Reece has been in New York City since Monday. He left while I was sleeping and I haven’t seen him since Sunday night. This morning, he called to say he’s extending his trip for one more day. He wouldn’t be back until Friday. The project he went to work on needs more time. He sounded so happy when we spoke that I didn’t want to tell him about my conversation with the lawyer.

She’d been able to squeeze me in on Monday afternoon. I left her office with a chasm in my heart as wide as the Grand Canyon. I’d wished that I was the kind of person who could bury my head in the sand and pretend that everything was fine.

What she told me devastated me. I don’t have any good options. My DACA application is still pending. She’s seeing a trend of the revocation of the status of vocal immigration activists since February of this year. She thought it likely that ICE was already aware of my status and was just waiting for the application to be denied before they pounced. My heart leapt into my throat. Fear, real and potent, chilled me.

She advised me to voluntarily depart. That it would increase my chances of being able to re-enter. I’d be barred from even trying to re-enter for three years. And there was no guarantee they would grant my request when I made it. Yet, it was my best hope. There were no other options for me to stay in the United States legally. When I was leaving she gave me her card and told me that I should call her if I got into any trouble and that she could help me with the voluntary departure process. I thanked her and left.

Three years. I’d have to find a way to live in a foreign country for three years. I wonder if my mother will come with me. I certainly have the money to support us. I could get us a house; I could still write. I don’t have to be here to publish my books. The screenplay was done, I’m sure everything else that needed to be done could be done by email or over the phone. I could leave. But I can’t leave Reece. Not for three years. What would happen to us?

Dan, Todd and I submitted our screenplay this morning, signed all the paperwork and then went out for a celebratory drink. I’m going back to Malibu to get my things. With Reece gone, staying there alone hasn’t felt comfortable. And with the screenplay done, it’s time for me to go back to Los Feliz. I need to tell Jessica and my mother everything that’s happened and I’m dreading it.

My driver drops me off and I ask him to come back in the morning. I need to pack and clean and I think I’ll be here for hours, so I might as well spend the night. And that’s how I spend my day. When Reece calls, for the first time ever, I don’t answer. I can’t make small talk right now and I want him to come back from New York so I can tell him this face-to-face.

My whole world is crumbling. I can’t believe it’s come to this. I know that I can’t expect Reece to wait for me. The lawyer’s words are starting to swirl in my head, and I put on my headphones and go for a run on the estate. I’ll miss it here, but it was all just a temporary escape from my reality.

---

When I get back from my run, I see a car I don’t recognize in my driveway. I feel a flick of alarm when the door opens as I approach. Coco steps out and I feel my stomach drop. I’m suddenly acutely aware of how alone I am here. There’s not another soul within shouting distance.

He leans on the doorframe grinning at me. I haven’t seen him since that day in the boutique. The smile on his face is sinister and I stop my approach and make a stand. “What are you doing here, Coco?” I say, trying to sound like I’m only annoyed. My heart is beating wildly in my chest,

“You and I need to talk,” he says in a singsong voice.

“Can we do this at the office in LA? I’m expecting someone soon,” I say, hoping he’ll leave.

“It won’t take long,” he returns.

“Coco, I’m not sure what we have to talk about, but I want you to leave. We can do this at work.”

Without warning he pushes off his perch on the car’s doorframe and walks quickly towards me. He’s even bigger than Reece and he’s moving fast. His facial expression changes from sinister to downright dangerous. Before I can decide whether to run or try to face him, he’s standing in front of me. He grabs my arm so tightly that I feel tears sting the backs of my eyes.

He drags me toward the car and pushes me roughly against it so I’m facing him. He steps into me, pressing me back, his body flush with mine. And I go from being alarmed to being terrified. “Coco, stop.”

“Shut up. You’re a fucking cock tease. You smiled at me and then dumped me when you found out Reece wanted to fuck you, too.” He seethes into my face. I am trying to not let my fear show. “Well, now I know all about you. I know your secret, and if you want me to keep quiet, you’re going to start being really nice to me.”

