IN LOVE WITH HIM

Now in the company of my best friend, and Rafael, my father's most loyal henchman, I advance aggressively in the shopping center that Kayra and I usually frequent. My father didn't understand that when I told him I wanted to spend time "alone" with my best friend, that also included that I didn't need a bodyguard! I know he's worried about me, and that's normal. Any father would be, I mean any mobster would be. For my father, my life is constantly threatened, to believe that men armed to the teeth will enter a place as public as this shopping center and come and point their guns at me. —What do you want me to buy for you? Disconcerted, I stare at the man with the scarred face, a muffled cry deep in my throat. I part my lips to speak while internally repeating to myself to appear firm in my words. “Thank you, but I don’t need you to buy anything for me. He doesn't answer me right away and just smiles at me, a grin crosses his face when he tilts his head back slightly and then speaks in a calm tone. - I insist. — Are you deaf?!, my friend gets angry, she told you that she didn’t need you to buy anything for her. Sighing in frustration, I cross my arms against my chest, and frown, annoyed. My nostrils flare with anger as I say again: — Did my father send you?! However, I told him that I didn't need a bodyguard. -miss I- - It's okay!, I cut him off, there are a few things you can buy for me. Rafael smiles with satisfaction then readjusts his jacket, naturally asking me: —What do you want me to buy for you? I point to the gold bracelet in the window not far from us, with my gaze, he follows the direction I indicate to him, before telling me to follow him. Kayra and I exchanged a knowing look before following suit. The three of us walked towards the jewelry case, only looking ahead, he didn't notice when me and my friend changed direction. Kayra and I picked up the pace, went up the escalator, and once we were at the top, we headed straight to the clothing store. During our walk a pressing urge to urinate made me stop in my walk, my friend slowed down and turned to me with an arched eyebrow as if to ask me what was wrong. — Go ahead, I'll meet you later, I'm going to the bathroom. “Okay, I’ll wait for you there then.” I nod my head then turn around to leave, I enter the girls' bathroom, hurrying into a stall, then release my bladder while sighing with contentment. Once I was done, I flushed the toilet and then zipped up my suit before walking out of the stall and towards the mirror. I sigh as I look at my reflection in the mirror, my face is dotted with freckles and my long red hair is tied up in a neat and elegant bun. That's not me... This suit... and this blouse, it's not my style of clothing at all... it's hers, my mother's. My father wants me to be like her... he wants me to be like her... I pull myself out of my thoughts when I hear footsteps approaching. Without really paying attention to the person who entered, I splash water on my face then stand up. I freeze when my gaze meets that of a man in the mirror, all my senses gasp when he slowly approaches me and leans so that his lips brush my lobe. Immediately I tense up, a shiver of fear escapes from my body. The hairs on my neck stand up, and when I see my reflection in the mirror, I realize that my complexion has become pale. - it's the women's toilet!! I was panicking. - I know, he replied, smiling at me, Camila López, is that it? Chiotte, who is this guy? How does he know my name?! - wh-who are you? I stammered. - everything you have the right to know at the moment... He pauses his sentence, smiles at me into the tinned glass and then thrusts one of his hands into the pocket of his jeans, and brings it out with a syringe. - you are going to take a twenty-four hour nap