Deborah stares at the window of her hotel room. It's ten in the morning, but the sky is gray. It was the same sky when Deborah's perfect life falls into ruin. It was 25 years ago when the darkest day of Deborah's life took place.
- Flashback-
It was a gloomy Friday morning. Deborah should have been out with her friends, but something is preventing her from leaving. There's this heavy and uncanny feeling inside her heart that she can't shake.
"Dad? You're leaving?" Deborah's heartbeat raced when she saw her father in a business suit.
"Yes, hija. Your mom and I are going to a formal lunch party. Don't wait for us, okay?" Her father responded.
"Dad, can't you stay here? I want to have lunch with you guys." Deborah used her sweetest voice.
"Baby, we can't. I'm sorry. This is a very important gathering. We will make it up to you, okay?" Her mother said as they descended the stairs.
"But—"
"I'm so sorry, hija. I swear, we will
Patricia woke thirsty and hungry. For the past week, she did nothing but eat and sleep because it was her doctor's order. She didn't get the chance to ask Gonzalo what are they doing on an island. She was always sleepy with all those medicines she needs to take every day. But she was pleased when she saw that her bruises were almost healed.She decided to come to the kitchen to find something to eat. On her way, she heard two men laughing over something. One was telling a story while laughing, and the other sounded like if he doesn't stop laughing, he will have a heart attack. She was ready to ignore them when she recognized their voice."Oh, god. Patricia is always a naughty kid. I remembered when she was six, my wife and I were both summoned by the school principal. Do you know what she did?" Patricia's widened when she realized that her dad was sharing the most embarrassing moments of my childhood."What?" She smiled when she heard Gonzalo, who couldn't answe
Gonzalo still keeps Patricia, Tasha, Tommy, and Anthony on the island. He wanted to keep them safe from Patricia's stepmother. Gonzalo doesn't have enough information yet. So he doesn't want them to be on her immediate reach until he knows more.On his way to a business meeting, Gonzalo saw a mother and her son walking on the side of the street. Gonzalo remembered when his mother used to take him for a walk without all the bodyguards.- Flashback-Saturday morning. Gonzalo's most hated time of the day. This is when one of his dad's most trusted assassins would come into his room and wake him up with snaps of thin wood on his exposed skin. He would wake up with stinging pain and red marks on his skin.Gonzalo wanted to yell at him so many times but what he does is part of his father's orders. And Gonzalo doesn't have the right to break or bend his rule.Even though Gonzalo's body hasn't fully healed with the brutal training he had last week, he was
Gonzalo canceled all his meetings and business transactions for the next thirty days. He wants to spend more time with Tommy and play with him. He was growing so fast, and Gonzalo wanted to be a part of every step of the way."Good morning." Gonzalo secretly smiled when he heard Patricia's voice as she enters his room. This has been their regular routine. Every morning, Patricia would wake him up to tell him that breakfast is ready.Gonzalo didn't answer and pretended that he is still asleep. But he could clearly hear Patricia's footsteps as she walked to the other side of the bed where Gonzalo faces."You're still asleep? Why are you so handsome even when you're sleeping? Is that even possible?" Gonzalo's face wanted to turn red, but he tried too hard to keep himself calm. "Gonzalo, wake up. Break—"Patricia screamed and laughed when Gonzalo suddenly grabbed her arm and pulled her to bed with him. She landed on top of Gonzalo's body, and her throat
It's lunchtime, but Gonzalo still hasn't come out of his room. Since that morning when he opened his eyes, all he could think about I,s Patricia, her soft lips and beautiful eyes. Those eyes that sometimes stare at him, nothing else matters in the world. He doesn't want to feel that towards her. He can't. But there's no way to control his feelings. Their maids have knocked numerous times, but his door was kept locked. Gonzalo knew he needs to stop before he even begins. Because if he allows himself to feel for Patricia, even just a bit, the world will come crashing down on him. "Gonzalo?" His thoughts were interrupted when he heard Patricia knocking at his door. His body wanted to turn around and open it. But he tried his best not to. "Gonzalo, are you okay?" Patricia asked. Her voice was full of concern. Gonzalo closed his eyes and breath deeply. He can't give in. "Gonzalo, open the door. Come on." Patricia pleaded. His heart aches for her. His body
Gonzalo felt terrible about how he acted towards Patricia the other night. He mistreated her even though all she wanted was to help him. And now, Patricia won't even look at him. The whole morning, she would take of Tommy and take the kid away whenever he's near."Trouble in paradise?" Gonzalo looked to his right when he heard Tasha's voice."I did something," Gonzalo replied after heaving a loud sigh."I know. She's my best friend, remember?" Tasha responded."Right," Gonzalo answered in a bored tone.He doesn't want to push himself on Patricia because he knew that she was hurt. So all he could do was to watch them from afar. He knew that he needed to give Patricia all the space she needs. He shouldn't have treated her like that."You could just apologize, you know. There's no point in giving each other the silent treatment." Tasha stated."I don't want to push it. I hurt her; she deserves space." Gonzalo stated, sounding determined.
