Chapter Two

I still cannot believe that I relocated from my little town to a big city in less than 24hrs with absolutely nothing. My brother was just one weirdo who has soaked himself so much in gambling. He never cared about me especially after our parents died and the fact that he managed to protect me after selling me out to those monsters was something I could still not understand.

Here I am facing my new life at 20.

He never called to know how I am fairing here but that didn't bother me because I was used to it.

The sun poured through my window. A fresh day has begun, carrying with it new hope, experiences, and lessons. The beam of the first light encapsulated the whole room. I rubbed my blurry eyes and strolled to the window. There was a little silvery sparkle overhead.

The main rays of daylight brighten up the room in its tiny shackles. The morning tune of melodic birdsong flew in as the rising sun cast a yellow tint across the morning sky. Brilliant patches of daylight brightened the scene. The blue sky was speckled with bright white mists that floated like berries in the delicate breeze.

The steady honk of cars, trucks and reeving wheels could be heard from meters away. The wild smile from the sun radiated through the trees, creating baffling shadows, as barking dogs from the nearby homes ended the silence that came with the new day.

I hurriedly went to take a bath. The cafe where I walked was a few miles away from my house. The same one I shared with Ray's girlfriend.

“You know you don't have to work". She said as she brushed past me. She leaned by the door post and ran her sleek eyes on my body.

“Well, I have to because I need the money" I said as I laid my dress carefully on the bed.

" I have to pay papa's debt. A few of them still call my phone to remind me and I do not want them to think that I ran out of Tijuana because I couldn't pay their money".

"Valarie c'mon, this city is big and a lot of bad guys come here to hide". Andrea said.

I paused a bit,

"El Macho won't come all the way here to get me, I don't owe him". I said defiantly.

"But you are the ransom price for the failed bet, don't you get it. —I do not know this man but I have a feeling he might be watching you. Those guys are dangerous “her last words hit me but I was sure I was going to change my mind from going to work today.

"El Macho isn't here" I consoled myself. This is already two weeks of working in the cafe as a waitress.

"Do you want me to get you anything on my way home from work?" I asked her.

"No—no, but we just need a few groceries, I would be traveling today so you can get them on your way from work," she said.

I hurriedly dressed myself in my T-shirt and jeans and hung my bag on my left shoulder.

"Today is payday"

I told her excitedly.

"Uh! That's good. Uhm—have you heard from Ray?" She asked

"Are you for real?"

Yeah—because I haven't heard from him in weeks which is very unusual.

"Maybe he has gotten himself in another gambling scheme".

"Don't say that Valerie".

"I'm sorry but he always does and that's the truth, he brought this mess upon us and now he has to leave me in a strange land" I spoke in a shaky voice.

"Poor child—you will be fine. Come here" she spread her arms open for a hug. I held her so tight I could feel the heat from her body and the nice scent from her exclusive Arabic perfume.

"I have to go now, I'm running late. I said after I detached myself from her.

"See you in three days" she told me

I nodded and left. Of course I was going to miss her. Andrea has been more than a sister to me. Wherever Ray is I hope he is safe.

I took a quick walk down the street to the bus stop. I boarded the last seat and headed to work. Since fifteen I have chartered for myself from the domestic jobs that I did for the rich families in Tijuana. An orphan with no family, no quality education. The only option I have to survive here is to work. I was ready for whatever challenge that would come. At least I am free from El Macho and his notorious deadly gang.

"This is a new city, this is a new life, this is a new me". —"Far from all the troubles from home, he could do anything with a house I didn't care about, the only property I have left is my Father's portrait, no inheritance, no fortune, only piles of debt".

Soon I was at the stop. I hurried out of the bus along with other passengers and suddenly I felt my phone buzz in my bag. I reached out for it and peered through the screen.

A message from an anonymous number.

"YOU CAN'T HIDE"