CHAPTER 14

Sofia looked to her left and stopped.

"Hi, Liam. It's a pleasure," the handsome man said, behind the wheel of a luxurious black SUV, the passenger window down to speak to them, a faint smile accompanying the greeting.

Sofia didn't move, she felt as if her skin froze on the spot.

"Mommy? Mommy, who is he?"

She looked at her little one and felt the vehicle's engine turn off, a door open and close. As if the soles of her shoes had amalgamated with the ground, she was pinned there and could see the man who waved, circled the car, and headed toward them. The ghostly figure was now real.

"My name is Leonel," he said to Liam, but he looked at her. Then, he extended a hand toward Sofia. "I owe you an apology."

She looked at the outstretched hand, then at his face. Didn't speak right away.

"You're forgiven," she said almost in a whisper but did not shake his hand.

Leonel lowered it and nodded.

"Come on, I can take you."

"A ride?"

"Yes, a ride. And so we talked." He looked into her e