Warning this chapter mentions abuse.
****
Ana

Several years ago:

I can't stop crying. I just can't. The raw emotions are killing me, penetrating into my soul and mind. I can't believe it's over. It can't be over. Pedro was the only one I truly cared for.

I still remember the pained look on Pedro's ruggedly handsome face as we made an agreement to break up. Permanently. I hadn't wanted to. I'd begged him to rethink things. I knew it was killing Pedro as well. He'd held me in his strong arms as I sobbed against him, pleading over and over that we could make things work between us.

For one shining moment, I thought Pedro might retract his words. That maybe he would decide that we didn't have to go our separate ways. Unfortunately Pedro didn't retract his statement. He simply kissed me passionately and reluctantly released me, turning to leave my apartment.

I'm lying on the bed. There's still faint trace of Pedro's scent on the pillowcase and it's both soothing and tormenting at the same time. Mt best friend, Isla was sitting next to me, her hand lightly resting on my back. She doesn't tell me to stop crying, for which I'm grateful.

I simply continue to cry, allowing all those awful feelings to completely consume me and wait for the day when the day comes that the pain has numbed.

****

Present day:

"That's it, Ana! Work it, Hermosa!" I laugh, pretending that that I'm having the time of my life. (Never mind that my feet are killing me! Also for all you non Spanish speakers out there, Hermosa means beautiful.)

I twirl around, grinning like I'm having the best time. The photographer snaps multiple photos of me. He gets in so many different positions. Lying on the floor, crouching close to me, standing a few feet away.

"All right, gorgeous. We're finished! Thanks for doing the photo shoot!" As if had much choice. It was a paying gig. I say thanks to the photographer and hustle to the back where a young woman assists me in getting out of this ridiculously skin tight outfit.

Once I'm dressed in my own (comfortable) clothing, I grab my bag, bid everyone a hearty goodbye and quickly exit out a side door, where a car is waiting to take me home. I pull a leg up, removing my shoe and massage my sore foot. I hear a faint buzz coming from inside my back and know it's probably Isla Diaz, my best friend.

I retrieve the phone from my bag and notice several text messages from...not Isla. It's from my asshole ex boyfriend, Kellan. I honestly don't know why the hell I ever dated him. Probably because I was lonely and still hurting from losing...Pedro.

I scroll through the text messages, none of which are anything positive. Isla keeps insisting I change my number. Maybe I should. Somehow though I have a feeling it wouldn't discourage Kellan.

Yo babe! How r u? Plz txt back!

Come on, Ana! I know you're just playing hard 2 get!

God, Ana how many times do I have to txt ur sorry ass?

BITCH. YOU R NOTHING W/OUT ME!!

Really great stuff, huh? Which is why I finally broke shit off with the damn loser. He had become abusive and demanding and paranoid. He started having me followed, thinking I was cheating on him. I wasn't. I think maybe I should have been.

My phone buzzes and I jump, scared that it's Kellan calling to chew me out for not answering his stupid texts. Luckily its Isla.

"Hey, chica! I wasn't sure if you'd be finished with the photo shoot yet."

"Only just," I reply. "By the way, guess who's at it again?" Isla exhales and I can almost see her rolling her eyes.

"Chica, you need to change your number. That asshole who thinks he's a man is gonna continue to harass you if you don't stop him."

"Agreed. All right. I'm heading home now. I'll get a new number set up."

"Perfecto, mi amor. By the way, I'll be coming over sometime later on."

"Great. We can drown our sorrows in some cheesy rom coms and light beer."

Isla chuckles. This is why we're such good friends. We think alike. We love the sane shit. And we're both strong Latinas who don't take anybody's shit.

"I'll be there, chica."

***

After I arrive home, I jump in the shower just to cool off. Isla isn't necessarily known for her punctuality so I know I have a few minutes to get changed into an oversized tshirt and boxers. It's my go to outfit whenever I'm home.

As I'm collecting everything we'll need for our girls afternoon in, I hear a knock at the door. I frown. It couldn't be Isla yet, could it? I hurry over, peering through the peephole and freeze. Damnit! It's Kellan!

I don't move, scarcely daring to breathe. I'm close to tears. Looks like I'll be moving. Again. This is the third time I've moved since we broke up several months ago. How in the hell does he keep finding me?

"Open up, Ana! I know you're in there! Quit avoiding me! We're not through!"

I rush to grab my phone and head to the bathroom, locking myself inside abd dial 911. The dispatcher, a man, tells me to stay in the bathroom as officers are on their way to my apartment. The minutes stretch out, feeling like hours before I finally hear a police officer, calling to me to come out.

