Chapter 1
I sighed of tiredness, finally, I had moved the last box of my things to my new cozy apartment. It’s smaller than the one I lived in, but at least I have a roof on top of my head. I swipe the back of my hand on my forehead to get the drops of sweat off. I walked to my room and just as I laid on my old mattress, my phone rings.
“Oh, what now?” I mumble to myself. I lazily stand up and walk through the boxes that were scattered all over my apartment. Once I see my phone, that’s on top of one of the boxes I pick it up and answer the phone.
“Hello? Mia Johnson speaking.” I said with a sigh, the room’s temperature was really hot.
“Yes, Good evening Ms. Johnson, this is detective Herrison, and I would like to meet up somewhere. We have to discuss about your brother, Steve.”
“Detective Herrison? I don’t know any detective sir.” But how does he know my brother?
“I don’t ever recall meeting with a detective...” I go on.
“I am so sorry Ms. Johnson for not introducing myself, I am the detective that took your brother’s case.”
“Oh! I am so sorry detective. But why is that you want us to meet? Is my brother in trouble?” I asked.
“That’s why I would like to meet with you Ms. Johnson, it’s a sensitive case and I would like to keep it in quiet.” He spoke in an almost hushed voice.
“Okay, at what time and where?” I was starting to have a headache, when was I going to finish settling in?
“Do you know Mr. Millers Cafe?” He questioned.
“Yes, I now live quite close to it.” I thank the Gods for moving me close to stores.
“Great, we’ll meet there in 10 minutes. See you then.” And then he hung up. I placed my head in my temple and had a little headache. I shook my head and went to my room to get new clothes.

“I have arrived at the cafe detective,” I said through my phone.
“Good now, could you wait for me for five more minutes? There was traffic on my way.” A loud honk could be heard in the background.
“Yeah, no problem. I will be waiting inside then.”
“Excellent, Ms. Johnson see you in a bit.”
“Alright.” Then I hang up the phone and enter the cozy cafe. I love the smell of coffee, it’s so calming. Might as well get a coffee right? I walk to the counter and encountered the cashier. Her straight her was rolled up in a bun with a cap on top.
“Hi, I would like one medium eggnog,” I spoke as I eyed the menu on top.
“Sure, any preferences?” She asks while entering my order in the computer screen.
“With extra sugar please,” I replied chuckling.
“Sure thing, that would be $3.75 dollars.” I take the money out of my back pocket and I hand it to her.
“Here you go, sorry it’s a little crumpled,” I said, handing out the bills towards her.
“Don’t worry about it. Please wait a moment while I prepare.”
“Okay,” I said as I looked around the cafe and wonder why I never saw a place so beautiful like this. I watched as she did my drink. Wow, she sure is fast.
Once she finishes mixing all the things she takes a cup and walks towards me.
“Can I take your name?”
“It’s Mia,” I answered as she writes it on the foam cup. She walks back to the machine and pours my coffee. She finishes by putting a black cap on top. She then takes a few napkins and a single white straw.
“Here you go.” I take the eggnog and shove the napkins together with the straw on my purse.
“Have a nice day. Come back again.”
“Thank you.” I turned around and found a man in his late forty’s looking at me.
“Ms. Johnson?”
“Yes?”
“I’m detective Herrison,” he said while stretching his hand. I shooked it and let go.
“Oh! Hi detective, should we look for a table?”
“Yes.” I searched for an unoccupied table around the cafe. Finally, I found one that is next to the wall. I point to the detective the table, then he nods and we begin walking towards the table. Once we reach it, I pull out a chair and sit on it.
I put my eggnog gently on the table and place my purse on top of the table. I take a sip of the drink before setting down again. It was delicious, I feel the warm liquid coming down my throat, hot but sweet.
“So Ms. Johnson... I have to tell you something about your brother.” Said the detective.
“Is it serious?” I asked now paying my full attention to him.
“Yes... well he has escaped prison.” I looked at him wide-eyed.
“What?!” I exclaimed. A little too loudly because some other customers glanced my way.
“Wait, is he okay?! Did he got hurt by any guards?” I asked worriedly. For god’s sakes, how can he do that?
“No gladly he didn’t get hurt, but we need to find him as soon as possible. And I need to ask you, as he contacted you?”
“No... but are you still taking his case?”
“No my boss is, Ben Rosario. He is supposed to come in a few minutes. He would like to ask you a few questions.” He explained.
“How about instead of asking stupid questions we search for my brother instead,” I exclaimed, seriously why questions. Detectives always wanted their answers to their unnecessary questions.
“Oh look he has arrived.” The detective says. Wow, he totally ignored my little stunt. I turn around and my eggnog froze in my stomach. A man with a brown long jacket entered the cafe and he looked so menacing. If you approached him I bet he will scream at you.
His face was unbelievable beautiful, those are the men that we should fear most nowadays.
The most interesting part is the way how he ignores all the stares like he’s used to it. He suddenly lands his gaze on me. His stare spills nothing about him. They’re empty.
“Ah, Mr. Rosario glad you could make it.” Said detective Herrison. He was already standing up and pushing a chair for Ben.
“You know how important this case is to me Herrison, and it’s my pleasure to be here.” His tone of voice also spoiled nothing about him, he was really not good at interacting with people.
“Nice to finally meet you, Miss Jonhson. I’m Ben Rosario, and I will be directing your brother’s case.” He crossed his hands together in front of him as he sat. The veins on his hands were a temptation but I had to look away.
It’s incredible how he hid every emotion. I could tell he was a little pissed off by the way he looked at me, but what did I do? I quickly master my fuck-you face and face him. He extended his arm but I ignored it. I don’t want a fake handshake from someone that doesn’t mean it.
“Yes, it’s great to meet you too Mr. Rosario. Now, let’s cut off the questions part and let’s find my brother.”
