A Life of Their Own

By Isabel Forga and Paulina Sánchez

Somebody said once that the worst tragedy can lead to a new rewarding beginning. The mysteries of life in themselves can be rewarding enough.

Attending the San Diego Food Festival and having an enjoyable vacation was all the Mexican chef Gabriela Estrada expected from her trip. However, as soon as she crossed the border, her existence plunged into an abyss, and a chain of distressing events hovered over her steps, pushing her to become a fugitive.

Meanwhile, in La Jolla, the talented violin player Katherine Vaughan, heiress to the Fifth Diamond Hotels empire, spent her days between her passion for music and her charities, trapped in a marriage and a society that suffocated her souls yearning for truth.

When these two paths crossed, revealing endless possibilities of salvation and rebirth, the unthinkable became reachable, confusion turned into certainty and decisions could no longer be avoided. The time came to choose between abiding by the standards or fighting for a life of their own.

Paulina Snchez (Mexico City 1982- )

After graduating with high honors from the Universidad Anhuac del Sur with a major in Literature, she started working as a History, English and Literature teacher. She currently works as a writer and translator for several wellknown media corporations.

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Jan 26, 2011
• ISBN: 9781450284967

Isabel Forga

Paulina Sánchez (Mexico City 1982- ) After graduating with high honors from the Universidad Anáhuac del Sur with a major in Literature, she started working as a History, English and Literature teacher. She currently works as a writer and translator for several wellknown media corporations. Isabel Forga (Barcelona, Spain 1972- ) obtained a degree in English Language and Literature from the Universitat de Barcelona in 1995. Since then, and given her interest in languages, she has lived and studied in several European countries. Nowadays she resides in Mexico City, where she works as a translator. Isabel and Paulina have published other literary works together, including For the Amazon Nation and The Path of a Queen.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

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The soft movement of the bow on the strings produced a sweet combination of delicate sounds that reverberated in the ample music hall. Every harmonious and moving note of the Air of Bach’s Suite No. 3 flowed like a gentle stream that seduced every breath of emotion in her.

Katherine was in total concentration, as it usually happened when she played her favorite pieces of classical perfection. The longer she practiced, the more she lost herself in the pleasure it gave her to hold the fingerboard and caress the strings with the bow. She could play forever, if only she could leave other trivial things undone. Eating, sleeping, it was all so unimportant when she was playing the violin. For her, music was so cathartic that she recurred to it whenever she wanted to get away from the world; to feel free.

The room was spacious, with a high ceiling that favored the acoustics, but not as large as to become cold or impersonal. She had arranged it herself to make it her intimate corner in the solemn residence. Her husband knew she disliked to be disturbed during those moments that she shared with her violin, and therefore, she was startled by the sudden opening of the door. She turned around to see Steven walking toward her.

Sorry to interrupt, he said, waking her from her pleasant thoughts.

Did you enjoy your game? she asked while resting the instrument on her lap.

We beat them again. You should have seen Richard’s face when he realized he’d have to lend me his Bentley for a week…

Katherine observed her husband while he continued bragging about how good he was on the green and how his friends hadn’t learned the lesson of not betting against him when they played golf. He seemed happy and satisfied because he had won the game. He was like that, Katherine reckoned, a man whose mood depended on whether he scored enough holes or not.

By the way, he continued, I wanted to tell you that I’ll be traveling next week and...

Again? But, why? she asked.

What do you mean why? Because I’m going to meet a client in Vegas and it’s not exactly my choice.

But, Steven, you just went to Vegas two weeks ago.

And so? Do you think I can tell my clients not to call me when they need me? Businesses don’t succeed if you spend your life on holidays, Katherine. All this that you have, your big house, your swimming pool, your five thousand dollar Stradivarius, I have to work for them.

She shook her head in disapproval.

I already had all these things before I married you, Steven, Katherine replied evidently upset at her husband’s comments.

He’s always reminding me of everything he pays for, when actually, if it weren’t for my father, he’d still be selling insurances, she thought before adding:

Will you be back for the event, as you promised?

