Antonio's eyes widened sharply, and he walked closer to Courtney."You know who this Lord Damon is?"He asked impatiently.Courtney rolled her eyes."Well yeah, and he is not Lord of anybody, he is just...."Antonio interrupted, not letting her finish."Then you must take me to him right now!" His hands clenched as if trying to grasp something just unreachable."He is in the Montero's Mansion".She said dryly."Okay ".Antonio replied."What happened to? I don't want to associate with anything Montero anymore?"She raised a brow and folded her hands."Well, someone is in danger and that person means so much to me, okay. I had to go...".Courtney sighed deeply, shaking her head as she placed a hand on his shoulder, trying to calm him down. "Antonio, you don't understand, going back there now is dangerous. Damon is the one behind your grandma death, your memory loss, everything. It's like walking right in to a trap. He won't hesitate to eliminate you once and for all, so that Montero'
“So when are we leaving?”Antonio asked impatiently.“Immediately”.Courtney replied.Just then, the restaurant manager entered the VIP room. He looked quite surprised to see both in that position.Antonio read his face and immediately steps away from Courtney immediately, with his hands behind him.The manager’s face was a mix of curiosity and suspicions. “Miss, is everything to your satisfaction?” he asked Courtney politely, offering a nervous smile.Courtney smiled back softly as she replied, “Yes, thank you. It was lovely. And now we’re leaving.”“I am pleased to hear that”.He replied with a smile.“Diego,” the manager called, “What are you doing here? You weren't supposed to be up here.”Courtney had to intervene before Antonio could say anything.“Actually, I requested to see him earlier also, when I said we are going… I mean I am going with him… with Diego”.The Manager was speechless for a second. He glanced at Antonio questionable. Antonio clearly looked agitated but tryin
“Are you done? We have something urgent, that we need to attend to remember?”Antonio asked with a frown.“Oh yes, sorry about my laugh, it's just felt so weird”.She replied.“We have to go now sir,”Antonio bowed and turned to leave.“Wait for the lady! You fox!”Courtney snapped with a frown.“My apologies”.Antonio replied softly.Courtney giggled clearly enjoying this moment then she turned to the manager and took out a cheque from her bag.“Manager…please take this as an appreciation for giving Antonio a chance to work even as a foreigner”.She handed him the cheque.“Arigatou gozaimasu”.She bowed in respect to Japanese culture and walked towards Antonio who was waiting at the door.The manager still puzzled at the spot. He watched as Antonio and Courtney walked out of the restaurant VIP room.Then slowly he looked down at the million dollar cheque in his hand.“I knew that boy was someone important”.He smiled to himself and kissed the cheque.As Antonio and Courtney descende
Courtney's convoy, two sleek and black cars with tinted windows, awaited them outside the restaurant. The bodyguards followed immediately.One of them opened the door for Antonio with a bow, but Antonio asked Courtney to climb in first."A true gentleman, huh?"She teased him."Not now please".Antonio replied, already done with hyperactive Courtney.She laughed as she climbed in, then Antonio followed. The door shut behind them with a solid thud.The bodyguards were in the other car, while Antonio and Courtney were in the one In Front.As the car engine hummed to life, Antonio leaned back in his seat, his jaw clenched, staring out the window, his phone vibrating in his hand, deep in thought.Courtney, seated beside him, stole a glance at him then down to his phone, he was dialing Hinata's number.He must be worried for her sake.She pulled out her phone and began making arrangements for their departure."We'll go straight to the airport. My jet's on standby," she informed Antonio.
"We're fine, Antonio. But... Why do you ask? You sound worried. What's going on, son?"Lucas asked curiously.Antonio hesitated for a moment, trying to push down the fear gnawing at him. He couldn't tell them the truth, no need to. He couldn't drag them into the chaos of his past life. He will explain later, not now.So, he swallowed hard and forced himself to lie. "It's nothing, really. I just... I had a nightmare. A bad one. I was worried about you both. I apologize for calling because of something as silly as this."Lucas chuckled softly, clearly reassured. "Ah, a nightmare, huh? Don't worry about us, Antonio. We're doing great. Gabi's cooking up a storm like always, and we were just talking about how much we miss you. When I saw your call, I thought my son would visit soon, but it gladdens my heart that you care about us this deeply, too".Antonio smiled despite the tension in his chest. "I miss you both, too. I just wanted to hear your voices. It... it makes me feel better."
“I tried to stop him, Angela, I really did. But he’s made up his mind.”Angela's voice trembled.“No, no… Courtney, why are you letting him do this? Why are you letting him risk his life? How did Damon know about Hinata…this could be a set-up…he is not going to win a fight against Damon…please, you need to stop him."Courtney glanced at Antonio, who remained stoic.“Angela, believe me. I told him all these, I tried to warn him," she said softly, “but you know how stubborn he can be. He’s determined, and I can’t force him to stay.”Angela let out a shaky breath, trying to hold back her tears. “Please, Courtney… please do everything possible to keep him safe. No matter what happens, promise me he will be fine, I can't live anymore… If anything happens to him.”“You really care about him so much, Angela, I wish he could see that. Even after everything… even after he broke your heart… You still care about him. You can’t stand the thought of him getting hurt”.Courtney said intentionally
Although Courtney wanted to keep Antonio a secret, the issue with Hinata had already exposed his existence.The airport was buzzing with crowds, most of them the media, swarming in hopes of catching a glimpse of the famous Montero heir rumored to be returning after years of being presumed dead.Fan girls were there to welcome him, crying in excitement and holding up a cardboard paper with their notes written on it.However, the security around Antonio and Courtney was airtight. He moved through the crowd in a facemask and hoodie, concealing his identity as per Courtney's plan.A convoy of black cars waited outside, each guarded by loyal guards of the Montero family who had stayed faithful to their legacy.These men, now serving under Courtney, as their heiress, have been devoted and protective over the years since Antonio's disappearance.And refuse to submit to Damon.They made sure his departure from the airport to Courtney's family estate was safe.The drive to Courtney's family e
She asked gently, her eyes searching his face intently, hoping for a positive answer.Antonio blinked and wiped away the tears quickly, shaking his head. "No," he replied, his voice hoarse. "I don't know why I'm crying... It just... happened."He said embarrassed.Courtney watched him closely, a flicker of suspicion crossing her mind, but she didn't question him furtherShe wasn't sure if he was suppressing his memories or if something deep within him was stirring, but either way, she knew she had to give him space."Let's go to your old room," she suggested, offering him a comforting smile. "It's been preserved just for you. When you are you, you always visit with your parents so that room was the room my mother, your aunt kept for you. Maybe being there will help."Antonio nodded, still feeling embarrassed by her seeing him in tears.Antonio simply followed Courtney's lead as she guided him to his room.It has your stuffed animals and favorite action figures.Antonio muttered thank