Now, so many years later, she smiled at her reflection in the mirror of her tiny New York City bedroom. Everything is about to change for me and soon I will have the life I’ve always dreamed of. By the end of the day, the first obstacle between her and her glamorous life would be eliminated. Taking a deep breath and exhaling, she marveled at how everything had finally come together and congratulated herself for being patient and careful. All the hard work was about to pay off. Her face darkened as she wondered how long Sr. Bello would be enough for her. In time, she knew she’d want more. It was her curse, she always wanted more. Pushing the dark thoughts out of her mind, she told herself that for now, Sr. Bello was perfectly fine. And when he wasn’t—she’d trade up again.

It was only 7:30am and she wondered if it had been done yet. Sr. Bello hadn’t told her what time, where or even how. He only said it would be sometime on Thursday. I suppose it might not happen until this afternoon or even later tonight.

The last time she and Sr. Bello had communicated he had implored her to follow his instructions. “There’s no way you’ll be implicated, Gabi, but to be on the safe side, make sure you’re out in public and seen by people that entire Thursday.”

“But I don’t know anything,” she had said. “You haven’t told me about the plan. How could I be implicated?”

“Do what I tell you, Gabi,” he had replied. “Create an alibi for yourself. Trust me, it will protect you.”

“Everyone is in masks, no one will remember seeing me.”

“You’re wrong. They’ll all remember your body and those eyes,” Sr. Bello had said as he kissed her. “Meet a friend for a walk in the park. Go shopping, talk to as many people as you can in the stores that day. You know how to attract attention, you’re very good at that.”

Gabriela admired herself in the mirror one last time before putting on her most form-fitting top. The thin-knit shirt hugged her breasts and its low-cut neckline revealed an ample amount of cleavage. She chose one of her shortest skirts, providing anyone who looked the chance to see all her not-so-hidden wonders. Combing her lustrous dark-brown hair into a ponytail, she completed her makeup adding extra mascara, put on a bright-pink face mask and by 8:05am she was out the front door headed towards the uptown subway station.

Wandering along 14th Street, she waved to the owner of the dry cleaners she and Greg used. The man recognized her and waved back enthusiastically.

She smiled through her mask and shouted through the open shop door, “Good morning, it’s a beautiful day,” and kept on walking. She took a few steps and turned her head.