When was that again? Your dinner party? he answered casually with another question.

She frowned.

I told you more than once and you promised me you would attend this time. People are going to start thinking I don’t really have a husband. Besides, it is not a dinner party, it’s a fund raising for...

Dinner party, dinner for charity, it’s the same.

Katherine’s evident look of disappointment annoyed Steven.

I’m sorry, he apologized without much enthusiasm.

Then, he turned away and started walking to the door.

I’m going to change the date. I’ll bring it forward to next Saturday, she suddenly said before he could leave the room. So no excuses this time.

He shrugged without looking back at her and went out closing the door behind him. Katherine became pensive. The change of date was going to be rather complicated, but she decided she would start making the arrangements that very same afternoon. She looked back at the beautiful score in front of her. She still had time to play for a while longer before lunch was served, and so she placed her instrument elegantly on her shoulder again and started reading the first notes. However, she was interrupted once again by a knock at the door.

Excuse me, Miss Vaughan, the maid called after entering the music hall. Your mother is here to see you.

Katherine lowered the violin one more time, clearly upset.

Thank you, Martha, she kindly said as she waited for her mother to enter.

Amanda Vaughan approached her daughter raising her arms as if praying frantically.

For God’s sake, my dear, what is this nonsense about a charity event to save some animals?

Hello, mother, the blonde woman replied indifferently and then kissed her mother on the cheek before she added, it’s not some animals, it’s American wildlife in danger of extinction.

It’s still nonsense, Amanda insisted. Last year it was saving the third world countries from poverty and… who knows? Maybe you’ll end up adopting some foreign child like this famous what’s-her-name actress.

For a moment, both women remained in silence. Katherine couldn’t recall the last time her parents had felt proud of her, but still, she wouldn’t desist from doing what she knew was right.

You should have been a concert performer, I tell you…

Oh, mom, please don’t start with that again. You know I hate playing in public, I get too nervous.

A Vaughan is not shy, Katherine. That’s ridiculous.

Katherine rolled her eyes and shook her head not wanting to have, yet again, the same argument with her mother. Therefore, she changed the subject:

Steven is going to Vegas on Monday.

Poor man! He’s always working so hard to keep your father’s business strong.

Katherine exhaled.

I’m changing the fund raising dinner for this Saturday so that he can be here.

We would all love him to be present, but don’t you think it’s too late for that kind of change? I’m sure everything is already arranged, including the invitations.

Katherine closed her eyes for a few seconds, which was a usual gesture of hers when trying to keep calm.

I’ll call the guests personally and make all the new arrangements. You don’t have to worry about anything.

Amanda smiled at her without expressing her thoughts, although her daughter knew well enough what was in her mind.

All right, then. But don’t forget to tell Mrs. Williams about all this in person. She’ll be very upset if you tell her over the phone.

I will.

The noise of the lawn sprinkler suddenly caught Amanda’s attention, and she turned to look through the window at the gardeners working outside. She had never liked any house employee, so she tended to regard them as untrustworthy and secretive. She could swear they always gossiped about her behind her back and she even believed that they schemed to steal from her; and that if their rooms were ever searched, all the jewels she had lost would be found.

Finally, the tall lady sighed sonorously and walked away.

Oh, my dear, she still said before closing the door.

Katherine was left alone in her favorite area of the house again. She looked at the instrument she was holding in her hand and, for a moment, she had the impression that her whole life could be easily portrayed in that exact way: a beautiful violin in somebody else’s hands that didn’t seem to be able to complete its melody.

******

Gabriela advanced another ten feet forward in what seemed to be a never-ending line of cars that were trying to cross the Garita de Otay. She rolled the window down as an escape from the asphyxiating heat of the morning sun, but she felt that she suffocated when she breathed the dense air outside.

Thank God that the festival is taking place in November, Gabriela thought while she waited patiently under the strong sun of Tijuana.

It was not that the temperature was extremely high, but the air conditioning of the car didn’t seem to be working.

I have to point that out to the rental service before they blame me, she said to herself.

