Sincerely, Yours

Chapter 11

SEVEN YEARS LATER

"Mom." Seven year old Rogelio called Kassandra.

"Yes, honey?" She answered as he got into bed.

"At school they asked about my dad. Where is he?"

"Honey, we've talked about this, he's gone. He's in heaven."

"Kids laugh at me because my dad is dead."

"Those are mean kids and you should tell your teacher when that happens, okay?" She said, kissing his forehead. "Now, go to sleep." She got up and turned off the light and left the room. She walked to the living room and sat on the couch as Robert handed her a beer. "Thanks. He's asking about his father again. I hate lying to him about it."

"Just tell him the truth, that he's a worthless asshole."

"You know I can't do that."

"It's been six years, Kassie. Don't tell me you still love him?"

"I will always love him, Robert."

"Well, at least with the money you got from his dad you were able to go back to school and graduate. You're working in one of the best law offices in town. You have your own place." He said as they clinked bottles. "It was fun babysitting, but it's time for uncle Robert to bounce. See you Monday." He said, kissing her cheek and leaving.

Kassandra checked on Rogelio one more time before settling down on the couch. Seven years had passed since she last saw German, and a month later she found out she was pregnant. How much she wanted to call him and tell him, but she meant what she told him, she never wanted to see him again.

She went and took a shower, and returned to the couch. Something was wrong, different from before she went to take a shower. "Rogelio?" She called. She ran to her room, opened a safe and took a gun out. She slowly made it back to the living room. She turned on the light and made her way to Rogelio's room. As she placed her hand on the door handle, she felt a gun pointed at her back. "Put the gun down, Miss Mills." A man said behind her. She handed the gun to the man and slowly turned around. "A gun, really? What type of trouble are you in?"

"Mariano!" Kassandra cried. "What are you doing here?" She asked nervously.

"You're smart, you should have an idea. Now, why don't you go change and pack a few things, we are going on a trip."

"I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what you are doing here."

"He's ordering you to come back."

"Ordering me? He doesn't order me around. Sorry, but you are going to have to tell him I said no thank you." She said walking away from Rogelio's door.

"I'm afraid it doesn't work like that. If I don't return with you, he said he would come get you himself and drag you back. I'm sure you don't want him knowing who is in that room." He said pointing to Rogelio's room.

"What does he want, Mariano? I made it clear to him, I never wanted to see him again."

"He's been looking for you since you left. He just finally found out."

"I have nothing to do there."

"You either come voluntarily or I'll have to take you by force."

"You wouldn't do that, Mariano." She said scared.

"I follow my boss' orders. Now, what is it going to be?"

"I can't leave him alone." She said, motioning to Rogelio's room.

"You can always take him with you, or, we have your brother outside."

"You have Robert? Haven't we gone through enough with you guys?"

There was a knock on the door and Mariano opened it. A man pushed Robert inside the living room. "Kassie, are you okay?" Robert asked, running to her.

"Yes, I'm fine. Did they hurt you?"

"No, they just snatched me as I was getting in my car. What do they want?"

"He wants me to go back, I don't know why. If I don't go, he's coming himself here. He can't see Rogelio."

"Are you crazy? You are actually going to go?"

"Robert, I need you to take care of Rogelio while I'm gone. I'm sure it won't be too long."

"Kassie, don't. You don't know what awaits you there."

"She really has no choice." Mariano said. "We need to hurry, Miss." Kassandra and Robert looked at each other.

They arrived early the next day at German's house. Mariano opened the door for her. "They are in the dining room." The butler told them. Mariano grabbed her arm and guided her to the dining room. She walked like a zombie, remembering the last time she was here. How she said goodbye to German and left. Mariano knocked on the dining room door, didn't wait for a response and opened the door, pulling her inside with him. She looked at the floor, and couldn't bring herself to look at him yet.

"Sir, Miss Mills as requested."

German couldn't bring himself to look up at her either. "Hope she didn't give you any trouble."

"No, sir."

"Good, take her up to her room, she must be exhausted. We'll talk when she is ready."

Kassandra lifted her head and looked at him, saw him looking at his plate, next to him, Anya and on the other side, his mother. "If we could resolve this as soon as possible, I would really appreciate it. I have a life that I have to get back to." She said trying to maintain the calm.

"Mariano, tell Miss Mills to go rest. We'll talk when I say so." He said, lifting his head and staring at her.

"Yes, sir." Mariano said as Kassandra was left speechless after staring at German. Seven years later, and the feelings were still strong. Mariano removed her from the dining room.

German slammed his fist on the table. Why did he have to find her? After all these years he still loved her.

"What is she doing here?" Anya asked annoyedly.

"Anya, you know my father asked me to find her before he died."

"Yes, find her, not bring her into our home." She said standing up and leaving the dining room.