Highway 100, Florida, Miami – 10:02
After having a good night’s sleep and a breakfast, they checked out. They decided to continue on with the drive. The van seemed quiet but Nathan, from time to time, talks about what he’s seeing on the road or just talks about something he wanted to talk about.
After hours of driving Daniel decided to make a stop to refuel. They saw yet another McDonald’s by the gas station. Pedro went with Samantha and Nathan to buy a meal for Daniel and Jeff. Nathan insisted to eat inside the fast food chain so Samantha said she will accompany him.
Back in the van, Daniel notices Jeff’s unusual silence since they left the Inn at Saint George.
“You alright?” Daniel asked Jeff while looking at him through the rear view mirror. Jeff is staring blankly outside the window and doesn’t seem to care about responding, “I know when something’s bothering you.” Daniel turned around to look at Jeff. “Is it the girl?” he asked.
“How’d you know?” asked Jeff still staring outside.
“Don’t ask me that,” said Daniel as he looked back at the front, “It’s obvious, Jeffrey.”
“She, uhm,” said Jeff but he hesitated to continue.
“I she with someone?” guessed Daniel. “Or she just doesn’t like you?”
“I don’t know,” Jeff looked even sadder, “A little kind of both, I guess.”
“Hmm,” Daniel smirked, “You know how I met my wife, Jeffrey?”
“How?” asked Jeff.
“Manuela,” said Daniel while reminiscing, “She’s my exact opposite. Literally ‘heaven and hell’ kind of opposite. She could be a saint for all I know. While me, a cold blooded killer. One day when I was breaking in this old house, stealing money and stuffs, that’s when we first met. It was her house. She’s living with her old and sick mother. I saw her and her mother when I barged in their room. She’s hugging her mother and begging me not to hurt them. I went to one of their cabinets. As I open it she told me that’s where her mother’s medicines are. She told me if I need it I can take some but leave some for her mother. I looked at her in the eyes, and she stared back at me. Her look at that moment, it was like she’s looking straight at my soul. Back then I’m a little tough on other people but that scene affected me. It's like all of the wrong doings I did came back to me, haunting me. That’s the first time my conscience took over me. I fell on my knees and looked up the wall where a crucifix is hanging. I didn’t realize that tears are already flowing down my eyes until Manuela sat beside me and wipes it off.”
“I thought you’re still in the cartel when you had two children with her,” said Jeff.
“I couldn’t just walk away from the cartel,” said Daniel, “No one does and comes out alive. Plus, the cartel is holding my mother. In case I did something they don’t want. So I had to keep my relationship with Manuela a secret to protect her. Although, I don’t know why she accepted me despite of knowing what I do for a living. Well, I guess there’s just a person in our life that’ll see past our mistakes. Past our shortcomings. Past our darkest side. And see through what’s good in us. My point here is, I didn’t asked for a woman like her. I never even imagined I deserve one like her. But she came into my life. Accepting the whole of me.”
Jeff seems to think about Daniel's story. Moments later Pedro went back with their meal. Pedro also seemed to know what’s happening with Jeff as he sat beside him.
“Got a problem, amigo?” Pedro asked Jeff as he handed him his food. Jeff takes it but doesn’t say a word.
“Leave him be, Pedro,” said Daniel in the front seat.
“What? And live alone for the rest of his life?” Pedro bluntly said. Daniel gave him a mean look but he didn’t bother it. He looked at the fast food chain where Samantha and Nathan is eating, “All I’m saying is, amigo,” he said to Jeff, “You can’t get what you want if you don’t do anything about it.” He smirked and started to enjoy his meal.
After Nathan and Samantha got back they continued driving.
Downtown Miami – 14:07
After another four hours on the road they’ve reached Downtown Miami. They parked near an inn where they plan to stay while they’re here.
“Where can I drop you off, Sam?” asked Daniel, “I’ll drop them off here because we’ll stay by that Inn right there. Miami beach is just nearby but it’s still a long walk.”
“Thank you, but no you don’t have to,” Samantha politely refused, “Helping me get here is a lot. I can’t thank you enough.” She smiled. “Although, can we talk for a moment?”