That was a habit she had kept since childhood. She used to think aloud when she was nervous about something, and crossing the border was always a delicate matter. She had already done so a few times and she knew there was nothing to worry about. Yet, she kept checking her documents to make sure she had not forgotten her passport or visa.

She had preferred to fly to Tijuana and then rent a car to drive to San Diego, not only for economical reasons, but also because she knew she would enjoy the ride across Imperial Beach and Chula Vista. Besides, the car gave her more freedom in case she wanted to visit other cities during the days she planned to spend in the United States. After all, the event would last only four days and she intended to stay for a whole week in San Diego.

Trying to get distracted from the thirst that tortured her, she turned the radio on and tuned in an FM station that played all the oldies but goodies songs of the eighties. She started to sing as she identified a famous hit.

A handsome blond man who was queuing next to her, heard her heartfelt singing and turned to look at her with a kind and encouraging smile. Gabriela grinned when she noticed she was singing a little bit too loud. Embarrassed, she covered her face and shook her head as if hiding from her unwanted audience. The young man was about to tell her something when his line started advancing again, so he just waved to say goodbye.

Gabriela chuckled while watching the guy drive away and decided not to bother anyone else with her superstar wannabe performance. Therefore, she chose a new kind of distraction and decided to reread, for the hundredth time, the brochure of the festival she was attending to. Several of the best chefs of the world would be there to present exquisite dishes of haute cuisine, as well as sophisticated vintages of world class wines.

One day I’ll be one of those chefs, the brunette reflected, and then I’ll be invited to prepare Mexican traditional dishes that will fascinate everyone.

Ma’am, it’s your turn! Please move your car forward! she heard the customs officer call.

She finally got to the checkpoint and the officer approached her vehicle.

I’m sorry, Gabriela apologized, offering her documents without waiting to be asked. I was distracted reading something.

Don’t you worry, dear, at least you found something interesting to do in the meantime, replied the tall African-American woman, who was now reaching out to receive Gabriela’s passport and visa.

The officer checked all the information thoroughly. She asked her then to open the trunk and went to inspect the contents of her luggage. When she returned next to the driver’s window, she kindly asked:

What’s the purpose of your visit, Miss Estrada?

I’m going to the San Diego Food Festival. I’m a chef, you see, and I’m doing some research.

The officer smiled.

Good, she said. That sounds like fun. I should learn how to cook some day.

How about some nice Mexican dishes? Gabriela continued confidently, given the frank smile of the officer.

Sure! And how long do you plan to stay?

One week.

After that, Gabriela showed the tall woman the address of the hotel where she was going to stay as well as the documents of the car.

Ok, Ms. Estrada, a few more questions. Are you carrying more than ten thousand dollars in cash?

No, ma’am.

Are you carrying any seeds or perishables?

No.

Are you carrying any illicit products, such as drugs, explosives or weapons?

Definitely not.

Meanwhile, another officer with a more aggressive look was going around the vehicle accompanied by two enormous dogs which kept sniffing sonorously. When he was finished, he nodded at the woman who was interviewing Gabriela and left.

Things have changed a lot since 9/11, haven’t they? the Mexican commented.

That’s right. Now there are a lot of strict rules we have to follow.

How sad that we have to live like that.

I agree, dear, but unfortunately, sometimes we have to take desperate measures to protect our countries and our people.

Gabriela nodded in understanding.

All right, enough said. Welcome to the United States of America, the black woman stated with a smile as she handed Gabriela back her passport and visa card.

The brunette started her engine and drove slowly away from the checkpoint.

Finally, American soil, she muttered with a smile.

Now her real vacation started and even if she was actually going to work on some research for her Master’s thesis, she expected it all to be quite pleasurable. Her plans were to relax and enjoy her stay.

The sky was clear, the weather was quite warm and Gabriela breathed in deeply that new air that, for a few days, would mean adventure, leisure and freedom.

******

Good morning, Miss Vaughan, greeted the valet.

Katherine had preferred to keep her father’s surname and had never become Mrs. Rogers. She had convinced her husband to let her continue using it with the excuse that Vaughan was a name that opened many doors. Even Steven used it most of the times. How to resist the temptation of being directly related to the owners of one of the most prestigious hotel chains in the country?

