Traffic

Chapter 3

"I think we should also change her name" he pulled a face, "Do you think that Jack will like her?" Alejandro asked his brother.

They were riding in the car to the office. Thomas looked at him annoyed.

"Why does that matter?" He asked, "That girl is miles away from home."

"I know, but I just find it weird. We had never kept the original name" he frowned.

"Listen, if she doesn't fulfill the task, we change her for someone else."

"What do you mean?" he looked at him remembering the scene that occurred minutes ago. "It was a good start. Jack wouldn't take his eyes off her" he confirmed smiling.

He was worried. He knew his brother had no tolerance to errors; if the girl wouldn't suit, he would kill her. He had seen him do that.

"That boy is a moron" said the oldest, "It's just a matter of time until he bites. His

manly needs will be stronger" he finished just as the car was pulling up.

Alejandro breathed more calmly. He was worried about the hesitation that came over when he made that question. He got out of the car after Thomas and entered the building. He knew that Elena was the perfect wife for his stubborn and proud nephew; he also knew that if things didn't go fast, there would be trouble.

They needed all the help available to make the process go faster. When their father, Joseph Bailey, died some twenty years ago, they found out that he main heir was Jack's father, William Bailey. He was already married and Jack was eight. That wasn't a problem back then, but when Will and Claudia, Jack's mother, died in that accident, the only heir left was Jack.

Following their grandfather's tradition, he should get married in order to have all the money, properties, even some islands, cars, and shares would become officially his. It was some sort of economic need; they had some significant debts and, due to some failed businesses, they didn't have the money to pay them off.

That was the main motive. Although it could also be the childhood reigned by a cruel father; all those years they were treated like strangers. Joseph didn't care about how good the twins were; he only had eyes for his beloved William, and always made sure he made it clear.

Despite the pain, he never hated Will. He was the best brother he could ask for—unlike Thomas. He could always count on him for anything. Thomas didn't think the same. He shook his head to get rid of the bad memories.

He wanted everything to be ok. He wouldn't let another life be lost by his brother's rage. He greeted his employees, who were smiling at him as usual.

Thomas just walked ahead without talking to anyone; they knew that, so they didn't make any attempt to address him. He reached his office and greeted the secretary. He was in a surprisingly good mood; seeing the two of them meeting each other made him smile. He would do anything in his hands to help that young woman, and also to help his nephew let her in his heart.

***

Guanajuato, East Querétaro, Mexico State.

"We still don't have a thing, sir" the officer told his superior, "Those guys are hard to find."

"I can't believe it!" the detective exclaimed, "How is it possible that after so long we have nothing?!"

"Take it easy, sir" he whispered nervously, "We're pretty sure that we'll find his girlfriend."

"It's been more than a week" he added furiously, "And Elena is nowhere in the

map!" Eric screeched.

It was very nerve-racking. His girlfriend had been missing for eight days now. He knew she had been kidnapped, and was very upset that his team was so ineffective.

An officer entered the office.

"Detective Wood" he called, "My officers informed me that the guys that traffic people are the same guys that abducted your girlfriend."

"Are you sure?" he confirmed. He didn't want to raise any false hope.

"Yes, sir" the man confirmed, "I came to tell you; since we are familiar with the case, it will be easier."

"Very well" he nodded, "Release the order, and every one of you get to work. We won't let that bastard get away with it" he snarled, "I will take care of that myself."

The officer rushed out of the office; this was the most important case in the headquarters. Eric sighed; life was unfair for him. For four years he had longed for the detective position, and now that he finally got it, Elena went missing.

He felt like life was denying him what he most wanted. But he would prefer a thousand times to sweep the streets for a living if that brought her back. His entire team was working on the case. Not only his superiors were involved; there was also the FBI.

I know you're hiding somewhere ...

They only needed to investigate and do a brilliant job.

***

Jack was in his room, hearing some music. He had spent hours trying to calm himself down without success; knowing that the girls was just some feet away made him restless.

"Ah!" he yelled in despair; he put on his feet and went to the door, "I have to see her just one more time" he told himself excited; besides, dinner was ready.

He went out the room and headed hers. He again entered without calling, but Elena wasn't there; the bed was made, her clothes were spread on it, but she wasn't in sight.

"Where is she?" he let out.

He went to the bed and sat on it. He saw her underwear, and this reminded him of the scene a few hours ago; she was blushed, but he was feeling something different. Feeling like a teenager rummaging in the underwear drawer of a girl, he covered the clothes with the blanket.

