A Father to My Baby

Joaquín Oviedo's pov

nine years old

"They won't come. Do you know what that means? We're going to have to sell you to another family. We can't keep you in America, but there are plenty of rich couples in other countries who would pay for a blonde Boys pay big bucks. If your parents don't want to pay to bring you home, we'll find someone who will."

I try to pretend I'm not listening. Be strong and brave like my brother Guillermo because I don't want these people to see how scared I am.

It's been six days since they brought me here. I'm counting. Sometimes my mind can get really cluttered, so I decided to pile up some pebbles I found on my bedroom floor so I wouldn't forget.

Why isn't Dad here yet? They said they wanted money and my family had a lot of money.

Are these people telling the truth? Do my parents know they took me but still don't want to pay the money they demand to get me back? I wish Guillermo was an adult. My brother would never leave me here. I believe in him. I also believed in Mom and Dad, but now I don't know.

"Are you listening to me, kid? I know you understand what I'm saying, and you're scared. You should."

Even if I don't look at him, I know he's smiling. You do it all the time. You put on an evil grin like you're having fun scaring me.

"I was thinking it was wrong for us to take you away. Your family doesn't care if you come back or not. I think, after we sell, bring the little girl. She may be worth a lot of money."

Take my Martina? get my Martina? my little sister?

I tried not to cry but felt pain behind my eyes. I clasped my hands together to keep them still because I wanted to get to where the guy was and kick his shins.

"It's okay. I can see you don't want to talk. I'm leaving, but think about what I said. You might wake up tomorrow in another country."

As soon as he was gone, I grabbed a wooden box I found under the bed. I can't reach that small, tall window without it. I put it near a window. From day one, I climbed up and looked out. Surrounded by old houses.

The window is a very narrow passage, but I think I can get through it. I was terrified of getting scratched by shards of glass because it was shattered, but that was before and I thought my dad would come and save me.

Now, I think I have to escape by myself, so I have an idea.

I go back to bed and get the blanket. I wrap it around my hand, like I've seen in action movies, and slam on shards of glass, shattering the missing pieces.

There. That's it, just the glass tip, even if I cut myself, it wouldn't be that much. I need to go home. Even if my parents don't care about me like this man said, I can't let them take my sister away.

I ran so fast that I was out of breath.

My lungs were on fire, but I didn't stop until I found a store. There is a sign on the door that says "OPEN".

I still pushed the door open, for fear that they would chase me, and I was relieved to see a white-haired woman inside.

"Good evening, my love. Aren't you a little late walking around by yourself?" she asked.

"I don't walk," I said, taking a deep breath. I ran away.

My name is Joaquin Oviedo. They kidnapped me. "Please call the police for me."

Her eyes widened. She turned around at the counter and came towards me.

"Are you from the Oviedo family? Can you tell me your father's name?"

"Stuart Caldwell, but don't call my dad. He doesn't care about me. I'm going to let those people betray me. Talk to my brother Guillermo. Yes, he will come to my rescue."

*************

twenty three years later

I mentally count to ten, taking a planned pause before closing. I stared at the jurors without blinking, trying to guess if any of them were going to give it all up.

No, I put them where I want them.

They have been persuaded. I could tell by their attentiveness to what I had to say.

My verdict is in.

I nodded as if to pat them on the back, praising them for taking another murderer off the street in a few minutes. Then I started talking.

"I have no doubt that when they return, there will only be one decision: guilty."

I sat down again while the defense attorney tried to work her magic in her final remarks, even though we all knew her case had been lost.

Half an hour later, after she finished speaking, I put the papers in my briefcase. I am now indifferent to everyone around me. It was as if my mind had shut itself off from the universe, muted it.

My sister Martina said I took the concept of introspection to another level.

I don't think this is the case. I just don't like humans a lot of the time. Interaction is just a necessary evil.

It doesn't matter. I admit there are some exceptions.

My family, Olivia and my three nieces.

Joaquín Oviedo's pov

Maybe Carter, my only friend.

That's it. I don't think I can think of anyone else.

" Dr. Joaquin, you're on the cover of a magazine," my assistant Daniel said.

Even when I didn't look up at him, I noticed he was smiling. He knows how much I hate exposure, but unfortunately, it's a plague. It's both because of my last name and because I've been in the eye of a hurricane in the fight against organized crime. The media decided to sell my superhero image.

I pretended not to hear, but he was persistent - or maybe he just had no sense of self-preservation.

Sexiest Bachelor, eh! My God, I would use my left lung to win a championship like this.

" What's the point of being sexy if he doesn't call the next day? " Amelia, the defense attorney and a woman I've hung out with but didn't want to repeat the meds said aloud.

She was standing inches away from us, looking downcast.

As far as her personal attacks go, I ignore the irony and focus on the actual parts.

" He'll be convicted," I said.

I don't say this to annoy her. Provoking someone requires energy that I don't want to waste. Also, according to my brothers, I have this gift. I don't have to work hard to be hated.

" You are a megalomaniac, Dr. Joaquín Oviedo.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed my assistant paying attention to our exchange.

