AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Okay. I understand,” Kevin nodded. “When will she be ready?”
“After breakfast,” I said firmly. There was no sense dragging this on. I knew what I had to do.
“Roger that,” Kevin said. He seemed to hesitate. “None of my business but will she be safe?” he asked.
“I hope so, but it’s not our business anymore. Pay for a week in cash and give her some cash. I don’t care how much. Enough that she won’t have to do anything foolish for a long time,” I added.
“Roger,” said Kevin. “I’ll be ready in a couple of hours. And her ID? Does she get to keep it all and the card?”
“Yes,” I said firmly. “Give her a chance to get away. She deserves that at least.”
Maria made breakfast and brought it to Sarah when she didn’t come down. I sat at the table alone feeling terrible. What else could I do, though? My mind wandered to the two of us hopping on a private plane and leaving the US forever. I could just take her, couldn’t I? I knew I could, but what were the long-term repercussions to that? I had business interests here and it was where I had built my life.
“Papi, you know she’s a mess, right?” Maria asked me when she came down with the breakfast plate still full of food. “There’s something else going on.”
“I know, Maria, but she won’t tell me what,” I said exasperated.
“I tried to ask her. She won’t tell me either,” Maria said. She lowered her voice. “I think she’s with child.”
I gaped at her. “How can you tell? Why wouldn’t she tell me?”
Now it was Maria’s turn to deadpan me. “Really? Why would she? You two sneaking around here like nothing’s happening. Of course, she’s keeping it quiet. I would. There’s no worse rejection than someone ending it when you have a life growing in you that’s theirs,” she said.
“You could be wrong,” I argued. “I mean, did she tell you?”
“No, but a woman usually knows. But I don’t know 100% if that’s what you’re asking.”
“Well, I’ve asked her what’s wrong over and over and she won’t tell me. She puts us all at risk with her behavior. I can’t have her here,” I felt like an ass as I said it.
“I understand,” Maria nodded. “You’re the boss. I just hope she’s okay in the end. She’s a sweet kid, despite her poor choices.” Maria stared at me hard before she busied herself with tidying the kitchen.
I slunk back to my room and felt like the world's biggest asshole. Maria was implying I was the poor choice. I knew it. And with what I was about to do, she just might be right.
Kevin was ready with the car at nine as promised. I knocked on the guest bedroom door and hoped against hope that something had changed.
“Hi,” I said.
“Hey,” Sarah muttered. “I know you want me gone. I’m ready.” She picked up her small backpack and set her face with determination. “I’m so sorry again for everything. I never should have put you at risk. You’re the best thing that’s happened to me, and I messed that up, and I’m so sorry.” Her voice cracked as she spoke. “I completely understand why you want me to leave.”
“Sarah,” I started. “Why can’t you just tell me why you went out yesterday?”
“It doesn’t make what I did right,” she said. “The reason is irrelevant. We were never meant to be what we were for these couple of weeks. We both know it. The age gap. The fact that I’m a runaway bride. You’re a good guy, Anthony. I’m a spoiled mafia girl who never wanted to accept her family but also hasn’t had the courage to leave like you did. I will now. Please just know how much I enjoyed our time together and how much I respect you,” she finished. She strode out of the room past me and didn’t look back.
It’s for the better. I don’t know why, still. It’s all speculation. And if she wanted to stay, she would talk. This is her excuse to leave. Let her go. From day one, I knew she was too young and probably too good for me.
A fat tear rolled out of my eye and down my cheek. I wiped it away angrily. There was no time for this. We had both made our choices. We had to move on.
Kevin messaged me when Sarah was safely checked into the motel.
Let’s talk when you get back.
I texted in return. I wanted to make sure he’d given her enough money. I didn’t care if I had to pay for weeks and weeks of living expenses for her. I’d never forgive myself if something happened and I could have prevented it.
“Maria,” I said when I entered the kitchen. She glared at me before responding.
“Yes, boss?”
“I know you’re mad at me,” I started. “But you do see why I did it, right? Sarahwantedto leave, just so you know,” I added.
