Chapter 4

I looked at Primo standing in front of me as if he would take his shirt off and then pull his pants off dancing to very sexy music while trying to seduce me. I couldn't help, but imagine that until he started clicking his fingers in front of my face bringing me back to my senses. I crossed my eyebrow as I put my attention back on him where he wasn't showing any reaction on his face. What does this man really need from me?

Why would I let myself listen to whatever he would say? I'm just also buying some time, I know my father received my messages and calls that would put him on alarm. It should be enough for him to know that his beloved daughter was in danger.

"Entonces, cuéntame todo lo que sabes. Necesito asegurarme de que no seas uno con los malos. Por favor, no mientas y me hagas patearte las pelotas otra vez," I spoke, a threat at him should be enough for him to comply with me, but would it be enough? (So, tell me everything you know. I need to make sure you're not one with the bad guys. Please don't lie and make me kick you in the balls again.)

He only smiled at me. At that moment, I'm not sure if I could trust him when 

"No podremos superar esta situación si no me dices la intención de tu presencia aquí. Nadie podría mantenerme a salvo y protegerme de esos tipos malos a menos que les pagaran. ¿Recibes un pago por hacer esto, Primo?" I asked him. I wasn't sure if this was enough for me to get inside his head, but it seemed like I was the one getting lost in his game. (We can't past this situation if you don't tell me the intention of your presence in here. No one would be able to keep me safe and protect me from those bad guys unless they were paid. Are you getting a payment for doing this, Primo?)

"No. Te equivocas, Catalina. No me pagan por hacer esto," he confessed but made me question him. I don't think anyone would do this without any exchange of anything. I'm starting to doubt him. (No. You're wrong, Catalina. I'm not paid to do this.)

I laughed at his response. "¡Eso es tan divertido! Sabes, nadie se atrevería a arriesgar su vida por mí. Lo sé porque todas esas personas que me han cuidado de alguna manera se dieron por vencidas. Te lo dije, no me mientas. Puedo sentir a un mentiroso a miles de kilómetros de mí." (That's so funny! You know, no one would dare to risk their life for me. I know that because all those people who have watched over me somehow gave up. I told you, don't lie to me. I can sense a liar a thousand miles away from me.)

He smirked, shaking his head. "No tienes ninguna prueba para sospechar que soy uno de esos tipos que tenías en mente. Mi intención es clara. Vine aquí para salvarte." (You don't have any proof to suspect me as one of those guys you had in mind. My intention is clear. I came here to save you.)

"Lo que sea. He escuchado este drama antes. Si fuiste enviado por mi padre, llámalo para que terminemos con esto," I challenged him. I thought it was enough for him to convince me. (Whatever. I have heard this drama before. If you were sent by my father, call him so we can finish this.)

He shook his head. "No puedo. Tengo que ponerte a salvo antes de poder decirte algo al respecto. Es difícil cuando sé que tu vida corre gran peligro. Te digo esto porque podrías morir ahora mismo, no por mi culpa, sino por esa gente que te estaba persiguiendo. Estaban detrás de usted y su familia." (I can't. I have to get you to safety before I can tell you anything about it. It's hard when I know your life is in great danger. I'm telling you this because you could die right now—not because of me, but those people who were hunting you. They were after you and your family.)

"Entonces, ¿qué está pasando? ¿Dónde está mi padre? ¿Qué hiciste?" I stood up as I wondered why he would say those words to me. (So, what's happening? Where's my father? What did you do?)

He didn't say a word. His jaw clenched, but I saw the opportunity to do something bad that I knew he wouldn't like to happen. I knew the door wasn't locked so I quickly went to the front door and left the security house running as fast as I could. The moment I left, I knew he wasn't expecting that I would do that, but I was able to get away so quickly.

I knew my way around in this area. I've been living here for the past few years since my father was elected mayor. Who knew I would have to familiarize myself with this place? I didn't bother it at first, but when I figured a danger was somewhat lurking down the corner, I had to be wise. The only thing I can trust right now is my father whom I couldn't even reach out to. Was he in danger, too? Could this be the end for us?

Should've I listened to them before? Should've I stayed in L.A. with my mother for the rest of my life? I can't stand and live a life like this. 

I was able to hide from Primo. I'm still not convinced he was here to protect me from the bad guys who only wanted something from me and my family. He could be hiding something and he was only using me to get closer and then he would kill me. For the past few months, I've met a lot of people who had intentions of putting my life in danger. Even my closest friends, I couldn't even trust them.

