When I came out, Miguel had prepared a plate of food for me. Eggs, toast, and a cup of hot coffee. He pointed to the chair, indicating I should sit and eat. “Eat… you need strength,” he said.

I sat down and started to eat, the food filling the emptiness in my stomach. “Thank you,” I said again, my eyes welling up with gratitude.

Miguel smiled and nodded. “You… use phone after.”

As I finished eating, I couldn’t help but reflect on the events that had brought me here. Juan had seemed so perfect, but now it was clear he wasn’t who he pretended to be.

The realization was painful, but Miguel’s unexpected kindness reminded me that there were still good people in the world.

When I looked out into the hall to see how Miguel worked, I was stunned to see Juan in the distance. He was with a new woman, laughing and chatting as if nothing had happened.

My heart pounded in my chest, and anger surged through me. How could he just move on so easily after what he had done to me?

I rushed back to Miguel, trying to explain what had happened. “Miguel, that man, Juan! He’s the one who robbed me! We need to call the police!” I said, my words tumbling out in a frantic rush.

Miguel looked confused, not fully understanding my English. I took a deep breath and tried again, speaking slowly and gesturing towards Juan.

“He stole my money and phone.”

Miguel’s face showed he still didn’t quite understand, but he nodded and looked concerned. I realized I needed to be clearer.

I grabbed a napkin and quickly drew a crude picture of a phone and a dollar sign, then crossed them out. “Juan took these from me,” I said, pointing to the drawing, then to Juan.

Miguel’s face showed he still didn’t quite understand, but he nodded and looked concerned. I realized I needed to be clearer.

I grabbed a napkin and quickly drew a crude picture of a phone and a dollar sign, then crossed them out. “Juan took these from me,” I said, pointing to the drawing, then to Juan.

Miguel’s eyes widened in realization. He looked at Juan, then back at me. “Police?” he asked, mimicking holding a phone.

“Yes, but wait,” I said, an idea forming in my mind. “Can I borrow a waitress’s uniform?”

Miguel looked puzzled but nodded. He quickly fetched a uniform and handed it to me. I rushed to the restroom to change, my heart racing with both fear and determination.

Once I was dressed, I took a deep breath and adjusted the uniform. I needed to get that phone back.

I walked out into the hall, trying to blend in with the other staff. My eyes were locked on Juan and the new woman he was with. They were engrossed in their conversation, oblivious to my presence. I approached their table, my hands shaking slightly.

“Excuse me, sir,” I said, using the most professional tone I could muster. “You dropped this earlier.” I handed Juan a napkin, hoping he would be distracted enough not to recognize me right away.

Juan looked up, mildly surprised. As he took the napkin, I quickly reached for his phone lying on the table. I grabbed it and hurried back to Miguel, my heart pounding in my chest.