Episode 11

CON MADISON

I jolted awake in terror, thinking I had overslept. When I checked the time, it was nearly 6 in the morning. Relief washed over me; it was time to put my plan into action. First, I needed to change and shower, which I did swiftly as time was against me.

Slipping into my sneakers, I grabbed my backpack and tossed only a few items into it. Now the only thing left was figuring out how to escape. Guards were stationed outside, and if I managed to evade them, where would I head to? Going to my parents' seemed questionable, but I needed to retrieve my documents.

After pondering for a few seconds, I quietly exited the room, careful not to make a sound. Damn it! Just my luck, I started to hiccup and couldn’t hold it back. I rushed towards the exit covering my mouth. The house was bathed in darkness, yet daylight broke through in places where nothing obstructed it.

I glanced out the window and, sure enough to my dismay, guards were stationed at the front door and all around. DON'T THEY EVER SLEEP?! I screamed internally. How would I get out? I asked myself, desperate.

Wait! A lightbulb I didn't know I had lit up in my mind. I remembered how last time I escaped from my home through a back door. I prayed fervently that this place had one and that it was unguarded.

Bingo! There was a back door with only one guard. Now how to divert his attention? I took an ornament from the house and tossed it out of the window in a random direction. The guard and a few others immediately went to investigate the noise, and that was my opening. The moment the guard left, I darted out through the barred door at the back. "How inattentive," I chided myself as I ran at full speed. This time they hadn't noticed. I had to reach my parents' house before they realized I was gone. Time was critical; the owner would soon wake up and undoubtedly inquire about me. I hailed a taxi and directed the driver to take me to my parents' address since I wasn't familiar with the area.

CON LEANDRO

Sunlight struck my face, waking me up. I frowned and turned to see Jennifer still asleep beside me. I felt nothing for her, as with other women, they were just for one night, an understanding they were all aware of. Jennifer was a regular, skilled at her job, nothing more. Last night, however, with that girl, I don't know what came over me. I never bed minors, but she had something that drove me wild, especially since she angered me. For a moment, I wanted her, but when she cried, something inside me hesitated, and out of spite, I called Jennifer. Roused from my thoughts by a touch on my bare back.

JENNIFER: Good morning, she said with a sly smile. Get some more sleep; it's still early.

LEANDRO: No, and please get dressed and leave, I replied sternly.

JENNIFER: You can’t treat me like this. I don’t want to be just another notch on your bedpost; I want to be your wife, she insisted with a touch of anger.

LEANDRO: You and all the rest know the rules about sleeping with me. And you know perfectly well I don’t want a serious relationship with anyone, I retorted, frowning deeply.

JENNIFER: Well, I’ll be the first, because I’m pregnant with your child, she boasted, certain of her love for him and unwilling to be just another fleeting romance.

LEANDRO: Haha, do you think I believe that? I’m certain you’ve been with others; besides, I always use protection.

JENNIFER: You're the only one I've been with these past weeks, and remember, that one time you didn't take precautions—I didn’t either. You were very drunk, maybe you don’t recall.

As I considered her words, doubt cast its shadow over me. If there was any truth to her claim...

LEANDRO: Regardless, when the baby is born, I’ll have a DNA test. If you’re lying, you won’t live to regret it, I threatened, entering the shower as she watched with that sly grin.

I emerged from the bathroom fully dressed.

Checking my watch, it was already 08:10 am.

LEANDRO: What are you still doing here? I asked Jennifer sharply.

JENNIFER: I’m not going anywhere. I’m going to be the mother of your child; of course, I’ll stay here.

LEANDRO: Ha, don’t expect that to happen. I’m not up for games, so get out, I said, approaching to pull her by the arm before she interrupted.

JENNIFER: Hey, ouch, you’re hurting me! You might harm your child!

I released her abruptly. The prospect of a child was important, regardless of the mother, because it would share my blood.

LEANDRO: If you’re deceiving me, Jennifer, you'll pay dearly, I spat before storming out, slamming the door behind me, as she wore a triumphant smile.

I headed towards Madison’s room, only to find the door slightly ajar, recalling that in my anger the previous night, I hadn’t locked it. Damn it! I entered hastily and confirmed my fear: Madison was gone. Enraged, I charged downstairs. She had escaped. I shouted for the guards; one rushed in.

LEANDRO: WHERE IS SHE?! WHERE IS THAT BRAT?! I voiced furiously, pacing, awaiting a response from the dumbfounded guards.

GUARD: Forgive us, sir, we didn’t notice her escape. We were vigilant, but nothing seemed amiss, he said, kneeling in fear.

LEANDRO: You’ve got three seconds to get out of my sight and find her NOW! I exploded, veins pulsing with rage.

GUARD: Right away, sir, he responded, hastily regaining his feet and departing with the others.

Fuming, I knocked things over and joined the men in the search.

LEANDRO’S THOUGHTS

This girl genuinely intends to drive me insane. I haven't decided what to do with her yet. After some brooding, an idea struck me, one that had been at the back of my mind but now felt right to actualize. Given last night's debacle, I could force her parents' hand. I dialed a call promptly.

LEANDRO (on the call): Old friend, I need you to do something, I demanded.

MAXIMO: Tell me, he replied.

LEANDRO: Prepare marriage contract papers now! I ordered.

MAXIMO: What? What are you talking about? Are you getting married? To whom? he asked in shock.

LEANDRO: Just do as I ask and take the papers to the Gonzalez residence. No more questions, I said before ending the call.

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