19-2
This Is Where It Begins
FABIOLA
I had hidden Gabriel's phone and pretended I didn't know where it was. I had already written down the password so I could get in.
Maybe I was risking too much for a few girls, but I wouldn't regret it. I had carefully thought through how to do it without them suspecting anything.
"If you find the phone, call my secretary; meanwhile I'll have to go buy another one," Gabriel told me. He stepped closer to kiss my forehead before leaving, and when I heard the door close, I knew it was the moment.
I ran toward the cleaning room. He never went in there, so I took the box and pulled out the phone. I looked at the paper where I had written the password and pressed it in.
The phone unlocked.
I immediately went to the contact I knew was Vianey's boss.
Before sending the message, I grabbed my own phone and called Vianey. It was morning, so she wasn't working yet; her shift was always at night.
"What happened? I was dropping Liam off at school," she said as soon as she answered.
"I'm going to do what I told you. I'm going to buy them in Gabriel's name and then you'll take them to the center you mentioned."
It wasn't a rushed decision. Vianey had researched centers that accepted children and specifically cared for those who had suffered some kind of abuse. They were outside the city.
"Do you think it will work? I don't want anything to happen to them. And by the way, after them I'll help two more, but I'll handle that myself."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes. Either way, if I don't do it, they're going to kill them, and I'm sick of these people."
"If you need money, tell me."
"Yes, it's fine."
I ended the call and began to type.
> Hello, I need a favor.
I tried to copy the way Gabriel texted. He was too direct and sounded distant.
< Gabriel, it's been a long time since we talked. You must be busy.
> Work.
< I understand. Why did you text me?
> I want to make a deal.
< You know business isn't done over the phone.
> I'm someone from the organization, can't you make an exception? I'll pay millions for this. The profit will be worth it to you.
< How much are we talking about?
> Five million.
< Fine. What are you asking for?
> Give me the catalog. I want two girls.
I didn't want to be too obvious by saying directly who, because they would suspect. Before that, I asked Vianey for some photos so I could identify them.
< You've never asked for something like this.
> That's exactly why I don't want anyone to find out. Once the deal is closed, I don't want you mentioning anything afterward. I don't want anyone to know.
< As you wish, but it'll be one million more. Business.
> Fine.
< Then it's settled. I'll send you the catalog.
> Good. I'll give you the answer once I choose.
< What address should I bring them to?
> None. I'll send someone for them, I already spoke to her.
< Understood.
He sent the catalog as he had said, and after looking at many faces and realizing how many people, of all ages, were under his control, I found Ámbar first and then Camila.
I texted again with the numbers that appeared in the corner of their photos.
< They will be delivered once payment is made.
> Good. I'll make the payment.
I put the phone back where it had been.
I knew I was being watched, so I wouldn't leave the house myself. I went to the kitchen and saw my husband's security men.
They didn't speak and every order came from my husband.
I took my phone and sent Vianey a message.
> Do it.
< Okay.
I had given Vianey the money beforehand so she could make the payment. I only sent her the details and she would pay.
There was no one in the house, the children were at school, and I looked at the security guard; the other one seemed to have stepped out.
"What time will Gabriel be back?" I asked him, and he lifted his gaze to me.
"At 9 p.m., as far as I know," he replied, and I smiled at him. But his eyes dropped to my hand, and then I looked at it too.
I had forgotten to cover the bruise.
"It's nothing."
"As you say, ma'am."
[…]
The payment had been made and he gave me a date, which was today. I was in the car and it calmed me a little that no one could see inside.
I was waiting for Vianey to bring the girls.
VIANEY
"The car for the girls is here," I told him, while the girl on his lap stood up because I had entered the room to inform him. It wasn't strange for him to be there; the nurses were in charge of certain girls classified into various groups, and both Ámbar and Camila were under my care.
"Good, if they're ready, let them go," he said, and I nodded, only to turn and close the door, but I stopped when I saw two more people approaching.
I recognized both of them; I hardly ever spoke to them.