Good morning, Tom, Katherine replied as she handed him the keys of her Monaco blue BMW Z4 Roadster.

She walked toward the entrance of the luxurious hotel and greeted all the personnel whom she met across the lobby.

Linda, how’s your beautiful daughter?

Growing up as a flower in bloom.

I’m sure she is. Give her a kiss for me, will you?

I will. Thank you.

The amiable exchange of salutations that took place whenever Katherine arrived livened up the atmosphere at the usually quiet Fifth Diamond Hotel. She was, according to the employees, the star of the Vaughan family. She was always cheerful and kind to all the people who worked for her father, the president of the Fifth Diamond Resorts Chain.

Katherine headed directly to the elevators and then pressed the button to the fifteenth floor. When the doors finally opened, the background music of the lift was suddenly replaced by a mixture of phone rings, indistinct chatter and the sound of fax machines and printers. She was used to that environment since she had worked some time for her father when she was younger, but running a company was not something that called her attention; she always knew that her life was music, even if she had not been able to make a career of it.

Katherine, hi! was the first thing the secretary exclaimed when she saw the blonde woman approach.

How are you, Jeannette? It’s been a while, hasn’t it?

Jeannette had been William Vaughan’s secretary for more than thirty-five years. She was a sweet woman with a Southern accent and a few extra pounds that, Katherine reckoned, made her look like a huggable teddy bear.

A while? It’s been ages! And look at you, you are so thin! the secretary replied as she stood up to kiss Katherine.

Am I?

Yes, too thin, actually. I mean, you’ve always been lucky that way, ever since you were a teenager, but don’t tell me that you’re dieting or something because certainly you don’t need it.

Dieting? Me? Katherine asked with an incredulous tone. Never!

Both women laughed, although Jeannette really felt a bit worried about Katherine’s physical appearance. Ever since she had gotten married a few years before, she looked thinner and had lost part of the spark that had always shone in her.

Is my father busy? Katherine asked trying to divert Jeannette’s attention.

Not more than usual, darling. Just give me a second. I’ll tell him you’re here.

Jeannette picked up the phone and called Mr. Vaughan on the intercom while Katherine paced around the small visitors’ conference room, observing the pictures that hung on the wall. My father has such a different taste from mine, she thought trying to make sense of the purple circles painted around red and black squares she saw before her. She sat on a black leather sofa in the corner of the room and waited patiently until she heard the secretary’s voice again.

Katherine, your father will see you now.

Jeannette opened the door for her.

My dear, come in, Mr. Vaughan said, inviting her to enter the office with a fast gesture of his left hand while holding his telephone with the other.

Katherine walked in and sat on a chair before his father’s desk.

… yes, I know, he continued on the phone, but I want the whole project finished by the end of the year. And please, don’t bother to give me excuses that I won’t accept.

While she waited for her father to end his conversation, the blonde woman’s mind drifted away, her eyes fixed on the view of the bay that could be enjoyed from the office’s window. The sea was always such a peaceful sight. Somehow, she related the sea with the music that lived inside her, yearning for some feeling she had never been able to establish. She sighed and realized her father was coming to her with his arms open.

My Kathy, it’s been a while since the last time you came to the Fifth Diamond.

She stood up and met his embrace, kissing him on the cheek.

William Vaughan was a tall medium built man with blue eyes and grey hair. He was fifty-nine years old, but his complexion and hair made him look somewhat older. He usually wore a suit, except when he went to the yacht club, and he had a way of looking important, elegant and professional, although charming and very extroverted at the same time. His social skills were, of course, very important for his job, so he always made sure everyone regarded him as polite and proper.

Hello, daddy. How are you?

Fine, fine, my darling. You look beautiful, as usual, he said observing her, and then he added:

Tell me, how can I help you?

She understood that, even though he was very happy to see her there, he was probably very busy, since he was immediately asking her about the purpose of her visit.

Well, I’m a little bit stressed.

