Chapter 3: The Woman Behind the Second Reservation
The airport suddenly felt smaller.
People moved around us, dragging suitcases and carrying souvenirs, but I could only hear Vanessa’s voice.
“What did you do?””
I held my carry-on bag.
“Nothing you didn’t ask for.””
Mateo stepped forward.
“Mom…”
I looked at him.
Not angry.
Just disappointed.
The clerk cleared his throat.
“I’m sorry, but unless payment is provided, we cannot release the transportation or villa.””
Vanessa looked around.
She noticed people watching.
Her face changed.
Not shame.
Panic.
“Can you fix it?””
The clerk shook his head.
“The reservation holder must provide payment.””
She turned toward me.
“Elena.””
Her voice was different.
Softer.
Fake.
“I think there’s been a misunderstanding.””
I almost laughed.
“A misunderstanding?””
“Yes. You know we’re family.””
Family.
That word suddenly sounded empty.
Mateo rubbed his forehead.
“Mom, please.””
“Please what?””
He looked away.
Vanessa stepped closer.
“You’re really going to do this over something I said?””
I stared at her.
“You told strangers I stole your vacation.””
“That’s not what I meant.””
“You said I paid nothing.””
She looked uncomfortable.
“I was upset.””
“No.””
I shook my head.
“You were honest about what you thought.””
The clerk interrupted.
“Ma’am, we need a card within fifteen minutes.””
Vanessa grabbed her phone.
“I’ll call my bank.””
She walked away.
Mateo stayed.
For the first time all day, he looked at me.
“Mom…”
I waited.
“I’m sorry.””
Two words.
Too late.
“Why didn’t you say anything?””
He swallowed.
“I didn’t want to start a fight.””
I nodded.
“So you let me become the target instead.””
“No.””
“Yes.””
He had no answer.
A few minutes later, Vanessa returned.
Her face was pale.
“What happened?”” Mateo asked.
She whispered.
“My card limit isn’t high enough.””
The silence was almost unbelievable.
The woman who claimed she earned the trip herself couldn’t pay for the trip.
Then the clerk looked at his screen again.
“Wait.””
Everyone turned.
“There is another note.””
“What note?”” I asked.
The clerk frowned.
“A second reservation was created under Elena Morales.””
My heart stopped.
“What?””
He turned the monitor slightly.
“Same resort. Same dates.””
Mateo looked confused.
Vanessa looked shocked.
“Why would she book another room?””
The clerk continued.
“This reservation was created three hours ago.””
Three hours ago.
I had been at the airport.
I had not booked anything.
Then he read the name attached to the payment attempt.
“Guest request note says: ‘Please make sure my mother has privacy away from the couple.’”
I stared.
Someone had used my name.
Someone had created another room.
Someone wanted me separated.
Mateo looked at Vanessa.
Slowly.
Very slowly.
“Vanessa…”
She crossed her arms.
“Don’t look at me.””
But her voice was too quick.
Too defensive.
I noticed.
Mateo noticed.
The clerk continued.
“The second reservation deposit also failed.””
Vanessa’s expression changed.
Then her phone rang.
She looked at the screen.
Her face went completely white.
“Who is it?”” Mateo asked.
She didn’t answer.
The phone kept ringing.
Finally, she picked up.
“Hello?””
A pause.
Then her eyes widened.
“No. That’s impossible.””
She looked at me.
Then at Mateo.
The person on the other end said something that made her hands shake.
“What do you mean she called you?””
My heart started beating faster.
Because suddenly I knew.
This wasn’t only about a vacation.
Someone had been planning something behind my back.
May you like
And whoever it was…
knew exactly how to hurt me.
