The Casa Del Castaneda

Fixated

Paloma stared intently at Abelardo. Although the woman was silent and not wrinkled, but Paloma's hard attitude did not decrease in the slightest. He came forward before Abelardo.

“What is your attitude, Inspector Lujan? Should a law enforcement officer pose a threat? Especially to someone who is not a native of this country! I can sue you back for the unpleasant threat you posed!” Paloma, it's still Paloma. She will always be a stubborn woman in the face of anyone, who has not been able to conquer her.

“You forced me, Madam! If only you could be more calm and polite, then I wouldn't respond like that either,” replied Abelardo.

“Originally you know, Mrs Hernandez. We have a clear and accountable working system. We are law enforcement. Work and decide on the basis of valid evidence, not just make allegations without clear evidence. No, Madam! That's not how we work,” insists Abelardo again.

“I know that, Inspector Lujan. You do not have to repeat it many times,” Paloma reply still with his haughty attitude. “However, it is difficult to give a clear answer to all my questions, instead of seeming to avoid even hard to contact.”

“Jeez, Mistress. I only use one phone and one number, which is always active twenty-four hours. My reason for not directly giving an answer to you, because there has been no development that is too meaningful. You will definitely feel bored, if you get the same answer from me,” explained Abelardo.

“You are too many excuses, Inspector,” Paloma's pouty.

“Mrs ...”

“Stop,” Lerai Sebastian. He restrained Abelardo from continuing to respond to Paloma's annoyance. However, Sebastian already knew the character of the woman who was very hard and did not want to give up.

Sebastian pulled Paloma's arm slowly, until the woman who had been his perverted lover retreated. He even put the mother of Luz Maria behind his body.

“Stop, Paloma. You must remember your original intention of meeting Abelardo. You left Luz Maria to come here. Abelardo also took time on the sidelines of all his work to be able to accept all your complaints. However, this is not the way.” Sebastian looked at Paloma. The look in his eyes implied a sense of disappointment towards the hazel-eyed beautiful woman.

Paloma seemed to be able to understand the meaning of Sebastian's gaze. Slowly, his arrogance gradually faded away. He then turned his attention to Abelardo who also began to calm down. “Then, I want to see the CCTV footage you once said yesterday-yesterday,” pinta Paloma a moment later.

“Can't, Mistress. The footage has been taken to a forensic lab for further examination. Investigators are trying to find out the owner of the vehicle, by tracking its license plate. To get a clear license plate, they had to research the video using a special tool." Abelardo tried to give understanding to Paloma.

"So, we ask that you be more patient. If all the investigations have been completed, we will definitely tell the families of the victims soon, ” Abelardo explained with a much calmer intonation.

Paloma was about to respond to Abelardo's words. Sebastian immediately gave a signal. The man shook his head faintly. Making Paloma undo his intentions.

“Alright, Abelardo. We excuse you.” After saying goodbye, Sebastian immediately took Paloma out of there. The two walked down the corridor, arriving at the parking lot.

Without saying much, Paloma headed straight for the car. He intends to enter, when Sebastian calls him. Paloma turned his head while holding the door that was already open. “What's up?” ask the woman. Still visible remains of annoyance in the look on Paloma's face, when Sebastian stood before him.

“Didn't you think of Abelardo's words?” ask Sebastian.

“Which words?” ask Paloma.

“About your visa that will be over soon. Is it okay if I give you a little advice?”

Paloma did not answer. He thought for a moment. He did ignore the important thing, because he was too focused on the accident that killed Rafael.

“Working visa? You mean?” paloma asked, not understanding.

Sebastian looked around. Just across from the police station building, there was a simple cafeteria. Sebastian, ventured to take Paloma there to talk for a while. On the grounds of wanting to discuss the visa issue, the handsome widower managed to get Paloma to accept his invitation.

“Just talk to the point. I have to go back to Granada,” Paloma said, after the drinks they ordered were served on the table.

“Why didn't you bring Luz Maria here?” sebastian asked, sipping his drink.

“I don't want to take risks,” Paloma replied briefly.

“What risk? You think everyone wants to finish you off?” Sebastian stared fixedly at the beautiful woman before him. The brown-haired handsome man let out a slow breath. “Stop behaving like this, Paloma.”

Paloma did not respond to Sebastian's remarks. He doesn't want to talk to anyone right now. Paloma wants to go home soon and meet his beloved daughter. “I told you earlier, just get to the heart of the conversation.”

Sebastian scratched an un-itchy forehead. “Alright,” said. “So, put it.” Sebastian started at the heart of the conversation, at Paloma's request. “Yesterday, Elazar said that one of his colleagues was bankrupt. He became an intermediary to sell the company owned by his partner. If you want, talk to Mr. Gallardo. Who knows if your father would buy it.”

“Company?” Paloma squinted his eyes.

“Yes. If you're on a work visa, then your residence permit could be longer here. I think you know that too. You have lived for several years in Spain,” Sebastian explained. “Thus, you will be more free to monitor this case until it is finished.”

“Why?” ask Paloma full of questions.

“I just want you to know that I have nothing to do with the accident that killed Rafael. That means, you have to keep an eye on every development of the case,” Sebastian replied.

“Good. I'll talk about this with my dad.” Paloma gulped down the little drink that was in front of him. After that, he moved on and prepared to leave.

“You're going to go now?” ask Sebastian to stand up.

“Yes. I was in a hurry,” Paloma replied as he hung the strap of the bag to his arm. “Thank you for helping me out today, even though that police inspector still sucks like always,” Paloma said again looking annoyed.

“Do not, because Abelardo is the only person who can help solve your husband's murder case" said Sebastian. “Patience, Paloma. I know your life isn't easy. There's been too much bitterness and bad happenings happening to you. However, that doesn't mean that your future will be just as bad. I'm sure, after the storm there will be a beautiful rainbow that adorns your day. You just have to wait,”.

Paloma, who was about to come out of the cafeteria, immediately stopped his steps and looked at Sebastian. “You never know what it's like to lose so many times,” he said softly with teary eyes.

“I've felt a loss even once. That's why I understand how it feels. So painful that you have no desire to continue living. Is that right, Paloma?” Sebastian ventured to walk closer, leaving only a few inches between himself and Paloma.

“You are not alone. I want you to always remember that,” Sebastian said as he brought his face closer to Paloma. Meanwhile, Paloma just kept glued.