Page 33 of Spring UnVeiled
Dylan shifted uncomfortably.“No.I want to know your real name.”
She stared at him for a long minute.“Here, they call me Tessa.”
“What’s your real name?”He wondered if she would give it to him or lie.“Please, tell me the truth.It’s important.”
“Tala,” she said just above a whisper.
“What’s your last name?”
She stared at her foldedhands.“Mallari.Tala Mallari.”
“Where are you from, Tala?”Dylan felt like he was finally getting someplace.
“Philippines.”
He gave her a small smile.“I’ve been to the Philippines.There’s a lot of small islands, or are you from one of the bigger ones?”
“Small.Cebu.”She giggled.“I was little girl back then.”Dark eyes begging for understanding met his.“Pappa work hard.Too many babies.Not enough food.I go to Cebu City and get job.Owner say I too pretty.Do better in Manila.More money send home to Pappa.”She grabbed his hands with both of hers.“Money for family.Many babies.Tala work.Make good money.”
Dylan needed to refocus the conversation on her current circumstance.“How long have you worked for Miss Nami?”
She started to cry.
The man in Dylan wanted to hold her and comfort her, but the SEAL was on a mission.
“Long time.”She explained that Miss Nami had her passport, and she couldn’t leave the country to go back home.But it really didn’t matter because that wasn’t her passport anyway.It was one that was provided for her.She was in the country illegally.
With the saddest eyes Dylan had ever seen, she looked up at him.“You help me get home?I no want be here anymore.I no like doing this, but I owe much money to Miss Nami and Blade.He paid to bring me here.”
“How long have you been here?”Dylan couldn’t help asking the question.
“Three years.That’s why my English is good.I watch Sesame Street.They teach good English.”
Dylan didn’t hold back his grin.Learning the language from a children’s show was brilliant.“Yes, I’ll help you get back home.But you must never tell you talked to me.”
She looked at her watch.“Time to go.”
“What do you mean?”Dylan wasn’t done asking questions.
“I can only use the room for fifteen minutes.Then I have to go find another man.”She quickly added, “Unless upstairs.Then we keep him long time.”
He handed her more bills.“Can you keep some of this just for you?”
She shook her head, her dark hair flying.“They search us before we leave.”She smiled and waved the bills.“But you good customer.I do good tonight.”
As they went to leave the room, she grabbed his arm.“You no lie?You help me get home?”
Dylan hugged her.“Yes.But you can’t tell anyone what we talked about tonight.”With his arm around her shoulders, he stepped into the hallway and was met by a SEAL he recognized from Team 7.The man gave him a knowing grin.
Since he rode with Adam, he had to wait for his friend before he could leave.As they were walking out of the house, the lieutenant from the hallway caught up to them.
“I haven’t seen you at Miss Nami’s parties before.You have a good time?”
“Yeah.”Dylan lied.“How about you?”
“Always.”He grinned.“Next time, try Cas or Bani.They’re mine.”
“What do you mean, yours?”Adam asked.
