CUBAN HIRE (CARTEL GXG)

ECHOES OF THE PAST

[CONTENT WARNING: IF LOSS OF A CHILD IS SOMETHING YOU RELATE TO, I ADVISE YOU TO SKIP THIS CHAPTER, OR AT LEAST THE FLASHBACK. ]

Ezmeralda inhaled the smoke, her body leaned back on the arm chair on the grand balcony, the evening crickets singing to her. Carlos, sitting on the other chair beside her, mirrored her motion as he stared up at the starry sky, their bodies tired from the eventful day. Ezmeralda turned her head slightly, catching a glimpse of the sleeping Olivia, her body peacefully tucked into the luxurious bed. A little smile tugged at her lips, a strange sensation that felt unfamiliar to her.

"Ella estaba en el baño, pobrecita" Carlos murmured, referring to earlier when he barged into the bathroom to find a terrified Olivia, sitting on the toilet.

{she was in the bathroom, poor girl}

Ezmeralda let out a little laugh, an amused sense of guilt over washing her. "Ella sobrevivirá" she assured with a chuckle before returning her eyes back to the dark clear sky.

{she'll survive}

Carlos mirrored her once more, chuckling to himself before he let out a deep breath, the night seeming so nostalgic for some reason.

Ezmeralda felt her eyes gloss for a whisk, her mind falling back to the fateful night her 3 year old daughter was taken from her.

September 7th, 2023

"Elena, a casa?" Ezmeralda called out as she carried the groceries into the house, her keys dangling from her lips as she shut the door with her foot. The house was unusually quiet, and as she set the bags down on the kitchen counter, a playful tone crept into her voice. "Respóndeme, bebé," she called again, knowing Elena loved to hide. Even though Ezmeralda had warned her not to, it had become a game for the little girl.

{Elena, home?} {Answer me, baby.}

But today, the game didn't feel fun. The house was too still, the silence unnerving. Ezmeralda's brow furrowed as she started looking in the usual places—under the couch, behind the kitchen cabinet, inside her daughter's tent. Nothing. "Elena, sal, ya no tiene gracia," she said more firmly, her tone laced with growing concern.

{Elena, come out, this isn't funny anymore.}

Her heartbeat quickened. She began to search faster, opening every door, checking closets, even peeking into the washing machine in desperation. Elena was nowhere. Her hands trembled slightly as she grabbed her phone and dialed Carlos.

"¿Elena está contigo?" she asked breathlessly, dread thick in her voice.

{Is Elena with you?}

"No, me fui hace unos 20 minutos. ¿La niñera no está ahí?" Carlos replied, his voice casual. But his words hit Ezmeralda like a punch to the gut. The nanny was supposed to be there. So where was Elena?

{No, I left about 20 minutes ago. Isn't the nanny there?}

"La casa está vacía," Ezmeralda whispered, panic rising fast. But then her eyes caught sight of the light on in the guest house at the far end of the garden. Relief washed over her as she let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. "Ella está en el jardín," she explained, laughing at her own paranoia.

{The house is empty.}                       {She's in the garden.}

"I'll be home in about 30 minutes," Carlos said with a fake American accent before he chuckled, the faint hum of music in the background signaling he was on the road.