For the past week I avoided Alex. I still remembered the hurt look on his face when I asked him to leave me alone and though the regret was present, I couldn’t ring myself to contact him.

It's for the best, I kept telling myself.

After all, he was a happy man. He was probably helping me out of pity anyways and I didn't want it. I carried too much baggage and I was reminded of it he moment that I'd flinched at his unexpected touch.

I knew he wouldn't have hurt me but it was too embarrassing to even consider keeping him around. It's not like he'd made much effort either as he steered away from the cafe for the past days.

Disappointment would creep its way to my heart everyday that he didn't show up. A part of me had actually believed him when he said he wanted to be my friend and part of my life. I couldn't hold it against him though, I was too much of a mess for anyone to handle.

“Eileen, dear, take a break. You haven’t eaten anything so at least grab one of those pastries you keep stealing,” Marty squeezed my shoulder gently before walking away.

I did as he told me, taking a seat in one of the more isolated booths. I took out my phone, frowning at the unknown number.

I stared at the screen for a long time, not knowing whether or not to reply. Soon it chimed again, the same number once again on the screen.

What are you talking about?

Alex is acting like something’s shoved up his ass and I think that something is you. So I will pick you up at three, so we can see how we can get you out of there.

What the hell? I laughed at his message. Lucas was much worse than Alex.

I don’t think so, I have to pick up Angela.

.

-----

As I counted the money at the register before leaving, I found myself feeling uncomfortable. I couldn't quite place the reason. I didn't think it was because of Lucas, for some reason I felt relatively comfortable with him as well.

But I couldn't shake the feeling off. Though I lived in a state of constant paranoia I knew this was different. I looked around the cafe but didn't see anything strange so I went to the back to get my phone and purse.

My eyes settled on the form at the counter when I walked back to the front, my steps faltering when I recognized him.

It can't be.

His eyes met mine, emotions that I had never seen before flashing through them.

“Eileen...” He stopped himself as he stood, looking different than the last time I saw him.

“How'd you find me?” I asked, not moving.

“You thought I wasn't going to look for you?” Raymond Gutierrez, my father asked, his voice full of sorrow.

“How did you find me?” I repeated, this time taking a step back.

My father wouldn't leave my face, as if taking every aspect of me into consideration. I did the same. He looked older, worn out. His hair was peppered with grey, something that wasn't present before I left, reminding me how long I had been without him.

His clothes looked disheveled and he had wrinkles that weren't there before. But it was the pained look on his face that brought tears to my eyes. It was the same look he had when my mother left us, full of grief and heartache except now it was doubled. His wife and his daughter had left him.

“You've grown up so much, princess.”

Princess.

I used to be his princess.

“You have to believe that I never stopped looking for you, Eileen. God,” he ran his fingers through his hair pulling at the ends, “I've searched everywhere until Nicole, do you remember her? She said she thought she saw you a week ago at a park here.”

Nicole. Another of his cop friends. I nodded slowly looking off to the side when the door opened. Lucas was here.

“I, uh, I need to go.”

“We've all been worried,” my dad said taking a step towards me, “Gerald, he-”

If my dad knew where I was then it was possible that Gerald did too.

“Does he know where I am?” I feared the answer to that question more than anything. I had my daughter to care for now and I couldn't risk he even knew of her existence.

“No, he doesn't.” My dad scratched the back his neck before continuing. “Things weren't easy for him after he left. Word got around and he was fired, his wife divorced him and well, he lives with-”

“You.” I knew the answer to that already. The regretful look on his face said it all. So many years and he still doubted me.

“I have questions Eileen but you left before I could process anything you told me. It isn't easy taking in what you told me, I didn't know how to react. The next morning you were gone. I’ve kept an eye on him, though. Not telling him anything about you..”

I was aware of Lucas seeing everything and that maybe this wasn't the time or place since there was a couple of customers at the cafe but I couldn't stop myself. So many years had gone by with so many questions unanswered, I craved them now.

“Do you think a fifteen year old girl would leave in the middle of the night? Live on the streets for months, at family shelters for years willingly? I was in pain for so long and you, you turned your back on me. Then you show up years later and still don't believe me?”

I took a step back, bumping into something, or rather, someone.

“I think we should go,” Lucas said with stern look at my father.

“Who is he?” My dad asked, narrowing his eyes at the man beside me.

The world around me began closing in. It was all too much, too fast. I tried to breathe but I couldn't, every intake of air a struggle and I took hold of Luke’s arm for support. I felt my chest heaving, the tightness making it hard for me to stand up straight.

I closed my eyes, and tried to control my the anxiety that was taking over my body. It was something that I had practiced controlling, and for once, I was glad. The muffled voices became clearer as I took a deep breath.

“....need an ambulance? Eileen?” Lucas looked at me frantically while my dad's face had paled.

“I'm fine. We need to leave.”

“Eileen, princess please. We need to talk, I-”

“You want to do something for me?” I asked, with newfound strength. “Make sure he never finds me. If he does, if he so much as comes into this city, you will lose any chance that I may ever forgive you”

I turned away, not willing to listen to anymore.

I couldn't, not without potentially having a full blown panic attack in front of everyone who's curious eyes followed me out. Lucas caught up to me quickly and we stood in front of his car for what seemed like an eternity.

“I'm no good at this,” he said with a shake of his head, “but you're obviously dealing with heavy shit. You need to go to the cops.”

I snickered, my eyes meeting his.

“They won't do anything. They protect their own.”

Lucas nodded in understanding and opened the door to his car, helping me in. Once on our way he reached for my hand giving at a comforting squeeze, before placing it on the steering wheel.

“Does Alex know about this?” He asked after a moment.

“No.”

He gave me an apologetic look before replying, “He will now.”

°°°°°

Thank you for 📚

- Luz