Page 87 of Unwrapped

He shrugs, “I thought so too. But she was…a challenge.”

“Who?” Chloe pipes up.

“The interior designer who picked everything out. I just paid for it.”

“What do you suggest?”

My eyes light up. I feel it. “A Christmas tree. By the window. Red bows…maybe a few lighted reindeer by the elevator?”

He glances at his wristwatch, then picks up a napkin to wipe his mouth.

“Benny! Call Macy’s tell them to stay open late for me.”

“You can do that?”

“I can do anything. I thought you had that one figured out already. Get dressed girls, we’re going shopping.”

“Really?” I practically squeal. “I’ve never had a Christmas tree,”

“I haven’t had one in years…” Roque replies.

“Can we get one for our room. A small one?”

“Why not?”

“Thank you. I don’t know what else to say.”

“It’s my pleasure, Freddie.”

Hours later, I stand in my new jammies staring at the twinkling lights. “It’s perfect.”

“Not yet. Here, Chloe.” He hands her the star we picked out and helps her up the ladder. She places it at the top and plugs it in. Roque let us buy whatever we wanted but neither Chloe nor I asked for much, both of us not used to any of this. Roque had more fun then we did as he kept telling his goons to put more stuff in their carts. Ten. Ten shopping carts later and three car trips, and everything was back here.

“I’m not much of a parental figure but it’s late. Past midnight and time for bed.”

“Good night Roque.”

“Night girls.”

Chloe and I climb in our huge bed and get under the thick, soft comforter.

“See? I told you he was nice.”

“Nice? That man is dangerous. He’s nice but underneath all that is danger. I see it.”

“Do you have a crush on him?”

“Not like that. I just wish I could stay here. You have Dare…I don’t know what’s going to happen to me.”

“It’ll be okay, Chloe. You just have to believe.”

Together, we fall asleep in the warmest most comfortable bed in the world finally feeling safe.

But I can’t sleep. It was too close tonight. Everything I dreamed of was almost taken from me. Careful not to disturb Chloe, I climb down and enter the hall going toward the kitchen area.

The twinkling lights from the tree Roque had his bodyguards drag home is still lit. Smiling, I go to the tree, gingerly touching the branches. It smells of freshly cut pine and hope. But as I spin around the room, I notice more decorations since Chloe and I went to bed. Red poinsettias are on tabletops, more garland and lights line Roque’s huge windows and the three lighted reindeer I wanted are set up.

“Can’t sleep?”

---