Chapter 1 Cantina del Sol

Seraphina’s POV

I scan through my closet but I can’t find the perfect cloth to wear. My fingers brush over different clothes as if the perfect one might whisper to me, but nothing does.

I have so many clothes, and every day it feels like war to choose one. With a frustrated sigh, I yank out a random gown. It’s not the one I wanted. Maybe it’s the one beside it… or the one after that. But I don’t have the strength to fight this battle anymore.

“Ugh.”

I wear the gown, pretending I’ve won when deep down, I know I’ve only surrendered.

Just as I’m about to close the closet, I notice a strange bag tucked down there, almost invisible. I push some clothes aside, grab it, and drag it out with all my strength.

My chest tightens, the bag is really heavy. What’s inside? Maybe some cash. Dad hides money everywhere... he’s always scared of banks, says too much attention will bring federal government eyes on him.

I unzip the bag and freeze almost immediately, staring at the stacks of high denomination bills… euros and dollars. Not even one single peso.

My fingers tremble as I dig deeper. I find strange packages, sealed tight and look like… drugs? Well, I can't shake the feeling they are drugs because they are wrapped exactly the way you see in movies.

My phone buzzes twice from the bed, snapping me back to reality. Has to be Sylvia Claude, she's been texting since. I zip the bag quickly and return it back to where it was. My breath is unsteady. Dad must be the one hiding it, no doubt… but why keep it secret from me?

I grab my phone and head downstairs. Mom is in the kitchen, humming as she stirs dad’s favorite meal. She looks so happy, and I know why. Dad is coming back today from one of his dangerous trips, and he plans to spend the whole week with us.

I steal a fried empanada and dash out with Mom shouting after me, asking if I want more, and telling me to be careful out there. Perks of being an only child.

Dante Alvarez, our driver, is already outside. He opens the door and I slide into the sedan, sinking into the leather seat.

“Ready?” he asks, glancing at me through the rearview.

“Yes.” I smile, but my chest is still tight from what I saw upstairs. Dad has never kept drugs in our house. And those foreign bills, what does he need them for?

The gate opens and we drive out. Dad spent fortunes building this house, one of the finest in La Terra. Sometimes I think he built it so big to hide what is inside.

Even though I don’t like his job, he always made me and Mom happy. But the truth is, I’m scared of the men around him. He works for Ricardo, a drug lord who does things no one dares talk about. Not even the local police.

Almost everyone here is tied to the drug trade, directly or indirectly. That’s why people act like it’s normal. But Mom and I worry. Being tied to Ricardo means anything can happen at any time. Bad thing especially.

We drive toward Monte Azul. It’s busier than La Terra, and far less safe. Ricardo’s name protects me back home, but here… I’m just another girl who should watch her back.

My phone buzzes. It's Sylvia... she texted me again. I have been ignoring her messages.

Slyvia: Come on, Seraphina, do you have to be late even today? My flight is tomorrow morning.

I roll my eyes and tap the notification. My thumb hovers as I swipe through the older unread messages, reading them from newest to oldest.

Sylvia: Adriana is already here. We are waiting for you!

Sylvia: Adriana says she’s on her way too. How about you, Seraphina?

Sylvia: Hi, Seraphina. I’m at the café already.

I huff and call Sylvia quickly, telling her I’m almost there.

When we arrive, Dante pulls over. I scan the street before stepping out. Café de Pueblo is small, cozy, not flashy like the Cantina del Sol across the street with its giant glass walls. That’s why Sylvia chose it. Safer.

Inside, I find Sylvia and Adriana already sipping coffee, bored. I rush to hug them both before dropping into a chair.

“Sorry, traffic,” I lie.

“Traffic? Or you just couldn’t pick a dress?” Adriana teases, and we laugh.

We’ve been together since junior high. Now Sylvia is leaving for Spain, Adriana for Italy. And me? Nowhere. Dad doesn’t want me leaving home, and it drives me insane.

“I’m gonna miss you guys,” I say, holding their hands.

“Not just you. All of us,” Adriana says, almost crying.

Sylvia comforts her, and soon we’re laughing again, talking about our secundaria and preparatoria days. But while they laugh, my mind keeps wandering back to that bag in my closet. To the stacks of foreign bills and the sealed packages that looked too much like drugs. My smile feels fake.

After an hour, Dad calls. His voice is rough, desperate. He wants me home immediately.

I hug my friends goodbye and step outside. Dante looks uneasy, like maybe Dad had already scolded him over the phone for driving me so far.

Just before I get in the car, someone across the street catches my attention.

A man.

He's young and handsome. Definitely not from here. He sits in Cantina del Sol, the sunlight catching his sharp features through the glass wall. He’s with people, but it feels like his eyes are only on me.

My breath stalls.

I have seen different guys before, but this one? He looks so…

“Everything okay?” Dante asks, bringing me back to reality.

I nod quickly and slide into the car.

The ride home feels strange. Dante drives faster than usual, silent. He's probably thinking about how he's going to be yelled at by Dad.

My chest grows heavy as we turn into our street, until I find two black SUVs park in front of the gate. I recognize them. They are Ricardo’s.

I sigh in relief. If Ricardo is here, Dad won’t yell at any of us. Not in his presence at least.

I step inside the house smiling…

And freeze all of a sudden, shock beyond words.

Mom is on the floor, Ricardo’s fist twisted in her hair. Dad is pinned down by three men.

My smile shatters.

What e

xactly is going on here?

Before I can make a move, a tall man grips my arm and slams me to my knees.