The next morning I woke up to find the hotel room empty, Nessa and Sofi were nowhere to be seen. Where could they be this early? They would never leave without telling me.

I walked around trying to look for them, I was surprised to find the doors to the balcony wide open. There was a plate with food on the table and a bright pink post-it note stuck on the side of the glass full of orange juice.

Daniel and Leo came to invite us out for breakfast. We didn't want to wake you up, enjoy the food! We'll be back soon

-Sofi and Nessa-

Huh, so they decided to ditch me to go out with the guys. That's not a surprise. It's so like Sofi and Nessa to leave their best friend alone and go out with two hot guys.

I decided to sit down and eat the nice meal they left me. It felt weird to be eating alone but at the same time it felt nice to have some time to myself. We've been here four days already and this is the only time I've actually had some peace and quiet.

I looked out to see people going on their regular day. There was a man working behind the counter of a small store, the ice cream shop across the street was full of little kids trying to buy something refreshing for this hot sunny day. The beach looked calm and like any other beach without all the teenagers from that first day we arrived at the party.

This is the kind of thing that makes you want to stay, to make you not want to go back to the hectic life back home. I closed my eyes, felling the slight cool breeze on my face. This is nice.

Last night's events immediately came to my mind. There is more to Santiago then I expected. The first time I saw him he seemed like an uptight, cold and bitter jerk. But now that I really think back to it the only reason he looked that was because he showed no emotion. There's always this blank look on his face and his eyes show nothing, almost as if he's hiding something. And I think that's what it is. Why else would he be like that? There's no other reason for him to block everyone away, he's trying to keep people from finding out his secret.

I want to know that it is! But I don't have the time to find out, we're leaving back to Chicago as soon as Spring Break is over. There's no way I can get close enough to find out more about him.

After finishing my food I went back into the room to clean around a little. There wasn't much to do since we're all pretty organized and the hotel's housekeeping have been coming in the room to do their job.

When I was done cleaning I relaxed into the comfy couch in our living room area only to be bothered by a loud knock on the door. Ugh, the girls probably forgot their key.

"You guys are so irresponsible—" I started saying but then closed my mouth when I saw who was actually standing at the door.

Diego.

"What are you doing here, Chamuco? It's been a while since I last saw you."

"I know" he smiled sheepishly. "Can I come in?"

I stepped back and opened the door wider. " Sure"

"How have you girls been doing?" he asked as he walked further into the room and took a seat in the small couch.

I shrugged. "Good, just enjoying what we have left of vacation."

"Only three days left, right."

"Yeah."

"That's too bad" he frowned, lowering his gaze. "I would have loved to spend more time with you."

"Well you could have!" I crossed my arms over my chest. "But that day at the beach party you were acting like a total douche."

"I know" he sighed, leaning back on his chair and rubbing his forehead. "I don't know what was wrong with me..."

I looked at him closely and could tell right away that he was lying, there's more to it than he's actually telling me.

But I decided to leave it at that.

"Where are the other girls, anyways" he looked around.

"They went out to breakfast with Leo and Daniel"

His jaw tightened and he glared up at me. "You're still hanging out with those guys?!" he demanded.

"Yes."

"Are you girls out of your minds? I can't believe this!" he cried, standing up to his feet and pacing back and forth.

"What's wrong with you" I asked worriedly. This was the second time he acted this way about the guys.

"You don't know what you girls have gotten yourself into."

I stared at him waiting for him to say something else, to explain why he was saying this but he just stared back at me with a panicked and worried expression.

"Okay..."

He scoffed, walking over to grab my shoulders tightly and stare at me right in the eyes. "How can you be so calm about this?"

"Because I don't know that you're talking about!" I yelled in disbelief.

He blinked at me. "You haven't figured it out yet?! Gabby its right in front of you, how can you not see what's going on?!"

"Then tell me!"

He let go of me, chuckling with no humor and turning his back to me. "I can't" he sighed heavily. "I'd get killed if I told you, it's something very serious."

"Ugh! You've already told me enough. Why not tell me the rest? No one will find out."

Diego shook his head. "Oh trust me if I tell you, I'm a dead man"

"Okay, so let me get this straight" I raised my hand up. "Whatever you're talking about has something to do with the guys and it's something really bad."

He pursed his lips, not saying another word.

"Are they criminals or soemthing?"

Without warning, he walked back to me taking a hold of my face in his head gently. "Those guys have a really complicated life, and once you're in it there's no way out. If you keep getting involved with them you'll get dragged into it too and I don't want that to happen to you, Gabby."

"I'm not going to start ignoring the guys just because you told me too, I'm sorry Chamuco and either way we'll be back home in tree days. What's the worst that could happen?"

He closed his eyes and stepped away from me, taking a seat back on the couch. "Do whatever you want" he grumbled. "But don't say I didn't warn you."

**

Santiago's P.O.V.