He started feeling nervous. Why? He had seen hundreds of girl underwear, in all the colors and textures; he had no reason to feel like an amateur teenager.

"What can I help you with, Mr. Bailey?"

Elena's voice made him jump on the bed. He never thought that she might be in the room; he gave a nervous smile and looked at her.

Oh my, I shouldn't have done this ...

She came out of the bathroom, covered only with a tiny towel.

"Damn" he said, turning his gaze away from her.

His blood was boiling so much that he thought he would explode. How could she look so calm? He was going crazy.

"What can I help you with?" she asked again, looking Jack go beet red. A part of her had forgotten that she was wearing little clothes, "Mr. Bailey?"

He couldn't look at her. He felt like a pervert. He shouldn't have entered her room.

"I'm sorry, Elena" he apologized, still not looking at her, "I came to tell you that dinner is ready."

"Oh, I see" she whispered, "And could you tell me why did you covered my clothes with the blanket?" he looked at him trying not to laugh.

Jack's embarrassment grew with these words. It was the second time that she had left him speechless. And he actually didn't know what to say. There were no words in the universe that could explain the situation.

"I didn't think you were that kind of man" she said walking to the bed. She peeled away the blanket, took the clothes that she had prepared, and went back in the bathroom. Before shutting the door, she looked at him again, "And if you'd be so kind, Mr. Bailey" her gaze became cold and calculating, "Don't enter my room again" and slammed the door shut.

Jack blinked at the noise. He felt so ashamed, but her last words made him angry. He was not that kind of man! At least not when it came to female underwear. He stood up, cursing; he felt like a pervert brat, and she had make him feel that way, that self-important and provocative girl. Was she conscious about her state? Didn't she notice that the towel around her was very revealing?

He sighed, trying to calm down; he went out of the room and downstairs almost running. He went to the mini bar in the living room, urgently needing a whiskey. Elena leaned on the door and sighed heavily.

Her legs were shaking and she felt her face hot. That was the most embarrassing moment in her life! Never had a man seen her like that. She knew that the towel didn't cover much. But she still couldn't understand why he was covering her underwear.

Why did he do that? She asked herself while she got dressed. She remembered the few words that gave away his initial reaction. "Damn..." she repeated frowning. She knew she didn't act completely right, but she wanted to teach him a lesson, as to why she didn't really know.

She couldn't be calm around her. He was intimidating, very masculine, and very attractive. She shook her head and continued dressing up. She dried and combed her hair, and put on a little makeup. She decided to remain angry at him but tried to regain her good temper. She took a jacket for the cold and left her room. She walked down the corridor to the stairs; she was hoping that her uncles weren't waiting for her; she didn't like to be late.

***

"Jack, what are you doing all by yourself in the kitchen?" Thomas asked when he

went in and found him there.

"And drinking," Alejandro noticed, "Where is Elena?"

He stared at them. He gulped the rest of the drink and frowned.

"In her room."

"How long have you been her, boy?" Alejandro went near him and patted his shoulder.

"Not much" he lied, remembering the hour he spent there.

"Did something happen?" his uncle asked.

"You must take care of her, Jack" Thomas barked with his regular bossy tone.

"I don't remember agreeing on that" he hissed and rose to his feet. He looked at Alejandro, who was holding a laugh.

"Come on! You're the only one who has spare time" he reminded him; "Thomas and I work all day and can't keep an eye on her."

"She's not a little girl, Alejandro" he winced, "she doesn't need someone to watch her."

"Why can't you follow a simple order?" Thomas lost his patience.

Jack stared at him annoyed; he hated it when his uncle got so bossy at him.

"Thomas..." he looked at him with an expression on his face, "Could you act like a human even for just once?"

"I'm hungry" he complained, "Is dinner ready yet?"

"Yes..." the boy whispered, ignoring Thomas. Alejandro was amazing, he always listened to him. But Thomas—he couldn't stand him. "Lisa told me we're only waiting for you, so we can go to the dining room."

"It was time" he walked there.

"i***t" Alejandro whispered, and then he looked at Jack, "Did you call Elena?"

He was about to answer when he saw her coming down the stairs. The three men looked at her. She went down the stairs and joined them.

"Dear!" Alejandro greeted her, "You look lovely today. Are you settled in?"

"Yes, godfather, thank you very much for the room" she smiled.

"I hope you liked it" he smiled back, came close to her, and kissed her on the forehead. This took Thomas by surprise; he didn't expect him to be that loving with her. "We did it for your benefit."

