Episode 3

I'm Camila Leblanc, I live near St. John, Canada, in a small place surrounded by nature. My family has an apple orchard and we grow some of what we consume, this is because since I was little I have suffered from asthma. With strong emotions or too much cold my asthma increases, making it a problem to breathe, so I try to stay away from anything that might steal my peace of mind.

I studied programming and network maintenance because of my average, I was able to apply for an exchange to the United States. Among the options they gave me, I decided to go to Chicago, my paternal grandmother lives there. I know everything about computers, from programming to repairing them, but due to the stress it generated in me, I had to leave my job in a small technology company. I took a quick course on secretarial work and I currently work as a secretary with the dentist Vargas, he is the father of Bruno, the boy I like, he has invited me out a few times, I have only introduced him to Caro and Noah, who by the way, neither of them like him, I don't understand why.

I decided not to introduce him to my parents yet due to Noah's negative opinions, who suggested getting to know him better before bringing him home.

I visit my paternal grandmother every year, I go there because the cold doesn't compare to how it feels here and it is harmful for me because of my asthma. I love spending time with her and with Caro, my best friend. I met her during my exchange, she studied law, she was the rebellious girl of the career, always defending everyone from aggressions, I was one of those victims, from that moment on we became good friends.

Today Bruno invited me to the movies after work so I am a little nervous. Once my work was finished he waited for me on the corner and we went to the movies, we watched an action movie and when we left he took my hand, I was really nervous. We walked to a park and sat down, I looked at the sky, I closed my eyes. At this time of year the weather is delicious, I felt the wind hitting my face, I opened my eyes when I felt a kiss on my neck, I looked at Bruno too close, I was going to move away when he took me by the waist.

Bruno - Don't move away from me.

Camila - Maybe we should go, I don't want it to get late and...

Bruno - I don't want to leave.

He came closer and wanted to kiss me.

Camila - Bruno no, I don't want this.

Bruno - I do want it and believe me you will like it so much that you will beg for more.

He started to want to touch my breasts and my intimate area, so I started to want to get away from him, as I could I freed myself from his grip. I had seen in a movie strategic blows that you could use in case of kidnapping, I implemented one of them, it gave me time to get away and start running but my asthma appeared, I had trouble breathing and I didn't have my inhaler. I took my cell phone and thought of calling Noah but I was seeing blurry. I sat behind a trash can, I heard Caro's voice, I couldn't answer her but she knew something was wrong, the last thing I remember is being in Noah's arms.

I begin to open my eyes, I saw mom and dad on a couch and Noah holding my hand, I was going to call them when Noah opened his eyes.

Noah - Cami, you woke up!

Immediately mom and dad approached.

"How are you feeling, daughter?"

Camila - I'm fine mom.

"I'll call the doctor."

I nodded.

Shortly after dad returned and the doctor entered.

"How are you feeling, Miss Leblanc?"

Camila - I'm fine.

He started to check me.

"You had a very strong episode of asthma, fortunately they found you in time and you were able to receive help. I am going to suggest a medication, it is to help with your asthma, it has given good results, there are even people who no longer suffer from it."

My dad stepped forward.

"Do it, doctor."

He nodded then I asked.

Camila - What is its cost?

"My dear, n..."

Camila - I want to know, dad.

"Don't worry, miss, like all experimental medications, it is expensive but I hope it helps you to lower or eliminate your asthma, trust me."

I looked at my parents, we were not in a good economy now and I did not want to be an extra burden. Before I said anything Noah said to me.

Noah - Don't you dare reject it, Cam, better trust that with that medicine you will be able to overcome your asthma.

Mom squeezed my hand tightly and I nodded, then the doctor spoke.

"Good, I will bring it and rest assured the hospital accepts that you pay it in installments, you do not need to do it in its entirety."

"Thank you, doctor."

He nodded and left, I was left alone with my family, then Dad spoke.

"Daughter."

I looked at him immediately.

"Who was following you, my dear?"

I lowered my gaze and Mom spoke.

"Don't worry, my dear, we just want to know so we can be careful."

Camila - Bruno Vargas.

Noah - Damn jerk!

He got up and was going to leave but I took his hand.

Camila - No, Noah, please stay, I need you here.

He turned around and came back to hug me, little by little I was telling my parents that I had gone out with him and what happened after.

"My dear, you will not work with Mr. Vargas again."

Camila - I wasn't planning on going back, Dad, I'll look for another job.

They hugged me, my family is always there for me. After a while the doctor came in, we filled out the form for the experimental medication and they applied it.

"Any symptom that you present abnormally, you come directly to the hospital, okay?"

Camila - Yes, thank you, doctor.

He nodded, discharged us and we went home. Upon our arrival a taxi stopped and then I saw her.

Carolina - Cami!

She ran to hug me tightly, her body was trembling a little.

Carolina - You don't know how scared I was, you gave me a good scare, are you okay?

Camila - Yes, I am, thank you, Caro, I didn't think you would come but I'm very happy to see you.

Carolina - I had to, you are my best friend and I will always be there for you.

She hugged me again then greeted my parents and Noah. We went into the living room, Mom went to prepare the food and I stayed with Caro in the living room, I hadn't seen her in a few months.

Carolina - Are you really okay?

Camila - Yes, Caro, they gave me an experimental medication with the possibility of lowering or eliminating my asthma.

Carolina - That's good.

Camila - Yes, but it is somewhat expensive, right now my family is not in a position to spend too much.

Carolina - I can pay some of the treatment and...

Camila - No, no Caro, that's not necessary, I will work to pay for it.