I told my father to step down from his position as the mayor, but he wouldn't listen to me. He believed the city and the people needed him. He was blinded by his power and I couldn't change his mind. My mother gave up on him long ago so that could be the reason why they had to separate and get divorced.

I just didn't leave the city because my life is here and I won't throw that away for those people who are head-hunting me. I wondered how much they would get if they would get me and my father. Would they really kill us for money?

When everything seemed fine for me to get out of my hiding spot, I followed the path where I could go to safety. I couldn't come back inside the security house as he could be waiting for me back there. I just needed to get away from him. I was about to leave my spot when I saw a security personnel passing by. I thought of asking for some help, but they might not be able to do that for me. I waited for a few minutes until he was gone. 

The only plan I had was to ask for some help from the people I could trust. Can I really trust them? I don't have any fucking idea. I don't know if I could trust anyone right now. I only wished this wasn't my life like right now. I imagined something else when my father won the election, but it seemed like everything fell apart and I was the casualty of my father's dream for his beloved Mexico City. The change he wanted for this city changed our lives for the worse.

As soon as I got the chance to leave my spot, I did it and ran away and left the premises where I thought I would be safe, but now I'm running away because nothing in this world could put my back to safety. Everything I would do could put my life in danger in any other way. Only if there's a way for me to make this right, but looking at our situation, it was hard to do it.

Life's already hard, I don't want to make it worse.

***

"Jefe, tengo malas noticias. La perdí una vez más," Primo stated over the phone call to his boss. His boss could probably sense how disappointed he was in delivering that news to him, but he knew that telling it to his boss could make his mission more challenging. (Boss, I've got some bad news. I lost her once again.)

"¿Qué quieres decir con que la perdiste?" his boss responded, questioning him upon the news he stated.  "¿De nuevo?" (What do you mean you lost her? Again?)

Primo heaved out a sigh, shaking his head. He didn't know how to explain this to his boss, but one thing was for sure, this was the only time he would deliver disappointing news to his boss. It wasn't usually like this. Whenever he was tasked to do his job, he was able to isolate the situation quickly, but now it seemed like he was far from doing it.

"Escuche, jefe. Ya la tengo. Entré en su casa de seguridad, tal como estaba indicado en los documentos que me compartiste. Pero creo que Catalina Orozo sería una misión difícil para mí, pero no pierda las esperanzas, jefe. Todavía puedo hacerlo de manera efectiva como antes," he said to his boss confidently. (Listen, boss. I already got her. I got into her security house, just like what was stated on the documents you shared to me. But I believe, Catalina Orozo would be a hard mission for me, but don't lose hope for me, boss. I can still do it effectively just like before.)

"Mmm. . . Vi cómo trabajabas antes, PSJ. Confío en ti en este. Muéstrame lo que puedes hacer. Recuerda, tienes que proteger a Catalina Orozco. Eso es lo único que harás en esta misión. Si fracasa, su credibilidad como uno de los mejores agentes se derrumbará," his boss stated. His jaw clenched as he listened to every word he said. He could probably lose his job as well. He had been working his ass for so long at a job where he always put his life at risk and now that he was being tested for a mission that would also cost someone else's life, this challenged him the most when everything seemed to be the Orozco's enemy. (Hm. . . I saw how you worked before, PSJ. I trust you on this one. Show me what you can do. Remember, you have to protect Catalina Orozco. That's the only thing you will do on this mission. If you fail, your credibility as one of the best agents will tumble down.)

"Afirmativo, jefe. Llamaré una vez más con buenas noticias," he said though the assurance of giving proof to his boss was nearly fifty percent, but he won't back off. He never backed off from any of his mission just because a goddamn woman was able to escape his trap. (Affirmative, boss. I will call once again bearing good news.)

When his boss ended the call, Primo went back inside the security house to check further all the belongings Catalina owned. He grabbed a backpack and put some of her stuff inside. He knew she wouldn't be able to come back into this place when her life was in great danger. While going through her stuff, he saw photos framed on the wall. He looked at them closely and found that it was her family. Catalina and her parents. He wasn't sure if taking them out of their frames and adding them into the bag he got would be a wise thing to do, but for sure, Catalina wouldn't like to see her parents even if they were only in pictures. Once he got all he needed, Primo left the security house safely and he might not have any idea where she went, but based on his records, no one would get away from him in plain sight. Never.