Page 12 of Healing Love

Before she could answer, Miriam turned as a door to the back opened and they were escorted into a dining room with a table laden with food that could easily seat twenty people.

Miriam had to admit that her mouth watered as the smell of the delicacies drifted her way. Angered at how the peasants were given nothing to eat while the cartel leaders lived like kings, she pursed her lips.Keep a cool head,she reminded herself. She looked at the others and noticed that Sharon had jumped at the chance to sit as they were instructed. She followed Sister Genovia’s lead and sat down as well, near the end, hoping to stay out of the limelight.It may just be nerves, but I have a bad feeling about this.Placing her shaking hands in her lap, she continually glanced to the side, keeping an eye on the calm nun.

Other doors opened and a handsome man walked in with Dr. Villogas, two beautiful women behind them and a few others trailing behind. Ernesto’s eyes gleamed as they landed on Miriam.

“Juaquim. Let me introduce to you the wonderful nurses that I have been working with,” he said smoothly. He called out their names to the other man, who eyed them carefully before breaking into a huge grin.

“Welcome to my humble home, ladies. We are indeed honored that you have come to help our good doctor in this time of need.”

Miriam tried to smile but the surreal farce being played out in front of them had her feeling trapped in a tragedy.I thought Dr. Villogas was a victim also, but he’s part of this? He’s part of our kidnapping and captivity?

“You do realize that we were kidn—” Sharon began but was quickly interrupted by Sister Genovia.

“Forgive her, she is unused to our ways,” the nun spoke gently. Turning to Sharon, she gave her a pointed look and said, “We should not speak unless spoken to, my dear.”

Sharon reddened, but wisely kept her mouth shut.

Miriam watched as she was introduced to the others. Serita, Juaquim’s wife, looking bored, gave them a barely-there nod before sitting down at the opposite end from her husband. Her hair was perfectly coiffed, her neck and wrists dripping in jewels, and her clothes were little more than what could be described as slutty couture. It was Ernesto’s wife, Consuella’s expression that concerned her. She glared at Miriam, unconcealed dislike pouring out toward her as she took a seat next to Serita. While equally drenched in jewelry as her friend, she wore her expensive clothing very well.

As the others settled into their chairs, the waitstaff began serving the multi-course dinner. Miriam kept an eye on Lorainne, knowing she could eat very little of the rich food and not become ill. Sharon dove into the meal, exclaiming over its deliciousness. Miriam noticed Juaquim’s eyes found Sharon’s numerous times during the meal and Sharon gave no indication of discouraging it.

Ernesto constantly tried to draw Miriam into aconversation, seemingly oblivious to his wife’s visual daggers thrown her way. Miriam, on the other hand, was very aware. Eating just enough to not seem rude, she tried to keep up with the various players without being obvious. Consuella and Serita chattered amongst themselves, knowing that other than the nun, the nurses did not speak Spanish. Sharon, eyes still wide at the opulence of their surroundings, began talking to the men at the table and for the first time in days was not bemoaning their situation. Poor Lorainne tried not to be sick, and Sister Genovia simply sat as though she did not have a care in the world.I’m either the only sane person in the room or the only crazy one!

After the meal, Serita and Consuella excused themselves and left the nurses with the men. Sharon took the opportunity to scoot her chair closer to Ernesto and Lorainne gave a silent plea to Miriam. Standing, Miriam said, “Please excuse me, but Lorainne and I would like to use the ladies’ room if possible.”

The men immediately jumped to their feet, “Of course, of course,” Juaquim said. Snapping his fingers, a petite women rushed in, and he gave the order for his honored guests to be shown the bathroom.

Sister Genovia stood and with a nod to theirhostsshe began to follow the other women out of the room. Stopping at Sharon’s chair, she said, “Don’t you wish to join us?”

Smiling at the men, Sharon shook her head. “No, I’ll be just fine here, thank you,” she purred.

The other three women followed the servant into a huge marble bathroom appointed with gold-coloredfixtures. Lorainne immediately turned on the faucet and wet one of the plush towels, using the soft cloth to wipe her face. The servant left them, and Miriam turned to the nun and quietly said, “What the hell is?—”

“Shhh,” Sister Genovia said. Holding on to Lorainne, she said loudly, “Hear, hear now, my dear. You just feel a little over heated and overtired.”

Lowering her voice to barely a whisper, she said, “Keep your voice down. This room is probably wired.”

Miriam nodded and walked to the sink, beginning to wash her hands as well. Staring into the mirror she also found herself wondering if it was a two-way mirror. Sucking in a shaky breath, she moved to assist with Lorainne. Standing with her back to the mirror, she mouthed to Sister Genovia, “What is going on?”

“I don’t know,”the nun mouthed back.“For some reason they wanted to prove something to us tonight. Power, money…I don’t know, but play their game for now.”

“What about Sharon?” Lorainne mouthed back.

“I’m afraid she now sees this as a way out. What she doesn’t understand is that they will use her and then kill her if needed.”

Miriam and Lorainne jerked their gazes to the composed Sister, knowing that she seemed to understand the situation better than they did.

“No more talking for now,” the nun instructed.

The three women finished using the toilet and then left the room, following the servant who had been waiting outside for them. Taken to the living room, Miriam could not believe the wealth displayed. Her anger at the conditions of the workers compared to theunscrupulous gains of the cartel’s leaders had her shaking.

The men, now settled on one of the large sofas in the room, with Sharon close by, stood as the three nurses walked back in. Before they could speak, Sister Genovia walked straight over to Juaquim and, giving him a conciliatory bow, said, “Dear sir, I must request that you allow us to get Lorainne and Miriam back to their room. Both feel overtired and we must take care of the nurses so that they can take care of us. Don’t you agree?”

Not willing to argue with a nun, he immediately snapped his fingers once more and said, “Of course, my dear Sister.”

Sharon was about to protest, but Sister Genovia answered for her. “Thank you so much and thank your wives for their hospitality.”

Miriam spared a glance at Ernesto who was looking less than pleased at the turn of events. She managed a wobbly smile at him, hoping he would be placated enough. Within a few minutes, the four women were loaded into one SUV and taken back through the dark night to their housing near the medical compound. When they were finally back in their rooms and the guards had left them for the last time, they looked at each other.

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