Chapter 3

As if a thunderbolt had struck her, she was stiff, staring at Rodrigo. Tears rolled down her cheeks, and her lips were mumbling, but only warm breath escaped from them.

The man she had been looking for was standing right before her, but she had no idea what to do or how to react. Her hands were shaking, and her knees were quivering. She couldn't control the excitement, nor was it painful, but she was in utmost shock. Pandora had no idea the kind of feeling that overwhelmed her.

"Rodrigo." She murmured as her eyes trailed his body. He has grown into a man with an incredible physique.

She slowly walked closer to him, staring into his eyes. Beautiful hazel eyes made her bend to his will. His hair curled and dripped on his forehead. His diamond-shaped face was thin with well-structured jawlines, and his skin was light brown.

"What are you doing here, Drizella?" His faint voice muttered to her in shock as he walked closer, surprised to find her there. The woman he never wished for their parts to cross again stood there, which irritated him.

"Rodrigo." Tears tickled her cheeks as they fell from her eyes. Every step he took towards her made Pandora recall the first time they met on the streets of Acapulco fifteen years ago. It was a meet-cute. She was being beaten by thugs when he stepped in to rescue her.

Pandora could never forget that day. It was the first time she had hope after being thrown out of the orphanage.

"Where have you been?" She asked. Tears were rolling from her eyes like a cascade.

"It doesn't matter." His eyebrows were slightly knitted, and he felt inexplicably irritated. Rodrigo's eyes trailed her body, and she wasn't looking bad. It made him scoff, knowing how despicably she had changed.

 'This change must have been from her decision eleven years ago.' He thought to himself with no regrets he had left her years ago.

She could see the frown on his face. It was very evident he wasn't excited or pleased to meet her. Suddenly a ravenous rage rushed through her spine as memories of her past almost ripped her heart apart.

She lifted her hand and struck him on his face.

"How dare you?" Pandora's brows were furrowed.

His eyes were shut for a minute. Then he looked at her with a cold gaze. "I hope you are satisfied with that?" He gritted his teeth.

"Excuse me." Rodrigo could not stand being in front of someone he considered a whore. He despised her just as much as he loved her.

"What did I do, Rodrigo?" Her weak voice muttered. Pandora was confused. She had no idea why her sweet loving Rodrigo was suddenly looking at her with a grim face.

"Your love for me ruined you, Drizella. I don't like the woman you became. I hope you've changed." His eyes suddenly turned gloomy.

"You left me. I was told you got adopted. Do you know how long I waited for you? I kept going back to the police station, hoping that someday you would come back. For a year, Rodrigo, every day, I didn't miss it. Even when it was rainy, or the weather was sweltering, I stood there waiting."

"You shouldn't have." His voice was cold.

Pandora pouted and looked panicked.

Fifteen years ago, she met everything to him. They never had a home. Under the bridge with other homeless children was were they called home. They'd go out daily to source for what he always called 'our daily bread.'

Rodrigo would take up jobs so that Pandora would eat whatever she wanted. She was only thirteen when they met, and he was a year older. They were teenagers with no dreams, only striving to survive each day. For four years, they lived comfortably like that until Rodrigo got arrested.

"I've moved on, Drizella, and from the looks of it, I'm certain you have. So let's pretend we don't know each other. I'm only here for work, and you, focus on what you came here for."

"Well, I'm sorry that I couldn't. How could I have when I was the one who got abandoned." She yelled.

"Maximilian!" A voice called from behind them.

Rodrigo turned to look at the person. "Yes, sir."

"What is going on here?" A man dressed in a short leather jacket and had a police badge on his belt used to tighten his trousers asked Rodrigo.

"Just an acquaintance." Rodrigo whimpered, but Pandora heard him. She scoffed at his words, which made the man hush Rodrigo.

"Is there something wrong, lady?" He asked her.

"Nothing, we are just acquaintances." She wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled at the man. He waved at her and turned to Rodrigo.

"We don't have much time. We need to find a piece of evidence before this event starts. Jose Del Lacoste already has his eyes out for you. We need to hurry."

"Yes, Philippe."

Rodrigo was anxious. When his gaze met Drizella, her lips were curled mockingly, and she looked cold and indifferent.

"Maximilian, did I get it right?" She scoffed.

"As I said earlier, I'm here for work, and let's pretend we don't know each other. Thank you." Despite bidding her farewell, Rodrigo could not bring himself to leave.

He could see the tears gathered in her eyes, which broke his heart, yet he reminded himself of the reason he left.  

"Goodbye, Drizella."

"At least tell me why you left." She sighed, trying to control herself from breaking apart.

"Let's not do that here."

"I want to know Rodrigo." She raised her head and fixed her eyes on his. He was looking at her indifferently.

"Juan Aguirre." He looked grimaced. His eyes narrowed further as the rage he felt all these years overwhelmed him like a sudden storm.

"How did you...?" Pandora's legs shuddered as she tried to move backward.

When Rodrigo was jailed eleven years ago, she couldn't afford his bail money, which made her approach Juan Aguirre-a stripper club owner.