Gonzalo ✔

Chapter 21

Word count: 2633

Rosa's POV

*

My visit to Agatha's office was cut short, but just as I stepped out of the office, I received another call from a strange number. I froze in my steps as I stared at the unfamiliar number.

Should I pick it?

Maybe I should. It could be mom calling me.

But what if it was someone else, someone I shouldn't be picking their number?

Bracing myself, I took a deep breath and slid my thumb over the 'answer' option on my phone screen.

"Hello?"

"Rosa?"

"Hi- mom? Mom! How have you been? How's dad? I've been trying to get through to you but your line has been unavailable since the last time we spoke. How is everything at home? What's happening now?"

"Rosa, listen to me very carefully." She said seriously.

"Okay?" My heartbeat accelerated at her words.

"Immediately I'm done speaking to you, throw this phone away. Throw it far away, okay?"

"Mom what's-"

"Just do as I said, don't ask any questions please."

I took a deep breath.

"Okay, I will. But what's happening mom? You're scaring me. Is dad there?"

"I-- just do what I said." She whisper yelled like she usually did when she was stressed out and didn't want to raise her voice. "Don't ask me anymore questions. I've sacrificed a lot already, this can't go on."

What did she sacrifice?

Was it because I asked her about dad or because I asked her to explain whatever was happening.

"Then how do I contact you?"

"You don't. You can't. Yo-- you shouldn't."

"Okay. But--"

"Also Rosa, I have a question for you. Please I beg you baby, give me a sincere answer." Her voice turned cold and detached all of a sudden.

"Mom you're scaring me."

"Just answer my question. If there's a chance one day for you to save your siblings in replacement of your own life, would you do it?"

I frowned. "Why would you ask that? Has those bad guys--"

"Answer me Rosa!" She shouted.

I paused for a while, my hold on my phone tightening. My eyes blurred, and I imagined myself in such a scenario where I needed to save my siblings in replacement of my own life.

I would do it in a go. They had their future ahead of them, the both of them. It would be sad to leave them because I am basically all they have right now but I would. I will, if it came down to it.

"Yes. I would do whatever I can to save their lives." I replied in an equally fierce tone.

"Oh my baby," she cried. "It wasn't supposed to get to this. I'm sorry for whatever might happen after now Rosa, believe me I would never mean to hurt you. But circumstances and past mistakes caught up with us. I only wanted what was best for you."

I sighed.

My heart felt heavy, like someone had tied a rope around a large stone firmly, and then equally tied the other end to my heart. This whole conversation was making my heart clench in my chest.