"Your mom has been calling the apartment, Sasha. She said she tried your phone, but you weren't picking up. I called you, too; no answer. Your mom sounded distressed. Then some rude man with an accent called asking for you."
I sat up in alarm.
"I think you should call home. There's something wrong. Didn't you see our calls? I was blowing up your phone."
I pulled it out of my purse and dragged down the notification toggle. Thirty missed calls from my mom and Renée combined.
"Fuck. I'm sorry Renée, I put it on silent for the job. I'll call her now," I said.
The phone on the side table rang and we both jumped up, startled.
"You should answer. Must be your mom."
I stumbled across and picked up the receiver.
"Hello, Ma. I'm sorry—"
"Is this Sasha Ramirez?" It was the cold, husky voice of a man.
"Yes. This is she," I replied slowly.
"You're a hard woman to get a hold of. You could have saved your brother some pain. For every hour you didn't pick up, I had him whipped," the man replied in a expressionless voice. I felt goosebumps break out on my skin.
"Is this a joke? Who is this?" I hissed.
Renée was on her feet now, sensing trouble.
"Because you do not know who I am, I forgive you. I am a very busy man,niña. I do not have time for jokes. Your brother tried to swindle the wrong person. Tried to corner my product. I want what's mine." His voice had grown colder with each word.
My legs refused to support me anymore. I sank into a chair.
"Who are you? What do you want from me?"
"I have your brother. He stole a million dollars’ worth of drugs from me. I want my money back. I'm not patient and I am not a fool. You have four weeks to pay back my money or I will end your brother's miserable life. You can choose not to, and I will do it now. I would be doing the world a favor. He is a man with no honor."
"No. No! My brother would never get himself entangled in a thing like this. Emi would never push drugs." I started crying.What can I do now?
"You defend this piece of shit like I used to,” the man growled over the line. “He is scum now, but he was my top runner. Hear for yourself." There was some rustling and grunting on the other end and then my brother's voice came on. It suddenly occurred to me that we hadn't spoken in a year.
"I'm so sorry, Sasha. Tell Mama I love her." He was sobbing. The tears streamed down my face; I felt disappointed, scared, shocked. My poor mother…this would kill her. She’d die of a broken heart.
The strange man's voice came back the phone.
"You see, now. Scum. Shall I rid you of him?" he asked blandly.
"No! No.Por favor.Don't hurt him.Haré lo que sea!Please. I'll do anything.”
"A million dollars, in full. You have four weeks."
"I don't have that kind of money! I don't even know where to get it. Please give me more time! Please!" I was screaming in fear.
"Don't insult me,niña. I did my findings. You are lucky that you are young and sexy. Do what you do best and get me money, or your brother dies." He cut the call.
"Nooo!Por favor!" I screamed and fell to my knees.
Renée, who had listened to my side of the conversation, came over to wrap me in a tight embrace.
"Emilio has gotten himself into trouble, hasn't he?" she asked.
