- So what were you two talking about? - Cassandra asked after serving herself breakfast and sitting down at the counter with us.
Marina glanced at me, and we stayed silent for a long moment. I realized there was no reason not to tell her. I had to hear the truth from her or a good excuse. Cassandra stared at me. Marina looked towards the door, pretending not to pay attention. The silence stretched on as Cassandra waited.
- I was just mentioning to Marina - I began, trying to sound casual. - That you told me you could speak French.
She furrowed her brow and let out a humorless laugh.
- And why would that be any of your business? 
- Because yesterday you didn't understand the guy, right? - I asked. I tried my best to gauge her expressions, but she remained steady.
- Who said I didn't understand? - She got up and went to the sink to wash the dish she used, keeping her back to me. - I think you two shouldn't gossip about my life behind my back.
- I wouldn't call it gossip... - Marina defended.
Cassandra turned sharply, facing us. Her voice was sharp.
- Next time you have doubts, ask me. I don't like you speculating behind my back.
I was irritated by the tone she used. Okay, I was probably wrong, but Cassandra didn't need to speak like that; it was kind of silly to be mad about something like that. I don't know if it was because of that, but I started to change the tone of my voice too.
- Are you mad? Is there something to fear, Cassandra Flame?
- I have nothing to hide. – Cassandra lifted her chin.
- I do. – Marina tried to lighten the mood.
- Then explain, Cass, what did you come here for? – I almost shouted at her.
Cassandra's face turned red with anger.
- I already said it's too personal for you to know. – She replied, exasperated.
- But I tell you everything anyway. Once I went to the mall with Caren... – Mari continued without realizing her attempt was in vain.
- Too personal? Seriously? We're friends, we tell each other everything.
-... Then I tried to go down the escalator... But I tried to go down the one that goes up... - Marina's voice was in the background of the argument.
- There are things that are irrelevant for you to know. – Cass shouted.
- Like you speaking French and not understanding the foreigner? Sorry if I notice the details. I really didn't want to be so perceptive.
- You think you know everything, but you're just a fool. Don't you want to enter my room and try to find a dead body? You think you're so smart, Elizabeth?
- Smart enough to catch you in a lie. - I retorted through gritted teeth. She really hit a nerve, and the jerk knew it. - I'm not the one going around deceiving others.
- Au fait, je parle très bien le français, mon amour. - Cass pronounced the words perfectly.
- Now it's too late to prove anything. I don't even think you came from the United States; I think you came from hell...
- I'm pregnant. - Mari shouted.
Cassandra and I looked at her, speechless. For a long time, we were silent. A thousand thoughts raced through my mind, and I tried to organize my thoughts to find something coherent to say. Cass was paler than usual, her eyes wide with surprise, and I imagined mine must have been too. I realized I wasn't breathing anymore. Mari's laughter filled the silence.
- Wow. - Marina laughed, looking at our expressions. - It worked better than I expected. You should see your faces. I didn't think you'd fall for it. But look at you.
I let out all the air I was holding in my lungs, completely relieved. Cassandra slumped into her chair as if exhausted. Mari kept laughing until she ran out of breath. She was right; at least the fight was over. The anger had dissipated, and I could think more clearly. Cass suddenly started crying.
- Cassandra, I'm sorry. It was a joke. - Marina seemed totally regretful.
We huddled around Cassandra, trying to console her. Tears streamed down her face, and I felt desperate; I never dealt well with people crying. I never knew what to say, especially now that I didn't know the reason for the sudden outburst.
- It's my father. - She sniffed. - I don't know why I never told you. I guess I was ashamed. I'm not sure why.
- Your father? - I tried to make sense of it all.
Marina kept her mouth shut, afraid of making the situation worse.
- Yeah. I'm here because I never met him. I'm looking for clues. My mom met him at a carnival...
- And there are so many campaigns about using condoms during carnival... - Marina commented.
I grabbed a paper towel and handed it to Cassie, shooting a reprimanding look at Mari.
- Then she found out she was pregnant, but it was too late. Despite exchanging phone numbers, she never had the courage to call him. She went back to California and had me with the help of my grandparents. I always had everything, except a father. When I saw other kids running and jumping into their parents' arms after school... I felt like something was missing. And I've been looking for that my whole life. I wasn't going to stop just because he lived 10060 km away. And here I am, six months later, with a phone number and some photos, killing myself trying to find him.
I looked at the ground, realizing how much of an idiot I'd been. I stretched and got up quickly, determined to fix things.
- It's okay, Cassandra. We'll help you find your father.
Her eyes sparkled with desperation.
- No. - She practically shouted. - It's something I have to do alone. Because if... if the outcome isn't good... If he's a drunk, a druggie, I don't want anyone to know. - She sighed and finished wiping her eyes.
- We'll keep it a secret. - Marina promised. - Come on, it's better if you don't do this alone anyway.
Cassie thought for a second and then got up without saying anything. She went to her room and closed the door. I thought she was upset again, but the door opened shortly after, and Cassandra came out with an agenda in hand.
- I think I lost the photo. - She gave a weak smile. - I already have so much, yet I keep losing things. I have to tidy up that room.
She opened the agenda, and a number with the area code 27 was highlighted in pink, followed by the name Carlos Oliveira.
- I called, but it just went to voicemail. I hired a detective to trace it, and he told me it was from a place in downtown Vila Velha.
- Then let's go! - I got excited.
- Do you think I didn't think of that? - Her voice was filled with disappointment. - The address leads to a shoe store, not a house. He probably sold the phone. I  don't know how things work around here.
- Still. - Marina got up too. - We can ask people if they know... - She glanced at the agenda. - Carlos Oliveira. It's a common name, but...
I looked excitedly. It was actually a great idea. Cassandra looked at us without saying anything. Mari ran to the living room and grabbed her purse.
- You don't have a choice. You piqued Elizabeth's curiosity. Either we go together, or she goes alone. - She teased as she came back with the keys in her hand.
Cass gave a smile and put her hand on her chest, pretending to be moved.
- So come on girls. - She returned to her usual cheerful self as she ran to her room to change clothes.
Five minutes later, we were running down the stairs of the building, full of excitement. It felt like friendship had been reborn, and that made me completely happy. Maybe even if Cassandra were a serial killer, I would still want to be her friend; it was quite likely. So there was no reason for suspicion anymore.
Marina stopped in the parking lot to get her car, a white Mercedes-Benz C-180 CGI. Cass and I stood at the edge of the street, waiting for her car to appear.
- Hey, Liz. - Cassandra spoke out of nowhere. - Do you really think I came from hell?
I rolled my eyes theatrically, trying to seem lighthearted so we could leave the fight behind.
- Of course not. - Then I furrowed my brow. - Do you really think I think I'm smart but I'm actually a fool?
Cassandra laughed out loud, and her laugh was almost melodious.
- Actually, I think you're too smart. Sometimes even too much. - She smiled and tapped my forehead.
It all happened so fast. In one moment, we were laughing at the joke, and in the next, a black car stopped in front of us, and four men got out of it, in broad daylight, in the middle of the crowd, and grabbed our arms, trying to force us into the car. When I tried to shout something, something hit my head very hard. And then darkness sucked me in with a straw, and I saw nothing more.