The boy looked at her, drooling. She was wearing the clothes that were on the bed. The ones that he covered with the blanket.

Damn it, this is not helping, he told himself, balling his fists and wishing he could drink the complete bottle of tequila. She knew she was wearing the clothes he saw. It was too much for him, but he still managed to flash a glance at her.

"I love it" she said smiling; she felt her eyes burning. She was really happy. "Thank you, to both of you" she looked at Thomas, who was smiling. "Am I late for dinner?" she asked, trying not to cry.

She was moved by that affection display of her godfather Alejandro; it reminded her of her father.

"You're actually just in time, my child" said the youngest of the uncles, "Let's go

to the dining room."

"You go, I'll catch up with you after I make a call" Thomas waved his hand and went in his office; Alejandro nodded.

"I'll tell Lisa that we're here, please" he pointed the dining room, "Take a seat" and he left.

Elena walked without looking at the boy. Her eyes were a bit red; that feeling was overcoming her. She wanted to cry.

"Are you ok?" Jack asked, approaching her.

"Yes, why are you asking, Mr. Bailey?" her voice trembled.

"Elena..."

"It's nothing, don't worry" she walked to the dining room.

Her eyes were hot; tears were streaming down her cheeks before she could notice. Jack's eyes were wide open; seeing Elena cry make him feel like holding her. He went to her and surrounded her with his arms.

"Everything will be fine" he said, caressing her hair, "Cry as much as you need to."

"It's nothing" she kept saying, "It's nothing..."

"Don't worry, I'll be here with you" he rubbed his chin on her forehead.

She stopped talking and hugged him; with her face hidden in his chest, she cried openly.

She didn't care about nothing. For a moment she forgot where she was, who was with her; she just wanted to free her feelings. She missed her parents; she couldn't cry their death at the moment. She must be strong and be brave even if she was alone. But it was hard. She breathed deep; being cradled in his arms was good. Her crisis was gone, but she still wanted him to hold her.

"Is everything ok, guys?" Alejandro was back, a smiled pasted on his face.

Jack looked at him. He didn't move an inch, and he didn't let Elena move, either.

"Yes. Elena was feeling a bit overwhelmed. She misses her parents" he said, caressing her back, "I think your little kiss reminded her of the moments she spent with them."

Elena swallowed hard. How did he know? She felt blood run to her cheeks; she was so embarrassed. She tried to pull away from him, but he wouldn't let her go. She knew by the look of his uncle that this was embarrassing.

"I'm sorry, darling, but I hadn't seen you for so long that I was really excited" he lied, "Your father was my most beloved friend. It's a shame that he's not with us anymore" he felt like a bastard, but he wasn't completely lying. He did want to hug her, and that was difficult to admit.

"Let's go, Elena" Jack leaded her to the dining room.

Alejandro smiled happily. The situation was better than he thought.

"Dinner is ready" Thomas welcomed them with a glass of wine, "Take a seat."

Elena smiled. Her good mood was back, though she was embarrassed by the little moment she shared with Jack. Dinner was weird; Elena talked to her godfathers, but Jack didn't talk to her at all. The two men didn't miss that, especially Thomas, who was

starting to lose his temper. He wanted everything fast. He tried to involve his nephew in the conversation, but she excluded him very politely. Alejandro sighed for the mediocre attempts of his brother. Though, it amused him to hear the girl telling them about mischievous thins she did as a child.

Well, that was the life they had told her to share. And though she knew it, seeing her talk and express with such funny gestures was amusing. He swallowed hard when he discovered he was feeling affection for her. And that, in the lifestyle he led, was very dangerous.

"Elena, tell me, did Jack mention that we have an indoor pool?"

She looked at him excited.

"Really, godfather?" she asked, "Mr. Bailey didn't mention anything about it."

Both men blinked when she called his nephew Mr. They didn't expect that.

"Why do you call him that, Elena?" Alejandro looked at her suspiciously, "My nephew isn't that old."

"It's not because of that" she glanced at the boy, "But I was educated in that fashion, and as he is older than me, I show my respect by addressing him as Mr." she explained.

"I understand, little darling" he answered, understanding, "Well, what can we do, Jack?" he looked at him smiling.

Jack hadn't said a word in all that time. He obviously didn't like her to call him that.

"I'm glad, godfather" she started. She noticed the boy frowning; "At least someone in this house accepts my way of speaking and doesn't tell me what to do" she finished and shot the boy a triumphant look.