"We'll deliver them along with you, by order of the boss."
I grew nervous and tried to think of what to say, and they looked at me, confused.
But the silence was broken by the alarm. If it sounded, someone had tried to escape.
Álvarez came running toward us; he was in charge of recruiting the boys.
"Two bastards escaped, I can't find them," he said breathlessly as he reached us. "Haven't you seen them?"
I shook my head and looked at the other two; they also shook theirs. The three of us looked confused, and Álvarez seemed stressed by our answer.
"What's going on?" our boss came out, completely furious, and looked at Álvarez. "Who escaped? Idiot, there's a party today and you screw me with this."
He looked at me.
"What are you still doing here? Go deliver them! The rest of you, go look for them."
I wouldn't have company anymore, so I ran to get the girls. I entered the room, they both looked at me, and I offered my hand for them to take.
The door on the top floor opened and I ran toward the car with the little ones. I felt my heart going mad inside my chest, beating so hard I thought they could hear it. I opened the door in a rush, glancing over my shoulder.
"Get in, girls. You're going to be okay, I promise," I told them with a voice firmer than I truly felt.
They climbed in quickly. I looked at Fabiola and nodded, but my hands were trembling.
"Aren't you coming with us?" Ámbar asked me, and I shook my head, forcing myself to smile.
"I'll go see you when you arrive at your new home. I assure you that no one will ever hurt you again."
"Really?" Camila asked, clinging to the door.
"Yes, she will take you to someone who will take very good care of you. Trust her too, she's my friend."
"Okay," they said in unison.
I touched their heads gently, trying not to let them notice my fear. Then I heard it.
"Vianey!"
The shout echoed through the entire parking lot.
My expression changed instantly. I slammed the door shut and the car sped off at full speed, the tires screeching against the ground.
I turned around.
In the distance was my boss.
And behind me, two boys ran past.
Dylan and Alex.
For a second our eyes met. Terror. Determination.
With my help they had gotten out.
"Catch them!" Álvarez shouted.
I had no choice.
I ran after them while I heard more footsteps approaching. The sound of the men coming down to catch me, the shouting, the orders. Everything became noise.
I ran as fast as I could. My breathing began to fail and my legs were starting to ache, but I couldn't stop. The boys were ahead, dodging cars, almost slipping as they turned between concrete columns.
They were fast.
But the men were too.
Then I saw the exit.
The gate was slowly beginning to close after Fabiola's car had crossed it. The metal descended with a heavy, implacable sound.
"Faster!" one of the men shouted.
Dylan grabbed Alex's hand and they sped up. I pretended to get close enough to catch them. I stretched out my arm, almost touching one of their shirts.
The gate was less than halfway down.
They ducked at the last second and slid underneath just as the metal dropped a few inches more.
I threw myself after them, letting my knees hit the ground hard. The pain was real. I scraped my hands, but it was necessary.
I ended up on the wrong side.
The gate finished closing with a sharp crash.
On the other side, the boys ran without looking back.
A car was waiting for them a few streets away to get them out of there. In another separate vehicle the girls would go. Everything was calculated.
"Shit," Álvarez said behind me.
I felt his hand gripping my arm to lift me up. He kicked the gate in fury, the metallic sound echoing through the parking lot.
"You run fast, but those sons of bitches got away."
I lowered my gaze, breathing with difficulty.
"I'm sorry."
My boss arrived seconds later. His presence was felt even before seeing him.
Silence.
A heavy one. Dangerous.
He looked at all of us, but his fury was fixed on Álvarez.
"You did well, Vianey," he told me, and inside I felt nauseous. "But you, Álvarez, will have to fix this. How the hell did they escape?"
"Through the ventilation," he answered, still agitated.
My boss stepped closer.
Too slowly.
"Through the ventilation? What an idiot you are. This has never happened before. Especially not that some who didn't even matter escaped. If not… you'd be dead."
The silence that followed was worse than the shouting.
And while they argued, I could only think of one thing:
We did it.