Vengeance From The Past

la's

me whole. I walked through the streets with my CV clutched to my chest like a shield, m

d say, over and over again. "I have five years

pt. Sometimes kindly. Somet

didn't even bot

n the paper and said, "Wait... Ca

slowly.

r back without a w

bistro near the university, let

n crema when the head chef came in, phone in hand, a

t vi

tage of Leonel Castillo spitting out my dish. The headline r

id, breath catching. "Some

" the chef said flatly. "Sorry,

bleeding, my heart cracking

welcomed me with warm smiles now cl

r their magic. Now, they only see

ach, crashing at the hostel each night, often skipping mea

never stop

e. I can't sleep. I kno

chance, mi amor.

cemails with a choked voice. Not when Emilio texted me pictures of us

tos. But the memo

sipping lukewarm coffee and nursing a half-eaten concha. The storm outside had turned

mes. Only three remained unchecked. I

café door jingled

mil

d snap

il

His eyes were wide and desperate, like he hadn't slept

like a man

ing here?" I ask

erywhere for you," he

y to leave, but

ive minutes. Th

Just an old couple in the corner and the b

y arms. "Fi

how to explain what happened. I made a mistake.

ng but not your brain. Tell me, did your brilliant mind forget to notic

d. And after it did, I felt sick. I s

g up a hand. "Don't yo

've been dying inside. I can't eat, can't sleep. I need

lk out that door and never come near me again, because the next time you cross

ered. "You don

I saw you in my mother's bed,

reaching for my arm. "P

held tighter. "Let me go, get

hear me out.

ac

choed in th

the side, hand dr

ng, but I d

rista

ce me, one hand on his cheek. S

't ever touch me again," I said, my voice steady. "W

o the rain, letting it soak through my

t clea

ee

t sat

n awning, hugging my bag. Rainwater dripped from

re ru

e pret

ad bro

ing to let them

the hostel, I stared

tion afte

tation

t shat

g hardened. Not in a crue

t take me, I'd find another way. I sti

d. Delivery meals. Pop-up dinners. Anything