Chapter 1. The Addiction

"Aurelia, m'ija, I know I've let you down. But I promise I'll get us out of this hole. Just one more big win, and we'll be back on top," Carlos said, his eyes bloodshot and his voice laced with desperation.

"Why have you changed so much, Dad? This isn't the father I knew. After Mother's mysterious death, Ann and I lost you too. You're just a shadow of the man who used to hold us together,

" Aurelia's voice trembled with anger and sadness, her words piercing the air like a sharp dagger.

Carlos's face contorted in anguish, his eyes welling up with tears.

"Aurelia, please... I'm trying to hold on to what's left of our family. I'm trying to provide for you and Ann..."

"Provide for us? You call this providing? You're suffocating us with your addiction, Dad. We're drowning in your debt and your lies.

When will you stop running from the truth and face the damage you've done?" Aurelia's words rained down like a storm, each one a sharp accusation that cut deep into Carlos's soul.

The room fell silent, the weight of their words hanging heavy in the air like a challenge, daring Carlos to confront the truth and face the consequences of his actions.

"I'll make things right again, Aurelia. I promise. I'll go out and search for a job today, and I'll work hard to provide for us like I used to," Carlos said, his voice cracking with determination, his eyes pleading for forgiveness.

Aurelia's expression remained skeptical, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. "A job? Do you think a job is going to fix everything? You've broken our trust, Dad. You've broken our hearts."

Carlos's face fell, his eyes welling up with tears. "I know, m'ija. I don't expect you to forgive me overnight. But please, please give me a chance to make it right. I can't bear the thought of losing you and Ann too."

Aurelia's gaze softened slightly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I want to believe you, Dad. But I'm scared. I'm scared that you'll fail again, that you'll break your promises and leave us with nothing."

Carlos took a step forward, his hands shaking with desperation. "I won't fail, Aurelia. I swear on your mother's memory, I won't fail again. I'll do whatever it takes to regain your trust, to be the father you deserve."

Aurelia's eyes searched his face, looking for any sign of deception, any hint of insincerity. But all she saw was a broken man, a man who had hit rock bottom and was clawing his way back up.

“I'll find a job,” Carlos said with determination

"You think you can be hired by anyone's company with the reputation you have left, Dad? You think anyone will trust you after all the times you've failed?" Aurelia's words cut deep, her skepticism evident in her tone.

Carlos's face fell, his eyes dropping in shame. "I know it won't be easy, Aurelia. But I have to try. I'll do anything to prove myself to you and Ann."

"If only you can stop gambling, my restaurant will be able to take care of the three of us. But you can't even promise me that, can you?" Aurelia's voice cracked with frustration and sadness.

Carlos's eyes flashed with defensiveness. "I can stop, Aurelia. I just need something to keep me occupied, that's all. And getting a job will do just that."

Aurelia's laugh was bitter. "Occupied? Do you call working a job 'occupied'? You need help, Dad. Real help. Not just some distraction to keep you from the tables."

Carlos's face reddened, his jaw clenched in anger. "You don't understand, Aurelia. You don't know what it's like to be me, to be trapped in this cycle of addiction."

Aurelia's expression softened, her voice gentle but firm. "I may not understand, Dad. But I do know that I can't watch you destroy yourself anymore.

But I'll give you one chance to prove yourself. Get a job, any job, and keep it for three months without gambling. If you can do that, I'll consider giving you another chance," Aurelia said, her eyes searching his face for any sign of sincerity.

Carlos's face lit up with hope, his voice trembling with gratitude. "Thank you, Aurelia. Thank you for giving me another chance. I won't let you down, I swear it."

Aurelia's expression remained skeptical, but her voice was firm. "See that you don't, Dad. Because if you fail, I'm done. I can't keep watching you hurt us like this."

Carlos nodded, his eyes welling up with tears. "I know, m'ija. I know I've hurt you and Ann so much already. But I promise, this time will be different. I'll make it right, I'll make it up to you both."

Aurelia's gaze softened slightly, her voice a little gentler. "I want to believe you, Dad. Please, just don't break your promise this time."

Carlos's face contorted in anguish, his voice barely above a whisper. "I won't, Aurelia. I won't break my promise. I'll do anything to keep it."

"Alright, I'm off to work. I'm running late," Aurelia said, grabbing her bag and heading towards the door.

"Wait, Aurelia, please... be careful," Carlos called out, his voice laced with concern.

