I've never been the type of person to hurt people.

Physically or emotionally.

I was kind, I was good. I had no enemies.

I knew the Sanchez name, I wasn't stupid.

So I was at a crossroads. I wanted her. So much.

But she was bad. She wasn't just part of The Cartel, she wanted to run it.

I should run in the other direction, that was the smart move.

But the way she spoke to me, the ways she looked at me. She couldn't be bad.

She had so many walls though, and I had no idea what was waiting for me behind them.

I'd broken down many while we were here though, and to my surprise, every time I got through one, I only found vulnerabilities.

I made eye contact with her as she was leaving, I hoped she didn't notice the bruise.

She didn't like it when I was hurt.

Even if it was my own fault. She'd blame the table if she knew the truth.

I couldn't tell by her face. She was impossible to read.

I had all of my emotions written on my face at all times.

If I was an open book, she was a book locked in a safe, written in Latin with invisible ink.

But safes can be unlocked, heat can reveal secrets, and Latin can be translated. I felt as if it was my destiny to do so.

I'd already figured out some things, first of all, unlike most people she made direct eye contact when she lied.

Secondly, although her face doesn't noticeably change, her voice does based on her mood.

When she's angry her accent will thicken slightly, it's almost not noticeable. When she's happy, her voice is soft, caring. When she's frustrated she pauses more in between her words.

When she's sad, she talks slower, she takes long breaks between sentences, as if she's looking for the right words.

But that was all I knew.

...
Two weeks later.

I walked through the airport in search of them.

I saw familiar faces as I wandered. Some full of pity, some anger, some disgust.

"Anastasia!" I heard her voice behind me.

I swiftly turned. I didn't like the name but I hated being lost.

"Abuela!" I ran to her.

She dropped her bags and tightly wrapped her arms around me. "I'm so sorry Ana, I should've marched into the place and pulled you with my bare hands."

"It's okay, it wasn't your fault they put me in there."

"Ana, hush. You've been through hell, if you need someone to yell at, I will gladly be that person." She soothed me.

"Actually, it wasn't that bad. I met a girl, and she protected me. I wasn't hurt at all."

She pulled me back and studied my face in confusion. She ran her finger across the bruise lightly.

"I tripped and hit my face on a table." I giggled.

"How do we get her out?" She looked around, completely focused.

"She's already out, I just need to find her." I looked down. "If that's alright?"

She tilted my chin up. "She's more than your friend?"

I nodded hesitantly.

"Then we will find her. What is her name?" She had a look of determination in her eyes.

I looked around to make sure nobody would hear me.

"Rosa." I wave of guilt washed over me.

The Cartel had wronged my family before.

"Her last name?" I felt like she was staring into my soul.

I gulped. "Sanchez."

I watched as a million images flashed through her eyes. Then she straightened up, gathered her things, and grabbed me by the wrist.

She pulled me through the hotel and into the parking lot.

I saw Carlos leaning against the car. He looked alarmed when he saw me. "What in God's name is going on?"

She threw me in the backseat of the car and muttered something to Carlos.

I slowly buckled my seatbelt, confused.

They both got in the car. I didn't dare speak.

Carlos looked at her expectantly.

"Drive." She muttered.

We drove out of the parking lot in silence.

Then she started laughing. "I don't know which is harder to believe. The fact that you found a lover at a place meant to convert you, or that a Sanchez protected you."

I exhaled, relieved. She couldn't say any of that in public.

Carlos looked at her with wide eyes. "A Sanchez?"

She giggled. "It could be worse, it could be Rafael."

"Or Alonso, I wouldn't put it past him."

I gasped. "You think I would do that?"

"He might brainwash you." He shrugged.

We sat in comfortable silence for a while.

I didn't recognize where we were going. I sat up. "Where are we?"

"We're going to see Jesús." Carlos looked at me.

"Oh." I mumbled.

I didn't know where he stood on this, but judging by the fact that we were going to his place, he was probably fine with it.

He lived relatively far away from the airport and I was exhausted, so I let myself fall asleep.

...
"When she wakes up we'll know more. I don't think it matters now." I heard Jesús whisper.

Someone was holding me and rocking me back and forth slightly. I felt a little like a child, but it was still nice.

"I know." Abuela sighed. "I just want to give her everything right now, even though some of it isn't really possible."

I opened my eyes slowly. We were in the kitchen, Jesús was the one holding me.

Cat was here too. She had been dating Jesús for about three years now, and he planned to propose soon, but they didn't live together.

Jesús looked down at me. "Morning." He smiled.

I glanced at the clock on the wall. "It's 4:15." I mumbled.

He chuckled. "You're lucky that you're my only baby sister. If you were Luis I'd have to throw you now."

"Well, Luis didn't just get out of a torture camp our parents sent him to. If he did you probably wouldn't throw him."

His smile vanished.

"I'm sorry, I'm exhausted." I sighed. This wasn't like me.

He cleared his throat. "No, you're right."

I saw him shoot a concerned look towards Cat and Carlos.

"Truly, I'm just tired. I'll smile again if that's what you're concerned about." I sighed and climbed out of his arms.

"Yeah, you smiled earlier." Abuela smirked.

Cat leaned forward. "Were you talking about the girl?"

I rolled my eyes. "You sound awfully judgmental right now, and I'm just letting you know you're a hypocrite."

She giggled. "How could I not-."

I cut her off. "I'm going to throw up."

My stomach growled loudly.

I smiled sheepishly. "I haven't had a real meal in a while, do you have food?" I looked at Jesús.

"Yeah." He laughed.

...
I've been listening to the 'In The Heights' soundtrack a little too much recently.

But the movie version because as much as I love LMM, I can't handle his voice that much.

And nothing beats the movie's blackout.

🎶 Usnavi all night - you barely even danced with me 🎵
🎶 Don't make me laugh - I've been trying all night - you've been shakin ya ass for like half of the heights 🎶
🎶 Real nice 🎵
🎵 You barely gave me a chance all evening🎶
🎶 What?! 🎵
🎵 Do I get another dance? 🎵
🎶 I'm leaving 🎶
🎵Vaneeeeeesaa 🎵

<3