17. Disappointed.

On Wednesday afternoon the following week, I found myself in a restaurant with Nate Sarmiento's father, Benjamin Sarmiento. I knew I shouldn't have considered going without Nate’s permission. But the old man insisted that he did not need to know. That we were just going to talk.

It was last night when I received a direct call from Adam. He had said that money works, so I didn't ask him how he got my number.

And now, I’m here. After much persuasion from Adam, I faced Benjamin Sarmiento.

"I know you're wondering why," the old man began. I noticed that he wasn't that old. Well, considering that Nate was only thirty and he was the eldest, his father was probably still in his fifties.

Maybe it was his condition that made him look older. He was in a wheelchair and he looked sick.

"I'm desperate, Ms. Rodriguez. I don't have much time. When I saw you at my son's house, I was certain that I could trust you. I saw the goodness of your heart in your eyes. Now, don’t think I'm saying this without