Page 74 of Crash and Burn
Rodrigo sighs. “Have Paula take our guest back to her room.”
The man walks me out of Rodrigo’s office where Paula is waiting for me.
“He wants you to take her back to her room,” he tells her.
She rolls her eyes and grabs my arm, squeezing hard. I try to claw at her hand to make her let go but it only makes her squeeze tighter. The door to my bedroom is already open. She shoves me to the floor and slams the door, locking it.
“She’s got a stick up her ass,” I mutter to myself. I drink a sip out of a bottle of water sitting on my night stand, then lay down.
I manage to take what I imagine was a couple hour nap before Maria comes to get me for dinner. My stomach growls as we walk to the kitchen. Sitting on the table there are two casserole dishes with enchiladas, a bowl of rice and a bowl of beans.
“These arepollo.” She points to one dish. “The others arefrijoles y queso.”
“Thank you. It looks amazing,” I tell her.
“You slept for a long time. Eat up.”
I take one of each enchilada and some rice and beans. We sit together, eating in silence. After a few minutes, it registers to me what Maria said.
“Maria, what did you mean I slept for a long time?”
“You went to sleep yesterday evening just before dinner. I knew you didn’t sleep well the night before, so I let you rest,” she explains.
I don’t think that’s all it was. I have a feeling someone drugged my water. It might even have been Maria, trying to ensure I got some sleep.
“Did you drug my water?” I narrow my eyes at her.
She keeps eating, choosing not to respond. Shaking my head, grinning. I take her silence as a yes.
“Do you feel well rested,” she asks without making eye contact.
“I do, thank you.”
“Ah, Maria! It smells amazing in here,” Eduardo says. “And look who finally woke up.”
Eduardo runs his fingers along my shoulders as he walks by. The gesture causes my stomach to turn.
“Tomorrow, you and I get to have some fun. I hope you’re ready.” He chuckles. And just like that, I’ve completely lost my appetite.
