Mrs. Contreras didn't answer and the awkward silence was getting disturbing.
She could say no and he, could not let that happen.
"Are you having second thoughts, Mrs. Contreras?" Rodriguez said to the phone.
"I—just don't want her to hate me, I feel bad enough hiding the truth from her."
She was indeed having second thoughts.
Rodriguez then instantly knew he had to step up his game if he was going yo stand a chance in pushing her to his side of the battle line.
"I know Mrs. Contreras but you don't know what family she comes from. If you have the internet, just search on the Romero's. She comes from a wealthy and influential family herself and I'm sure even if she remembers nothing, She still has her flaws."
Rodriguez then went on to mention some of the flaws.
"But if I manage to stop her from seeing the Tocci, How do I stop her from remembering?"
"Hypnotism," Rodriguez answered. "I have researched the best in the country and if we succeed in keeping her from Nathan, It will be my way of saying Thank you."
"Ok." Mrs. Contreras said, giving in to his demands.
Rodriguez smiled to himself, happy to have won her over.
"Well then, Mrs. Contreras, we have a deal."
***
Mrs. Contreras ended the call and tried to think.
Did she make the right choice?
She had just thrown morals that had been instilled in her since childhood to keep her secret.
She didn't want to be the monster under the bed in Ema's story but she also didn't want to lose the gift given to her by God himself.
Why then would he want to strip it away from her?
"Heaven helps those who help themselves" she muttered to herself, an evasive mechanism to deny the evil she just did.
The phone buzzed and she received a text from Rodriguez telling the next line of action.
The first task was to question if Ema considered the deal Mrs. Tocci offered her.
Mrs. Contreras did just that at dinner.
"Ema, you've been quiet all day. Is anything wrong?"
"I'm okay mum." Ema hurriedly replied to get ger mother off her back.
"Evasive, What's wrong? Are you considering going to the Tocci's?"
Ema sighed knowing where her mother was going to once again.
"Mom, stop it! You don't have to be so jealous. There is absolutely nothing to be jealous about. Just because I look like someone doesn't mean I am the person. I am your daughter and will always be. Stop being so insecure about it."
Mrs. Contreras turned to her husband who ignored her. She knew she had overstepped her bounds once again but at least she was sure that wasn't what was in Ema's mind.
"So what's on your mind then?" Mrs. Contreras quizzed.
Ema stared into her mother's eye trying to remember the hazy pieces of the memory that came to her when she was with Nathan.
"It's nothing but when I was with that boy, he showed me a picture of my lookalike and it—triggered a memory."
Mrs. Contreras Immediately felt chills despite being in a small and warm room.
"What are you talking about?"
"Now I don't remember quite vividly what I saw but I can know someone was getting married to a man. It felt like I was..." Ema trailed off unable to piece the rest of the memory together.
"Maybe it was from one of your cousin's wedding." Mrs. Contreras stated, trying to get Ema to stop thinking deeply about it.
"I don't know mother, it felt like I was the one getting married."
Mrs. Contreras laughed hysterically,
"We told you to but No, you're way too classy to marry a strong boy here."
"I am." Ema proudly agreed.
"Oh, so when exactly do you plan to settle down? To have kids?"
"Eventually." Ema replied, "but I want to make it myself so I don't have to rely on anyone you know."
"That's our ambitious girl." Mr. Contreras commented, proud of his daughter's plan for the future.
It, however, did not sit so well for Mrs. Contreras. It only confirmed what flaws Rodriguez had mentioned to her earlier. It only reminded her to see had to fight tooth and nail to keep Ema forever.
Ema got up finishing her dinner and picked up the dirty plates to place outside. She was far too disturbed to do the dishes tonight.
That would be tomorrow's duty.
She sat down alone outside, staring into the starry sky.
The sky was a purple blanket filled with glistening stars scattered around the bush blanket that spread over the world.
She took out the business card she had hidden in her clothing and away from her mother's reach.
She had to do this for her family. She couldn't just sit and watch this opportunity slip away from her hands.
She knew very well that her mother would freak out but still, she would have to forgive her. It is for the better good.
Tonight, she swore to herself.
***
Nathan awakened. The bed was getting too uncomfortable to remain unconscious.
He turned to his bedside to see the maid dish out the pills he was meant to take for the night.
He knew he couldn't complain. He had been forced to believe it was for his own good. He had to take those awful medicines each day in a bid to get better.
He didn't understand this though, He was himself.
Memories came flooding back so quickly that he had a spasm that made his head hurt and pulse badly.
He didn't understand why Rodriguez wasn't rotting in jail now.
His fickle mind went back to Adriana.
How he longed to see her again, Why didn't she expose Nathan when she had the chance?
"What is going on?" Nathan finally mumbled, getting off his bed to breathe better.
His head burned as he remembered what Rodriguez had done.
"Where is my mother?" He demanded and the maid instantly knew what was going on.
The old Nathan was returning but that would surely ruin her and Rodriguez's plans.
She poured out the pills that repressed that side of him each time he took it and shoved into his mouth while he was still stunned, Before choking him to make sure he swallowed the pill.
Nathan felt his vision get fuzzy,
"You're working for him."
The maid heaved heavily when the threat was successfully taken care of.
"I can't wait to get out this miserable hell hole," Camille grumbled.
The house telephone suddenly rang.
For someone who had just done something terrible, Camille shivered.
"Who's it?" Her boss Miranda yelled from downstairs.
"I'll check," Camille replied, making a stupid face intended for her boss.
"Hello, Who am I talking to?" She said when she picked up the phone.
"This is Ema, the girl from earlier today. I—'ve been thinking about your deal and I accept the offer."
Camille almost threw the phone at the wall.
She couldn't believe the bitch had jumped so quick at Miranda's offer.
She couldn't tell Miranda about this now. It would jeopardize their plan.
She had to act fast.
" I'm Camille and about Mrs. Tocci, Well—Sorry but she's presently not at home. I'll relay your message when she returns." Camille said slyly.
"Oh— ok "
Camille could tell she was disappointed and might not even call again.
That would be a relief but still 'Rod' had to know.