The woman sitting across from her was obviously pressing fifty. The bags under her eyes caused her to seem a bit older. What was left of her once sun kissed blond her and grey highlights peeked through the wires of her hair net.
"Okay hunny do you have any experience in serving?"
Gabriela could serve a lot of things. However the restaurant scene seemed different from the cocaine business. She didn't suppose she could use that as a reference.
"No, but I'm a very fast learner. I um mentioned on my application that I did attend college."
The older women's gaze fell to the paper in her hand before returning to Gabriela.
"It says you only completed a semester. You also didn't state your last name."
"Oh I was in and out of many foster homes. Too many names to keep up with"
The older woman grunted before placing the paper in her hand in a cream colored file on her very small desk.
"We will be sure to be in touch"
Gabriela swung her stolen purse over her left shoulder.
"Sure you will"
That was the third place she had tried today. She didn't own anything. Not even a mat to sleep on. After only 2 days in San Diego she was starting to regret fleeing. She shook the thought from her head. Across the street from the outdated restaurant was a women's clothing store. In the window a red silk low neck dress with a leg slit was draped over a plastic molded woman.
She walked up to window. 'The In Crowd', the store sign read.
Behind her a group of teenagers walked past chanting ignorant remarks about her thin waist and thick thighs.
"Aye fuck off little bastards", she scorned
The tallest of the boys snickered. "Oh mamita I like it rough" The others erupted in laughter.
"Chicos! Is that any way to talk to a lady?"
A man arose from a black Bentley parked in front of the store.
"Sorry Senior Martin." The tallest bowed his head
"Get home. And tell your grandmother I will be over later for some of her pie eh. Get"
In an instant the boys scattered. This man obviously held some kind of power. He wore a white button up shirt that wasn't fully button. His pants and crocks seemed like they costed just as much as the Bentley he drove around. She had met his type so many times before and if he expected something in return for him -
"¿Como te llamas?"
"What?" Confusion flooded her face.
"Me llamo Mateo. ¿Como te llamas?
She was suddenly embarrassed.
"Oh I'm sorry I don't speak Spanish"
The man smirked. He looked like he was extremely handsome ten or so years ago. Age had painted his black roots grey and pulled at the lower end of his face.
"My apologies Señorita. A young beautiful chica like yourself radiates Latin origin."
Her face was burning now. "Oh I am. I just can't speak Spanish"
He smiled a full smile now. "Shame" He looked to the window where a woman caught his gaze and waved to him. He started to the door. "You should try that dress on. It would look absolutely stunning on you."
She watched as he walked in and was greeted by a smiling woman with clear dark skin.
Gabriela gaze fell to the dress again. She missed it all. The money of course, the parties, the rush, the company. She was into the store without realizing it. The women attention flung to her.
The woman wore a large smile.
"Hi anything I can help you with today?"
"Yeah, I wanna try on the dress"
The lady eyed her for a split second. Mateo took a step forward, "where are my manners. Sophia this is -"
"Gabriela" knowing she hadn't told him earlier.
"My good friend. Gabriela this is Sophia, my daughter."
Her expression softened. "Cualquier amigo de padre es un amigo mío"
The burning sensation was returning.
"She doesn't speak Spanish Sophia"
She eyed him more sternly now. She extended her hand towards Gabriela.
"I said any friend of Father is a friend
of mine"
The two shook hands. "I'll grab that dress in a..?"
"6", she said proudly.
"I'm jealous, be right back"
For a second she watched Sophie shadow dance away. Attention was then again on Mr.Martin. Someone had to ask.
"Your daughter?"
"Si, one of my oldest and most successful" he grinned. He could read the confusion all over her face. "I help beautiful women find family and stability"
Now she had his card. "And that pays for the Bentley and fit? So your a pimp?"
He face pulled into a frown.
"Okay so I have the fitting room all set up for you if you'd just come with me"
The man face softened. "Why don't you let Sophia explain to you my line of business"
She followed the curly headed women to a small boxed in area with long mirrors and good lighting.
Sophia had a light to her that was almost blinding. Her glares were just as radiant as her smile. She handed Gabriela a tab with a number. "Door 3, locks on the inside"
Neither woman dropped her gaze.
"Ok I don't know what you think he is but I'm no prostitute so you don't have to be looking at me crazy", Sophia said.
"I think your beautiful, jeez puta much?"
Both women smiled before Gabriel walked into the 3rd small room. About a year ago she had all the women and men she could sleep with. That was behind her now. She was on the up and up. She slid the red slick fabric against her skin. She analyzed the women starring back at her.
Long thick black waves crashed down her shoulders and flowed mid way down her back. Substance abuse had not altered her thin framed face. Her lips were full and surely hinted to her origin. The bridge of her nose led to two round brown eyes immersed in liquid eyeliner and mascara.
Life had also been kind to her body. Two thin but shapely legs held up her round ass and small waist. She never had large breast but that was never a problem.
She slid the door open and walked to the large mirror at the end of the doors. She flattened the fabric on her hips and flipped her hair aside. God she missed that life.
"Bonita"
Sophia stood behind her in the mirror arms folded and smiling.
"Gracias" she replied
"Oh", the bronze women stepped forward, "I thought you knew no Spanish"
Still fitting with the dress the women giggled. "Basic skills"
Sophia now stood directly behind her. "You should buy it. It's perfect on you"
"I definitely can not afford this", she laughed.
Sophia slowly slid down the zipper of the dress and pressed her lips against the back of Gabriela's neck. "You look better with it off", she whispered.