“Sure,” said Daniel. He looked at Pedro. He knows what he’s up to, if he’s still up to it. Daniel saw this opportunity to warn Samantha or just make sure she won’t be followed by Pedro. “Pedro, check us in.” Pedro just nodded at him.
They all got off the van. Pedro heads across the street for the Inn as Jeff follows him. Nathan approached Samantha to say goodbye. He gave her a hug before following Jeff and Pedro.
Daniel looks at the three and when they’re far enough he starts talking to Samantha, “What do you want to talk about, señorita?”
Samantha gets her purse, “I know this isn’t that much but-”
Daniel immediately stopped Samantha, “No, you don’t have to bother.” He stares at Samantha insisting her to stop, “Trust me, Samantha, we don’t look like one but we have a lot of money. Although, you know, we don’t want to talk about that.” He smiled at her.
Samantha puts back her purse. She sighed, “Also,” she’s a bit hesitant, “I don’t know if Jeff said anything to you-”
“Yes, he did,” said Daniel, “Don’t worry about him I already talked with him about that. He may not be okay for a while but I’m sure he’ll get over it. You know, men.” He laughed.
Somehow Samantha felt a relief, “Thank you so much,” she smiled, “I – I really don’t know how to thank you further.”
“Okay how about, uhm,” Daniel thinks for a second, “Telling me something.”
“Uhh, about?” asked Samantha.
“I know if someone is hiding from someone,” said Daniel. Samantha’s eyes got big, “But don’t worry this stays with me.”
“How did you?” she asked curiously.
“Heh,” Daniel grins, “It’s obvious. You left your car, you could’ve drove your own way here but there are tolls along the way. And you don’t seem to have a phone. Ladies at your age always take a picture of themselves, what they eat, where they go, and who they’re with. It’s almost like breathing to them.” They laughed.
“Okay but,” said Samantha, “don’t freak out or anything.”
“Try me, señorita,” said Daniel.
“I’m Samantha Pierce,” she said but Daniel doesn’t seem to get it, “If it doesn’t ring a bell to you then maybe this.”
Daniel nods with his face looking a little more curious, “Spill it.”
“My father is Simon Pierce,” she continued. Daniel is a little shocked in disbelief, “President Simon Pierce.”
Daniel suddenly remembered something. He remembers answering Samantha’s call, “This is not good, young lady.” He said not with anger but with fear. He immediately looked around, “They’re looking for you and they probably know you’re with me.” He grabbed Samantha by her arms and tries to drag her back in the van.
“Daniel!” Samantha also felt shocked and tried to resist, “Stop this or I’ll call for help.”
Daniel stopped dragging her but he doesn’t let go of her arms, “Then go. Call for help, young lady.” They stopped for a bit. Samantha is confused of what’s happening. “Call for help but make sure you go to the police and go back to your father.” He let go of her.
Samantha took a step backwards, “I – I’m sorry.” She doesn’t know what to say.
“I’m afraid I have to tell you something too,” Daniel calmed down a bit, “I’m selling illegal drugs and the Feds are on my tail for years.” He sighed. He picks up his wallet out of his pocket and opened it facing Samantha.
Samantha saw a picture of a woman with two kids beside her, “Your family?”
“I’m only doing this for them,” he said. He again looks around, “I’m begging you. Go back to your father.” He said almost crying. “I am a father too. I know the feeling of being far away from my children.”
Samantha took a moment to listen to him.
“What ever your reason for doing this,” Daniel continues, “You should know that there’s no father that will let her daughter in harms way. He’ll do whatever he can to protect her. And in your case, he’ll do whatever he can to find you. You understand what’s happening now?”
“I – yes,” said Samantha worriedly, “They’ll look after you because of me.”
“Please,” said Daniel, “Go home.”
Before Samantha could say anything she noticed Pedro behind Daniel. Daniel noticed her looking past him. He knew something is wrong but before he could do anything Pedro knocked him out. Daniel fell on the ground immediately. Pedro then points a gun at Samantha and drags her inside the van. Samantha resisted but he also knocked her out unconscious.
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