CHAPTER 1
"Anna, hurry up, we're late", Lieutenant Casey said as he was standing on the threshold of the front door.
"I am coming... I forgot one of my books", Anna said.
"I told you to pack your things last night, but you don't hear me", he said after closing the door.
"Sorry, daddy, I was tired last night", she was 7 years old.
"Tired?" He questioned: "What did you do yesterday?"
"Violet and I helped aunt Christie to prepare some activities for her students".
Matt laughed at her: "Oh, you and Violet had been busy, I see...". He started the ignition, they were heading toward the school, later he would to his side job.
"So, I was thinking... how about going to the park on Saturday, what do you think?"
Anna thought for a moment, before saying yes she had to check, "Sophia will be there too?"
"Do you want her with us? Because if you want, I can ask her".
Anna has known her father likes Sophia, they have been dating for two months.
Anna's mother had died of cancer when she was 4 years old, and it was the second time she has seen his father with a girl. It's not that Anna didn't like Sophia, but Anna hasn't felt a connection with her, and Sophia made no effort to change that. Sophia seemed awkward with the children. Deciding not upsetting her father, she said it was okay if he invited Sophia. Matt smiled and said he'd call Sophia later the day.
When they arrived at the school, "I love you, dad".
"I love you, princess".
...
Matt knocked at the apartment's door. A woman had called him a few days ago saying that she had rented an apartment, but it needed some repairs.
The owner couldn't renovate at this moment so he said if she got the repairs done, she wouldn't pay the next month's rent. She couldn't do it herself, so she searched for someone who could get the work done.
When she talked to Matt through the phone, he thought her voice sweet and she seemed pretty confident as talking about what she wanted to be done at the apartment.
"Hello", Matt said, he saw five missed calls from an unknown number on his phone and decided to call back.
"Hi, Mr. Casey?" she said.
"Yes, how can I help you?"
She sighed relieved: "My name is Gabriela Dawson, I need to get my apartment fixed and I've heard that you are the right guy for the job," she voiced happily.
"I am," he said smiling. "Please, give me your address and I'll check out. What do you think?" Gabby said yes. For a moment he heard a voice in the background saying I love you and Gabby responded I love you too softly.
Matt thought it could be her boyfriend or husband. Then he remembered how Anna's mother used to say I love you to him and their daughter, he got teary-eyed. He thought when he would hear that again that wasn't from his daughter, sister, or niece. Sophia was a special woman but they hadn't had reached the point of saying I love you to each other.
"Mr. Casey, you're still there?"
He wiped his tears: "Yes, I am, sorry".
Gabby felt something different in his voice, however, she decided to keep quiet about it, prying on his life wouldn't be appropriate, so she just thanked him saying she would see him at her apartment.
...
A man opened the door for Matt:
"Hi, I'm Mathew Casey, Mrs. Dawson called me".
After introducing himself as Antonio Dawson, Matt assumes Antonio was Gabby's husband. Then Antonio led him into the apartment, he showed Matt what Gabby had asked to get repaired and apologizing for Gabby not being there because she had some errands to do. The place was empty, and Matt wouldn't have a chance to see a glimpse of Gabby's features. Matt stayed at the apartment for one hour as Antonio was in the living room waiting for him to be done. Sometimes, Matt could listen to Antonio talking to someone on the phone.
After a while, Antonio went to the bedroom and told Matt that Gabby would be arriving any time. He got excited because he would rather deal with his clients. After all, by doing it directly they could set the contract and its costs, which is the main concerning of his clients.
Matt went back to the living room announcing he had finished: "Do you think Mrs. Gabriela Dawson is still coming?"
Antonio replied a yes to him.
"Okay, I can wait another 10 minutes, I have another client at 11 am".
Antonio asked: "What do you think? Can you do the job? My sister is anxious, she can't wait to move here. I wished she had dropped the idea of moving out of my place, but she is stubborn".
'Sister, Matt heard right? But she could have a boyfriend, and if she has is none of my business,' he told himself.
"If you give me a week, I can fix everything, and she will be living in a nice place".
Matt looked at his watch and he needed to go, but promised that he'd call Gabby at night.
Antonio thanked him and said goodbye.
After 10 minutes Gabby arrived, slamming the door shut behind her. She leaned back against the wall, looking down. Antonio came back from the bathroom calling her name.
She looked up, tears in her eyes, "Antonio, Bryan took my money. All my savings are gone. What am I going to do? What am I going to do, Antonio?"