Folding the piece of paper in my hands, I exited the taxi with a 'gracias'. This was the address, so why was I in the middle of nowhere. During the drive here, I'd noticed that we'd left the urban city and ventured into perhaps the countryside? Or some type of jungle? I mean, what would explain all these trees here?

The taxi whizzing from behind took me out of my thoughts. Walking up to the gate, there seemed to be an alarm system here, so I rung that. After a couple of seconds, an unfamiliar voice greeted me.

"Hola. This is Emanuel speaking, who is here today?" A man said in a distinct spanish accent.

"Hi there, this is Laila" there was silence after this. His voice replied back after a few unruly seconds.

"Hmm. I'm not sure there is anyone booked down as Laila in our system? Did you have a booking with Mrs. Garcia?" Was he referring to Antoinette? Not knowing what else to say, I stumbled upon the words "sure" and "yes" and a vigorous head nod, not that he could see me. Anything to get me out of this secluded area.

"Okay. And can you tell me your last name please?"

"Bakhash" I replied back. After a couple of minutes, it seemed like he'd found me much to my relief.

"Bien. You may come through" just then a loud beep sounded before the gates automatically opened sideways. I stood back in shock, not expecting them to be so abrupt. Technology these days. Jeez.

Okay now I sounded like a grandma. Maybe I needed to go out with people my own age rather than old doctors in a hospital. Having walked to the front of this huge house, I was no less surprised to see a butler stood in the porch, seemingly waiting for my arrival.

He smiled down at me, welcoming me with his outstretched arm.

"Hola, missed Bakhash. It seems Mrs Garcia has been waiting for your arrival. Please follow me" wow. I was taken aback by the formality. This seemed like a job interview more than anything.

Nodding my head, as not to be rude, I followed behind, soaking in the surroundings. This house was very modest. Not like Rafael's, whose had a sense of antique-ness to it. If that was even a word. Wait, why am I even comparing this beautiful house to his?

There was seriously something wrong with me. I concluded.

We stopped behind two large doors. The man before me knocked thrice before a familiar voice spoke from within. "come in" it called. The supposed butler bowed his head down, both his arms clasped ahead of him in a V shape.

"You may enter the room" his hoarse Spanish accent broke out, with a warm, wrinkly smile. I smiled myself before entering the room. Shutting the door behind me, I was pleased to see Antoinette perched upon a black office chair. Her left shoulder was gauzed and bandaged up, much to my relief.

But I'd been greatly surprised by her attire. No longer was she supporting the flowy floral dresses required of her, or the mundane shirts and skirts. She was infact clothed like a boss. I couldn't help but feel underdressed with my baggy jeans and a long shirt.

She looked ready for business, with her own knee length skirt and a smart shirt which seemed to support no creases. Her smile captured my attention away from her.

"Laila. Buenos dias. I hope it wasn't a pain to meet me here" she returned formally. Although I'd been used to this attitude, somehow now it felt more out of place. I guess I was still attached to that innocent, go-to woman I'd known for the last two months.

"Good morning to you too" I smiled. "and it wasn't a pain at all Antoinette, so please don't work yourself, especially in this state" I winced slightly, not wanting her too feel pressured or upset. After-all this did happen because of me.

She nodded in thanks, before gesturing towards the chair. I sat down, placing my bag on the other chair. My hands outstretched onto the desk, as I waited for her to say anything.

"Before I continue with my talk from yesterday, I wanted to make one thing clear. The information I tell you shall stay within this room. No one is to know of this, especially not Señor Rey, am I understood?" I nodded my head almost instantly, suddenly feeling nervous with what would be thrown at me. Could I back out now. Would it be too late?

"Bien" she nodded her head.

"Antoinette" I began before she could start. "Why are you telling me all this, especially when you're going against your boss, Rafael in doing so?" I'd asked the question that'd been plaguing my mind. If I wasn't to know of something, surely it was for my own safety.

A grim look set upon her face. Her expressions grew heavier.

"I'm going against a lot here to tell you this because im scared for you. Laila, you've attracted the Mafia leaders attention, which is not good, especially when he has lot of enemies. Not only that, but I feel keeping you in the dark would only lead to more bad than good. I'd studied your background the night you saw what happened upon arriving in Spain" she began. I was surprised to say the least.

She's known me for that long? And I wasn't even aware. What was so special about that night that everyone seemed to be keeping tabs on me.

"O-okay and?" I voiced, not knowing what else to say.

"And it wasn't supposed to happen. I was surprised when Señor kept you alive rather than kill you on the spot. This had never happened before in all my years of serving him. Nonetheless, you are now a liability of the Mafia, a liability who knows too much, I figured that what I'm about to tell you, wouldn't change much, I suppose to an extent, but at least you'd be informed"

"Look, Antoinette, whenever it is you want to tell me, I don't think you should. I mean if Rafael found out, God knows what he'll do. Maybe this time he would kill me for real" I explained worriedly. The atmosphere within the room was getting colder. And scary.

"Laila. You must know this, especially now that your in Señors radar. Yesterday I wasn't able to say much, because the walls have ears, especially that hospital. I'd been ordered by Mister Rey to work as a receptionist there, for quite a few months now. Although I cannot say much on the reasoning for my time there, all I can say is trust no one. I owe you this much, you poor girl" her eyes held genuine worry as she explained her situation to me.

She gave me a pitiful smile, which I'd grown to dislike, but right about now, I understood why she felt this way towards me. This wasn't some petty situation I was in, this was a life and death situation.

"You're safe for now dear. Rafael has never been seen by the media, nor his enemies. They've only heard of him and his games. No one knows what he looks like, unless you work for him. And even then, the majority of his workers work for a faceless man whom they are scared of very much. It doesn't take a genius to realise how dangerous Señor really is. I'm surprised you're alive, dear" well she wasn't the first person to say that to me, I'm sure. Or maybe that was your own brain repeatedly telling you that.

Antoinette's words stayed with me throughout the remaining of the week. Whether I was having breakfast they'd appear in my mind. Running errands. Helping patients. Making food. Walking past the receptionist. Walking past the forbidden hospital zone. My mind was in chaos right now, and I didn't know what to do.

I was in deeper-excuse my language- shit than I'd anticipated. My mind was in two places at once too. This time, Rafael would have to answer my questions like a grown up. I needed answers. I was thrown into something sinister and on top of that, I was left in the dark for many things. I needed solace in Rafael's words, otherwise I would just about go crazy.

No more lies. No more avoiding my questions. This time, I would get these answers at all cost!

_____