Chapter 13

“Would you sit back on the bed?” Felipe said calmly behind the door.

He checked the image on his phone again. She was getting up, it seemed like she’d been sitting on the floor since they’ve left the room, and of course now she was holding another lamp again. She stood on the other side of the room, tapping her foot on the floor waiting for him to open the door.

“Please.” Felipe implored, his voice showed his exhausted state.

“Fine.” She yelled, and stumped her feet back to the bed.

He opened the door and walked in. He locked the door without turning his back to her.

She smirked, “you don’t see me watching you like a hawk, and you have A GUN.” She pointed to his waist, where the gun outline was visible under his coat.

Felipe slowly bobbed his head in understanding. he took his gun out, and set it down on the ground, while sitting down next to it on the floor and leaning his head on the door behind him.

“How is that supposed to make me feel better?” she gestured her head to the gun sitting next to him.

He rolled his eyes and sighed, “Fine.” He pushed the gun to the side then held his hands up, “happy?”

“What do you think?”

“We need to talk.” Felipe said stoically.

“Alright. I guess talking to you is an upgrade from the other one.”

“How come?” he asked, eyebrows drawn together.

“You were as pissed as me when he said his dumbass idea. Right now, in this situation that seems sane to me.” Then she froze up for a second, eyes went wide open, then whispered to herself, “what has my life come to?” she put her head down onto her drawn up knees.

Felipe couldn’t help but to grin.

“Does my misfortune amuse you?”

“Sorry.” He said holding his hands up sarcastically. “Would you put down the lamp?”

She narrowed her eyes at him.

“Please?”

“Fine.” She said and throw the new lamp on the floor again.

Felipe closed his eyes from the sound of shattering lamp. “Why don't you burn the house down while you're at it?”

“Give me a lighter and I will.”

“Are you always this much of a pain in the ass?”

“Oh, I’m sorry for my lack of courtesy. Unfortunately for you, I was absent the day they thought what you are supposed to do after you get into the windowless van to get cookies.” She said with an overly nice tone.

Felipe narrowed his eyes and shook his head at her.

They both were quiet for the few moments.

“What’s your name?” Felipe asked with genuine curiosity.

She just stared at him in silence.

“Oh, come on. Look my name is Felipe ok? What is yours?” he said with a more friendly tone.

“Felipe what?” she asked cautiously.

“Jeez, Felipe Calles. And you are?”

“Layla.”

“Layla?”

“Layla.”

“No, I meant what’s your surname.” he said with a faint smile. He thought she didn’t understand what he meant since she had a hint of an accent in her speech.

He was wrong.

“None of your business.”

“Nice to meet you Layla none of your business.”

“Too bad I can’t say the same.”

“Of course you can, you just have to lie, like I did.”

“I’m certain no one can be that good of a liar.” She gave him a sarcastic smile.

Felipe exhaled loudly. “Look, I’m not happy about it ether but-”

“Tell me you’re fucking kidding right now! You can’t actually agree with that guy.” She said in panic.

Felipe brought his hands up so she’d stop getting up from where she was sitting. “Wait, hear me out. Please? Just give me a little time to explain, alright?”

“NO. ARE YOU COMPLETELY NUTS?”

The door handle moved violently, Hector was trying to open the door, but Felipe heavy body was in the way.

“HEY, knock it off. I’m sitting behind the door.” Felipe shouted out before Hector would kicking in the door, and him with it.

Layla bit her lips to stop herself from laughing and closed her eyes for a few seconds to gather herself, she needed to be serious in front of these people.

Felipe kept his eyes on her, he was hoping to convince her to listen to him now that her guard was down.

“Come on, it’s not like you can go anywhere else.”

“Well then why the fuck did you ask?” she said aggressively.

“You’re the one who was nagging about being treated like an object.” He said in unbelief.

“NAGGING? You son of a-”

“OK, OK… I apologize, just let’s talk. Aren't you hungry? We can talk over food, ha? What do you say? We go to the kitchen, get you a sandwich, and discuss this calmly. How does that sound?”

“It’s not like I have a choice.” She twisted her face and said in a mocking voice.