Chapter One

The day Elena's world changed was just like every usual day. The day she realized her parents were not who they said they were began like every normal day.

The Mario's started with breakfast in their mansion, packed with servants and maids.

"Your father and I will go on a trip soon," Elena's mother, Kelsey announced as they were having breakfast.

"Again? Why?" Elena asked. Her parents were business tycoons who barely spent time at home. They were always away on business deals and meetings, leaving Elena always alone at home. "You and Dad just got back from Spain last week."

Her father, Rocco, leaned in and smiled at her. "My dear child, we know we have not been spending time with you but we are just trying to give you a bright future. The business has been stressful and our attention is needed. Don't worry, we won't be traveling anytime soon after this trip."

"That's what you said the last time," Elena replied, her face laced with sadness.

Her mother shook her head slightly. "Look, your father needs to sort out some urgent business issues and if he doesn't, we might—"

"That's enough. We agreed to keep her out of it." Her father said, cutting her mother off.

"Agreed to keep me out of what?" Elena asked, her eyes dancing between her parents. She could sense that they were keeping something from her. "What are you talking about?"

"It's nothing, my dear child," Rocco replied swiftly. "Your mother is just worried about some business deals. It's nothing for you to worry about."

Elena who was not convinced by her father's response turned to her mother. "Mum, what did you mean by that? Is everything ok?"

Kelsey sighed before flashing her a bright fake smile. "Of course, everything is ok. I was just worried as your father said."

"Worried about what?"

"Honey, it's fine. There's nothing wrong with —" Her mother was suddenly interrupted when a group of armed men barged into the mansion. "Oh my goodness!"

"What's—what's going on?" Elena asked no one in particular, as the men advanced toward them. "Security! Security!"

"It's no use, my daughter." Her father said, rising to his feet.

"Dad, what's going on?"

"Mr. Rocco!" One of the men thundered. "We have been instructed to take you immediately. Do not resist or try to fight back. We do not intend to harm anyone but if you do not obey our instructions, we will have to bring you in by any means."

"Look, let me talk to him. We can come to an agreement before—"

"We're not here to negotiate with you, Mr. Rocco." The leader of the group said. "Take him!" He instructed the men with him and they rushed toward Rocco.

"Stop! Don't you touch my father!!" Elena yelled, running to her father's side. The men ignored her and began to bundle Rocco out of the house.

"Mum, are you just going to watch them take him? Do something!" Elena cried, watching her mother who was crying helplessly by the corner.

"Elena, I will be fine." Her father yelled as the men forcefully took him away. "Don't worry, I will be back soon."

"Who sent you? What has my father done?" Elena who was following the men and trying to struggle with them asked. "My father is an innocent man. He has done nothing wrong. Let him go!"

The leader turned sharply to her. "Your father is a thief and a liar!"

"You're lying!" Elena yelled, tears streaming down her eyes. "My father is a nobleman. Let him go!"

"Maybe you should ask your mother how noble he is." The leader spat. "Rocco will face the consequences of his actions once we take him to the boss. I urge you to pray that your father returns in one piece."

Elena watched with tears as they shoved her father into a black SUV. They tied him up and drove away quickly.

They were so many thoughts in her head as she watched the cars drive away. What did her father do? What did the gang leader mean?

Sitting in her pool of tears, she tried to think about who her father could have offended or had a bad deal with. But no answer was coming to her head.

Turning to her mother with anger and pain, she asked. "Why didn't you do anything to help him? Why did you let them take him away?"

Kelsey was still weeping by the corner. She watched as her husband was taken away but she couldn't do anything to help him.

"I can't do anything to help him." She replied, wiping her tears slowly.

"That's not true. We could have stopped them from taking him. Father is innocent and they are going to harm him. We should alert the police."

"No!" Her mother yelled, her lips quivering with fright. "Don't get the police involved. That would only worsen the situation."

"Why?" Elena asked with shock. "How do you want to save Father from them?"

"You don't understand! They are not people that the police can intimidate. We have to play by their rules to save your father."

Elena moved closer to her mother. "Is it really true? Did Father do something wrong? Was that man right?"

"Your father is not a criminal," Kelsey said, sniffing slowly. "He was only trying to do the best for this family."

The realization that her father may have really committed a terrible crime or have associated with the wrong people hit her like a train. "What did he do? Why was he taken?"

Kelsey inhaled slowly. "Your father is indebted to a man. Not just any man. Andrea Santino."

Elena shuddered as shivers ran down her spine. She was vaguely familiar with the name. She had heard her father yell his name furiously on the phone sometimes but she had no idea who he was. Yet, she knew he was a very powerful man.

"Andrea Santino." She mumbled. "Is he dad's business partner?"

"Oh," Kelsey chuckled bitterly. "I wish he was. He is the most powerful and dangerous man in L.A with a billion dollar worth company and stocks. Your father had a deal with him but unfortunately, he used the money for his personal benefit. And now, Andrea wants it back at all costs."

Real fear crashed through Elena for the first time since she was speaking to her mother. Her father hadn't just embezzled money but he embezzled money from the most ruthless man in Los Angeles. What was going to happen to him?

"How much does Father owe him?" She managed to muster.

"It's nothing we can raise in months. Your father owes him three hundred million dollars. We have tried so hard to get the money but the bank won't loan us such an amount." Her mother said, tears flowing down her eyes again.

Elena couldn't believe her father could do such a thing. They were easily one of the richest families in the city and her parents were doing great financially. She had never imagined that her father would someday be accused of theft.

Everything she believed in began to crumble before her very eyes. Could her parents be lying to her all these years? Were they leaving off on Andrea's wealth or were her parents really business tycoons?

Thousands of questions were flitting through her mind at the same time. However, she knew that no one was going to save her father. If she didn't do anything to help him, Andrea could kill him and she wasn't going to let that happen. She would have to do anything to save her father.

Turning to her mother, she wiped her tears. "We have to stay strong in order to help Dad. I need you to tell me everything about Andrea and his company address."

Her mother's eyes widened. "Why? What are you thinking?"

"I'm going to pay him a visit."