Lucas
“It’s a good thing you came here early, Lucas!” Mario carried a serious expression on his face. “Today I want to show you something which is only for family…today I want to show you the real Castillos.”
The real Castillos? Did that mean he was finally going to tell me their deepest secrets? Did that mean I could eventually distance myself from this family and leave sooner than expected?
Good, they were…hideous.
Who was I kidding? I enjoyed being here.
“The real Castillos?” I questioned as Mario pulled out a big map and threw it on the table. “Yes, so listen very well.”
Just as expected, that old man showed me a map of where they keep all their products and gave me the names of all their men and business partners. Apparently, Mario trusted me so much that he didn’t know he was serving me his downfall.
All he could see
LucasI turned my back and walked inside as my body shook with anger. How dare she? She had some nerve.“Hey, you!” Panther leaned against the door, stopping me just as I was about to leave the mansion.I met his eyes. “Yes?”“I don’t know what your problem is, but Linda is still the lady of the house—and you’ve just arrived here, so you should show her some respect.”Once again, I was at a loss for words. It was almost scary how fast he had turned on me. He only hung out with me because I was new and loved, a threat to this household, but now that he knew I wouldn’t let anyone walk over me—I was suddenly an issue.I hadn’t forgotten about Mario’s indirect warning. This man was dangerous and ever since, something about him bothered me.“Since you know everything so well, please tell me,” I spoke, not in the mood
Marvin“Have you noticed anything unusual about Elena lately?”Panther stopped in his steps. “She has been acting strange, but then again—it’s Elena.” He concluded. “Did she say something to you?”I waited patiently until the other men had walked passed, not wanting my relationship to be the highlight at the lab. Usually, I had no issues keeping my personal life from work—but the situation had been bothering me.“I don’t know,” I whispered. “But nowadays, she often visits this friend of hers. I overhear them talking over the phone.”“Look at you, acting like a high schooler.” Panther judged me. Was I?I was jealous. That was out of the question—but as far as I was concerned, I had every right to be. Elena was a catch.“Her friend’s name is Victoria, but I can’t help but think—what if i
ElenaI held my phone in my hands—waiting for Victoria’s text. It had been days, but there was still no message about the stick.“Lena.”I flinched hearing the voice of the person I despised the most and almost jumped from my chair. “P-Panther?” I brushed my hair to the side, appearing as casual as possible. “I thought you were…out.”“Yes, out.” He slowly stepped closer and released a chuckle. “You would like that, wouldn’t you?”“I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I held in my breath as Panther stood in front of me with only a few inches between us.“Did I do something to make you feel uncomfortable?” Panther’s finger moved to a strand of my hair. “Elena, do I seem scary to you?”“No, of course not!”He shot me a strange look and knocked his fist on my forehead. “So all this time, I’ve been worrying over nothing? I’m glad to hear that.” He said. “Especially since I’ve had your back since the beginning and kept your secret for a long time.”A shiver curled down my spine.What
ElenaOnce I stepped outside, I could finally breathe. Relieved, I brushed my hands through my hair to calm myself down and closed my eyes to process everything.“Elena, wait!” Marvin caught up with me as my eyes shot open. His hand reached to hold mine, only to stop when he had noticed the blood on his hands. “I-I can explain!” The shame was written on his face.I didn’t need him to explain why he had just killed a liar. Trust me. It would only add to my nerves.“You don’t have to,” I told Marvin, unable to meet his gaze. “I’m okay, so let’s just pretend none of this happened.”“What—us?”“No, not us!” I clarified. “T-that thing I saw just now.”“Elena…” Marvin sighed, noticing I couldn’t even describe what had just happened. He killed a man. He had actually pulled the trigger, and I knew it wasn’t the first time.“Why are you looking at me like that?” I cracked a laugh. “I’m not angry. Really, I’m not!” I said. “Trust me. I don’t have the right to be.”Not after all my lies.“So all
Elena“I’m here to make it up to you.” He spoke. “I’m ready to listen to you, trust you—and I’m ready to take you home.”Not knowing what else to do, I took a step back and shook my head. “N-no.” I breathed, looking dad in his eyes. “I’m not going anywhere—I’m not!”“Elena—““I’m not.”“Just hear us out, please.” Alex jumped in. He didn’t raise his voice, he didn’t look at me the wrong way, and it almost seemed as if he was afraid I could run out any second. “Please.” He pleaded.I folded my arms and looked at Lucas, who shrugged his shoulders.How the hell did he get involved anyway?That’s what I would like to know.“You know what, I’ll hear you guys out—but that’s it,” I spoke before hearing three relieved sighs.As promised, I sat beside Lucas with dad and Alex on the opposite side. My previous thoughts, occupied with Marvin’s terrifying persona, had suddenly vanished.What was up with these three, and why were they together?Perhaps to take down Marvin?Or maybe it was nothing ot
Elena“Thank you…for everything.” I sighed, thanking Lucas. If anything, I was most grateful to him for not asking too many questions.“No problem.” He said. “I should thank you for protecting Tiago. I wouldn’t know how to live with myself if something happened to my little brother because of me.”My little brother.After coming to the mansion to supposedly take down the Castillos, he called Tiago his little brother and could see past his mistakes.Perhaps if I told Marvin the truth, he could look past my mistakes.No, Elena.He wouldn’t.“I don’t know what happened, but you look tensed.” Lucas noticed, raising a brow. “Will you be alright?” He asked. “Are you alright—are you happy?”Was I?That was a question I didn’t have the answer to, and maybe it was because no one cared enough to ask me that question.“Elena, are you okay?”“Ye—““Elena?” The door opened, revealing Marvin. He looked at Lucas for a split second before wrapping his arms around my body. “Where were you?”There was
ElenaIf someone told me I would be sitting on Victoria’s big, luxurious and cozy sofa with the most unexpected group, I would’ve laughed in their faces.Somehow, dad, Alex, Victoria, Lucas, Victor, and I were all part of this secret complot and waiting for Victoria to play Anya’s file which would take down Panther once and for all.I knew how dad and Alex felt about sitting in a room with a Castillo—but at that moment, it was the least of his concerns. All he wanted to know was what exactly had happened to his friend—Stevie Maddens.“If this is the evidence I’ve been looking for…I’ll tell Marvin everything and come back home,” I announced. “Victor said he’d protect me—he also said it’s for the best.”“Yes.” Victor nodded uncomfortably, probably not wanting to be in the same room with a bunch of authorities who were not corrupt. “Apparently, we’ve got each other’s backs.”Dad and Alex shared a look. “Then what are we waiting for?” Dad spoke.~The TapeFour Years AgoAt the table sat
MarvinThe guys could talk all they pleased, but I wasn’t embarrassed for rushing to the house to apologize to Elena.My biggest goal was for her not to see what kind of monster I was, and unfortunately, she did. It was easy to blame Panther, but only one person was to blame—and that person was me.Seeing Lucas comforting her brought a sharp pain to my heart. Of course, the detective had to be there for her, while I couldn’t. Call it jealousy. I didn’t care.With Elena on my mind, I went straight home after handling business, but she was nowhere to be found. It wasn’t too far stretched to believe she might’ve run off with Lucas, the perfect detective.Hours went by as I sat at the dining table, waiting for her arrival—but there was still no sign of her.She wouldn’t respond to my calls, my texts—nothing.The second I heard footsteps at the front, I rushed to the door—thinking it was Elena. As I opened it, I realized that wasn’t the case. It was Misty.“What are you doing h—“ I was at