FALLEN PROMISE

CHAPTER 11 “FORBIDDEN DESIRES

Nestor's voice echoed with a mixture of anguish and frustration as he poured out his heart, "How can you say that, Carmela? What about me?"

He sat alone in the humble hut, the silence around him punctuated only by the faint rustle of leaves outside. It had been more than a week since Carmela had left Eldoria with Martin, leaving Nestor to grapple with his emotions and thoughts in solitude.

Carmela's voice, filled with its own turmoil, responded from afar, "I'm struggling too, Nestor. But I hope you can understand the complexity of my situation and the sacrifices I've had to make for the sake of us and our child."

The weight of her words hung heavily in the air, mingling with the uncertainty that clouded Nestor's mind. He couldn't help but wonder how they had reached this point, where their love seemed entangled in a web of challenges and sacrifices.

Carmela's voice trembled with the weight of her struggle, her words echoing the depth of her pain. Nestor, in the solitude of the hut, felt his anger towards Martin intensify. It had been over a week since Carmela left Eldoria with Martin, and she still hadn't returned.

"Is this how it's always going to be, Carmela? Will we always have to hide from them?" Nestor's words carried a mix of frustration and longing, words that seemed to escape his lips without conscious effort, fueled by the emotions swirling inside him.

Despite their separate lines of dialogue, Nestor couldn't miss the heavy sigh Carmela let out, a sigh that seemed to carry the weight of their complicated situation.

"I love you deeply, Carmela," he said, seizing the moment of vulnerability in Carmela's tone, his own emotions laid bare in the confession.

Nestor's words rang with the sincerity of his deepest convictions. Since learning of Carmela's pregnancy and his impending role as a father, his sole ambition had been to stand by her side, fostering a harmonious family. Yet, every time he embraced this dream, Victoria's enduring love for him intruded upon his thoughts, casting a shadow over his joy and replacing it with a sobering awareness of their complex reality.

Each utterance from Nestor seemed to carry the weight of his emotions, much like the delicate dance of light and shadow outside their secluded hut. The rustle of leaves and the gusts of wind mirrored his inner turmoil, creating an atmosphere charged with unspoken tension.

"I can't bear to hurt my friend, Nestor," Carmela's voice broke through the silence, her tone heavy with resignation yet tinged with determination.

Her words shattered the fragile equilibrium Nestor had tried to maintain, stirring a visceral reaction within him. A sudden chill ran down his spine, accompanied by a mix of apprehension and dread that settled in his chest, reflecting the storm brewing within.

Drawn by an invisible force, Nestor's gaze drifted toward the heart of their sanctuary—their humble abode. Within those walls, a silent tableau unfolded, vivid and hauntingly real. It depicted a scene of passion and sacrifice, symbolizing the depth of their love and the weight of their unspoken truths.

In that suspended moment, Nestor found himself at the crossroads of reality and possibility. The tangible journey they shared and the intangible realm of what could have been collided, leaving him grappling with the profound implications of their intertwined emotions.

*****

"Oh, Carmela, I'm absolutely enthralled by you," Nestor's voice resonated with longing as he tenderly traced the contours of the beautiful woman's face beneath him, peppering it with a myriad of delicate yet fervent kisses.

Having come to the realization that Carmela carried their unborn child and that their intimate encounters had culminated in the conception he had yearned for, Nestor found himself liberated from any restraint. His affection for Carmela ran deep, and as he looked at her, he couldn't help but marvel at her exquisite beauty.

Her features were a symphony of elegance, each curve and line a testament to her allure. Her skin, smooth and inviting, seemed to glow in the soft light of the room, accentuating her radiant charm. Nestor was captivated not only by her physical beauty but also by the intoxicating scent that always enveloped her, a fragrant melody that lingered in the air long after she had passed.

In that moment, as he gazed at Carmela, he felt a surge of emotions - love, desire, and profound gratitude. She was more than just a lover; she was the embodiment of his dreams and the bearer of their shared future. And as he continued to shower her with affectionate kisses, each touch and caress whispered tales of their intertwined destinies and the undeniable bond they shared.

And above all, she was a woman of means. He couldn't help but envision a brighter future if they were to unite. Despite the potential judgments that might arise from their relationship, especially considering Carmela's status as the offspring of Eldoria's wealthiest individual, his feelings were more than mere ambition. He genuinely cherished her. Otherwise, he wouldn't dare to deceive someone as significant and devoted as Victoria.

It wasn't just about the allure of wealth or status; it was about the deep connection he felt with Carmela, the way her presence illuminated his world with hope and promise. The idea of building a life together, overcoming obstacles, and forging a path toward happiness, fueled his desire to be with her.

The complexity of his emotions was palpable, a swirling mixture of longing, guilt, and determination. Nestor knew that his choices carried weighty consequences, yet he couldn't deny the pull of his heart towards Carmela. It was a tumultuous journey, navigating between his love for two remarkable women, each representing different facets of his life and desires.

Yes, that's the undeniable truth. He could never come to terms with Victoria's lineage as a witch. Adding to the complexity, her mother, Loleng, was also staunchly opposed to it.

