Chapter 2

Jack

- Who is Alex? Don't change the subject, Rafael. I bet it must be very good indeed, because it is a sign that you eat it or you must have eaten it already. And if you haven't, then do it. Because Barbie over there thinks I am her new lover.

- What kind of language is that, Miss Jackeline? - he says in a serious tone.

- It seems that you don't talk like that with the "good" women," I comment, making quotation marks with my fingers.

- It is normal to speak. I am a man.

- Really? I didn't know, I thought you were a woman. - I ironically say. He quickly changes the focus of the conversation.

- Gee, you don't sleep, do you? - he asks ironically.

- I wish I could. But there's someone who thinks I shouldn't sleep more than eight hours a night and calls me into his office at the crack of dawn.

- Wow. Jack, I don't know how you can stand it. If I had known, I wouldn't have called you.

- I can take it, Ralph, you know that I am always available to help you. I come here whenever you need any help. Now, tell me what is going on that made you get me out of bed so early.

- You are so sweet, aren't you, honey? - he mocks.

- I'm an angel," I say.

- Let the angel hear this," he jokes.

I watch my friend sitting down and realize that he looks like a seductive leading man. This must be the reason why so many women are always running after him, he only needs to snap his fingers. From the position I am in, my gun starts to bother me, I take it off my back, and when I look at Ralph, he is wide-eyed, surprised to see that I am carrying a nine millimeter.

- Holy shit! Jack, did you have to bring a gun with you? - he asks seriously.

- Ralph, it's not like you don't know me? I have to carry a gun because of my profession. Did you forget that I'm a security guard?

- I know, I just never saw you with a gun in your hands before.

- You weren't even supposed to see it, nobody sees it with me, I hide it very well, nobody notices that I have it on my body.

- That's why you called me, I thought it was about the knife you always carry that set off the alarms.

- Now you know that's not it. Look, I hardly ever come here to your office, bro, you know I hate elevators and I told you that. So, to receive me, you could have a room on the first floor - I speak optimistically

- No way, Jack. You always knew that my office is on the roof of the building. In fact, I never understood your fear of elevators.

- I know, you could have a room only when you have to attend to me, right? - I don't know either, I have even asked my mother about this fear I have and she can't even explain it to me, I confess.

- Honestly, you have to see a therapist - he warns me and I know he is right.

- Yes, Mom. I'll let you know when I go, okay? - I declare, rolling my eyes at him once more.

- Wow, you are so playful, so helpful," he tells me, making me roll my eyes and he continues, "Now, changing the subject, Jack. I have a friend who needs a security guard.

- Okay, which one? - I ask curious.

- Alex. The guy I told you is a lot like you when it comes to my secretary.

- Oh, right! Got it. Well, what exactly is going on that he needs a security guard?

- Well, here's the thing. He is getting death threats from some people," he stops talking.

- And why? Come on, Ralph, you are not making any sense, start from the beginning.

- Okay, Jack, first I want you to think carefully if you want to take the case. Okay? - he asks.

- All right," I answer and he continues:

- Well, here's the thing, Alex is a friend of mine, he's thirty years old and owns a modeling agency that has grown a lot in the last five years. He has a couple of kids, twins, at the age of ten, who are just adorable.

- Wow, so he had children early, huh? - I commented.

- Yes, he did. His wife Sarah passed away almost ten years ago and left him alone with two small children...

- Ralph, just tell me, what is going on? - When he finally tells me, I am shocked by the revelation.