"500 Caballos de fuerza manejo un Camaro y soy de Culiacan. Me gusta el huiski, las viejas, las armas, carreras la velocidad. Siempre me paseo por la Anaya me gusta la fama y se respetar. No traigo el motor arreglado pero lo animado me gusta ganar."

"How does it feel to have a corrido inspired by you?"

I laughed, taking a sip from the tequila shot in my hand. "I'm gald to hear my life sounds interesting to other people."

It was easy for me to pretend to be having a good time, truth is I'd much rather be hanging out with Gabby then be at this stupid party. I've learned to control my emotions around others very well, it's something that is easy to me after all these years of practice.

My father taught me well.

You'd be surprised to hear all the things I've seen, the things I've done. I grew up with a different lifestyle then most kids. My life has been anything but normal.

I'm the oldest son of the most powerful man in Mexico, more powerful than the president if I say so myself. Ernesto Bustamante is not the guy you want to mess with, you'd be crazy if you ever got on his bad side.

And that's what's made me have great respect for my father. He had to raise my brother and I by himself after my mother died of cancer, while also managing to work his ass off to create the best and richest Cartel in Mexico. With the help of his brother, my uncle Rafael Bustamante they became the Kings of the Drug World. My cousins, brother and I had the hardest childhood ever, at the age of seven when most kids were learning how to ride a bike we were practicing self-defense, at sixteen we were taught how to use a gun and other weapons. As we grew older we had to learn the way of the business. Leo is in charge of all our "soldiers" he has to train all of them and make sure we have back up in all of our missions. Daniel gets all the information needed about the background of our business partners, he knows everything there is to know about the drug business in the whole world. Joel and I are the bosses; we have to attend the missions, meetings and parties. We're the ones who make the decisions, handle the money and plan everything our cartel has to do. My father chose me to be the " Don", in other words: everything belongs to me and everyone has to follow my orders, even my little brother Joel. I think that's the whole reason my bother hates me so much, he got stuck being the "Underboss" he has more power than everyone else but not more than me. Our fathers talked to us, gave us advice on how to survive this dangerous world but I'm the one who has to deal with everything. Dad spent most of his time with me, preparing me for the future awaiting, for the life I'm supposed to lead.

"This is why I love my life!" Joel yelled over the music, taking a seat on our table. His eyes were dialated as he stared ahead, he'd already had too much alcohol.

I knew bringing him along was a bad idea, but I couldn't take the risk of leaving him alone. He would run to look for Gabby in a heartbeat. And I can't let that happen... My cousins and brother are being very irresponsible with these girls, they don't understand that it's dangerous for them to be seen with us. Leo and Daniel seem to be very interested in Vanessa and Sofia, they've never acted that way around any other girls and trust me when I say we've all dated a good amount of different girls.

"You guys are livin' the life, lucky bastards!" our business partner Eric commented, a hint of jealousy in his voice.

This was the only reason we came to Acapulco in the first place. Strictly to close some business with a local gang of drug dealers, they aren't as big as us but they have contacts in South America where we just closed a deal that made us gain a lot of cash.

My brother laughed. "It's all thanks to dad!

"Speaking of your dad" Eric piped up. "Why didn't he come with you boys?"

"He wants us to know what it's like working the real deal" Joel rolled his eyes. "But most of all he wants Santi to get used to being the big boss."

Eric nodded approvingly. "That's good what your father is doing." he turned to look at me. " You have to be prepared."

As if I didn't know that already...

"Of course he'll be prepared" my brother sneered. "Santiago is always perfect, that's why he's dad's favorite"

I whipped my head around to glare at him, but he didn't seem to care since he was already too drunk. "I've gotten the hang of it" I said to Eric. "My father has been preparing me for this since I was very young."

"This job has a lot of surprises, Santiago" he responded flatly. "You have to be ready for anything that comes at you..."

"I will, Eric. I learned from the best."

***

Gabby's P.O.V

"Momma's home!" I heard Nessa's voice yell out.

I chuckled quietly at my friend's randomness and continued washing the dishes. Diego had stayed to have lunch with me but he left about an hour ago.

"Hey Gabby" Sofi greeted me as she and her sister walked into the kitchen and took a seat in the small table.

"You girls were gone for a while" I stated, not turning around to look at them.

Nessa smiled. "They took us for a walk in the park and we lost track of time"

"Oh how romantic" I teased.

"Shut up!" Sofia stood up next to me and poked my stomach. "You're just grumpy because we left you all alone."

"I wasn't alone. Someone came to visit me"

Nessa looked up from the table, a smug smile on her face. "Could it have been one of your lovers?"

"It was Diego"

"Diego?" they spoke at the same time. "What did he want?"

"Nothing really" I shrugged. " He just wanted to apologize for his behavior" I lied. I don't think it's I good idea if I tell them what Chamuco and I discussed.