Stressed? Why? My daughter’s life is supposed to be absolutely stress-free. Leave that to Steve and me, the men of the family. You should get all the fun and nothing more.

Katherine smiled, although she never liked it when her father was condescending.

Look, daddy, she stated sitting down again, it’s about the American Wildlife event. I need to change the date.

William Vaughan squinted, trying to visualize in his busy schedule the event she had just mentioned.

You mean the one you booked in the Platino convention room?

Yes. Steven is going to meet some clients in Vegas next week and I really want him to be present this time. I’d like to move it to next Saturday, before he leaves.

William’s look turned into a frown. He was not angry, but he tended to appear so when he concentrated on something. He stayed in silence for a while until he finally said:

I’m sorry, Kathy, but I’m afraid we won’t have any free room for next Saturday. We had already established you’d host the event next week and that was fine, but this weekend all the conference rooms will be occupied.

All of them?

Of course! It’s the Food Festival, remember? We have people coming from all over the world for that. The hotel is going to be full. The chefs, waiters and caterers are going to be absolutely busy and all the conference rooms will be needed for activities related to the festival.

Oh.

Katherine remained pensive for a moment. She had completely forgotten about the festival. Now, it was not only going to be impossible to have the event at the hotel, as she had planned, but she would have to go all over the city to see if she could find any company that would cater for her. The charm of the first and most luxurious of the Fifth Diamond hotels would be probably missed, but she decided that, as a last resource, she would have to do it at home.

You should check this with Jeannette, but I don’t think it is possible.

She knew it would be much easier to postpone the charity instead of bringing it forward, but she didn’t want to give Steven the time to find another excuse.

Look, you know I really like Steve and it’s great that you thought about doing this for him, but this time I think you’re going to need to leave things as they are.

No, I… she still reflected on the situation for a few more seconds, Don’t worry, daddy, I’ll find the way. It was nice to see you.

Katherine got up hastily, kissed her father on the forehead and walked out of the office, already thinking where she was going to go next.

******

The ride along Interstate 5 was being as pleasant as she had planned. Nothing could be more liberating than the sensation of the wind blowing on her face. She felt adventurous, full of energy and profoundly happy. From time to time, she turned to the dashboard to check if she hadn’t crossed the speed limit because whenever she felt so relaxed at the wheel, she tended to drive a little bit faster than usual. They’re not so strict with transit rules in Mexico, but here, I’d better behave myself, she told herself.

Now that she had crossed the border she could think about all the activities and sightseeing that she was looking forward to. The radio was still playing old tunes that she knew well while her mind depicted all the delicacies she was going to discover and try at the festival. The first thing I’m going to do after checking in at my hotel, she thought, is go to see if the Brigantine’s Restaurant is still open. I’ve never tasted lobster as delicious as the one I ate there last time I was here. Just the idea of food made her stomach churn since she had had a light breakfast that morning and she was already quite hungry.

Gabriela turned to look at her watch and was very surprised to see that fifteen minutes had already passed since she had crossed the border. They had felt like five at the most, so she assumed she would arrive at San Diego before she expected. She felt quite confident, much more than the first time she had made that trip, and therefore, she didn’t worry when a siren started wailing behind her. She just changed lanes to let the patrol car pass her without trouble. Yet, it didn’t, even though it had more than enough space to do so comfortably.

What on earth?!

She looked again at the rearview mirror and understood that the siren was an order for her to stop. Then, she heard the officer’s voice through the megaphone and her heart jumped in her chest.

Pull over. Stay on the right side of the road and pull over.

There was nobody else around at that moment, so he was obviously talking to her. She obeyed. I wasn’t going faster than I should’ve, she reassured herself, taken aback by the situation. Soon, a hefty officer got out of the patrol car and walked toward her with a very serious expression.

Good morning ma’am, the blond man said looking at her threateningly while leaning on her car.

Gabriela was immediately intimidated by the tall man that was now looking past her at the passengers’ seats as if scrutinizing every corner of empty space in the car.

License and registration, please, he said without further explanation.