"Some people find it rude to be called that" Jack sipped his drink after he said this. His patience was starting to vanish.

"Some people find it rude not to be allowed to call them that way" she faced him.

That was it for the boy. He jumped to his feet and banged the table.

"I asked you not to call me that, Elena!" he yelled, clearly despaired, "I asked you politely, and you rather turned away and left me speaking. I don't like to be called Mr., you brat! Do you understand?"

"Jack!" Alejandro intervened; he was mad. "That is no way to speak to a lady."

"Lady?" he said in an undertone, "She's a kid! She's just an insolent brat who acts like an adult" he gave her an angry look, "If you want me to treat her respectfully, she needs to respect my preference to be addressed the way I want, damn!"

"You can't tell me what to do, Mr. Bailey" she said, "As your uncle pointed out, my education tells me that I have to address as Mr. a person your age" she folded her arms and smiled. "Besides, you don't have to yell at me."

"You are an insolent, stubborn brat" he growled defying her.

He felt so confused and strangely eager; he knew that she would react to anything he said to her, and that was fascinating.

"And you are a very rude man."

The two men were amazed at the scene. Thomas smiled at the way they were

discussing; they already looked like a married couple. Alejandro was thinking the same; they were clearly attracted to each other. They only needed to overcome their stubbornness.

"I told that I don't like to be called that way!" he said, banging the table again.

"Well, I told you that I would call him that, whether you like it or not, Mr. Bailey!"

"Call me Jack, damn it!" he snarled.

"No" she replied.

She was shocked. She had never had a discussion with someone like him. Jack was very obstinate, but she couldn't understand why he was so bothered at her not wanting to call him by his first name.

"All right, kids" Alejandro said amused, "Puppet, I know this is your education, but don't you think it's rude not to address a person the way he wants to be addressed? For example" he smiled, "could you call me just Alejandro?"

She blinked; this has never crossed her mind.

"You're right, godfa... Alejandro."

"Of course you can call me that too" Thomas smiled.

"I will" she smiled, "Thank you."

"You see, brat?" he snorted, "So now I'm waiting" he smiled."

"The same for you, Jack" he gave him a severe glance, "You behaved very rudely with our guest, and since your attitude was so immature, Elena will call you the way she wants to."

"What?" he yelled angry, "But you just told her it's disrespectful!"

"Yes, I did, but due to your reaction, nephew, you don't deserve that privilege" his uncle finished.

"That's unfair" he murmured and pulled a face.

She smiled triumphantly. She defeated stubborn Jack; she was enjoying the victory.

"Gentlemen, I will go now. Dinner was delicious, but I'd like to rest" she yawned. "Good night everyone; Thomas" she smiled at him, "Alejandro" she went to him and kissed him on the cheek. The other two men were surprised, especially Jack, who wasn't sure as to why that bothered him. She went to him and looked at him before leaving, "Good night, Mr. Bailey" and she went to her room.

When they couldn't hear her walking, they broke in laughter.

"Well, she's got a temper" said Thomas still laughing.

"Temper..." Jack repeated disdainfully, "That brat thinks she can do whatever she wants."

"Take it easy, Jack" Alejandro tried to calm him, "You deserve it. You called her a brat. She's not a child."

"Of course she is; she's twenty, for god's sake!" he looked at him.

"What's wrong with that?" the older uncle asked, "You're eight years older than her."

"Exactly!" he snapped, "Eight years older, she's too young for me..." he shut up.

He had said too much.

Thomas smiled so maliciously that Alejandro had to distract Jack so he didn't see him. That took them by surprise; after hearing that, his brother was sure that Jack liked the girl.

"Don't take it so seriously" said Thomas and sipped his drink, "Age is just a number."

"But that's not..."

"Listen to him, boy" the other affirmed, "A woman the age of Elena is very hard to get" he looked at him, "But if you really love her, you'll get it."

"That's right" the older whispered, "Besides all of the en up with the same attitude."

"I don't understand" he said; his forehead was furrowed with confusion.

"He means that marriage changes women" Alejandro confessed, "At least that's what Joseph used to say" he smiled. "But it's still very early for that, isn't it, Jack?"

He looked at them and understood. He was suspicious that the girl moving to the house wasn't a mere coincidence; they brought her so he would marry her.

I can't believe them ... he told himself while he went to get another drink to the living room. It was so typical of them to bring a woman to the house so he would take her as his wife. Though, he wasn't disgusted with the idea.

"If Elena is living here so I can marry her..." he said while drinking, "That'd be really interesting."