Chapter 4 Where Am I?

• As the days went by, I felt the terror growing inside me, and I even thought about giving up.
• Hector may have suspected it and questioned me every chance he got, but instead I decided to keep it to myself.
• Darren had trusted me, and before the gift of roses, I understood that he was right. He had eyes everywhere and knew absolutely everything.
• One wrong move and I would have to say goodbye not only to this great opportunity, but also to his trust and probably to my well-being.
• The only thing I could do for now was to stay calm, take a deep breath and wait anxiously for the big moment.
• I wrote some letters, I had to explain somehow what had happened.
• I wrote home with dedication, explaining the first phone call, Darren's interest, and the bouquet of roses that came home with great news.
• If I ever just disappeared, someone would probably know who to look for.
• So I not only mentally prepared myself for this moment, but I also practiced in front of the mirror, rehearsing what I was likely to ask him during the interview.
• I wanted to know not only about his past, his behavior, and his illegal acts, but I wanted to know what was going through Darren's mind and what he hoped for the rest of his life.
• I also wanted to understand why he surrendered, why this scary man wanted to turn himself in, and most of all, the most risky question, why me?
• I walked around my apartment for many hours, cleaning up a bit and trying to distract my mind from the fear.
• I knew that just one doubt, one bit of fear or flinching on my part would completely ruin this encounter.
• Just as Darren had warned, I didn't hear from him again, I stayed home all weekend and instead, true to his word, he didn't show up either.
• I gave up, I had to admit, and even though I had his number, every time I wore that number I ceased to exist.
• The week after that, I went to work, drank coffee, fixed my shoes, and looked pretty tired. I hadn't slept well at all, and for obvious reasons, my departure had been quite frustrating.
• Two black vans came to a screeching halt in front of me.
• I was so frozen and scared to death that I reflexively dropped my glass of coffee.
• I tried to back away, but the first car quickly lowered its glass.
• "Don't run!" a man shouted. I recognized him immediately, it was the same delivery man.
• I looked at him confused, was it him, was it Darren? It didn't look like it.
• "What do you want, I'll scream if you don't tell me what's going on!" I shouted.
• "Mr. Darren sent for you, he's sorry he couldn't keep his appointment. You can go up now or stay. There's no obligation," he clarified.
• I immediately took another step back. I was afraid.
• "We agreed that they would pick me up this weekend," I said confused. "It's been a week."
• "Some unfinished business, miss. Mr. Darren is sorry. Decide quickly, time is short, we're taking a chance," he said firmly. "Are you coming or staying?"
• Just like that, at her question, the guy I knew as the delivery man quickly got out of the car, stared at me and tried to come closer.
• "Don't come any closer or I'll scream." I warned.
• "Miss, don't make this any harder. Darren has talked to you, you know that. After all, he had already agreed to the interview, hadn't he? We're in more danger than you are. Can't you see that?" he asked.
• Just like that, in a matter of seconds, this decision would change the rest of my life.
• I approached a little apprehensively, he stretched out his arm and offered his hand, and without further ado he opened the back door and helped me up.
• Once inside, trying to keep a quick lookout, I felt a hand press over my mouth and quickly lost consciousness.
• (...)
• Hours later.
• My body felt heavy, I had a slight headache and my throat was dry.
• When I opened my eyes, I felt the comfort of what seemed to be a couch. I touched my head, checked my body, and saw at a glance that everything was fine.
• The place was almost empty, and the musty smell was just a breath away.
• "Where am I?" I asked without thinking.
• Just like that, at my stupid question, a body appeared in the distance and darkness.
• "Miss, Leia," its thick voice said.
• Immediately I remembered everything, I had been drugged.
• "... Don't hurt me, please..." I asked in fear. "I don't want to turn you in or get you in trouble. Trust me like I trust you," I whispered.
• He laughed softly and walked slowly toward me, wearing a blue suit, his hands in his pockets, his hair lightly combed, a cigarette in his cheek, and a scent of expensive perfume that immediately reached my nose.
• "How do you know who I am?" asked Darren as he stepped into the light.
• Of course it was him.
• He walked over, grabbed a chair, sat down across from me, exhaled the smoke from his cigarette, opened his suit and smiled sideways.
• "I'm sorry it has to be this way, Miss Leia. You'll understand that I can't trust anyone, not even you, even if I wanted to," he continued. "Pipe, come on, get the coffee and the painkiller for the reporter," he called without further ado.
• I sat down without taking my eyes off him, I couldn't deny the obvious, Darren was an extremely handsome man, something that clashed with the simple fact that he was a criminal.
• "Take it easy, Miss Leia. You're safe here. Have some coffee and take the pill. As soon as you're feeling well, we'll start the interview," he insisted.
• At his words, the man I knew as the delivery man, and now understood was called Pipe, came over and placed a glass of coffee and the small pill Darren had ordered for me on the table.
• I looked carelessly at the coffee and returned my steady gaze to his.
• "I won't take it. I've been drugged before." I blurted out defensively.
• "Relax, Miss Leia, you're in good hands for now. It's for your own good, I need you in your right mind for the interview. They'll bring your things to start, make yourself comfortable," she insisted. "Do you smoke?" he asked as he pulled a pack of cigarettes out of his pocket.
• I quickly denied, "No. I don't smoke, sir."