Chapter 25

Felipe rearranged his gun on the hoister. When he was sure he could reach it within seconds and have the upper hand at any possible scenario, he reached into hi pocket and brought out the key.

The key made a click when it turned in the lock.

Felipe opened the door and took a step back, “you can come out now.”

A few seconds passed in silence. Then he heard her mumbling to herself, “mother fucker,” she continued with a mocking voice, “you can come out now. Assholes.” Then she emerged from the her room, her face red like fire.

“I can hear you.”

“Too bad you can’t read my mind too, I’m using a much more colorful language there. Sadly the English vocabulary doesn't cover it.” She stumped past him and went to the small living room.

“There’s food in the fridge if you’re hungry.” Felipe said pointing to the cozy open floored kitchen, “there’s no knife or anything so don’t get your hopes up.”

Layla made a fake laughing sound, “very funny, I can’t wait to see if you’d be this humorous when I’m choking you to death.” She sat down and turned her face away from him.

“We’ll be here for a while so I’d appreciate it if you’d cooperate and not turn every second into hell. We need to use this time and get to work, I suggest we start with this.” Felipe said holding up a file.

Layla rolled her eyes, “and what exactly is that?”

“Your file.” Felipe said indifferently.

Layla turned her head so fast her neck made a sound, "My file? That’s invasion of privacy. ” She said reaching to grab the file out of his hand but Felipe was much faster than her.

He lifted the file up in the air with one hand and grabbed Layla with the other, “it’s not like I already don't know what’s in it, Hector already read most of it for me.”

“That doesn't make it better.” Layla protested and leaned farther onto him to catch the file. “Give it.”

“No, stop that.” Felipe said struggling to keep her in one place.

Layla reached one of her hands and grabbed a fistful of his hair and pulled. Felipe in return tightened his grip on her arm and tried to pull her off himself. Layla’s eyes suddenly flew to his gun, she let go of his hair and tried to reach the gun.

As soon Felipe saw her eyes leaving the folder in his hand, he immediately threw it back on the floor and held Layla’s hand. He used his straight to throw her back pulled out the gun.

“SIT BACK DOWN. "He yelled out.

Layla was out of breath. she rubbed her wrist, the skin was a bit red where Felipe had grabbed her.

Felipe took a few steps back so he was out of her reach but there wasn't enough space for him to feel comfortable.

“What are you waiting for? SHOOT.”

Seconds which felt like hours passed in silence. Then a click sounded in the room.

Their gaze both turned to the source of the sound.

A door, was next to a bookshelf. The bookshelf itself was barely visible due to the excessive number of books not only on but also around it.

The door slowly opened and a head peaked inside.

Hector.

He studied the situation before stepping in. “You, your room now.” He gestured to Layla’s room, but she didn’t move.

“I said room, NOW.” This time Hector yelled.

Layla’s lingered and looked at him with narrowed eyes, then got up and stomped her way to the room.

Bang.

She slammed the door behind her.

“Are you okay?”

Felipe put his gun back while staring down the door Layla just had shut, “I’m fine, but one more second and she wouldn't have been.”

“Don't let her provoke you. That’s what she wants.”

“Why the fuck would she want that?”

Hector walked to the kitchen, opening one of the cabinets, “I heard her from the other side, she said shoot. My guess is she wanted you to kill her.” He pulled out a bottle of whiskey and grabbed two glasses from the dish rack.

Felipe sat down and shook his head, “that doesn't make any sense.”

“It sorta does.” Hector poured him a drink.

“back at the house she was fine with everything . So what now suddenly she changed her mind?” Felipe raised his hand pointing to the closed door.

“you have to try to see it from her point of view.” Hector took a sip of his drink and continued, “she probably had hope she could find a way to run away in the wedding chaos. Losing hope can be one reason for her behavior.”

Felipe raised his brows.

“Look this is the first time she was actually left alone since I killed that guy. Murder can be a pretty big deal for normal people.” Hector sank further in his seat. “I saw the look in her eyes when it happened, she’s definitely feeling guilty. She think his death is on her, and in some ways it is. so she acted out, hoping you’d kill her, or if the opportunity presented itself she would kill you, but thankfully you responded correctly. Killing her would do more harm than good.”

Felipe threw his head back and closed his eyes, “you said this would be a good thing, that it would be the end of all speculations.”

“It will be, She’ll learn.”

Felipe gave him a skeptical look.

“She will. Eventually.”

Felipe groaned, “I just want this to be over.”

“Your skin is red.” Hector said looking at the bottom of his glass.

“I should have killed her that first night.” Felipe said as if he hadn't hear him.

“It might need some ointment or something.”

“I should lock it.” Felipe said eying the door. He tried to get up but Hector put his hand on his shoulder.

“I got it.” Hector got up and squeezed Felipe’s shoulder. “Where’s the key?”

Felipe gave him the key and sat back.

Hector walked the door, Felipe took a deep breath, happy he didn't continue to argue. But his triumph was cut short.

“Your skin seems fine but it will be sensitive for a few days, I can give you something if you want.” Hector said, facing the door.

“It’s fine.” Felipe sighed.

“Why don't you go get some rest. It was a long day.”

“I’m not tired.” Felipe said gazing at the door once again.

Hector followed his gaze and shook his head. “Well I am. Why don’t you go skulk on the other side and let me…” he paused and pointed at the door, “that, get some sleep.”

A smirk appeared on Felipe’s face. “I’m fine sleeping here, I just don't want to right now.”

“I'm asking it for my own sake. Tomorrow I need to give her a talking to , and that just there was her fed and well rested. I don't even want to imagine what hell will she unleash if there’s a slight inconvenienced.”

“Well good luck with that.” Felipe sneered.

“Hey, don't come back before I text you. That way at least one of us will live to tell the tale.”

***

Felipe’s body jerked awake. Another nightmare. He’d say he got two hour shut eye at most. It seemed like no amount of distance from Layla was going to help him find peace of mind.

His body felt heavy, like his clothes were made of iron plates. He dragged himself out of the bed. There was no point in trying to sleep, it was already 10am, but still no message from Hector. The only thing that kept him from barging in there was the silence.

But the silence was not helping with the scenarios in his head.

His phone dinged, and he rushed towards it. It was Hector.

“Good morning, I’ve set the table for you. Come over and have some breakfast. I’ll be in her room.”