GENESIS
She arrived at the cafe ten minutes late. It was easy to sight him as he was sitting alone at the bottom left corner of the place, looking out through the floor to ceiling window.
She walked briskly to the table and tapped on it twice to get his attention. His mood brightened as soon as he saw her, she knew that because his lips spread into a huge smile.
“You're here.”
“Yes, yes.” She nodded as she took her seat opposite him. “I'm so sorry I was late. I had to put some things at home in order before I left.”
“Oh, no problem.” He shrugged. “I only arrived about five minutes ago.”
There was silence between them for a few minutes, until Aaron broke it.
“So, tell me about your current life.” He started. “How has life been since you left home?”
“I won't lie, it was hard at first.” Genesis sighed. “But things are pretty smooth now. I’m a nurse like I've always wanted, I'm married and I have a stepson.”
“Wow.” Aaron looked happy for her. “You really won the lottery in life.”
“I really have.” Genesis laughed.
“And Rodriguez did not track you down all these years?” Aaron squinted his eyes. “I always thought he would eventually get hold of you, even though I was doing my best to help you escape. You must really have luck on your side.”
“About that…” Genesis scratched the back of her head and looked at him with down turned lips.
“What?” Aaron asked as he leaned a little bit further. But his face showed that he already had an idea of what she was going to say.
“He found me already.” Genesis said to him. “And he has promised to not let me be until I go back home with him.”
“Damn.” Aaron exhaled heavily. “Knowing your brother, he will definitely act on his words.”
“He has! With the help of my friend, he and his men were outnumbered and he managed to escape somehow. Now, he's back again and I don't know what to do.”
“I honestly am unable to think of any way you can get out of this.” Aaron shook his head. “Your brother runs one of the largest cartels in Mexico, getting rid of him would not be an easy task.”
“I know, Aaron.” Genesis breathed. “But I really don't want to go back with him. The life I have spent years running away from, he wants to take me back to it by force. I cannot imagine having to live like that. As a matter of fact, the only reason I would ever step foot at home again would be to see my grandmother, but that's impossible.”
“Your grandmother?” Aaron frowned, looking confused.
“Yes, my Abuela.” Genesis nodded. “Have you forgotten her?”
“No, I haven't.” Aaron shook his head. “It's just— you haven't heard?”
“Heard what?” She had an inclination of what he was about to say. But, at the same time, she was hoping that her assumption was wrong.
“She died in her sleep about three years ago.” Aaron dropped the news. “You didn't hear?”
“N—no, I didn't.” Tears gathered in her eyes. “B—but Rodriguez told me that he still asks about me, that she prays for me everyday, that she still calls out for me…”
“You are well aware that your brother is one lying piece of shit.” Aaron gritted out. “That was definitely one of his manipulative tactics.”
“S—so, my Abuela is gone?” The tears were now falling freely down her cheeks. “She's gone forever.”
“Jenny, I'm so sorry you're finding out like this.” He reached out for her hand and caressed it. “Look, I'll do anything I can to help you. I'll think of something. I know people that may be able to help. I'll see what I can do, okay?”
She no longer had it in her to talk, she could only nod as she wiped her tears with the back of her free hand.
“Maybe you should get going.” He suggested. “You need your space right now.”
Again, she nodded and stood up. He walked her out of the cafe and made sure to watch her get in the car. It was during the drive back home that it really hit her that her grandmother was dead, that she was no longer going to see her again.
She wanted to scream and cry but it felt like something was lodged in her throat, so all she could do was silently sob until she got home. And as soon as the driver parked the car, she rushed out and sprinted to her room. She was lucky to not have run into Dante, she was not sure how she would have explained what was wrong.
She got in her room and locked her door immediately. Her legs felt weak so she slid down the door, her shoulders quaking as she cried. This was a new level of pain that she could not explain. All she wanted was to be able to hug her grandmother one last time, but that was not going to happen.
She did not know how long she stayed there crying. All she knew was that she only got up when she heard a knock on her door.
******
DANTE'S POV
He saw her run into her room and shut the door with a bang. He did not know what was going on and he was about to go check up on her when he had a second thought and decided to let her have her space.
He waited right there in the hallway for over half an hour and she was still not out. He was beginning to get worried because she was usually in Elon's room by that time to massage his legs. He could no longer take it anymore, so he walked to her door and knocked on it. At first, there was no response. It took him knocking two more times before she opened the door.
The first thing he noticed was that her eyes were red and puffy. She had definitely been crying, he was sure of that. So, he asked,
“What's wrong?”
“Nothing. Why?”
She was forcing that smile she had on her face. It was very obvious. What he did not understand was why she was hiding what hurt her from him. He really wanted to be her comfort in her tough times and it hurt him that she was not letting him do that.
“Look, it's very obvious that you've been crying.” He took a step closer to her and held her by her waist. He felt a pain in his chest when she looked away from him. “Tell me what's wrong.”
“Um…” She swallowed. “A patient I really cared for died. I just found out a while ago and I just got emotional.”
He was not sure that he believed her but he was willing to take her word for it. He really did not want to bother her with more questions.
“I'm sorry about that.” Was what he said to her.
“It's okay.” She smiled a little. “I'll be fine. Let me go check on Elon.”
She released herself from his hold around her waist and then made her way down the hall to Elon's room. All the while he stood there watching her walk until he could no longer see her back.
He remained there like, staring into space, until his phone buzzed in his pocket. He checked and saw that it was Luke. Rolling his eyes, he picked the call and spoke,
“What do you want?”
“Well, good evening to you too.” Luke spoke just as Dante had expected. “You sound very excited to be speaking with me.”
“Luke, this is not the time for your sarcasm.” Dante told his friend. “Say what you have to say already.”
“Actually, it's a question I have.”
“Which is?”
“Does your wife have any relatives in this city? A male relative to be specific.”
Dante frowned. That was a weird question, especially when it was coming from Luke. “None that I know of. Why are you asking me that?”
“Are you sure?” Luke sounded inquisitive. “Think properly.”
“I am very sure that none of her relatives are in this city.” Dante responded. “Luke, what's going on?”
“Nothing, nothing.” Luke sighed. “I just wanted to find out if you've met any of her family. That's all.”
“You really think I believe that?”
“There's really nothing more to it.” Luke said. “I was just curious.”
“Mhmm.” Dante hummed.
“Alright. I'll talk to you later.”
And before Dante could even say another word, Luke had already cut the call.
Dante stared at his phone in confusion. Luke did a lot of weird things, but not these kind of weird things. Him asking that question meant that he had noticed something that Dante was not seeing, but what exactly was it.
And no matter how hard Dante thought, he was still unable to figure out why his friend was suddenly interested in knowing about Genesis's relatives. For the rest of the day, only one question burdened his mind: what was going on?