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5

Linda

I took the subway back to Jackson Heights that afternoon. It was almost an hour-long journey fromThe Blue Orchidto my apartment.

I’d gotten a text from Zeke, thanking me for coming in and telling me I’d be hearing from them. But somehow, I got the feeling that billionaire, asshole Axel Linden wouldn’t be welcoming me to one of his upmarket venues any time soon.

Besides, the commute was long, and I bet they made you work all kinds of crazy shifts at such a fancy place.

When I got off the subway, I walked back to my building. I lived above a bodega owned by Sebastien, Sara’s uncle.

“Buenos dias!” I said to him, at the door of the little store. Sebastien looked up at me and grinned.

“PreciosaLinda,” he said. I smiled sweetly at that.Precious Linda. “How's the job?”

“Nada,” I said. “But maybe next time, huh?”

“Mañana,” he said confidently, meaning tomorrow before returning to serve a guy.

I inserted my key into the door and punched in the access code. Then, I briskly ascended the stairs to the top floor of the building. Upon reaching the final floor, I didn't proceed to my own apartment. Instead, I walked to the end of the corridor and knocked on a particular door.

"Just a minute!" a cheerful voice called out.

The door swung open, revealing Sara, who immediately embraced me. While Sara wasn't my oldest friend, we had known each other for quite a while. Her presence instantly brought a smile to my face, dispelling any lingering somber feelings about seeing Axel earlier in the day.

"How did it go, sweetheart?" Sara inquired. "Have you had a chance to savor some of that upscale Manhattan cuisine?"

"I wish," I replied. "It's a nice place, but it's a bit too fancy for my liking."

"In times like these, a girl has to seize whatever opportunities she can," Sara remarked.

"I do have my limits," I added with a grin. Sara's expression changed from cheerfulness to concern.

"Are you alright?" she asked. "What, did they not want my best friend Linda working as a waitress in their fancy establishment? It must not be as fancy as they claim."

"Oh, come on!" I protested. "I'm not fancy."

"You might be deceiving yourself, hermosa," Sara retorted. "One of these days, some kind, wealthy man will come and sweep you off your feet."

"Oh, Sara," I sighed. She was always so supportive and encouraging.

"Thanks for taking care of Macy. How are the kids?"

"It was no trouble at all," Sara assured me. "They're both doing well. Raul was a bit cranky because I made him go to bed early. But Macy finished all her homework too. MACY!" she shouted. "Your mommy's here, chica!"

Before Sara even finished her sentence, I heard the sound of little feet racing to the front door. In no time, I found myself holding my daughter in my arms, sharing laughter and kisses as she gazed at me with her stunning blue eyes.

By the time I had finished conversing with Sara, taken Macy home, and prepared her dinner, it was 8:00 pm. I got her washed and changed into her pajamas, then carried the drowsy little girl to her bed.

"What did you do today, Mommy?" Macy inquired as I snuggled up in her small bed with her. I read her a bedtime story every night, and tonight's tale was the Princess and the Pea, a story she had nearly memorized.

"Well, Mommy went to a restaurant to see if she wanted to work there," I began.

"Are you going to?" Macy asked.

"It's a good job, but unfortunately, the man who runs it is a bit of a…"

"A gruffalo?" Macy interjected, referring to her favorite book. I couldn't help but giggle.

"Yeah," I responded, laughing. "Yeah, I guess he is. So I don't want to work there."

"Okay," Macy said. "So what are you going to do?"

"Don't worry, baby," I reassured her. "We'll find something else. You and me, kiddo? We always come out on top."

"What else did you do?" Macy inquired.

"Well, I got some coffee," I replied.

"And?" she mumbled, her words laced with sleepiness.

"And I took the subway," I replied.

"And?" Macy murmured even more softly, her voice barely above a whisper.

"And I saw Aunty Sara, and we talked about you and how wonderful you are, and how much we both adore you."

"And?" Macy whispered as her eyelids fluttered, almost closing.

"And?" I chuckled. "What else is there, baby? I thought about you, of course. And how much I love you."

However, Macy was already drifting into deep slumber. I gently tucked her under the covers and fluffed the pillows. I brushed aside a stray strand of her dark hair and kissed her forehead.

"I guess I saw your daddy today," I whispered softly, making sure Macy wouldn't hear me in her profound sleep.

I rose from Macy's bedside and quietly exited her room, turning on her night light as I left.

In the kitchen, I began preparing some tea. I briefly considered playing some music, but the events of the day had left me utterly drained. With Macy sound asleep, a serene tranquility had enveloped my home.

Then, my phone started ringing. I would have paid attention to the number if I weren't so exhausted. It was a number I had memorized, one that had haunted my thoughts during sleepless nights for the past six years.

I answered with trepidation, "Hello?"

"Linda? Is that you?"

In an instant, my perfect peace vanished.

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