Chapter Thirteen

Miesa sat in class with her chin resting on her palm. Her feet bounced on the floor as she waited for her mother to walk through the door. 

Her teacher Miss Valerie was talking to someone on the phone by the window and she was looking out so Miesa took out the envelope from her bag and admired it again for the millionth time that day.

The envelope contained precious information that couldn’t get into the wrong hands so she returned it to it’s safe place just as her mother walked into the classroom and her teacher was just ending her call.

“I’m so sorry I’m late miss Valerie. It won’t happen again.” Ellie apologized profusely.

“It’s fine.” Miss Valerie smiled. 

“Let’s go Mimi.” She said to her daughter.

“Is.. Cesar waiting outside?”. Mimi had wanted to call him “dad” but got herself in time. Her mother couldn’t find out that she knew the truth now.

“No he’s not." Ellie replied with a frown. "I told you Mimi…he’s a very busy man.”

“He promised not to be too busy for me.” She pouted.

“Yeah..I believe I said so princess.” Cesar said from behind Ellie.

Daddy!

Miesa wanted to call him that so bad but she didn’t. It was all in due time.

“Cesar!". She ran to hug him. "You’re back!”.

“I’m back princess. I missed you.” He carried her up making her laugh and then kissed her forehead. 

He always felt complete whenever he hugged her- like a part of him that had gone missing before has been found and replaced.

“Cesar...this is Valerie Baker, she’s Mimi’s class teacher. Miss Valerie meet Cesari Sandoval my boss.” Ellie said.

“Nice to meet you in person finally.” Cesar held out his hand. "Mimi’s told me a lot about you.”

“Good things I hope? Nice to meet you too Mr Sandoval.” Valerie shook his hand then her brows furrowed as she looked at Cesar and Miesa. "Wow! the two of you look so much alike that it’s uncanny.”

“Really? Funny enough,her mother has never noticed.” Cesar said.

Ellie didn’t like being put on the spot and she looked like a deer caught in headlights. She let out a slightly nervous laugh and said that she agreed with what Valerie said.

“Do you now?”. Her subconscious mocked her. "Fool”.

“Shall we go?”. She asked anxiously.

“Let’s go." Mimi nodded.

“Have a nice day Miss Baker.” Cesar flashed her a smile.

“You too Mr Sandoval.” Valerie waved.

“So you do agree with me finally huh?”. Cesar asked her as he drove out of the school premises.

“Yeah but it does not mean anything.” She said hastily. "It’s no big deal.”

“I know." Cesar said. "Do you want pizza princess?”.

“Yes. Pepperoni pizza.” Miesa beamed.

“You got it princess.” He smiled at her.

“You will spoil her if you keep asking her what she wants to eat every day." Ellie reprimanded him. "She'll get used to it and then I won't be able to stop her from wanting stuff everyday."

“I’m acting like a dad remember?”. He asked her. "Dads do this."

“This is lesson number one then.” Ellie replied.

Cesar chuckled and nodded. “Yes ma’am. Whatever you say.”

*****

“You’re late Lukas.” Cesar growled when his PI was ushered into his home office. "I needed that information last week.”

“Sorry boss. Something came up." Lukas apologized. 

“I hope whatever you got is worth the delay.” Cesar grumbled.

“You know I don’t disappoint boss." Lukas smirked and handed him the big envelope. "Everything about her is in there.”

“Everything?”. He looked skeptical.

“Including her parents. You’re in for a big surprise boss.” Lukas told him.

“You can go. I’ll have the money transferred to your account.” Cesar dismissed him.

“Okay. Hey so I was wondering if I can take one of your maids home?”. Lukas questioned.

Cesar stared at him in confusion. “Why?”.

“She’s pretty and I need to get laid.” He gave a half shrug.

“What about your fugly girlfriend?”.

“Broke up with the bitch.” He shrugged.

“Go find a prostitute to lay with Lukas.” Cesar waved him away.

“I’ll take her in lieu of payment.” Lukas said.

Cesar leaned back in his chair. “Seriously? Who’s this lady you’re bending over backwards for?”.

“Don’t know her name. She’s really pretty though..seems very shy.”

“Go bring her here.”

Lukas left immediately and returned with the said lady. She was beautiful and dark skinned and tall – taller than Lukas himself.

“Aisha? Get your fucking hands off her man. She’s off limits to you.” Cesar ordered harshly.

“She your family boss?”. Lukas was surprised.

“No. I’m her guardian and she’s mute." Cesar informed him in a flat voice. "She’s just 18.”

“Right." Lukas nodded and stepped away from her. "Sorry." He apologized.

“She’s not for the likes of you.” Cesar said. "Now get out of my house Lukas.”

“I’m gone.” Lukas said and rushed out of the office.

Cesar stood up,skirted the desk and went to meet Aisha.

“Pay him no mind A. He’s a nincompoop.”

Aisha smiled and nodded.

“Go watch TV or something. I’ll come join you.”

“Okay. Don’t be long.” She signed.

“I won’t.” He assured her. 

He watched her leave before he returned to his desk and sat down. He puffed up his cheeks and blew out his breath suddenly nervous which made him laugh.

He was hardly ever nervous but this one was different. He was about to find out Elyon Devane’s secrets.

He broke the seal of the envelope and took out the contents in it. There were pictures and a lot of papers so he started with the pictures first. There were pictures of her growing up, birthday pics,high school graduation pics but the one that stood out was the picture of her dressed in a purple armless gown and on her face was a silver mask. 

She looked very young, around eighteen.. nineteen?and she had her arms around a man’s neck whom upon closer inspection was...him.

Cesari Islan Sandoval.