annalise
Abueloand I stroll through Golden Gate Park, admiring the gorgeous spring flowers that have just blossomed. He’s been bringing me here since I was little. We used to come every year, and over time, it turned into a tradition.
He becomes winded and pauses to catch his breath, holding onto a nearby tree.
“Do you need me to grab the wheelchair?”
I keep one in the back of my car, but he’s always been too prideful to use it. The doctor recommended he use a portable oxygen tank when he has to walk long distances, but Abuelo refuses that too.
“My legs still work,” he says, shooting me an icy glare.
I release a sigh. “You’ll be able to enjoy the park more without getting tired.”
He lets out a huff, rolling his eyes. “I don’t need it.”
Plopping down on an empty bench, I pat the spot next to me. “Let’s sit down and take a little break then.”
“Fine,” he says, settling next to me.
“Thank you,” I say, smiling at him. “You can be so stubborn sometimes, you know?”
He chuckles. “You are one to talk. I keep telling you to quit working for La Diabla and focus on your shop, but you choose to stay. You’ve been so exhausted and stressed out lately,mi rosa.”
I chew the inside of my cheeks. “Work isn’t the only thing stressing me out.”
Abuelo sits up straight, lines of worry creasing his face. “What’s going on? Are you and Maddox having problems? I may be an old man, but I can still take him on if he’s hurting my granddaughter.”
I chuckle at the image of Abuelo trying to smack Maddox with hischancla. “No, Abuelo. He’s been good to me.”
“Good, because I like the two of you together,” he says, smiling. “So, tell me, what’s got you so stressed out?”
I release a long breath. “It seems as though life has been testing us lately. Things were going so well, but then we had to deal with the fiasco of our relationship being exposed—which I’m glad I didn’t get fired for.” I lean forward, burying my face in my hands. “But now we’re faced with this new threat…”
Abuelo’s brows shoot up. “There’s someone threatening you?” He grabs my shoulder, fear igniting in his eyes. “Mi rosa, are your lives in danger?”
“No, it’s not a death threat. But it is something that can ruin our careers.” I glance around, lowering my voice. “Someone has a video of us being intimate… and they threatened to release the video unless Maddox threw the game—which he ended up doing last night.”
“I knew something was off when I watched the game on TV,” he says, shaking his head. “It seemed as though he was playing poorly on purpose. Have you two gone to the police about this?”
I nod. “Yeah, but they were no help at all. We submitted a report but we haven’t heard back, and I don’t think we’re going to. I suggested we ask his father for help, but Maddox is still upset with him, so he doesn’t want to ask him.” I let out a defeated sigh. “He worked so hard to get where he is, and nowhe could lose everything. I don’t know what to do, Abuelo. I feel like his father is the only person who can help us, and I’ve been contemplating asking him myself. But I don’t want Maddox to be upset with me.”
“I don’t think he’ll be upset with you,” Abuelo says, patting me gently on the back. “You would be helping him save his career. Perhaps this will also mend his relationship with his father.”
I cut things off with my own father a long time ago, and I have no desire to make amends with him. But it’s different for Maddox.
Despite their complicated relationship, he still loves his father. And even though he pretends like he doesn’t care, I can see how heavily it weighs on him to not speak to him.
Abuelo rises from the bench, reaching for my hand. “Come on. Let’s finish our walk.”
Bundles of nerves form in my gut as I sit in my car, staring at the Kamados’ mansion. Mr. Kamado’s black Mercedes sits in the driveway. I circled the neighborhood about five times before I finally decided to park. I’m tempted to drive home before he notices me sitting in the driveway, but I know this has to be done.
With a deep breath to steady myself, I open the car door and head toward their front door, my footsteps heavier than usual. I’ve only ever exchanged a few words with Satoshi Kamado, so coming here and asking him for help is a lot for me.
Swallowing the lump in my throat, I press a finger to the doorbell.
After a few moments, the door swings open with a creak, revealing Mr. Kamado. His eyes widen in surprise. “Annalise? IsMasashi with you?” He steps forward, peaking around to look for Maddox.
“No, it’s just me,” I reply.