I reluctantly do so, my entire body shaking. I don't want to see Kellan. I'm afraid if I do, I'll punch his damn lights out. My fingers tremble as I fumble with the lock, finally getting it open.

"Hello, Ms. Delgado. I'm Officer Andersen. Have you been harmed?" I shake my head, unpleasant thoughts swirling in my brain.

"N..No. I'm all right. But..can't you do something? This is the fifth time this has happened to me in the last three months."

"Well, technically Mr. Marcus hasn't done anything. He hasn't harmed you, physically. Nor was he trespassing. I'm sorry."

"Hasn't harmed me?" My fiery temper takes over. "He's hit me before and you assholes didn't do a thing about it!"

"Look, Ms. Delgado," Officer Andersen says, looking uncomfortable. "Unless Mr. Marcus has broken the law, there's little we can do. Did you file that restraining order we suggested?"

"Not yet," I admit. "I'll do tomorrow." Officer Andersen nods, tells me me to be careful and not to go out alone before leaving. I say a stiff thank you before closing the door. A moment later, Isla arrives and I fill her in on what just happened.

"Shit!" Isla has a worse temper than I do. She looks ready to do battle. We sit down on my couch while I get the movie ready.

"I really hate to say this, doll," Isla says. "But you wouldn't be in this horrible position if you hadn't broken up with Pe..."

"Stop!" I glare at her. I don't want to hear his name. Not now. Not ever again. Even though it's been a few years, I'm still struggling with the aftermath of him walking away from me.

"Okay, okay. I'm sorry. Let's just start the movie. Then you're filing that restraining order and getting a new phone number."

"Don't forget I'll be needing to find a new apartment now, too," I add.

"Hey, I just remembered! I saw Oscar the other day and he said that an apartment was becoming available in his building by the end of the week. We should check it out."

I cringe slightly. I love Oscar. He's so funny and kind. We've been friends for years. But I'm not sure I want to move into the building where he lives. Especially since he and Pedro are still really close.

"Maybe," I murmur, focusing on the intro of the movie. "I'll think about it."

***

By the next day, I have a restraining order filed on Kellan and a new phone number. It was a huge pain, especially since so many people have my number. I had to pass it along to my agent, several modeling agencies and of course, my friends. Luckily Isla was there for emotional support.

I also made an appointment to look at the apartment in Oscar's building. I would be checking it out later this evening. Isla was coming along. She said maybe we could drop in on Oscar. I pretended not to hear.

"I called Oscar," Isla informs me as we're enjoying some lunch before heading off to do some modeling work for a new agency that my agent thought would help.

"And?" I take a tiny sip of water. My stomach isn't feeling too great and I know it's because there's a strong possibility that HE could be at Oscar's.

"He says he'll be in and if stop by his place first, he'd love to tour the apartment with us."

"Fantastic," I say sarcastically. Isla cups her chin in her palms, giving me this pitiful sympathetic look.

"I know you aren't over him, Ana. You two were so close. I never understood why you broke up."

"Ask Pedro," I snap. "It was his damn idea."

"Oh, honey, I'm sorry."

"It's fine," I say flippantly. "Let's just finish lunch and get that magazine work done."

"I know how hurt you still feel, Ana. I think you should contact Pedro and get back together with him."

"No." My voice is so sharp, I expect it to slice open my throat. Isla sighs and starts fishing around in her bag for her credit card to pay for the meal.

A few minutes later, we're in a cab, heading to the agency and I'm ready to throw myself into and forget that Pedro Pascal even exists.

***

The apartment is fantastic. The floor plan is open and airy, with lots of big windows. I absolutely love windows. Some people can't stand the thought of them. It makes them feel vulnerable. To me, it's freeing.

"What do you think?" Oscar asks me as I check out the master bedroom.

"It's me," I tease and Oscar laughs. Even though things are nonexistent between Pedro and myself these days, I'm still happy that Oscar chose to remain my friend.

"It really is, Ana." Oscar joins me by the floor to ceiling windows. "It'd be really great having you living here. Especially if that asshole, ex boyfriend of yours shows up."

I smile, moving to give Oscar a hug. He returns it and it makes me really happy. We release one another as Isla and the real estate agent join us.

"Ms. Delgado, have you made a decision?" I nod.

"I'll take it."

We're celebrating at Oscar's place, having some champagne and just hanging out for a while before I return home. I'd already called up the moving company I'd used before and they'd have everything ready within the next couple of days.

There's a knock on Oscar's front door and I immediately tense up, thinking its...Kellan. Oscar checks to see who it is before opening the door. Someone steps inside and I just stare.

It's..Pedro.