Little White Lies

Chapter 19

Candice hated to admit it, but she was having a great time in Mexico.

She was now in Merida and surrounded by culture and churches instead of beaches. It was not somewhere that she'd consider before so there's a silver lining in this.

It had been another month of her being shuttled around Mexico to promote the various businesses that Carlos and his company were affiliated with. Candice doubted he owned all of them so it must be some kind of gang thing. She even had a photographer to help at several points which was both amazing and ridiculous.

Another good thing was her new friend Meredith. Because she had been so cooperative, Carlos let her hang out with Meredith outside of schedule with only one condition that they visit one of their establishments. It felt like she was back in college when she hung out with Meredith, who was easy to talk to and didn't pry into her business.

Too bad she couldn't come to Merida with her.

"Hey chica, time to move," Carlos peeked out of the driver window as he pulled up. Candice raised her eyebrows at him. He didn't usually play driver to her; where were they going that was so important? Or was he simply bored?

Reading her expression, Carlos pushed his sunglasses back and gestured with his head for her to get on. Candice made her way to the passenger seat and got in, giving Carlos a questioning look still. "Are you downgraded to driving now?"

Carlos gave her a warning look and Candice felt a sudden pang in her heart as panic filled her body. She had gotten too comfortable and forgot that these people were dangerous.

"The bosses want to see you," Carlos muttered as he drove off. Candice's spine stiffened. She had always assumed Carlos was the boss, or at least, the boss within the gang that she saw. Maybe that's still true and she was on her way to see the collective boss of gangs? Was that a thing? Was she about to meet Mexican drug lords? Had they decided that they were done with her and want to kill her and dump her body into a pond fill of crocodile? Is that even a thing? Or maybe a dark pit?

The rest of the ride was like torture. Candice couldn't tell you whether the ride took an hour or three. They were driving towards the coast, since she caught a glimpse of the ocean, into an area that didn't seem to have any houses. Carlos pulled into a random, unmarked road that ended at an enormous gate.

Carlos leaned out of the window to speak to the intercom to the side. Candice took the chance to study the gate. Wrought iron, elegant swirls, easily fifteen feet tall. Behind was a long road that stretched towards a mansion that's two storeys high and straight out of a rent-a-villa website. It reminded Candice of her family's vacation home in the Hampton. One that she just realized she'd never go to again.

A butler was there to greet them when the car pulled up, along with a valet. Carlos waved the latter away and insisted on driving the car to the garage and told Candice that he'd wait for her there. He looked a little uncomfortable, which only set Candice more on edge.

"Follow me, please," the butler said with a sweeping hand. He reminded her of Nelson, obviously well trained and out of place in the countryside of Merida in Mexico. While a butler didn't always scream old money, the interior decor speaks taste and that's usually a good indication of old money.