Benny's desperation started to show, and it was apparent with Gonzalo. He's been watching Benny's movement since that night. Patricia sometimes questions Benny about his family as she's just trying to get to know him, but Benny was too apparent with his discomfort in answering her questions."Boss, can I talk to you for a minute?" Darryl approached him like he was worried about something."What is this about?" Gonzalo asked in a serious tone."About Benny, boss. I'm watching his movements, and I think he's hiding something." Darryl stated. Gonzalo acted as if he had no idea what Darryl was talking about."What do you mean?" Gonzalo asked."It's just—he's been acting differently," Darryl replied."You're just paranoid. Go ahead and enjoy yourself, Darryl." Gonzalo responded, dismissing him.Gonzalo thought that nobody else should know about Benny's situation. They might complicate the situation. Gonzalo thought that if his suspic
Gonzalo decided to take all of them back to New York. He realized that no matter where he brings them, the danger will always be everywhere. At least in New York, he has more expansive territory. He doesn't have to get stuck on an island with no idea of what to do."Boss, are you sure we should go back to New York?" Darryl asked, worry is evident in his voice.Gonzalo walked towards the porch. He leaned in the railings and sighed heavily. If Gonzalo will be honest with Darryl and himself, he doesn't know the answer to his question. He is not sure if he really wanted to go back to New York."It's better to be in New York, Darryl. We can't be cornered." Gonzalo responded.He looked at the horizon and realized that he should have finished the war that started all those years ago."What's the plan, boss?" Darryl asked."They started a war with us. We will finish the war they started." Gonzalo turned to face Darryl and look directly into his eyes
When Tasha heard that Patricia left the mansion with another man, she was shocked. But what surprised her more is when Darryl told her that Gonzalo left immediately after Patricia, but then he came back alone. She was sure that Gonzalo left to follow Patricia, but why did he come back without her?While playing with Tommy, Tasha silently watches Gonzalo as he walks back and forth. Giving orders to his men, calling on his mobile phone, and from time to time, playing with Tommy. As much as she wanted to talk to Gonzalo, she felt like it's not a good time."Tommy, come on. Let's go to the garden." She was about to pick Tommy up when all of a sudden, Gonzalo's loud and angry voice boomed in almost the whole property."Where the hell have you been!" Tommy cried, possibly out of shock, when Gonzalo shouted."Out, I went out. What's the problem with that?" Patricia answered, confused as to why he was angry. Tasha tried to hushed Tommy, but he kept on crying.
Dear my beloved readers, I am doing major revisions to improve this story. I want to deliver to all of the best story possible. There will be some additional scenes, some additional characters, and I will remove some scenes or characters that are not needed. You guys don't have any idea how much I appreicate all of you. I aill be publishing a whole lot of stories, so just hang in there, and we still have a love journey to go. Thank you for your patience, and I love you guys! Stay tune for more! Your loving author, Ally Ocampo 😘
Early in the morning, one of Gonzalo's servants knock on their bedroom door. There was a delivery dropped off at the gate addressed to Gonzalo's name. It was a sealed long wooden box, only larger than a coffin by one or two inches. Nobody touched it yet, because they were all waiting for the two bosses to come down. A putrid smell is coming out from the box, and all of them are too familiar in such smell. The moment Gonzalo and Patricia came down to the living room, they immediately gave the order to open the wooden box. And, no matter how strong their stomachs are, seeing what was the content of the box rattled them. "Oh, God! That's Benson." One of their men exclaimed. "I'm going to skin those bastard alive!" Another one yelled out of anger. "Calm down, boys. This is a good thing. He is running on blind rage, and his tripping. A rabid animal is easier to hunt because they don't have strategy anymore. They are working on rage." "Does that mea
Tasha was shocked about everything that followed after knowing the truth about Patricia's identity. As complicated as it is, she didn't realize that it could get anymore messed up than it already is. But, the funny thing is, Franklin didn't waste time claiming what was his. He came to Valenzuela estate with a hundred of his men, all armed, and prepared for war.She honestly felt scared that chaos would erupt, more so when Gonzalo went out to meet him. Franklin threatened to kill everyone at the estate if Gonzalo won't give Patricia to them. But, when one of his announced that Patricia was spotted running away through the southern part of the wooded area surrounding Gonzalo's property.If not for Darryl who took her deep into the woods where he told t
Life is a one big maze. Every turn we take lead us to another path. Patricia's life is the definition of one big maze. From the moment that she was conceived in the womb, there has been so much complication in her life. Even the way that her lineage started was complicated.Her real name is Patricia Zaragoza Maxford. The only daughter of an heir, and heiress of two powerful underground organization. The first born of the most powerful family in Jericho, California, Franklin Maxford. And, the heiress of the biggest mob group in Spain, Violet Zaragoza. After Violet's father died, she was forced to find a suitable husband to strengthen their organization.But, something happened that made things complicated. No one has any idea how it started or why, even the who. The once one happy, and powerful family got separated. It's like a classic fairy tale story. The king, and queen lost their one and only princess. The kingdom fell into a dark era, and lost their only hope.