"That was nice of him" Sofi nodded her head approvingly. " He was acting a bit rude the last time we saw him."

"A bit rude?" Nessa scoffed. "The guy was being a total jerk. I think he's jealous of the guys."

I scowled at her. "Nessa he already apologized, and why would he be jealous?"

"Because he's already lost his chance at getting you, duh!" she replied as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Santiago and Joel are tough competition."

I stayed silent deciding not to argue with her and got back to washing. I don't see why Sofi and Nessa are taking these guys so seriously. We only have three days left here and then we're going back home, we'll never see them again. This is why I didn't want my friends to get too attached, it'll be harder to let go when we have to leave.

"I'm going to take a shower." Nessa stood up from her seat, I heard her footsteps walk out of the kitchen leaving Sofi and I alone.

"Tell me" Sofi spoke after we heard the shower running. "What's wrong baby girl? I know there's something bothering you."

"Now why would you think that?" I turned to smirk at her.

"I'm your best friend Gabby" she crossed her arms over her chest. "I know that look on your face, you're worried about something."

"Esta vez estas equivocada" (This time you're wrong)

She glared at me. "Just tell me already, you can't fool me!"

I let out a sigh and turned off the sink water, turning around to look at my friend. "You're good" I laughed and went to take a seat next to her on the table. "It annoys me sometimes how well you know me."

"Did something happen while we were gone?" she asked worried.

"No" I shook my head. "Not at all. It's just...I-I've been thinking...about Daniel and Leo. What are you guys planning to do?"

I regretted asking the question as soon as I saw the flash of sadness in her eyes, she attempted to give me a smile but it came out more as a grimace.

"I don't know" she pursued her lips. "I seriously have no idea Gabbs, I've been avoiding the subject a lot with Daniel. I know we'll have to talk about it eventually but I don't want to think about it right now."

"You really like this guy, don't you?"

She had this look in her eyes, a look I recognized very well. I had seen her this way before...the time she met my brother.

"I like him a lot" she closed her eyes. "It scares me how much I want to be with him, we've just met and I want to spend every minute of the day with him!"

"What about Nessa? How do you see her with Leo?" I asked.

She chuckled. "You know how Vanessa never takes any relationship seriously? If we ask her she'll probably say it's just like any other fling she's had but I've seen the way they act together, it's like they were made for each other."

We both went silent and stared at each other with nothing else to say.

My two best friends are in love with two guys that live in a different Country. I have a bad feeling about this...What if they want to stay in Mexico with them? Would they really go as far as living with these guys? Don't get me wrong I really like Leo and Daniel and I totally approve of them being with my friends but it'll have to be a long distance relationship. There's no way I'm leaving my friends here, Mexico is not the safest place to live in right now. I wouldn't be able to live with myself if something happened to them, and what about the 'dangerous' thing Chamuco told me about these guys?

"You must think we're crazy" Sofi spoke, breaking me away from my thoughts. I looked up at her face to see tears running down her eyes. "I'm sorry"

I barked out a laugh, gently reaching out to wipe her tears with my hands. "You shouldn't apologize for being in love, Sofi. There's nothing wrong with that!"

"It is if you feel worried about us" she murmured. "I didn't plan for this to happen. I thought what I have with Daniel would just be a silly vacation fling but it turned out to be something better, something I wasn't expecting at all. And I know I haven't known him for long but when I'm with him it feels so right, all this sounds really cliché but it's the truth"

I leaned over to embrace my best friend in a tight hug. I had no idea this had been bothering her. She shouldn't be afraid to have feelings for Daniel, she should be enjoying these moments of her life. It's been so long since I last saw hope in her eyes, Daniel is the first guy to make her feel something after she and my brother broke up.

"I'm sure you and Vanessa will figure it out, I'll be with you guys no matter what"

I heard the bathroom door open and Sofi quickly sat up and tried to fix herself up, she wiped her eyes trying to get rid of the evidence that she had been crying but it was pretty much impossible, her eyes were puffy and red.

"I always feel better after I shower" Nessa gushed, stretching out as she walked over to take a seat across from us, as soon as she saw her sister face she flew out of her chair and got down on her knees next to Sofi. "Why are you crying hermanita?" (Sister)

Sofi turned to look at her with a frown. "I'm not crying"

"Oh yeah?" Nessa raised an eyebrow.

"She's just homesick" I spoke for Sofi, trying to get Nessa to back off. "There's no reason to panic"

"You guys know I hate it when you lie to me."

"We're no liars" Sofi frowned mockingly.

"Oh please! Tell that to someone who'll believe you." Vanessa stuck out her tongue at us childishly and walked out of the kitchen.

"I wouldn't be talking sis" Sofi yelled out. "You're no saint either!"



**************

OKAY I'M ASKING A TEENY TINY FAVOR FROM YOU GUYS! I JUST WANT YOU ALL TO ANSWER A QUESTION:

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