Don't Forget To Breathe

Chapter 5

Amos Bronson Alcott once said "The less routine, the more life", I tend to disagree with that. While moments of spontaneity are important I think keeping a steady pace in daily activities is extremely important. It keeps you grounded and settled. I have my routine down to a T and I always get thrown off when it gets disrupted like it is right now. At this very moment, my heart is beating so hard I can hear the thumping in my ears and my hands suddenly have a thin layer of sweat.

Typically every morning I wake up, greet my girlfriend, get dressed for work, grab my coffee and head downstairs. Once at the lobby, I talk to Ally and she catches me up on Camila's whereabouts and how she's doing. Today, however, I stood in the elevator with my coffee at hand ready to receive my daily report from Ally but stopped in my tracks when I saw Camila in front of the front desk with a pleading look on her face.

Is she ok? Did she need more money? Was she hurt? I really hope she didn't get in another fight.

My feet immediately make a run towards Jason , Ally's partner in crime, for an explanation.

"Ms. Jauregui" he greets politely

"Hey Jason, what's going on?" I ask looking in the direction of the front desk.

"What do you mean?" He asks innocently

My eyes roll to the back of my head. I can appreciate the loyalty he has to his friend but I know that she's informed him of everything and I hate it when people think I'm stupid enough to believe their lie.

"Okay," I said "Now that you got that out of the way I'll be sure to tell Ally you fought hard not to tell me" I persuaded "Now catch me up"

Jason examined my features for a moment debating what to do before caving in. He ,very much like Ally, couldn't help but gossip.

"Homeless lady caught Ally leaving her one of your notes this morning," he said, "She thought Ally was her secret helper and when Ally let her know she was just a messenger she was followed inside"

I nodded "So Camila just wants to know who's been helping her?" I ask

He nods confirming my suspicions and involuntarily my feet begin to move in that direction. For a split second my brain thought it was a good idea to go over there and confess. That was until I got close enough to hear the conversation

"All I want is a name ok?" She pleaded "I want to thank them and let them know that they've done enough"

Ally noticed me standing behind them from a few feet away and locked eyes with Camila.

"Trust me, she knows" Ally offered

"So it's a woman!" Camila jumped for joy at the new piece of information as Ally's palm simply met her forehead.

I smiled slightly at the sight and slowly walked backward towards the exit.

"Coward" Jason mocked, having witnessed the entire scene.

"Shut up" I mumbled as I made my way out of the building.

They've done enough

Camila's words echo through my mind over and over again. If I confess who I am she'll probably try to get me to stop helping her and I don't want to. Then again, things just can't keep going the way they are since Camila now has a lead. Poor Ally can only hold off on telling her for so long.

It doesn't seem like I have much of a choice other than to convince the young girl of letting me help her.

Considering the last time I offered help in person didn't go well I really hope we do better this time around.