He cast his gaze upon her captivating visage, taking in every detail of her beauty. Her hair cascaded in soft waves, partially veiling her forehead as if to tease him with glimpses of her elegance. As he pondered their relationship, a surge of apprehension pulsed through his heart. He was acutely aware of the formidable capabilities of this woman, her inner strength echoing the formidable nature of her mother, Loleng, whose disapproval remained a formidable barrier to their union.

"Nestor," Carmela's voice quivered, her tone gentle yet laden with emotion.

Her voice, like a soothing melody, coupled with the faint scent of her perfume, pulled Nestor back to the present moment, anchoring him to their shared reality. Nestor's lips curled into a tender smile as he leaned in, his eyes reflecting a mixture of adoration and longing as he pressed a soft, lingering kiss upon Carmela's lips.

"There are no words to express how much joy your words bring me, Carmela. I pray our child will be a girl, adorned with the same beauty and grace as you," Nestor murmured, his voice filled with heartfelt sincerity."

Carmela stayed there in stunned silence, her lips tingling from his kiss. Nestor, with a gentle touch, brushed her forehead, partially hidden by her hair. As he contemplated their relationship, a sense of fear quickly crept into his heart. He knew the kind of power the woman and her mother possessed. That alone restrained him from marrying her.

"You have no idea how happy you've made me with your words, Carmela," Nestor whispered as he leaned in to kiss her tenderly on the lips.

Her response, or rather the lack thereof, spoke volumes. The kiss alone sent her reeling, a sweet madness taking over her senses. Carmela's lips were an exquisite temptation, soft and supple, exuding innocence. Despite the numerous times he had kissed her before, nothing changed in the way she reacted. It was as though she was always on edge, unsure of how to reciprocate his affection. Nestor couldn't quite put his finger on it, but one thing was crystal clear: he adored that vulnerable side of Carmela.

“How much longer can you stay?” Nestor inquired, releasing the girl’s lips momentarily, his gaze filled with longing.

A sweet smile curved Carmela’s lips as she replied, “Dad’s not home, so I think I can stay a while longer. I told my nanny I might be delayed,” her voice laced with anticipation, followed by a soft, melodic laughter that echoed in the room, a sound Nestor found irresistible.

Nestor’s eyes gleamed with affection as he leaned in once more, capturing Carmela’s lips with a fervent kiss, his desire evident in the intensity of his embrace. Their connection deepened in that tender moment, until a sudden clap of thunder resonated through the air, startling them both.

Feeling Carmela’s grip tighten around him, Nestor halted their passionate exchange, his eyes locking with hers as he sensed her unease.

“Are you scared of thunder?” Nestor’s voice was gentle, his eyes reflecting both curiosity and concern as he gazed at Carmela.

Carmela’s initial smile wavered, giving way to a shy yet honest expression. She nodded, her eyes dropping for a moment before meeting Nestor’s again. “Yes, I am,” she admitted softly. “You noticed earlier, didn’t you? The sky looked so ominous like a storm is on its way,” she explained, her voice carrying a trace of vulnerability that made Nestor’s heart ache with tenderness.

Nestor continued to hold her gaze, his expression filled with understanding. He reached out and gently brushed a stray lock of hair from her face, his touch reassuring. “It’s okay to be scared,” he murmured, his voice a soothing melody. “But remember, storms pass, just like this one will. And you’re not alone; I’m here with you,” he added, his eyes conveying sincerity and comfort.

Carmela’s lips curved into a grateful smile, touched by Nestor’s words and presence. She glanced at her watch briefly, a subtle indication of the time. “It’s only just past two,” she said, echoing her earlier reassurance. “We still have time,” she added, her tone filled with a newfound sense of courage, inspired by Nestor’s support.

Nestor's eyebrows lifted in curiosity, his gaze lingering on Carmela's face, searching for deeper meaning in her words. "What does that imply?" he inquired, his voice laced with a gentle eagerness.

Carmela's chest rose and fell in response to the tone of his question, a subtle indication of the emotions stirring within her. After a moment of contemplation, she let out a sigh before parting her lips to answer him. "I mean, there's no need for us to rush because the evening is still young," she explained, her voice carrying a soft, melodious undertone.

A radiant smile bloomed across Nestor's features as her words washed over him. The sound of raindrops tapping gently on the roof provided a serene backdrop to their moment, adding to the intimacy of the atmosphere.

Without further hesitation, Nestor leaned in once more, his lips meeting Carmela's in a tender yet passionate kiss. This time, there was a profound silence between them, filled only with the rhythmic pitter-patter of rain outside. As the rain cooled the air around them, Nestor sought to ignite a different kind of warmth within the cozy confines of the hut, a warmth that enveloped both him and Carmela in a world of their own.

“Nestor…”

Carmela’s voice quivered, carrying a delicate tremor of anticipation as she surrendered to Nestor’s gentle touch, allowing him to peel away the layers that shielded her vulnerability. Her breath caught in her throat as he traced a path down to the curve of her chest, and she lowered her gaze, overwhelmed by a mix of desire and longing.

It had become a familiar ritual for Nestor, evoking these soft, almost pleading sighs from Carmela each time he unraveled her defenses in such an intimate manner. Yet, despite the familiarity, there was an unyielding power in the way Carmela’s reactions stirred him, igniting a primal fire within his soul. With each gasp, each quiver, her essence entwined deeper with his desires, fueling his yearning to claim her completely, to lose himself in the intensity of their connection.