Dark Paradise

chapter seven

C H A P T E R S E V E N

A SUDDEN KNOCK CAME FROM CELIA'S FRONT DOOR. She finished slipping on her new pair of earrings Gustavo had gifted her as she made her way to the front door. Celia had been up early to shower before heading to her job at the Embassy. Steve was called in early for the day. Javier knew about it and offered to drive her over for her first day himself. So when the knock fell upon Celia's front door she assumed it was Javier.

"I'm coming, Javi! Give me a few more seconds to get ready...." Celia trailed off from her words as when she opened the door she found her sister and Elisa standing there in light blue scrubs. "What's going on?"

"Is Javi still here or did he leave early with Steve?" Connie ignored her sister's question and instead answered her with one of her own.

"Uh, yeah, he should still be around. He has to take me to work today. Speaking of the devil, he's right behind you." Celia stated as she stood a little confused on why her sister and Elisa seemed freaked out.

Before Javier had a chance to ask any questions, Connie pushed Elisa towards her sister. She then grabbed the agent by the arm to pull him into Celia's apartment.

"Okay now I'm officially worried. What the hell is going on, Connie?!" Celia demanded as she kept an arm wrapped around Elisa who stood beside her all jittery.

"I'll explain later. I'll be right back." Connie replied before leaving Celia with Javier and Elisa in her apartment.

"I don't have time for this. I need to get to work before I'm late. You stay here with her Javi and I'll get a taxi. If either of you need anything, call me. There's snacks and drinks in the kitchen." Celia informed the two as she grabbed her bag from her couch and proceeded to leave the apartment.

Celia's mind raced as she tried to figure out what had both Connie and Elisa so startled. She still didn't have it figured out when she paid the taxi driver and began to head inside the Embassy. As she walked down the busy hall to check in with Katie before heading to her desk, Steve grabbed her by the arm and began to tug her in the direction she had just came from.

"Steve, what the hell?!" Celia exclaimed as she tried to get Steve's hand off her arm. "Let me go! What has gotten into you?"

"I can't explain here, but it's best if you stay locked and inside my apartment with Connie and I today. I told Katie you were sick and you'd be gone a few days. I need you to stay with Connie in the meantime while I figure this out, but right now we need to go back home." Steve vaguely explained to his sister-in-law.

Steve practically dragged Celia all the way out to his car where they both jumped in before he gunned it to get home as fast as he could. When they arrived at the apartment building, Steve didn't waste any time in parking the car in the garage for the residents in the apartments. Once the car was parked, Steve jumped out with his gun already in his hand. Celia caught the sight of the gun as he got out and began to run after her sister's husband while he walked into the building.