thomasI go back to the party to look for Cecilia, but I can't find her anywhere. I look around, searching the crowd of drunken, out-of-control students. All I see is Kelly, the friend she's always glued to. I dodge people and get close to her. I stand in front of the girl, who stops dancing and looks at me with surprise at my appearance in front of her.— Have you seen Cecilia?— I saw her leaving with a man, I think it was one of her security guards — he says and points with his thumb to the exit behind her.“The security guards aren't here today,” I say, and the girl tilts her head to the side, not understanding.I say thank you and get about thirty minutes for her. Anything. I start to get worried, with a really bad feeling in my chest. I leave there and call all the security guards who normally take care of Cecília, asking them to try to find her even if they are off duty. Then I call Caesar. It takes the man to notice me.“ Thomas? says with a sigh."Is Cecilia with you?" I ask

thomasWhen César and I arrive at the place indicated in the message, I see that it is a dark and isolated house. I signal for him to stay outside on the side. I wait a few minutes for the security guards to arrive because I'm not stupid enough to walk into an unknown place without knowing who and where I'm messing with. As soon as the men show up, I know I need to act fast, before the police. I don't trust anyone to keep Cecilia safe, not after this one.They stay hidden, guns in hand, as I make my way to the front of the house. I barely knock and a gray-haired man opens it. He breaks into a huge smile when he sees me and gestures for me to come in, as if I were a guest there.I observe everything carefully and look for more men, with guns and hoods over their faces like the movies we see, but there is only the man there.“She's not here, Thomas. Where is the money? You have nothing.“You think I'm stupid walking around with that amount of dollars. What did you want? That I arrived w

CecíliaI never thought I would go through something like this. My life plan was to graduate, start working with Dad, marry a man who loves me more than anything in life, and have lots of kids with him. Being kidnapped was definitely not on the list.I confess that I was afraid of Thomas not showing up. While I was sure he would do anything to find me, a little piece of my heart was afraid he wouldn't show up.But when Thomas said he loves me, all those fears were put to rest. He loves me! My God, what a mess everything has become over the last few months. And I can't believe it's almost over. College is over and we're going back to Brazil soon. My things are already packed and Thomas is sorting out some company errands, so I take the opportunity to say goodbye to Kelly."I can't believe this is the last time you shopped with me!" She complains and pouts. I laugh and sit down in the restaurant chair she dragged me to after entering each of the stores in the mall. She has more bags tha

Cecília"Be careful not to fall."Thomas has both hands over my eyes and is leading me somewhere in the dark. I almost trip over something, but he catches me.As soon as we got off work he started directing me somewhere and didn't tell me where. I have no idea where we are when Thomas stops me in my tracks.- I'm going to take my hands off your eyes now - he speaks in my ear and shivers all over with his thick voice so close to my skin.“Okay,” I whisper. I blink a few times to get used to the lighting when he lets me look and I frown, not understanding where we are.I look at the house in front of us, as big as the house I grew up in. There's a big yard all around, and Thomas takes my hand and starts leading me through it.“Where are we?” I ask, looking around as he practically drags me across the room.The house is beautiful from the outside, and the garden is even more beautiful. I see a large swimming pool at the back, beautifully manicured flowers scattered everywhere, and I let

EPILOGUECecíliaFIVE YEARS LATERI haven't been here for many years. Since I finished college and went to Brazil with Thomas, I haven't been back to New York. And it's been that long since I've seen Kelly, even though we talk almost every day, so I don't even try to hold back the tears when she hugs me.Time passed for her too. Kelly is now a newlywed woman and the belly is huge with the pregnancy already hitting six months. Thomas and her husband disappeared as soon as we got to their house and I bet they're discussing business. In the end, Kelly ended up marrying her college sweetheart after fighting with her father about not having an arranged marriage."I can't believe you're having a baby!" - I say and stroke her big belly. My friend gives me a huge, goofy smile.— I'm so happy, Cecilia — she says and rubs her belly too. - It's your fault.- My? I ask with raised eyebrows. She nods.— You kept honking that prince charming thing in my ear, and you married a man who treats you lik