I can’t restrain my whimper when I feel him rub himself on me. He’s hard and he has me pinned there with his full body weight. I start to struggle. I’m not going to stand here and let this happen. I land a blow on his shin and he steps back and howls in pain. I take the chance to dart past him, but he grabs my wrist and throws me back against the car. My head hits the doorframe and I feel dizzy. I feel the sting from the open palmed slap he gives me before I even see his hand move. He presses himself against me again. Pinning me in place with the full weight of his body. He licks the side of my face. “Oh, don’t worry. I don’t want you right now. You stink,” he says putting his nose in my hair. “I’ll be back for you tonight. Take a shower and cook me something. And if you even think of not being here, I’ll have you turned in and deported so fast your head will spin.”

He brings his hand up and cups my breast, squeezing it painfully. “I know why Reece is so addicted you. But he’s just fucking you.” I flinch. “Aww, what? You thought you were going to marry Reece? People like him don’t settle down with people like you.” He chuckles. “Don’t worry, you’ll see how good I’ll make it for you. I promise you’ll like it.” He thumbs my nipple and I have to bite my lip to contain my plea for him to stop. I won’t give him the satisfaction.

He yanks the strap of my sports bra down and bares my breast. A tear rolls down my cheek. “Just a little sample before I leave.” And when I feel his mouth close over my nipple, I can’t stop the sob that escapes. He lifts his head and eyes me with a satisfied smile. “I like that. I want you to cry. It turns me on.”

He pulls my strap back up and says, “Go. I’ll be back in three hours. And you’d better be here. And don’t even think of calling the police. Because if they come looking for me, they’ll also find you, and then you can kiss this country goodbye.” He releases me and air rushes into my lungs, and I feel bruises in the places that he had me pressed down.

And like he doesn’t have a care in the world, he gets into his car and drives away.

I stand there staring after him, and when his car disappears from the drive, I turn and run into the house. I grab my suitcase and throw all my clothes inside. And then, I call Reece.

He answers almost immediately. “Babe, I was just about to call you. I’m just getting back to my room—” He stops talking when he hears me crying.

“Lucía, what’s wrong?”

The concern in his voice and that he’s so far away, break the dam I’ve held on to my emotions this week. I completely break down. I tell him everything. About the lawyer and about Coco. I am a fountain of pain. It gushes from me leaving my body through my tears, my sobs, my words.

“Reece, I have to leave.” Each word feels like the tug of an anchor. They pull me down to a place I thought I’d left behind. My life as I know it, is about to end. Again. “I can’t live like this anymore. I can’t. It won’t end, Reece. It will just get worse. I have to leave.”

Reece is silent. If it wasn’t for the noise in the background, I might have thought he’d hung up. I know this is a shock to him. I know he feels helpless. But what just happened with Coco has spurred me into action.

I stand up and start putting my things in a bag while I continue to speak. “I need to get to Los Feliz, get Jessica squared away and let her know I’m leaving. I only need a week to find a place, pack and go. The last week has been too much. How much am I supposed to lose because of a crime I didn’t commit? I didn’t ask to be brought here. I didn’t ask to be raised here. But I was. It’s the only home I’ve known. I’ve only tried to make something of my life, but I know now that I’ll never be able to do that here,” I say into the phone.

Reece has been silent and when he speaks I almost don’t recognize his voice; it’s lost its timbre. His tone is robotic and hollow. “I’m going to make sure Coco never touches you or anyone else again. I’ve just ordered a car to come for you. The driver’s name is John, he’s one of the office drivers who drives my father. He’s going to take you to my parents’ house. Please wait for me, I’m heading to the airport now.” His voice breaks on that last word and he clears his throat. When he speaks again he sounds more like himself. “I’m so sorry that I left you. I’m so sorry that he touched you. God, I’m just so sorry for everything.” I can hear the depth of his anguish. I can’t quantify my own feelings. I just know that I need to get out of here.

“Reece, I love you. When you get here, we’ll figure it out,” I say and curse the distance that’s depriving me of the ability to touch him.

“Go and get Jessica and take her with you to my parents. I don’t know that you’ll be safe in Los Feliz. Coco knows where that house is.”

I start to protest; I don’t want to go to his parents’ house.

“Please, I know that you’re not crazy about my mom, but you will be safe there. I’m calling them now; they’ll be expecting you.”

I sigh, too tired to argue. “I’ll ask Jessica to pick up my mother. Would it be okay for her to come, too?

“Yes, of course,” he replies sounding relieved.