Chapter 28: Chapter 28

"Are you ok?" Nathan asked, catching Ema before she could fall.

"Yes," Ema assured, getting back on her feet.

Was that a memory?

If it was, who was that man?

The photo that had triggered that memory was a wedding photo, Was she...

"No!.." Ema cut that thought off almost immediately.

Why in the world would she be married? It was just so absurd.

"It could be a wedding she attended in the past." Ema finally concluded and let go of the awful thought.

She took the picture from Nathan and examined it, her focus mostly on Adriana.

How could two people have such a striking resemblance?

"What was she like?" Ema asked Nathan.

She was certain he wouldn't be able to answer her due to his condition but at least, he would be able to say something nice or something he remembered about her.

"She was very stubborn but she had a good heart." He replied in his infant's voice.

"That's nice. What exactly happened to her?"

Ema didn't know the whole story. All she knew was that she died along with Nathan but Nathan survived.

"She..."

The door suddenly creaked and Ema turned to see her mother peeping in with half of her face already in.

God!

"Mum, What are you doing here?" Ema stiffened.

Her mum was strangely becoming far too clingy than her usual self.

"You were taking time. I got worried..." Mrs. Contreras defended herself.

"Well, I'm alright mum.", Ema spat obtrusively.

Her mother frowned but didn't take Ema's infuriation as anything serious.

"Whatever Ema, your father is ready to go, I came to call you."

Ema rolled her eyes before saying,

"At least, let me say goodbye."

"Ok." Her mother obliged and then closed the door to give them privacy.

Some privacy!

Ema could see her mother's shadow through the small slit under the door. She could already guess what was going on in her myopic mind.

She didn't even know why she was this concerned. The former 'Mrs. Contreras she knew would be twirling if her daughter was actually talking to the opposite sex but now, All she did was worry.

It was better she said her goodbyes and end the moment.

"Goodbye Nathan. It's been nice talking to you."

Ema then turned to go until Nathan said,

"Goodbye, Adriana."

Ema paused, vehemently wondering why she was still being called that name.

It was fascinating but still very disturbing.

She tilted her head back to Nathan and smiled at him before leaving the room.

Mrs. Contreras was just outside waiting for her.

"Let's go." Mrs. Contreras said then she grabbed Ema's hands to lead her out.

Ema wriggled her hands from her mother's firm grip.

Now she had enough of her mum's clinging.

"Is anything wrong Mum?" Ema snapped.

"Lower your voice, Ema." Her mother warned.

She ignored the insignificant comment and continued complaining.

"You've been doing this since we came here. Why?"

Ema saw her avoid her gaze and she knew instantly that she was right.

Ema immediately knew what was going on.

"I know how you feel mum but I'm not Adriana. You're not going to lose me." She assured.

If only she knew how much truth her words held.

"You're right." Mrs. Contreras said, playing along with Ema, "Forgive me."

"I do."

"Now let's go. Your father would be irritated."

The duo got downstairs and we're met by Miranda.

Miranda turned to Ema and whispered words what only them three would understand.

"I hope you take the deal, Ema."

Ema felt her mother's hands tighten in hers and she held it tighter.

"I'll think about it, Mrs. Tocci."

Miranda nodded sincerely understanding her reasons although pained.

"Here's my number if you've reached a decision." Miranda handed a business card to her.

"I will."

***

Rodriguez got down from the car and approached the house his failure resided with unmatched speed.

The idiotic fellow he was searching for was relaxing outside, sunbathing, and with a cheap beer to his mouth.

Getting to him, Rodriguez dealt him a punch that sent him off the chair he was resting from.

"Arrghh!" The man groaned when he finally got up.

"You lowlife. You ruined everything." Rodriguez snarled at him.

"I'm sorry boss but..."

"But what!" Rodriguez cut in.

"Don't yell at me!" Chale retorted, getting back his injured pride.

" I shouldn't yell at you, Did you just say that?" Rodriguez approached him slowly, stalking him like he was prey.

"Yes. If I wished, you could be in jail now." The fellow replied.

Rodriguez pealed mock laughter, surprised at how Chale just answered him.

The boy had some nerves.

Rodriguez reached out into his pocket which was wat too bulgy to be holding a wallet and pulled out a gun.

He pointed it at Chale and watch his stubbornness melt away.

"Please Rodriguez... I—"

"Hush!" Rodriguez ordered.

The only reason Chale would be begging right now was that he lost the game. He probably had no weapon with him or he didn't know how to make one from a bottle of beer. Either way, he knew he had the upper hand now.

"I don't want to hurt you Chale, We go way back but you have to do something for me. The police are searching for you and the rest right now, I want you to get the fuck out of town and don't come back until I tell you to. Do you understand?"

Rodriguez then corked the gun to get his stiff and trembling to open and spit words.

"I—I d—o."

"Good." Rodriguez put the weapon back into his pocket and went back to the car, still keeping an eye on Chale with the back of his eyes in case he tried anything funny.

All that was left now was Adriana.

He couldn't send assassins to her presently, She was protected but there was this doubt in humans that could be twisted to something sinister.

Very sinister.

Rodriguez hit up his phone and found what he needed.

Let's we how this goes shall we?

"Hello?", A feminine voice answered the call.

That was a good sign.

"Hello Ema, How are you doing?"

"This not Ema." The woman replied," It's her mother."

Doubt and fear walked hand in hand. Rodriguez knew there was a fifty percent chance that Mrs. Contreras would hold on to the phone the family shared just to keep Adriana from contacting Miranda and...he was right.

"Oh Mrs. Contreras, I also wanted to talk to you."

"Who is this exactly?" The doubting woman inquired.

"Rodriguez from this morning."

"What do you want?" The woman snapped not hiding her displeasure for his call.

"I wanted to know how Adriana is faring."

Rodriguez almost burst out in laughter when he heard Mrs. Contreras choke on something.

This feels so good.

"Stop calling her that, She's..."

"Not your daughter and we both know it and before you cut the line, I want you to know I want to help."

"She's..."

"Don't lie Mrs. Contreras." Rodriguez cut in.

"I don't want to lose her, please."

So now you admit.

"You won't be losing her. We both know she is drawn to the Tocci's so you must prevent them ever meeting again."

"But...why would you help me?"

Rodriguez had totally expected the question but he also knew she would believe any shitty script he prepared just to get his help.

"She's not as innocent as you think she is. She almost ruined my best friend, Nathan's life. I would do anything to keep history from repeating itself so the question now is, Are you with me, Mrs. Contreras?"...