was so moved by her presence and wanted more... it wasn't lust speaking anymore maybe his loneliness.

"You're thinking about her aren't you?" Felipe said taking a sit on the side of the raveled bed with crumpled sheets. The talked about the virgin sacrifice, almost every week. Alfredo could never forget.

Alfredo knew, what Felipe meant. "I rarely ever do, I don't know why it's all just coming back to me."

'Because you met her again.' Felipe wanted to say but refrained from doing so. "She is resting in peace, forgive yourself." It was hard for Felipe to say knowing that the same girl his son had went to bed with last night was in-fact the virgin sacrifice, her parents had pronounced dead. Felipe understood her Parent's wanted to protect her... knowing Tiberio. She would not have seen the next daylight if they found out she was indeed... pregnant at the time. Pregnant with none other than Alfredo's child. Most of all, he was afraid of how Alfredo would react. No one knew that the virgin sacrifice was pregnant... except her family and Felipe.

"I could never... Felipe. I took someone's life and—"

"You have taken many lives and this particular one that you were certainly not responsible for still bothers you?" If Alfredo felt horrible about this, how much more would he feel about his unborn child... being no more.

Not bothering to reply, Alfredo noticed a written receipt next to the bedside. He chuckled when he read it. Felipe was curious so he decided to read it himself.

"She did not even leave her name..." Alfredo added.

"I don't understand, isn't this what you're always complaining about? Women who are clingy and refuse to leave your bedside every morning. If they do, they string you with their unnecessary contact details now she left... with no fuss and you're still upset. I do not understand, Alpha." everyone from the Mexican mafia called him Alpha, it was close to his name; Alfredo and it exempted so much respect and admiration most of all fear.

"I don't understand either... I must just be homesick. Do not pay attention to me!"

"But it's my job to pay attention to you!" And you're my son, I care about you.

"You're better off... without her!" Knowing the truth would shudder him.

"I suppose so..."

"Garreth's daughter is someone you will take a good liking to."

"I hope so."

"You don't even sound like yourself, Alpha. It wouldn't be good for the men to see you down and out. I know you're a good person and you have so much sympathy unlike other Mafia Dons but I always advise you to never show this much vulnerability to anyone else. You're suppose to be violent, merciless and ruthless. I'm afraid, I do not want anyone taking advantage of your kindness."

"I know, Felipe. I try to be scary and so on but the truth is, I could never be like my father. It's a lot for me to take in."

"You certainly aren't your father!"

"I'm glad and that makes me proud because regardless of my love for him. He was a monster."

Felipe only nodded reminiscing the many times that he had to watch Tiberio play father. Watch Tiberio take the whole role from him. Something he could never have. It was an absolute burden being in that position. In all honesty, Tiberio's death was a blessing for Felipe and maybe just maybe, the dictated people of Mexico, who lived and still live in constant fear.

"I need to go to the gym to cool off, please don't have anyone follow me. I know whenever I say no bodyguards you still have them around and I absolutely loathe it. Can I please just be normal and be in my own peace?"

"It's for your safety!"

"This life isn't worth living..."

"Do not speak that way Alpha, there are many people who love you and are here to serve you!"

Alfredo groaned. "Lies! Everyone in Mexico hates me. If they could make me disappear, they would!"

"They hate your family not you!"

"But I am my family besides uncle Benito."

"The devil!" Felipe hissed. "This is why you can't show weakness, he is waiting for your downfall. He will be happy to take your father's throne... this is why you need a wife. Garreth's daughter. If you combine the McCarthy asserts and the Molinero asserts, you will be unbeatable."

Alfredo rolled his eyes, hearing this for what seemed like the millionth time. Knowing Felipe had his best interests at heart... he still felt beyond aggravated. Alfredo walked away midst conversation, naked without a care. The void, of loving and being loved in return. The void, of wanting a family. The void, of meaningful sex. The void, of having no meaningful friends. The pressure of living up to his father's wishes. The fear, that he would die alone amongst his men and riches in a castle far away from society. The pain, of knowing a girl killed herself because of him. The need, to want forget everything and lead a normal life.

The privileges, he was sick of them.