The young woman realized she had started to tremble, but she tried to appear calm since it was surely a mistake. She hurried to search for her Mexican license and her passport as well as the papers that indicated all the information related to the car. As she handed them to the man, she asked:

I’m sorry, officer, but what’s wrong?

At first, it seemed that he hadn’t heard her, since he simply took Gabriela’s ID and read in silence.

You crossed the border about fifteen minutes ago, right?

She swallowed before answering:

Yes, but…

Ma’am, step out of the car, please.

But, what’s the problem, officer? I still don’t know why you stopped me.

The man fixed his stern blue eyes on Gabriela’s disconcerted face and finally, for the first time, his lips moved into some kind of smile.

It’s all right. Just get out of the car so we can talk.

Gabriela obeyed.

Is this your car? he questioned.

No, I rented it in Tijuana.

He nodded several times before saying:

I received information about your car plates from the officers at the border. It seems that this car has been used in a series of robberies and drug dealing transactions.

What?! Oh my God!

I’m sorry, but I’ll have to take you in to check if you’re not involved in those crimes. And obviously, even if you’re found innocent, you can’t take this car further into American territory.

Gabriela felt a strong beating on her temples and her legs became weak.

But… but… I just rented this car. It’s all specified on those papers, Gabriela tried to explain, not hiding her anguish.

The officer observed her for a few seconds, noticing her curved body that was highlighted by the snug jeans and the navy tank top she was wearing. Her dark brown hair was loose on her shoulders and her brunette skin glistened under the sunrays.

Sir, I’m only here on vacations, Gabriela insisted getting his attention one more time.

We’ll see about that. But now, turn around and place your hands on the hood.

Before she could complain, the officer pushed her and started to frisk her in a very rude way. This time she didn’t dare to say anything, but she noticed that her eyesight was blurred with tears. When he finished, he held her by the arm and motioned her toward the patrol car.

Please, please, she begged. I haven’t done anything. This is a mistake. I’m going to San Diego for the Food Festival.

The man stopped and looked at her in the eyes.

I understand, Miss… Estrada, he stated with a kind tone that was entirely different from the one he had been using before.

He smiled at the Mexican and stood in front of her with an intimidating posture that forced Gabriela to step back.

There’s a way in which I could help you, you know?

She started thinking about the cash that she carried with her, but soon realized that his intentions were different.

This kind of situation happens all the time to young, beautiful and innocent tourists such as yourself, he continued. I’ll tell you what we’ll do... you’ll come with me to that area over there.

He pointed at a large terrain with abundant vegetation and grabbed Gabriela firmly by the arm.

You’ll do something for me in exchange for my help.

Excuse me?! the Mexican woman exclaimed trying to pull her arm free. I won’t do anything like that!

Oh, come on. As if you Mexicans were law abiding people, he replied clearly annoyed and tightening his grasp. You can either come with me into those bushes over there or you can spend some time in a local prison.

As he uttered those terrible words, he showed her a small sachet that contained some white dust.

Let go of me, Gabriela still insisted.

So you want to go to jail for drug smuggling?

The Mexican looked at him helpless and then she closed her teary eyes. This is not happening, she said to herself. But before she could make any decision, the police officer was already pushing her toward the bushes that could be seen from the road. She looked around in deep terror. No cars were in sight at that moment, even if she had seen some vehicles pass by before.

No! No! She heard her own voice sounding in her head as they walked away from the cars until the tall vegetation covered them completely.

******

Everything seemed so unreal, so grotesque, that her mind would not really accept it. It was a nightmare, a succession of unwanted images that filled her with fear and despair. However, she felt clearly the pain in her arm as she was violently pushed away from the road. Her heartbeat was rising and her whole body trembled uncontrollably. Could I have done anything to prevent this? she kept asking herself.

Come on, come on, walk! he ordered with an aggressive tone, though without raising his voice.

Please, no! Please! she implored, and yet the officer ignored her and tightened his grip on her.

Gabriela thought she could scream, but would that be actually helpful or would that infuriate him? She realized she was terrified. She didn’t remember having felt so scared, so helpless in her entire life. What she dreaded the most was knowing that that