Angelo
I look around the office I’m standing in and smile. Until now, I’ve only worked in small businesses or for my brother’s company, but starting my own firm fills me with joy. I know it’ll make my parents proud too. I glance at my watch—I promised to have dinner with them tonight, and I can’t be late. My phone rings, and I grin when I see the familiar number.
“George, my old friend,” I say with a smile, greeting a longtime family acquaintance.
“Angelo, I hope you’re doing well.”
“I don’t like the sound of that,” I chuckle, walking over to the large window. “Is something wrong?”
“You know me too well,” he laughs. “I need a favor.”
“Name it.”
“You know Gina’s studying in France,” he says. I nod, even though he can’t see me. Gina, his youngest daughter, is 21 and a dear friend of mine.
“Is she okay?”
“She’s studying fashion design, Angelo, and I know you’ve recently acquired a fashion company. She wants to finish her studies in the States, in your city. I don’t just want her to study—I want her to work, to stand on her own two feet.”
“Are you in financial trouble?” I raise an eyebrow.
“No, Angelo, it’s not that. I just don’t want Gina to turn out like Susan,” he says, referring to his other daughter. Susan and I share a past, though no one knows about it.
“I’m still not sure what you’re asking, my friend.”
“I want you to give Gina a job and look out for her. Most importantly, keep the guys away from her. You know how Gina is—I want her to stay pure until marriage. She’s been engaged here for years, as you know.” I run a hand over my face.
“George…”
“Please, Angelo. I trust only you and your family there. Help me out.” I think it over for a few seconds.
“Alright.”
“Do you promise?” I smile.
“I promise, George. I’ll take care of her. She’s like a little sister to me.” I hang up, still smiling. It won’t be hard. Gina’s an angel—kind, innocent, the complete opposite of her sister. She’s pure, shy, a good girl. She’d never do anything wrong or be a handful. Looking after her will be a breeze. I’m sure she’ll never get into any trouble.
★★★
Gina
I hurriedly start packing my suitcase, my head pounding and my feet aching. But everything’s set, and I need to get out of here before it’s too late. I always knew I was making a mistake, but I didn’t think things through. I just wanted to be like other girls my age—a normal girl who does crazy things. But I went too far.
“What the heck are you doing, Gina?” I turn quickly to see Monica, a close friend, stepping into the room.
“I’m leaving. I’ve already spoken to my dad. I’m heading back to the States. I told him I’d study there, and he wants me to work too, to fend for myself.” I smile, continuing to pack my things.
“Did you tell him the truth?”
“Of course not, Monica,” I say, looking at her. “He’d kill me.” I admit it with a heavy heart. Dad loves me, but he’d never forgive my mistakes.
“So, what then?”
“He won’t see me. He hasn’t seen me in years, only talked over the phone. He wants me to live independently.”
“But where will you go? What will you do? You don’t have any money.”
“He spoke to a friend of his. I’ll be staying at his place,” I say, smiling as I think of Angelo. “He’ll look after me and give me a job.”
“Does he know the truth?”
“No, Monica, no one does. But Angelo will help me.”
“Are you talking about the same Angelo you were head over heels for as a kid?” I grin like an idiot, sitting down on the bed.
“Angelo, yes. He’d be my soulmate if there weren’t twelve years between us and if he weren’t so proper. He always saw me as a little girl, a younger sister. But to me, he was the love of my life.” I pick up my diary, the one I wrote in from ages ten to eighteen, filled with my best memories—and he’s in every single one. I carry it everywhere. “At least, to the little girl who wrote this, he was her great love,” I murmur nostalgically.
“And do you think you still feel something for him?”
“I was just a kid. I don’t know.”
“What about Ernesto?” That name sends a shiver down my spine. I stand up and zip my suitcase shut.
“That’s exactly why I have to leave. He’s bad news, Monica, and I realized it too late. I can’t stay here. If he comes looking for me, don’t tell him where I am. I never told him about my family or even my last name.”
“I won’t say a word.”
“Good.” I step closer to her, smiling.
“Are you sure this Angelo will help you?” I cup my friend’s face gently.
“He’s kind. He’s perfect. I know he will.”
“But what will you say when he sees you, Gina? You can fool your parents from a distance, but Angelo will see you. He’ll know you dropped out of school. He’ll know about you. A pregnancy like this can’t be hidden anymore.” I run my hands over my belly. No, it’s impossible. My bump is too big now—six months along. I sigh.
“I’ll tell him the truth, Monica, and pray he helps me. He’s the only one who can right now,” I say, rubbing my belly, almost hoping for a miracle.