Chapter 4 Unraveling Secrets

The next few days felt so obscure to Camila Alvarez. She could barely sleep because she was too consumed by the events that took place and everything she had learned about Alejandro Montenegro and everything she was yet to know. Her life which was once so simple and predictable was now caught up in a web of danger, secrets, and a man she did not know so much about.

Camila has not seen Alejandro much since their last conversation. He specifically had told her to stay out of his business, and in many ways she was trying to do so. Nevertheless, Camila could not ignore the nagging feeling that she needed to be part of it. She felt that by withholding back, she was only putting herself and Alejandro at greater risk.

Despite this feeling, she waited. She waited for him to reach out to her for her help. And yet, Camila only found herself more deeply immersed in her own thoughts about him each blessed day. She had never been someone to get lost in another person's life, but Alejandro Montenegro was different. There was something so magnetzing about him, something that pulled her in even though she was afraid.

The Phone Call

All these uneasiness continued for Camila one late Friday evening when her phone rang. She immediately picked it up but the number was a strange one with no name displayed.

"Hello?" she answered with a doubtful voice.

"Camila Alavarez" a deep voice responded from the other end. The voice sounded so familiar.

"Alejandro! Is it you?" she asked

"Yes, it is me Alejandro. Where are you?" he asked with an urgent tone.

"At home," she said trying to ease her breath. What is going on? She asked.

"You need to come to me, I mean now" he said with all seriousness.

She felt a chill run through her body. His voice had dropped, lower than normal which was indication of something that sent caution chimes ringing in her head.

"Why?" She inquired.

"You are not secure where you are." He answered urgently. "Somebody knows you are included"

Fear immediately held Camila but she pushed it aside. "I am not running to anywhere. I am going nowhere Alejandro.

Alejandro was silent for a minute, then he said quietly; "I never asked you to run. But I need you to trust me. Camila this is far too big than you know"

The urgency in Alejandro's voice left no room for debate for Camila.

"Where should I meet you?", she asked with a steady voice despite the panic running through her.

"Don't go anywhere. I will send someone to come get you. Just stay indoors." He replied.

Before she could say another word, Alejandro hung up the call.

Camila dropped her phone on the Couch as she kept thinking of was Alejandro told her. Someone knew she was involved. That wasn't a threat anymore and she wasn't dreaming either. It was real.

The world outside seemed to develop darker and the hush around her developing louder. She felt caught in way she never imagined. She wasn't just afraid of the threat. She was afraid of what Alejandro was hiding and the hold he had on her heart.

The Arrival

After an hour, Camila heard a knock on her door which startled her. She wasn't expecting anyone but when she opened it, she found a tall man in a black suit, his face looking so serious.

"Camila Alvarez?" he asked with a clipped voice.

"Yes," she replied, not so sure whether he should feel comfortable or terrified.

"I was sent by Mr. Alejandro Montenegro," the man said. "Please come with me."

Without waiting for her to respond, he stepped aside gesturing for her to follow.

Camila faltered. She wanted to refuse but the thought of being alone and vulnerable was sufficient to thrust her forward. She grabbed her jacket and went out into the cold night with the man as her pulse quickened with each step that she took.

The Drive

The car ride was very quiet. The only sound heard was the hum of the engine and the distant city noise. Camila's thoughts raced, but no matter how hard she tried, she could not shake off the feeling that things were getting out of control.

Where was Alejandro? What was he going to tell her? Were the questions that kept running through her mind.

She hadn't felt this lost in her life except now that she has stumbled into Alejandro's life. She kept looking nervously to the driver but the driver said nothing.

The city lights blurred past her as their reflection distorted in the window. Camila's mind kept returning to the note in Alejandro's wallet; the warning that had come with it. Was it really just a coincidence that she had found it? Or had she been chosen for a reason? She kept contemplating.

"Why me?" she whispered to herself, barely aware of her own voice.

The Meeting

At last, the car stopped before a huge fenced building which Camila recognized as one of Alejandro's private properties.

The driver opened the dour and gestured to Camila to drop down. Camila stepped out with her legs shaking.

"Stay Close" the Man said while leading her into the building.

The walk was smooth, moderate, and frightfully calm. She followed the man down a long passage and into a lift.

As the lift entryways closed, Camila's heart pounded in her chest. She had no thought what she was walking herself into.

When they reached the top floor, she was led into a small, dimly lit room. Alejandro stood there with his back facing her while he stared out of the window. His posture was stiff, his face not readable.

"Welcome Camila," he said with a low but steady voice.

"Tell me what's going on," she said as her voice trembled.

He turned slowly and locked his eyes on her. "There's no more running Camila. No more pretending like you are not involved."

Her heart skipped. "What do you mean?"

Alejandro walked toward her with his eyes never leaving hers. "You are part of this now wether you want to be or not." His words sounded so heavy for Camila.

Camila swallowed her breath as fear rose in her throat. "I didn't ask for this. I didn't sign up for any of this!"

Alejandro took another step closer to her. "You don't need to sign up. It has already happened." His voice was soft now, almost comforting, but there was no mistaking the seriousness behind it.

And just then, just as the weight of the moment hit her, the lights in the room flickered, casting long shadows across the floor.

Camila froze as the door behind her burst open and a group of men entered clad in black suits, their faces looking frigid and hostile.

Camila's stomach dropped. She had no idea what was happening, but one thing was clear; this was only the beginning.