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She smiled. "Okay, Catalina. Just press the button if you need anything. Oh wait…" She held a finger in the air, looking about her. "I had a package for you. Oh, there it is." She picked up the small box she'd placed by the door and handed it to me. "Okay, just buzz if you need me."
I nodded with a smile as she left the room, and I looked down at the package, turning it over in my hands. There was nothing on it but my name and my hospital room number. Frowning, I opened the box and found a small black handbag inside with a long strap. It had been cleaned somewhat, but I could tell by the extensive cracking of the leather, the faded color, and the tarnished metal, that it had spent quite some time outside in the elements.
Curiosity rising inside me, I opened the bag, tipping the contents into my lap and spreading them on the bed. For such a small bag, it had a lot of stuff in there. A wallet. A phone with a smashed screen. A few pens, my gold pen among them. Two tissue packets. Five different lip glosses, and some squashed watermelon flavored chewing gum that looked like it had been half eaten by ants. My attention went straight to the wallet.
I opened the red leather wallet, grinning as I saw a picture of me on a standard LA license.
It was my wallet. This was my bag!
Holding my breath, I searched through the wallet to find all my cards there in the usual spot. I don't know how I knew, but I just knew. Nothing appeared to be missing in my bag after all this time. I sighed heavily. I had been hoping that it would reveal more, but so far as I could tell, the only new information I found was that my birthday was on the 21st of May. And if the stamped customer reward card was any indication, I really, really liked churros.
I picked up the bag again, giving it another shake to see if I'd missed anything, and examined the inside to make sure. Nothing. Frowning, I reached into the bag and ran my fingers along the side seam, watching as they disappeared behind the fabric.
My secret pocket!
I knew the letter was there before my fingers even touched it. I pulled it out to my surprise and saw my father's family crest stamped in wax on the front. I stared, my mouth agape as the memory played out like déjà vu. I unfolded the parchment and read it for the first time… again.
To my precious Catalina, mi changuito,
I dread the day you must read this letter. You are my most treasured daughter and the only person I can trust. I hope that I don't lose it now once I confide in you what I really do. Please don't think poorly of me when you find out the truth and know that what I have done is out of love for you. To secure a future for you.
To that end, it has always been my wish for you to take on my empire. Keep our empire within the family and carry on our name for many generations to come. I know you are not one for politics and I would not wish for you to follow a path that is not true to your heart, but the other businesses I run are now yours to carry on. Already you have proven yourself an adept businesswoman, running several of our winery estates and leading our restaurant chains. I know you can handle the rest as well, especially with the team I have in place. They are loyal to the family.
I have all their details and my personal information, all my business records, dealings, partnerships, and associations hidden in our special spot. Only you will know where to find it.
For now, know that I love you with all my heart, and I sincerely hope that you find that special someone and live out the rest of your days in blissful happiness. I wish I could be there to share it with you, but know I will be watching over you.
I will love you always.
Your loving father,
Mateo Rivera
xoxo
P.S. Where do ghosts go on vacation? The Boo-hamas.
P.P.S. I bet you thought I forgot the bad dad joke. I hope I always make you smile, even beyond the grave.
Tears welled in my eyes as I remembered him calling me by my childhood nickname, mi Changuito. I folded the letter as snippets of memories came back to me, of writing back and forth to my father and gifting him a feathered calligraphy pen. I lay back on the bed, letting the thoughts wash over me when a knock sounded on my door. I jumped, startled by the broken silence, and looked up, expecting my uncle but it was a nurse.
"Oh, I'm sorry Miss Rivera-Flores. I've just come to complete your check-up."
I frowned, "Are you sure? I just had nurse Antonia in here."
"Yes, I'm sure. I'm the only nurse assigned to you." She looked confused as she stepped into the room. "And there is no nurse named Antonia at this hospital."
As I heard her words, my blood ran cold…
Chapter seven
Nico
Come on. Just one little step to the right and I'll have you.
I waited patiently for Mr. Green to move until his head came into view before pulling the trigger. I watched as his body jerked and the blood sprayed across the wall behind him, creating a bright red mural that glowed in the flashing light of the motel sign. His young, underage escort screamed, tripping over the dead body, before stumbling off into the night sobbing uncontrollably.
"See! Now wasn't that easier than rushing in there with our fists and splattering brains everywhere?"
