Watching Sunsets With You (Original, English Version)

Chapter 6 - Carin Mae Sanchez

The boys are out biking. I've just finished doing the laundry. I saw Lee lazing on the outdoor table.

"Where's Cara?" I asked as I sat down, putting my half-eaten sandwich on the table. I haven't eaten a proper lunch.

"Baby duty. I just got off." She grinned.

"How long are the boys planning to ride?" I was curious. I mean, it's been hours already!

"They probably stopped somewhere to play some other games. Oliver did bring a basketball with him. Don't worry, they won't starve." She winked.

I grinned back. Yeah, as soon as Dylan grumbles for food, they'll have to eat.

"Right. Actually, I have something I want to ask you." I have been contemplating over this for a while now.

"Go ahead." Her serene and calm expression is back, with just a hint of a smile.

"Well... I hope you won't read too much into this. It's just that..." I tried not to be nervous. It's just a possibility after all.

"Go ahead. I don't judge..." She smiled encouragingly.

"Well... your friend, Gabe, I thought he looked familiar. It could be the person I met all those years ago... but it's also possible that it's not him."

Though we've been on a handful of dates, I really don't know much about the man who helped me before so even if I throw questions at Gabe, I wouldn't know anything. Unless I ask directly. Which I probably wouldn't do. That part of my past is a bit embarrassing, when I thought long and hard about it. I slept with a man I barely know, simply because he's kind to me. But I did have feelings for him. Right now, it isn't as strong as it was, though.

She nodded as she sipped her fruit juice. "You want to check if it's him?"

"Yeah... if you don't mind. It might seem as if I'm asking about your friend out of interest if I don't tell you this." My tone seems more relaxed now. I don't care anymore what others may think, and I also know that Lee's really not the type of person to judge another. I thought if I could get these pieces of information from Lee, and the possibility goes higher, I might consider directly asking him.

"I met this guy around ten years ago. It was during the time I lost my parents, lost our family savings, I had to skip school and find a job that would help us financially." I paused when she poured me a glass of fruit juice. They do like cucumber juice these days.

"You've mentioned it. Tough time, huh?"

"Yeah. My so-called friends at the time eventually convinced me to join them. Escort services. Prostitution in disguise, really. I was nervous when I agreed, but at that time I really felt cornered. This was before my father died. He insisted that we leave him to die, not to waste any more money on hospitalization. Sometimes I look back on it. What if we really didn't waste money on hospital bills? But mom insisted and I supported her. If there's a chance he could be cured, I would take it. When the savings run out, my mom and I scrambled to get more money to continue his hospitalization. I found myself joining them, being displayed to a bunch of men, who took turns taking their pick."

"That's when you saw him." As expected from her, she can already picture the events that followed.

"He chose me and brought me to this motel room. Mind you, it happened in a motel. It was probably a gathering or a celebration of some sort. Anyway, he asked me questions. He didn't touch me. And he gave me money. He also told me to never come back in that place again or to join that same group of people or similar types. It was a fair warning. He's a good man. And for a good amount of time, I wondered how he could be a part of that group. From the looks of most people there, I could tell they're mostly criminals or perhaps ex-convicts."

"Seen him again after that?" She posed and I nodded.

"Unfortunately, the money he gave me only lasted over a month. It was substantial, really, but given my father's condition... it's just not enough. My father died after that and then my mom was being hounded by creditors. Once more, I was tempted to..."

"And you met him again?"

"Yeah. As soon as I showed up, he dragged me away. In a way, I was kind of relieved. I was afraid that that time, some bastard would have his way..." At this point, I'm not sure if I should tell her everything.

"This guy seems really important to you. I can see why."

I can't bring myself to say it, but I gestured something undiscernible. Even I don't know what it means, but my expression definitely gave me away. Lee laughed out loud.

It took her a while before she turned serious again, frowning. I hate her brains sometimes.

"Wait... don't me tell me this guy..." She left it at that. I bit my lip.

"Where was this?" She asked, sipping from her glass again.

"Los Angeles."

She looked as if thinking.

"Ten years ago, huh? I did work with Gabe around eight years ago. Maybe nine. They're sexist, you know. They only trust men. Pretty much ignored any woman. I can only get close to the lowest of minions. Gabe was different. He worked his way up to be the big boss's right-hand man. Took him nearly five years, if I'm not mistaken."

"Are you saying it happened in Los Angeles?" I asked, because she really didn't confirm that information.

"Yes. We had our last op there. I admire Gabe. He was ready to die when he pulled out from the organization and the bureau planned a raid. He even joined. Saved my ass, yet again."

"What's the possibility that my guy was your friend?"

"More than fifty percent." She laughed at my annoyed expression.

"Talk to him. His memory is superb. He'll remember it if you two met before. Oddly enough, he might have recognized you when you met again last time."

I grimaced at her suggestion. If only it was that easy. That man ruined me, in a good way. How do I say it? I tried giving Lee the short version. She wasn't one to ask for details you don't want to share.

The second time wemet was in a December. Tough time of the year. When he dragged me away, Iresisted. I didn't have the time to see his face when he took me away. It wasonly after he released me in the room that I saw his face. I was relieved, buthe was evidently angry. He asked me why I came back. I found myself telling himthe truth. He asked a lot of things. He looked really mad even after heeventually calmed down. After that... well, things happened. His emotions rangedfrom angry to kind, to gentle, to concerned, to telling me to get the hell faraway from that place. He gave me a lot of money, even more than what he gave methe first time. When he released me the next morning, I found out that my momhad died in an accident. My neighbors who still showed a bit of concern alltold me to run after the funeral. During that time, some of the girls that wentwith me to the motel told me some of their stories. Apparently, those men weredealing with drugs and human trafficking. When I heard about it, I rememberedhis warning. So, I fled. Since I have no family to think about, I continuedmoving. Then, I found out I was pregnant. When I found out, I was both worriedand happy. Go figure. I still have a lot of money, then. I didn't pay mymother's debt. If I will be held responsible for her debts, I figured I shouldtry running first. I decided it's a good chance to start over. With a newfamily. On my own.