Carolina - Well, but I can pay to...

Camila - No, better help me look for a job in the newspaper.

Carolina - Job? Did Dr. Vargas fire you?

I lowered my gaze immediately and Caro came closer to take my hands.

Carolina - Tell me what happened, Cami.

I began to tell her everything that happened with Bruno.

Carolina - That damn stupid, but he will pay for it, you'll see.

Camila - Caro no, I want to get away from him, from his dad, that's why I want to look for a new job.

Carolina - I will help you look for it, Cami, but that stupid is not saved from a blow.

We were looking for different job options, there were more nannies and cleaning people than office workers but right now I accept any job.

Carolina - Well, let's discard the nanny and cleaning jobs, also collectors.

Camila - Caro I need the job, any one is fine.

Carolina - For now, an office is better.

Camila - I can do any one, it doesn't matter, I can't be without working.

Carolina - Yes, I know but because of the treatment you are taking you can't make too many efforts, taking care of children is not easy, you may be running from one side to another, cleaning is heavy, collector you don't have to carry much so forget it.

I sighed, she was right, Mom called us to eat so we went to the dining room, Caro always infects with her ideas apart from telling us what she did to her dad's secretary, although it was wrong I know that she is like that always helping others, after a while at the table Mom stayed cleaning the kitchen in the company of Dad, Noah received a call, Caro and I went to the living room but before that she went to the bathroom, I heard the door so I went to open it, it was Dr. Vargas, I tensed up.

"Good afternoon, Camila."

Camila - Good afternoon, sir.

"I waited for you in the office and you didn't show up, you didn't even warn me, you are always very responsible so I came to see if everything was okay."

Camila - Yes, it is, but I won't work in the office anymore, I am under treatment so I will take some time off.

"I can give you less hours so your work day is shorter."

Before I could speak Noah did.

Noah - She is not going to work with you again and if you want to know the reason ask your son.

"Bruno? But what does he have to do with it?"

Noah - Ooh believe me he has a lot to do with it, and if you excuse us my sister has to rest.

He closed the door and looked at me.

Noah - Relax, okay?

I nodded.

Camila - You didn't have to close the door in his face, Noah.

Noah - Believe me, I wanted to do more than that.

Caro arrived and we went to the living room in the middle of the afternoon my parents went to the field and I decided to go to the patio with Caro to water the plants we had, she asked me about a specific plant and I replied that they were potatoes and how we harvested them.

Carolina - Wow I thought that mmm... Don't make fun of me okay?

I nodded.

Carolina - I thought potatoes grew up like tomatoes.

Camila - Ha ha ha what?

Carolina - Hey I told you not to make fun of me.

Camila - Ok ok.

Her cell phone started to ring and she saw her screen.

Carolina - It's dad.

I nodded she put it on speaker.

Carolina - Hello dad.

Issac - Hello Caro how is Camila? Did you arrive well?

Carolina - Yes dad sorry for not calling you before with the emotion I missed it.

Issac - Yes I know that being with her you forget about your father.

Carolina - ha ha ha better say hello you are on speaker.

Issac - Hello Camila how are you?

Camila - Hello Mr. Issac I'm fine thank you.

Issac - I'm glad to know that, feel free to send my daughter back whenever you want.

Camila - ha ha you know she is welcome whenever she wants.

Issac - I know, well I leave you I'm arriving home I'll take advantage that you're not here to invite your mom to dinner.

Carolina - Good dad see you.

Issac - Take care and behave Carolina.

Carolina - I always do dad.

He hung up and was helping me remove the weeds from the plants when her cell phone rang again, she looked at the screen and smiled.

Carolina - It's my uncle.

I nodded she started to walk away and chat with him, I kept removing the weeds when I heard Bruno.

"Camilaaaa"

I turned to see him.

"Right now you are going to tell me what you told my father."

Camila - I didn't tell him anything.

He took my arm forcefully.

"What did you tell him? He arrived and claimed me."

Camila - Let go you're hurting me Bruno.

Then I heard Caro.

Carolina - Hey what's wrong with you idiot let her go.

"You don't get involved this is between her and me."

Camila - Let go Bruno you hurt me.

Before he said anything else Caro punched him in the face and one more in his crotch.

Carolina - Learn to respect women you imbecile.

"This will not stay like this you heard me Camilaaaa."

Carolina - Get out of here and don't be threatening her you heard me she is not alone.

"I don't care who you are but you will pay dearly Ca....."

Caro punched him in the nose again and too much blood started to come out.

"Aah stupid you broke my nose."

Carolina - It will be worse if you don't leave you imbecile I'll make sure everyone knows the kind of stupid you have as a son Dr. Vargas.

"No one will believe you if she was the one who wanted to be with me and....."

At that moment Noah arrived he took him by the jacket.

Noah - You get out of our house, you open your damn mouth saying something about my sister and I'll make sure you never open it again, now get out and you better not bother my sister again.

He let him go and Bruno walked away I let myself fall on the floor Caro and Noah came to me.

Noah - Are you okay?

I nodded.

Carolina - Don't worry he won't be able to do anything.

Camila - He can cause you problems Caro you shouldn't have assaulted him.

Carolina - I'm in your house, he came to bother you and I defended you so relax okay.

Noah - I doubt he wants it to be known that a woman broke his nose.

Carolina - ha ha true so relax.

I nodded and hugged her I heard then a voice on her phone I felt a chill.

Carolina - Ooh right I'm with my uncle.

She took her cell phone.

Carolina - Sorry uncle I had to do something.