Yeah, she can't tell the person from the professional because we only go out once and it's not even that person.

" You should take the deal we're offering. I'll go ahead. I want you to warn the defendant's family that they're going to have to have Sunday visits for the rest of his life. "

Before she could answer, I nodded my goodbyes and walked towards the exit, deliberately avoiding the victim's family because I knew what would happen next if they could talk to me.

Thanks. tears. bless.

I don't want or need that. I'm not doing it for them, but to keep another damn criminal out of society.

" You have a great interaction. She likes you," Daniel said.

" You should focus more on your work than on women. " I have to admit, I'm not interested in women.

" No way. Working with you is like being in a walking lab and learning how to make them chase you effortlessly. It's better than any dating class I've ever taken. "

" Wait. " I stopped and looked at him confused.

" Are you saying you signed up for dating classes? How the hell does something like that work? "

I usually ignore this kind of useless information, but I'm intrigued by how weird it is.

" Easy. It's like some kind of tutorial. IMHO, not everyone is lucky enough to have your look . Tall, strong, blue eyes . So I have to be creative because the competition is fierce. "

" I want an example," I demanded. " What you said sounds like some kind of code. "

He looked at me with a sense of superiority.

" Let's go. Where do I start? Oh yeah. We, men, are fools when it comes to romanticism. "

" I can't deny it. Women value things that don't make sense to me. I dated one for a while, and I think on the second date, she complained that I didn't notice that she had cut two centimeters of hair. "

Can you believe such a thing?

" That said," he continued, "we need to learn how to deal with details. The course is a veritable encyclopedia of women. Even when they act at certain times of the month they teach. We know we need to give: flowers, Affection and lots of chocolate. Not necessarily in that order. "

" Are you listening to yourself? " This dialogue is so weird.

" Nothing weird. I want to be an expert on the female soul. After that, I'll build my harem. "

" Okay, Sultan, but I suggest you try taking care of one at a time first. Do you know how? Baby steps. Let's get back to work now. We won't be able to form our harem, but we've got a bunch of lawsuits ahead of us. "I said to him with a sneer.

*****

in a few hours

" Can we have dinner? I need to talk ." Carter Harrison Kensington III, a judge and arguably my only friend outside of the family, picked me up The phone asked.

" Do you think I'm the best person to give advice? "

" In that case yes, because the conversation also involved asking for help. "

It keeps me on my toes. I can't imagine him wanting something he can't get himself. His family is almost as rich as mine.

" About what? " I'm curious, is there anything in this world that he can't fix?

" Joaquin, this is serious. I have to speak up about this or I'm going crazy. My marriage is on the line. "

" It's okay. See you at the old place at eight o'clock. I can't be late. An hour at most. I have to get up early for the hearing tomorrow morning. " This is why I don't want to enter the marriage, and the circle of friends around me will inevitably have a marriage crisis .

I'm afraid of trouble.

" I have plenty of time to explain what I need to explain, " he said reassuringly.

*****

Capital Grille Restaurant

" Joaquin, I need an answer, " Carter said.

Saying is not something I usually do easily, but this time I didn't get it.

The situation is too complicated.

" I don't think I can, Carter. You'd better find someone else ."

" Who? I wouldn't trust asking this question to anyone but you. You're my best friend. "

I looked at him analytically.

best friend? I have no idea. My cynical side thought.

Maybe what suits his needs best, since he's sure I'll never cause him trouble in the future. I don't plan on getting married, let alone having kids.

" You won't have any responsibility. " He looked at me like he was about to beg, which made me fucking sick.

" Did you hit your head? " I asked half-sarcastically, half-seriously.

Letting him continue what he asked me to do was the most logical explanation.

" I'm the worst person you could want for this role. Why the fuck don't you use your genetic material? "

" Shhh... keep your voice down. No one in Boston needs to know," he asked, looking around. Regarding your question: Erin said I would cheat on her because the eggs would not be hers. My marriage depends on it. She is going crazy. Her dream has always been to become a mother. "

I removed from my mind all the sentimental explanations he had just given and focused on the arguments that seemed most ridiculous to me.

" Cheating? God, it's artificial insemination, how can this be cheating? Irene is a nice woman, but jealous. Damn Joaquin, she's your friend too, and she's suffering. When I say there's no other option Please believe me. " My friend seemed to make sense of this matter.

" From where I am, I can see several options, but they don't seem as drastic as this one. Adoption, for example. I'm not willing to help him, it's not easy.

" No. We want to be with the baby from day one and make sure it's ours. What do I need to do? I get on my knees? "

His expression was very excited. Perhaps, this was the last way he could think of.

I had a headache and my friend asked me to help him, but it was against the grain.

" I'll think about it. I need to go over the whole situation. Until then, don't call me. I'll take as long as I think is necessary before I make up my mind. "

bianca's pov

a week later

Omg, summer is finally here! Sunny, swimming in the lake on Sunday, and having a barbecue in the backyard with her parents. I don't even mind that it's raining heavily right now. I know it will stop after a while.

