Dante.It's safe to say it. I'm full on loosing my mind. I have tried to call that damned number millions of times with little zero success. I have no idea where to get that kind of money from and I still don't know how Layla is. How many things can go wrong in one day? I'm about to find out."We have to do something. All this pacing around and staring into space isn't going to help. But what do we do? The amount they're asking for is fucking outrageous!" Felix muttered, spelling out what I already knew. I gnawed at my lower lip, so close to breaking the skin there and causing blood to spill out.I had to call again, I just needed to speak to whoever that person. This can't work. How will I cope? What am I supposed to do!? I brought up my phone and tried the number for the umpteenth time tonight. The phone rang but it soon cut off. No reach. This is what has been happening for the past hour now.I was seriously contemplating smashing my phone into the wall or something when it buzzed
Layla.After my conversation with Emilio, I was released from the chair and taken out of the room to another new place. Two burly men stood beside me while I walked and I nervously looked around, trying to see if this place was something I could escape from but everywhere I turned, they were guards and security cameras. I let out a sigh of resignation and tried not to resist. Emilio did indeed say it would be bad for me.The new room I was taken had a bed and table in it but it's was still rather empty. Once they walked me into it, the men turned around and the next thing I heard was the locking of doors. I flinched, startled before rubbing my wrists and letting out a despondent sigh. I can't believe they locked me in again. It's not like as if I can escape even if I tried. Sauntering towards the bed, I sat on it and looked around. Surprisingly, the bed was soft and it didn't take long for an exhausted yawn to break out of my mouth.Blinking my eyes tiredly, I laid on the bed, slippin
Dante."Here, I have your money." I said into the phone while I sat my car, my hands gripping the steering wheel tight and my heart racing in my chest."Really? That was quick. I'm impressed." Came thr digitally altered voice. I took in several calming breaths, needing myself to think straight."Of course. I had to be quick. Now would you please give me the address so I can come see you and give this to you?" I asked, my voice sounding way calmer than I felt."Better still... Let's find a place to meet. Don't you worry, I'll send you the address. I'll be waiting for you there." He responded before hanging up the call. I turned on the ignition of my car, glancing back at the huge bags of money on the seat and felt my stomach twist itself into knots. I had to fight tooth and nail to get so this better be wotht it or hell is going to break loose.After moments of inpatiently waiting for a response, my phone finally dinged and I immediately fetched it to see thr address of where we're sup
Dante."No. Am I supposed to remember you?" I asked, eyeing him skeptically, tension returning back to my frame. He let out a sound that sounded suspiciously like a chuckle and walked towards me, but he didn't stop there. He slowly started to circle me around while I felt myself grow even tenser."No... You're not supposed to. But it would have been better if you did. It would have saved us all the running around we had to go through." I hearr him say and I turned around to look at him. Sure, there was an uncanny familiarity with him, but I didn't think there was any reason to recognize him. He returned back to him, hands behind his back and his gaze so intense, I had trouble meeting it. Still, I held my ground, my hostility radiating off me in waves. "It's been such a long time too." He added. "But I kind of wish you did." Quite suddenly, he reached out his hands and touched my face, tilting it to thr side as he peered st s corner. I felt him release a breath and his grip on my fac
Dante.I drove all the way home part angry and fearful. For one reason, I thought he would chase after me but another part was scared he wouldn't return Layla back just like he promised. For that reason, I sped all the way home, desperately hoping he didn't go back on his word. I was fucked if he did that.I arrived back at my apartment and to my utmost relief, layla was there waiting for me. She immediately clung to me and I hugged her tight, lifting her up her knees and twirling her around. Her shrieks of joy filled my ears and I couldn't be more ecstatic."You're back!! For a moment there I was so scared they would do something to harm you! I really wouldn't stop fighting those men that dragged me away from you." She said as I put her down and held her face. Her eyes was shining with tears but she looked so ecstatic to see me. All my heartache immediately disappeared and I immediately grinned at her."I was worried about you too. I'm so glad you're safe." I told her and she let out
Dante.We had a bit of celebration and soon it was time to get some rest. Layla and Felix promptly fell asleep but I couldn't close me eyes even if i tried. That was hardly surprising. I couldn't stop thinking about all that happened and what he said. After tossing and turning for hours, I finally slipped out of the bed and into the living room, settling myself down on a chair and getting lost in my thoughts.I had a brother. His name was Emilio. He fired me from my job and kidnapped the woman I loved. All of what? So he could talk to me. How stupid does that sound. Still, I couldn't stamp out the silver of hope that had blossomed in my heart. I wasn't all alone in this world. I still had a family that claimed he has been looking for me for so long. And though I loathe to admit it, I wanted to be with him again. I wanted to ask him a ton of questions.Why did he do what he did? Why did it take so long for him to find me and why did he use such a stupid approach to get to me? I was sti
Dante.A few days later, after showering and dressing up, I decided to go see Emilio once more. I had had time to sleep and think it through and I believed it was the best course of action. If I don't go to the mountain, the mountain would come to me and I'm sure as hell that I didn't want that. Layla, was there to support me but she and Felix had to leave for school. By the time I was done with all my preparations, I had grown enough nerve to call him back. My grip on my phone slowly tightened as I waited for Emilio to pick up.It took a while, but it eventually happened. This time around, it wasn't digitally altered and the sound of his natural voice caused a strange feeling to course through me."We need to talk." I spoke without hesitation."Indeed we do. Where should you suppose we meet?" He asked and I clenched my jaw, making sure to keep my breath steady."Somewhere public. Is that alright with you?" I asked and silence prevailed for a moment. Soon, he began to speak."That is
Dante. Just like I suggested, we went ahead to do all the tests all over again and when the results, they were just what I feared and hoped they would be. I was indeed his long lost brother. I didn't know how to feel about it. I should be excited, but I could hardly feel it. Emilio caught the conflicting emotions in my eyes and gave me a sad smile."It would take some time to get used to, so I would suggest you don't force it." He explained. My hands gripped the document in my hands and I swallowed down my emotions."By the way, your actual name is Antonio. But you don't have to take it if you don't want to.""I don't want to. I think I'll just stick with Dante." I said and he nodded. Shuffling my feet, I came to a stop and looked at him square in the eyes. "I have to go now. I'll let you when this news sinks in." I said and he nodded. I was starting to leave when his voice stopped me in my tracks."What about Layla? How is she?" He asked and I immediately became guarded. But seeing