Aurelia turned back, her expression softening. "I will, Dad. Just remember what we talked about. Get a job, and keep it. No more gambling."

Carlos nodded, his eyes welling up with tears. "I will, m'ija. I promise."

"Ann will be back from school in a while. Tell her to rush to the restaurant, I'll have a busy day there," Aurelia said, standing in the doorway.

Carlos nodded, his face set in determination. "I will, Aurelia. I'll tell her. And I'll keep my promise. I swear it."

Then, Aurelia closed the door behind her and walked away, leaving Carlos to his thoughts.

******

Aurelia stepped off the bus on 5th Street in the East Village, her eyes scanning the crowded sidewalk. She felt a shiver run down her spine as if someone was watching her. She quickened her pace, her heels clicking on the pavement as she made her way to her restaurant, 'Taste of Heaven' on Avenue A.

"What's going on, Aurelia?" she muttered to herself, her voice barely audible over the din of the city. "You're being paranoid again."

She glanced over her shoulder, but the sea of strangers seemed too absorbed in their own lives to notice her. Still, the sensation persisted. She could feel eyes on her, boring into her skin.

"Don't be ridiculous," she told herself, picking up her pace. "You're just stressed about the restaurant."

But the feeling lingered, like a shadow following her every move. She pushed open the door to her restaurant, seeking the comfort of familiarity and the bustle of her staff prepping for the lunch rush.

As she entered, the aroma of freshly baked bread and simmering sauces enveloped her, and the sensation of being watched began to fade. But Aurelia couldn't shake off the feeling that someone had been watching her, waiting for their moment to strike.

"Good morning, Chef Aurelia," Maria said, approaching her with a respectful nod. "Did you see a ghost? You look a bit... unsettled."

Aurelia smiled, trying to brush off the lingering unease. "Just my imagination, Maria. I'm fine, thank you for asking."

Maria's expression turned concerned. "If I may say so, ma'am, you seem a bit... on edge. Is everything all right?"

Aurelia appreciated Maria's discretion. "I just felt like someone was watching me on my way here. Probably just some creepy stranger on the street."

Maria's eyes widened slightly. "I see. Well, you're safe now, Chef. We've got a busy day ahead, and I need your expertise on the specials board."

Aurelia nodded, grateful for the distraction. "Right, let's get to work. What's the soup of the day?"

"Creamy tomato, and we're running low on fresh basil," Maria replied, already moving towards the kitchen.

“Alright let's get started”.

As the clock struck noon, Aurelia couldn't shake off the feeling that someone was still watching her, waiting for their moment to strike.

But with Maria's respectful demeanor and focus on the task at hand, she felt a sense of reassurance wash over her.

Just as she was starting to feel more at ease, the door swung open and Ann, Aurelia's younger sister, walked in, her backpack slung over her shoulder.

"Hey, sis! I came as soon as I could after school," Ann said, scanning the bustling kitchen. "What can I do to help?"

Aurelia smiled, grateful for the extra pair of hands. "Hey, kiddo! You're on serving duty today. Get those tables set and start taking orders, please."

Ann nodded enthusiastically and quickly got to work, expertly balancing trays and charming the lunch crowd with her bright smile.

Aurelia watched with pride, feeling a sense of relief wash over her as the restaurant began to hum along smoothly.

As the orders flew in and the kitchen buzzed with activity, Aurelia's unease slowly gave way to the familiar rhythm of the restaurant, and she began to feel more like herself – a chef, a business owner, and a protector of her family.

As the evening wore on, the lunch rush gave way to a steady stream of dinner patrons, and Aurelia's small but mighty duo worked seamlessly together to keep the restaurant running like a well-oiled machine.

Finally, as they were closing around 7 pm, Aurelia let out a deep sigh of exhaustion, feeling the weight of the long, busy day lifting off her shoulders.

"Made it through another one," she thought to herself, a sense of accomplishment washing over her.

As she stepped out into the cool evening air to dump the kitchen refuse, she felt a sense of calm wash over her.

The sounds of the city created a soothing background hum, and the stars were beginning to twinkle in the night sky. She took a deep breath, feeling the tension melt away...

And then, she saw them. A pair of red eyes stared straight at her from the nearby bushes.

Aurelia's heart skipped a beat as she froze, her mind racing with fear and uncertainty. Who - or what - was watching her? And why?