CHAPTER 2

"Bryan?!"

Gabby nodded at him, while her tears were rolling down her face.

"That son of bitch", her confirmation made him angrier.

That idiot dared to take her money after everything Antonio had done for him, helping him to find a job when he had been unemployed for so long. How Brian had turned into that kind of person? selfish and coward. Antonio was prepared to revenge on his sister, as a cop he has connections.

"Antonio, he took all my savings...", breathing deeply, "When I think he called me last week asking me to give him a new chance, I-I... I don't know..." She wiped her eyes roughly as she stood up from the floor. Walking to the window's apartments, she stayed there looking at the empty.

Antonio felt awful seeing her sister so disappointed, walking over he hugged her, then Gabby rested her head over his chest.

Gabby wished her parents were around, their love could cure all her heartbreaks. They have been living in the Dominican Republic for a couple of years. When Maria and Gomez have retired, they decided to go back to the place where they were born.

For a slight second, Gabby thought it would be a good idea to move to the Dominican Republic, where she would have a chance to start over. After everything that happened this year, she hadn't had time to breathe, to live... She had died a little inside when she saw her chance to have her own family melting away... She would never forget that day...

"I know you have a lot on your mind, but Mr. Casey said he will call you tonight. He seems a reliable guy", Antonio spoke as Gabby was looking at him.

Gabby mustered up a smile, "I think you got what you wanted, right?"

Antonio was confused by her words, "What do you mean?"

"I'll stay with you... I don't have money to pay for the rent and repairs", Gabby shrugged.

Antonio wanted her living with him, but not under those circumstances.

"Gabby, I love you and want you to be happy living with me or not. So, I'll lend you some money... Laura and I will be happy to do it for you".

Gabby smiled at his brother, feeling lucky to have him as her brother.

Holding back the tears, "Antonio, I can't take it. I was at the Chicago Fire Department, the position they had for me has already been filled... Do you think my day could get any worse?" she said upset. "I've heard so many good things about Firehouse 51... The headquarters will call if they have something for me later the week...".

Antonio didn't know what to say, "Gabby, listen to me. I know today was hard on you, but tomorrow is a new day and good things will come to you, I promise".

"Thank you, you're might right, I never thought of you as the smarter one, however, you are getting wiser must be because you're getting older".

"Ouch", Antonio replied offended, but then he smiled at her, after all, he loved his sister.

"I am gonna call Mr. Casey and cancel everything-", Antonio cut her off.

"Don't worry about it, I'll call him... you've had a tough day... I'll take care of it for you".

She nodded and went back to look out of the window, "I hope he doesn't get upset with me... Since it was a waste of time".

Antonio reassured her, "He won't, I'm going to explain to him without giving away details, okay?"

...

"How was your day at school? Do you have homework? When will be the parents' meeting? I need to tell Chief Boden beforehand ...". Matt and Anna were having lunch.

"It was good, I don't know... I have done my homework at school... next Friday... Anything else?", she asked smiling.

"No, young lady, so you have time to wash your shoes that you left at the yard."

Anna scrunched her nose, she didn't like that idea, because she had planned to watch a movie, yet she couldn't get out of this.

"Okay... You talked to Sophia?" she internally wished Sophia had anything else to do but go with them.

"Yes, she said she'd love to come with us, we agreed that we will have a picnic. What do you think?"

Honestly? Anna didn't like it at all, but she did her best to not show her displeasure.

"It's cool," she said asking permission to eat dessert, her favorite which is cheesecake.

Her mother loved eating cheesecake, which must be why she liked it so much.

...

"Eva and Diego, dinner is ready! How have you been Gabby? You know you're like a sister to me," said Laura.

"The truth?" Gabby looked around to see if the kids were coming, not wanting to make them sad. They didn't want her moving out, being happy to have her around.

Laura nodded at her.

"Don't tell my brother, please... but I was thinking about calling dad and mom and asking them to pay my ticket to the Dominic Republic... I think Chicago is no longer my place, you know?"

Laura understood what Gabby was telling her, but she didn't want her to give up everything and just go away.

"Gabby, I get it... what happened with Bryan sucks, still I don't think it's the best idea, leave it all behind and go away?! Give Chicago one more chance, wait for the Chicago Fire Department to call you... I believe you will receive good news soon. And if not, I'll support your decision, okay?"

Gabby had Laura as a sister... even a second mother. Maybe she was right, Gabby would give Chicago another chance. Then she heard feet steps, Diego and Eva... Gabby nodded at Laura.

...

"Hello, Mr. Casey? It's Antonio... I know my sister was supposed to call you, but there was a change of plans."

Matt wondered what it was, they didn't want his service anymore?

"Okay... tell me more about it...".