Life is a one big maze. Every turn we take lead us to another path. Patricia's life is the definition of one big maze. From the moment that she was conceived in the womb, there has been so much complication in her life. Even the way that her lineage started was complicated.Her real name is Patricia Zaragoza Maxford. The only daughter of an heir, and heiress of two powerful underground organization. The first born of the most powerful family in Jericho, California, Franklin Maxford. And, the heiress of the biggest mob group in Spain, Violet Zaragoza. After Violet's father died, she was forced to find a suitable husband to strengthen their organization.But, something happened that made things complicated. No one has any idea how it started or why, even the who. The once one happy, and powerful family got separated. It's like a classic fairy tale story. The king, and queen lost their one and only princess. The kingdom fell into a dark era, and lost their only hope.
New Mexico became Levi's new home. While keeping his true identity hidden, he's enjoying his brand new life. Working at a meat factory, he also maintained his relationship with the child he helped. They always meet every night in front of the kid's house. They would eat snacks, and exchange stories.Even the kid's parents met Levi, and loved him immediately. He felt like having his parents back. Feeling the love of a mother, and a father, who would give advice about life. Being born as a privileged kid made him blind to the struggles of people born in the lower class of society. It made him think that life is always easy, and that everyone always has a choice."Carl, come on, shift's done. Time for some booze."Carl is the name that Levi chose to be his new name. It's far different than his true name, and he even grew his beard to change his appearance. It's not that he's afraid of getting caught. He just enjoys his life so much that he doesn't want it to end. T
-Flashback-What does being a father means? Is it providing everything that your family needs? Or maybe giving them a home that can call their own? Perhaps, loving them is enough? But, is it right that a father was a son first? With a mother who loved him more than anyone in this world? A woman who taught him how to be a man with dignity, compassion, and love?What would a man do if he was placed in a situation where he needs to choose? The family that he didn't want, or th mother who alway loved, and cared for him? What was the choice for him?With breathes so deep and heavy, that it could almost be heard outside the house, Gonzalo sat on the floor. His hands were shaking, and his body was covered in sweat. It's like he just woke up from an endless nightmare. Because, the moment that he saw his wife, and child, his reaction turned to utter shock."What have I done?" His eyes was dancing, more like drowning in fear, confusion, and grief. And, when the tel
The Maxford estate is one of the oldest property in Jericho. Parts of it has been renovated multiple times, but the family maintained the original style and design of the entire property. And, the most beautiful part of the Maxford estate is the well garden. A three hundred-year-old well, crafted by the best mason, and blacksmith in town, long before it was called Jericho.Now that the truth has come out, Franklin is hell bent on finding what really happened to his wife. He wants to know what happened to their child. If it was born, or of it died. For twenty-five years, he thought that his wife died of child birth. That the baby brought to them was the reason why his beloved wife died. Franklin tried to love her, to see her as her child. But, everytime he looks at Angela, all he could see was his wife not being with him. Not only that, whenever he lay on his bed at night, he would think about Angela. Asking himself, is the death of his wife the only why he can't love her?
-Flashback-Gilbert Just got home from a business dealing with his boss, some of their best men. Violence was not part of the plan. However, there unforeseen events that occurred, and one sassy response led to insults, until the first shot was fired. Bloodshed was indeed unavoidable."Oh, my God! Are you okay?""It's not my blood. I'm fine, babe.""Thank God."Deborah hugged Gilbert after ensuring that he wasn't hurt. The moment that her heartbeat turned to normal, she remembered her surprised. The memory of Gilbert's look when he said having a child is his greatest dream is still fresh in his mind."What are you doing?" Gilbert asked in confusion while watching her rummage through her back."Here,""What is—you're—is this—"Deborah smiled widely after seeing his reaction. Gilbert was bewildered as he stare at the pregnancy test. His reaction was a mix of shock and utter happiness. He even needed to fin