I was just finished thinking when a car drove up and splashed water on me. I lost my balance and my umbrella flew away. When I spread my arms like an octopus trying to grab it, seeing nothing, I bumped into a man. I knew it was a man from the swear words he uttered.

I just didn't fall because he was fast and caught me.

" Watch where you're going, young lady. "

" If I could see it, I'd love to watch it. "

Can't say that. I can't see anything. I think even my head is muddy.

" Here, " the man said, putting what I thought was a handkerchief into my hand.

I tried to maintain my dignity and wiped the dirty water off my face, but I too was disgusted and grimaced when I realized it had entered my mouth.

I opened my eyes feeling like a wet dick and finally saw the gentleman who helped me.

He should be in his sixties. Despite his blunt tone, his face was friendly with a playful smile. He protects me with his umbrella, it's no use because even my soul has to be wet at the moment.

" I think your handkerchief is gone too, " I said, feeling my cheeks getting hotter.

" It's okay, but be careful next time. If you turn into the street instead of the sidewalk, you might get run over. "

I'm not stubborn... well... usually. I feel the need to defend myself.

This is real. I am not. My problem is something else: I'm always daydreaming. I am easily distracted. Like now, I forget that the stranger is talking to me.

" It doesn't seem like that to me. I'll give you my umbrella, but I have a meeting in half an hour, " he said a little awkwardly, and I thought to myself, there are still gentlemen in the world.

" It's no use anyway. " I showed him my soaked clothes. I already thanked him for the handkerchief. My lashes are stuck together and it's hard to get home.

He smiled, and I smiled reflexively. I'm usually shy with strangers, but he was nice to me.

Besides, it's just a mud bath - a really good mud bath, by the way - not the end of the world.

" I'm leaving now. Thanks for making me laugh, " he said, before turning to leave.

Immediately it rained again and I thank God my backpack was rubber or my phone would have been lost.

What a bad day my old wheelbarrow ended up in the hospital, this is what Dad calls the mechanic's garage where he always works miracles and gets it rolling again.

Sighing, I continued walking home for another ten minutes.

***********

Thank God, there are only a few days left.

Soon the lawyer will be able to start working to legalize my parents' situation in the US. We've managed to raise almost all the money for the down payment he's asking for. We will end once and for all the threat that has loomed over our heads for as long as I can remember because my parents are what US authorities say are undocumented.

It's not a very nice name, but it's better than being labeled illegal.

When they came here twenty-five years ago, they crossed the border between the United States and Mexico with the help of coyotes. A tourist visa is a bare minimum they need to enter here legally, but it's too demanding and they'll never be able to meet it.

Mom said that both she and Dad came from very poor families, and sometimes they didn't even have the most basic food.

According to her, it was not easy at first. The language barrier, since none of them speak English, is almost as big as the difficulty of finding someone to hire them. However, over time their lives got organized, but even today we fear that immigration authorities will find them and deport them.

I'm American and since I was born in Massachusetts my rights are guaranteed, but I can't imagine living away from my parents if they had to leave. I went wherever they went, but Mom said she couldn't adjust to the life they were leading in Mexico anymore.

Also, my dad had a hard time finding a job that he would do. He's a mechanic who specializes in classic cars-I used to call them antiques, he almost had a heart attack-and he's very good at what he does.

Dad works in a garage owned by a Mexican who is legal and has a green card.

Although he didn't have the security that a regular job can give, the money from the job and the pastries that my mother made supported us all these years.

Still not enough to pay the lawyers' demands, so I gave up my dream of further education and worked three jobs in rotation to help them out. With parents by your side, any sacrifice is worth it.

I opened the door of the house trying to balance the groceries in my arms.

It creaked and I had to force it out of the way to let me pass. I have to remember to call Dad to fix it. The entire house needs renovations, but we can't move any extra money. Lawyers ate everything. Here's a copy of this, a certificate for that, and nothing in the end.

" Mom, I'm home! " I yelled from the balcony.

I rarely get time off from any of my jobs, but today I decided to take half a day off and prepare a celebration. It's my parents' wedding anniversary.

" Mom, can you help me? The bag fell from my arms! "

The room was eerily quiet. There is usually the banging of pots and pans as she is always inventing some delicious treats in the kitchen to sell to her customers.

" Mom, where are you? I haven't forgotten that today is your wedding anniversary. I thought about making tamales. I'm craving some. "

I go ahead and put the bag on the floor. Don't worry, I'll be back in your room to make you comfortable as soon as dinner is over.

I took a few more steps, and the silence began to frighten me.

My mom never leaves in the middle of the day. Something went wrong.

I have lived in fear since I was a teenager and began to understand how my parents' stay in the US was not guaranteed. So I searched our tiny five-room house to make sure there was no one else but me.

In desperation, I reached for my phone.

Called my mother and father's mobile phones many times, but no one answered.

I'm almost on the verge of tears.

I was thinking about what to do and the only thing that came to mind was: I need to talk to a lawyer.

If my instincts are right and my nightmares come true, he is the only one who can help me.