Chapter 1

Anaya

“Oh God, Oh God, Oh God, what have I done? I’m such a moron. Please, God, save me,” I grumbled to myself. I closed my eyes and prayed to the Almighty before my life ended.

“You know it will be more helpful if you beg God to increase the speed of this jet. I’m bored right now,” I overheard an amused voice remark. My right eye popped open, and a beautiful girl smirked at me.

“I’d rather have Him transport me than sit in this death trap! But He isn’t working in my favor, right now” I remarked this while opening both eyes and massaging my brow.

She giggled and continued, “Riddle me this. Why does airplane engineering development go so slowly?” I gave her a strange look and responded, “I don’t know.”

“Everyone is afraid to make a groundbreaking design. Duh!” I just shook my head as she chuckled at her own joke. “My name is Lucia. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

I smiled. “Anaya. It’s also a pleasure to meet you too.”

“What brings you to Italy? Business or pleasure?” She inquired.

I’m not sure what to say to her. Should I lie? Yeah, lie! “Umm...” I was spared by the flight attendant who approached Lucia and informed her that her seat had been cleaned and she may return to her seat. She looked at me and nodded. “Bye. See you in Italy.”

I smiled and nodded. “Thank you very much. I’ll see you soon.” I leaned back and thought about what had brought me to Italy.

One week before...

I raced to the hospital after receiving the dreaded call that my parents’ car had been in an accident. A middle-aged lady at the reception desk informed me they were severally injured and being operated on and that I needed to sit in the family waiting room. I was training to be a nurse while working as a waitress, but nothing could have prepared me for this.

I prayed while I sat alone. My parents are my entire world. They are my only family. I dashed to the doctor as he emerged from the operating room. The glum expression on his face did not help my fear.

“Are you related to the couple?” he inquired.

I nodded and hurried, “Yes. I am their daughter. Are they okay? I have to see them.”

He continued after clearing his throat, “Mam, I am sorry, but we could not save them.” He was speaking, but I couldn’t understand him. I collapsed on the floor, weeping. My parents have died. My entire family died. No, no, no! Please, God, let this be a nightmare.

But my hopes of this being a nightmare were shattered as I stood in a black dress in front of my parents’ casket during their funeral. Many people in this little town sympathized with me, giving me hugs and tapping me on the back of the head or shoulder. I was sitting near their graves after everything was done.

“I miss you both so much.” I kissed the flowers, placed them on their graves, and ran to my home before I  break down again. As soon as I arrived at my house, I noticed someone lurking around the gate.

“Can I help you, Mister?” I asked, clearing my throat.

The man in a sharp, expensive black suit straightened his back and asked, “Are you, Miss Anaya Regio?”

I nodded and asked, “Yes, I am. And you are?”

“Alexy Bosetti. And I am Mr. and Mrs. Regio’s lawyer. Before I say anything further, please accept my heartfelt sympathies for your loss. They were kind folks,” he stated.

I took a trembling breath in. I wasn’t prepared for this, but I responded, “Thank you very much. Please come in. I did not know my parents had a lawyer.” After I unlocked the, we sat on the sofa.

He responded with a smile, “They did, however, hire me in case of an unpleasant incident. I’d want to talk to you about carrying out their will.”

I was surprised. What will? We have nothing! But I remained silent and responded, “Okay. Please proceed.”

“I took the liberty of completing the legal processes, and all we need now is for you to sign further forms and get the assets and commodities your parents had for you in the will,” he added. He discussed the next steps and then left after an hour.

The next day, after we had completed all the processes, he handed me the documents and read the will. They had left everything to me: our house, our small farm, and the small amount of cash they saved all those years with a sealed envelope to be opened only by me. When I opened the envelope, it had a key with an address.

I asked the lawyer when the formalities were finished, “Could you kindly tell me more about this address and the key? I’m really puzzled.”

“I apologize, ma’am. But I have no clue. I’m afraid you’ll have to find it. If you want I can accompany you, “he elaborated. I replied," No it's ok. Thanks."

His offer astounded me. But if my parents trusted the lawyer, I should as well. He may have offered out of the goodness of his heart. I raced to my car and drove to the address as soon as I finished thanking him. I arrived at an odd gate amid nowhere. As soon as I arrived at the spot, the intimidating-looking guard asked, “Do you have the key?”

I handed him the key. He examined it with a scanner and led me to a strange-looking chamber. There was only one box in the room. As soon as I inserted the key, the box opened. When I opened the box, all I discovered was another envelope and nothing else.

I drove directly to my house after leaving the creepy area. As I opened the envelope and discovered two letters, my mind was racing with questions. I began by opening the first letter.

Hi, my bambino,

You will be a big girl by the time you read this letter. You might not even remember me. But you understand I had to remove you from all of this danger. I must be separated from you until I achieve something and save you from more problems. I hope you want to meet me after reading this. The address is at the bottom of the page, and Uncle Gio and Aunt Cara will fill you in on the rest. I hope to meet you soon, my Passero. Happy birthday my little love.

Love you.

Daddy

My heart almost stopped beating after reading that. Uncle Gio? Aunt Cara? My father’s name is Gio, and my mother’s name is Cara. What...? Why does it say Happy birthday? I opened the second letter hoping to find answers to my question. When I opened it, my world came to a halt, and I realized my entire existence had been a lie. 

In that moment of complete anguish, I chose to buy a ticket to Italy to meet my REAL father.

“We advise all passengers to fasten their seat belts. We have begun our descent....” The pilot’s words jarred me out of my reverie.

As I got out of the airport, I hailed a cab and checked into my hotel. I attempted to rest since the jet lag was making me dizzy, but I couldn’t sleep until I found out about my father. I need to pay a visit to the location. I showered and dashed out of the hotel, calling a cab and telling him the location. While driving, the cab driver gave me suspicious looks, so I eventually inquired, “Is everything OK, sir?”

“Mam, are you sure about the address?” he said, his voice heavy with an Italian accent.

I nodded and said, “Yes Sir. It is.” I smiled but lied to him. “A friend gave this address to me. She lives in the neighbourhood.”

He nodded and took his time driving. He rushed out as soon as we arrived at the address, as if the place was releasing deadly gas. I ignored him and continued walking through the overgrown trees and what appeared to be a ruined driveway. This place is scary, but perhaps there is a hidden door or something.

I yelled out as I moved through the damaged structure, “Hello? Is anyone there?”

I proceeded into a hallway, but before I could open my mouth, a hand came around and I battled to get free. This cannot be happening!

“Who are you?” inquired the guy. I couldn’t talk since my mouth was muffled. He jerked me and asked, “How do you know about this place? Speak out or I’ll kill you.”

I struggled once again. “Alberto, you’ve got your hand over her mouth; how is she going to talk, idiot?” He took his hand away and looked at me. “Speak out before I shoot you.” He yelled, putting a gun at my temple.

Because of the anxiety pouring through my veins, I was trembling and my mouth was stuck wide. I was struggling to breathe as he yelled again, “Speak!”

I trembled and turned away from the man with the gun pointed at my head, and then BAM. The sound of the rifle clanging echoes through my brain.